Designers William Huff and Heather Dewberry of Huff-Dewberry Inc.
Today we welcome Atlanta-based designers Will Huff and Heather Dewberry. They are the dynamic duo behind the boutique, residential interior design firm Huff-Dewberry, Inc. Their signature style brings together timeless beauty and modern comfort while reflecting the personality of their clients in their design. They have been featured in House Beautiful, Southern Home, and many more publications, including their recent cover feature in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Heather and Will talk about what they’ve learned in their 20-year work partnership, how they use antiques in a fresh and modern way, their favorite colors and how to use them, and so much more!
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
- How did Will and Heather each get started in design? And how did they team up?
- What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses they see in each other?
- How are Heather and Will able to use antiques in a modern way for their projects?
- Wait. Is chocolate brown making a comeback?!
- What are Heather and Will’s g0-to colors and how do they use them?
- Will’s tips and tricks for finding the best rug.
- Heather and Will break down the good trends vs. the bad trends in design right now.
- How to choose wallpaper that will last?
- How to lead the eye outside through doors and windows.
Decorating Dilemma
Hello Ballard Ladies!
I love the podcast! I’ve been listening obsessively since we bought our new house this July. You and your guests give such great advice, I was hoping you could help me with our new family room.
Our new family room is a lovely space. The room will serve three main functions. First, a true family room. A place where my husband and I can talk at night, we can play games, and it’s will probably be our Christmas tree room. We have our tv in another room, so we do not need to plan for that. Next, my husband is a priest, and it is our hope that this house will be used regularly for hospitality and regular entertaining of parishioners, neighbors, and family. We want a comfortable, livable place for people to gather. Finally, it will also serve as our music room. We have an heirloom piano and several other instruments that we enjoy playing and listening to.
The previous owners did a beautiful job with the landscaping, and we’ve got this giant window overlooking the back yard. We want to take full advantage of the light and view.
The plan so far. We have some rich, saturated colors in other parts of the house, and we want this room to be light and bright. The walls will stay the current color, the ceiling will be painted, and we plan to mask the red brick somehow. We have purchased the two swivel chairs pictured with the hopes that people can easily talk, look at the window, fireplace, or piano. Then, we have this sofa (our thrift find of a lifetime!) currently at the upholsterer. It’ll be done in a yummy warm blue-green velvet that we’re so excited about. We really want the sofa to be the main color moment in here with rugs, pillows, and accessories brining in the rest.
So, here are my dilemmas:
1) We love this sofa. This is the 7th house it’s moved to with us. My husband literally walked it through the streets of Manhattan on a dolly to get it to our apartment when we were poor grad students, ha. Now, we are finally having it re-done. The problem with it is the arms are so high, we have never been able to find a good side table solution. In the past they’ve been lower and tucked under the curve of the arm, but it felt awkward and risky putting drinks down. With a dramatic high arm like this, can you suggest a side table height or option that would work?
2) I think the room needs window treatments. We do not need privacy or light blocking (north facing), so they don’t actually need to function. I’m just looking for some softening. The problem is the side of the window closest to the built-ins does not leave much wall. I am perplexed at where to place drapery panels without losing much of the window or view.
3) Finally, the speakers. After 15 years of marriage, I have come to concede that the music equipment will be part of our decor. The sound is too important to my husband. My compromise is to work them into our built ins. His compromise is to purchase the most beautiful version of what he’d be happy with as well as hiding all of the other components 🙌🏼. So, they are placed where they’re going to be. They can’t be moved, covered, or changed. My question is what do I do to make them the focal point? I’m leaning toward doing the mirror on both sides but am unsure.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’ve learned so much from you all already!
Thank you!
Casey
Hi Casey,
We tend to gravitate towards 28” side tables with a lamp on them. With the shape of your sofa, you could try a drinks table with a floor lamp so it’s not a huge side table. This would give the functionality of having somewhere to put your drinks without taking focus from the sofa arm. You could even just have a coffee table and floor lamps if you want to keep it simple. For the window treatments, we would tuck the panels into the window and go all the way from the crown molding to the floor with the drapery. Maybe to keep it light and bright try a simple white or use a trim or print in the blue-green from the sofa. Regarding the mantlepiece, you can paint the brick the same white as the bookcases and mantle so it looks more like one white wall with interest and texture. For the backs of the bookcases, you could paint them one shade lighter than the blue-green sofa or even a slightly textured white and blue-green wallpaper. You can also fill the bookcases with a collection of things so the speakers aren’t the focal point and become part of the layout. One big rug would definitely help to soften this area and tie it all together. You could put a bench in front of the fireplace or another small “perching” spot for some extra seating. Some pillows and throws would also add some warmth and personality, as well!
This is a really welcoming spot and we can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Mentioned in This Episode:
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Happy Decorating!
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