With the upcoming Parade of Homes unveiling, I’d like to show a different style of design. I recently completed a remodel in Mississippi that dramatically changed the interior of three rooms and the entire character of the home. It went from dark, oversized decor to inviting and soothing for the Powell family who have two young boys. They wanted their house to feel like a home they could be proud of and enjoy. They have a large extended family and host get-togethers of family and friends on a regular basis. The original decor did not reflect their style or personalities, and they longed for something that would.

So, to Mississippi I went. We spent one weekend picking out furniture; three twelve-hour days of intense shopping and making hard decisions. But they were troopers, and together we found furniture and accessories that reflected their personalities and enhanced the architecture of their sprawling home. I visited again when the furniture and rugs arrived. And for a third weekend once the stone fireplace was complete, and all of the furniture, accessories, linens, and drapery had been delivered. Before I arrived, the entire Powell family spent three days removing the old furniture, deep-cleaning the house, and distributing the furniture and accessories to the appropriate rooms. When I got there, it was my turn to do what I do best, transform it into the home they wanted.

The final weekend was a flurry of activity that culminated with a huge party of over 100 people, which consisted of family, and friends from their small hometown. We decorated the outside with party lights and lanterns, outdoor cushions and pillows, and Mr. Powell built a stone and granite bar (complete with a bartender for the night). It was a first class party and unveiling of their remodel. The party was a huge success and a lot of fun!

But back to the entire remodel… The most labor intensive change was the fireplace in the keeping room. We transformed it from a nondescript section to a facade of Ledgecut Stone from Eldorado Stone that matches their brick flooring. The fireplace is now a focal point of the room that highlights the grout in the brick floor and the stained oak beams on the ceiling.

Next, the grand room went from a space that was seldom used to a warm and inviting room with plenty of seating to accommodate their family gatherings. We removed the persian rug, dark wood-rimmed chairs, and marble coffee table. And replaced it with natural wood furniture, a rug with spherical designs, accent chairs, and accessories that incorporate and enhance the color scheme in the furniture.

Finally, the master bedroom went from merely a place to sleep to a room with soothing blues and greens. We added a seating area with club chairs, an end table, and reading lamp; wood floors and a rug under the bed; new bed linens, and exquisite handmade drapery. For accessibility, we kept the kids’ book shelf in the bedroom, to easily accommodate their nightly book reading. Mrs. Powell explained to me recently that they rarely utilized the space except to go to bed, but now they read their daily newspapers in the seating area, while the boys watch TV and snuggle amongst the soft, fluffy Pottery Barn pillows. The master bedroom has become a respite place after a long-days work and keeping up with two active little boys.

Overall, the project was a huge success and gave the Powell family their desired home. It was fulfilling to see the transformation in both the look and especially the feel of their house. This remodel proves that interior design can impact and dramatically improve people’s lives. If you have any doubts about paying the fees for a talented designer, please take a look at the pictures of the Powell house. You will see a family home that went from lived in to one that is loved and cherished. That’s the difference a professional designer makes.

The pictures of the Powell home are arranged in the order I talk about them in the paragraphs above, and distributed over the next few posts. Enjoy! And feel free to let me know what you think.