Each year, Southern Living pulls together an all-star team of designers to design, build and decorate the ultimate southern home against the awe-inspiring backdrop of an iconic locale, from South Carolina’s Lowcountry to the farmlands of Nashville.
Read our Q&A with editor Zoe Gowen about her inspiration for the wraparound porch.
For the 2016 Southern Living Idea House, and in celebration of the magazine’s 50th anniversary, editors selected a location near and dear to their hearts: their hometown of Birmingham, AL. “We really wanted to celebrate the milestone in our own backyard,” said Southern Living Homes Editor, Zoe Gowen.
Read our Q&A with designer Ashley Gilbreath about her inspiration for the foyer.
Set in the beautiful Town of Mt. Laurel and designed by local architect Bill Ingram, the classic cottage with wrap-around porch was decorated by a celebrated team of designers with roots in the region, including Amy Berry, Ashley Gilbreath, Lauren Liess, Margaret Kirkland and Mark D. Sikes.
Read our Q&A with designer Mark D. Sikes about his inspiration for the living room.
“We purposely chose five up-and-coming designers from all over the region, and they all worked together to create classic southern decorating that feels modern and fresh,” Gowen said.
Read our Q&A with designer Lauren Liess about her inspiration for the master suite.
In honor of the magazine’s anniversary, the editors tasked the designers with reinventing traditional southern design with modern detail. Designers were given archival photos from past issues for inspiration in creating rooms that reflect the magazine’s history while designing them for today’s family.
Read our Q&A with designer Margaret Kirkland about her inspiration for the dining room.
Some of the modern takes on classic southern style include a bright color palette, head-turning window treatments, lots of pattern and creative, yet streamlined, uses of upholstery and wall coverings, including tented ceilings. And even with each designer’s unique style woven throughout, the home had a comfortable flow that felt really cohesive.
Read our Q&A with architect Bill Ingram about his inspiration for the kitchen.
“Southern style is definitely not singular, but there is a common sensibility,” Gowen said. “I think this house is a real testament to that.”
Read our Q&A with architect Bill Ingram about his inspiration for the family room.
The image of an old family room with a brick wall and wood ceiling beams that architect and designer Bill Ingram received could just as easily have been taken from the set of That ’70s Show. To recreate that same feeling of cozy warmth without the visual weight, he anchored his family room with dark green walls and created a tented ceiling using draped fabric.
Read our Q&A with designer Ashley Gilbreath about her design for the upstairs foyer.
Designer Ashley Gilbreath loved the idea of creating a “gathering space” right outside an upstairs bedroom. The upholstered bench adds an inviting softness and also reclaims the awkward space created by the dormer window.
Read our Q&A with designer Amy Berry about her inspiration for the guest bedroom.
Inspired by the pattern-happy Dallas home documented in the archival images, designer Amy Berry took a walk on the wild side by mixing animal print with traditional florals and subtle stripes.
Read our Q&A with designer Ashley Gilbreath about her inspiration for the guest bedroom.
Sometimes, you have to get creative. With no space to squeeze in a bedside table, Ashley Gilbreath custom designed a pair of brass sconces with a mini shelf for placing a book, pair of glasses or small vase of flowers and attached them to the extended headboard.
Read our Q&A with Amy Berry about her inspiration for the pajama lounge.
For the pajama lounge, Amy Berry imagined a feminine space with a “happy feel.” The animal print delivers without overwhelming the room, thanks to the neutral colorway.
Read our Q&A with editor Zoe Gowen about her inspiration for the wraparound porch.
Gowen said the editors wanted to create a mini-retreat just outside the living room, and it all centered around our Sunday Porch Swing, painted green to coordinate with the coral and green color palette.
Read our Q&A with designer Margaret Kirkland about her inspiration for the patio.
Margaret Kirkland created a comfortable dining and lounging space on the patio using pieces from Suzanne Kasler’s Directoire Collection.
Take the full tour of the 2016 Southern Living Idea House, see more interviews with the designers, or shop all of the products featured in the house.
Learn more about visiting the Southern Living Idea House, and find the full resource guide.
See the last two Southern Living Idea Houses: the 2014 Idea House at Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina designed by Suzanne Kasler or 2015 Idea House designed by Bunny Williams in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Rob
Beautiful home- the sobering fact is that it is probably valued at 3/4 of our small bungalow in downtown Denver!
Shann garrity
No tour times are given for Mt Laurel- NONE !!