Returning an American Bungalow to its Southern Roots :: THE BIG REVEAL

Many of you are probably wondering what has happened to me as it has been much too long since my last post.  Well, my friends, you are in for a treat.....what is that saying?  

"Good things come in good time..."

I try to keep this in mind often, and it is also one of the most challenging things in getting a client to realize when working on any custom project whether it be custom drapes, upholstery, pillows or even and entire interior design project - which is exactly what we have done for this American Bungalow located right in Historic Athens, Alabama.

Without further adieu, it is now time for THE BIG REVEAL!

American Bungalow :: Historic Athens, Alabama {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

EST 1915  {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Front Patio {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Nothing says Southern like a gorgeous monogramed cushion...I also love the pops of blue + white.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Front Patio {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Here we removed the warped fan and replaced it with a large palm style fan perfect for breezy afternoons on the porch.

I also love how the client has trained the vine, which she found overgrown in the back of the house, over the swing with white lights.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

The client added this brass Virginia Metalcrafters Moravian Star to the mailbox - what a lovely and appropriate detail!

Front Door {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Another detail added to the front door is a vintage, brass mechanical bell seen on many of the historic homes throughout the surrounding Historic District.  How gorgeous is it on this bold purple door?!

{Living Room}

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

 For the living room, we installed custom drapes in Cotton + Quill's Cuckoo pattern in a custom turquoise color way (to match the velvet on the sofa).  The client found this gorgeous sofa which needed to be reupholstered.  We selected this gorgeous aqua velvet for the upholstery of the cushion and seat back, and then we used the same cuckoo fabric as the drapes to upholster the back of the sofa.

 Sofa Detail {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

The client also collects these Italian Florentine Trays which are the perfect accent atop this lacquered chest.  

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

A bar cart is appropriate in all interiors - currently LOVING this vintage brass one the client scored. 

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Another detail that was worth the extra expense were the plantation shutters added in the front rooms of the house.

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Living Room  {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

{Front Bedroom} 

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

For the front bedroom, we kept the paint color the same since it directly joins the living room and can be seen when first entering the home.  A traditional four poster is balanced with a luxe metallic cowhide rug & a pair of contemporary lucite chairs.  

Custom draperies in Cotton + Quill's Koi pattern in Flax dress up this guest bedroom.

Drapery Detail {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

A goblet pleat with hand-sewn covered buttons add a tailored touch to the custom panels in Cotton + Quill's Koi pattern in Flax.

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

The soft greens and blues are picked up in the watercolor of the client's daughter hanging over the mantle....can you guess who that little girl is?

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

More personal touches and details added to the front bedroom include a pair of clogs from Holland. 

{Dining Room}

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Other than the paint color, I have to give all of the credit for the design in this room to the client.  I adore how she hung various plates and platters in one corner of the room - such a unique and interesting way to display all of these beautiful items!

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Dining Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar} 

Dining Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

I love all of the door knobs found throughout this home - and what a nice touch to add this silk tassel!

{Master Bedroom} 

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

For this bedroom we painted the walls a little darker and installed custom drapes in Cotton + Quill's Bambusa pattern in Mint - this pattern was created from a series of Chinese paintings the designer created while studying abroad in Taiwan.  

A pair of framed silhouettes offer a personal touch to this cozy retreat.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar} 

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

A lady's bedroom isn't complete without a dressing table - wouldn't you agree? 

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Another one of these beautiful old fireplaces graces this room, and I absolutely adore this brass peacock fire screen.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour! This is certainly making me want to do a few little updates of my own...what about you?

Trending Now.....

With High Point Market in full swing I am getting tons of inspiration through all of the designers, bloggers and publications posting their take on the next greatest trends for the coming year.  

While I sometimes incorporate the latest trends into my home, I tend to stick with filling my home full of objects that I enjoy seeing every day and living with - after all, your home reflects yourself and your lifestyle and shouldn't necessarily be dictated by what is trending.

However, I have found that what is "old, classic and traditional" is finding a resurgence in the design world with hues of blue and white popping up in decor from classic urns to textiles, nods to Asian influences especially Chinoiserie and we cannot forget the luxe look of gold and of all things brass.

Blue + White Urns | Traditional Home Showhouse

I absolutely love the look of displaying a collection of blue and white urns on a mantle.  Another way to get a similar look is to hang blue and white plates flanked by a pair of blue and white urns.  Your Grandmother or Mother probably has a ton of these and they are fairly easy to find in consignment and antique stores.

Quill Notes Tip ::  Fill the urns with fresh greenery or corkscrew willow depending on what the season is - currently I have boxwood greenery in my pair of blue and white urns - magnolia leaves are always a good choice as well, and currently you may want to fill them with the bold yellow blooms of forsythia. 

Chinoiserie Armoire | Traditional Home Showhouse 

 This fretwork chinoiserie armoire is simply divine.  This piece exudes Asian influence yet due to its clean lines would fit in just about any home.

Another option for incorporating this look into your home is to include a folding screen or lacquer cabinet with a chinoiserie soapstone or ivory inlay.

Chinoiserie | Traditional Home Showhouse

The mint walls paired with coral details, chinoiserie upholstery and brass side tables are the perfect fit for this sunroom.  Again, the blue and white urns and plates would pair fabulously in this breezy space.  

Orchids | Traditional Home Showhouse

Chinoiserie | Traditional Home Showhouse

Saturn Table | Taylor Burke Home

Taking a step away from the blue and white and Asian influences, we move to the luxe look of brass. Taylor Burke Home's Saturn Table is a stunning use of brass paired with an agate detail.  I was able to snag one of these beauties in October and have it placed right next to my wingback chair with cane details upholstered in Cotton + Quill's Koi textile design.  

Even a modernized and contemporary style side or occasional table can be mixed with a traditional Asian look.  

Cane Wingback Chair in Koi Upholstery {shop textiles here}

Bamboo Chinese Paintings

Art is another way to incorporate Asian influences into your home.  I painted these bamboo illustrations while studying abroad in Taiwan - these were the basis for Cotton + Quill's Bambusa textile design as well.

Try framing black and white art in gilded frames.

Blue + White

I cannot get over the versatility of blue and white plates - they are so beautiful when framed as a grouping.  Here I have surrounded my hand calligraphy, letter-pressed wedding invitation with a few blue and white plates along with a pair of carved German wall brackets topped with a pair miniature cloisonné ginger jars with a gorgeous robin egg glazed interior.

Also finishing this look are custom linen-cotton draperies in Cotton + Quill's Capri pattern.

Get the Look ::

Carved German Wall Brackets {found at the Willow Tree in Athens, Ala}

Blue + White Plates {found at various shops while thrifting - the Willow Tree has quite a selection of these as well}

Letter-Pressed Invitations here

Cotton + Quill's Capri Textile here

Cotton + Quill's Terrace Collection | Bambusa, Shu Te's Chintz, Cuckoo

Cotton + Quill's newest textile collection, the Terrace Collection, is infused with Asian motifs.  Shown here are a few coordinating patterns in minty greens and turquoise.

Cotton + Quill's Terrace Collection | Cuckoo, Shishi, Dynasty

You simply cannot have an Asian inspired look without including a pair of foo dogs - or better yet, foo dog textiles!  I have recently acquired quite a few of these Chinese guardian lions to add to my own home.  Another great thing about these design icons is they are suitable for any home - I currently have my eye on a pair of lamps I spied at Beth Haley Design's showroom in Nashville, TN.

Now go scour those estate sales and consignment stores or even your Grandmother's attic for some blue and white gems and brass details to add to your home!