Welcome to the Southern Living 2015 Idea House in Charlottesville, Virginia.
And beautiful, of course.
Read on for the frankest Southern design advice we’ve had to offer in all of our 49 years.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Portico
A columned portico welcomes visitors into the home.
Library
Bunny says to think of the room as an “elegant man cave.”
There’s also seating for a crowd.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Most wood can be restained."
Shelves filled with books, not just objects, give a room character.
“Don’t buy the art that’s in vogue; buy what interests you.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Get what catches your eye at the antiques shop down the road.
Come back home and put it out.
A lot of people call this layering, but I just call it having fun.”
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Library: Get the Look!
A side table or lamp accompanies each chair.
A large room with soaring cathedral ceilings speaks to the views outside but also makes decorating tricky.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
“You’ve got to express the height,” says Bunny.
You also need a plan for furnishing such a large space.
Faux-leopard beds are great because they don’t show dirt."
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Contrast makes things interesting."
It can’t seem starkit needs to be a nice warm white."
Rosney Co. modernized the typical rambling farmhouse floor plan with an open kitchen in the center of the home.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
“Think of the island as the breakfast table.”
Rather than max out counterspace, they maximized storage with two side walls filled with floor-to-ceiling cabinets and appliances.
This also freed up two walls for windows and French doors.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
A TV hangs on the other.
For an unexpected centerpiece, try potted lettuces.
“Stick with one color to make collecting easier,” she says.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Framed photos from Bunny’s Ballard Designs collection help “disguise” the TV.
Dining Room: Get the Look!
Here, distressed limestone stands up to the traffic.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
These plates add a pop of color and pattern to a hardworking space.
Add texture with a decorative pillow from theSouthern LivingHome Collection at Dillard’s.
“The area is off the back hall by the kitchen and living room.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
When guests see it, they know they can help themselves,” says Bunny.
Pantry: Get the Look!
Bunny also says, “Flanking a picture with brackets really adds to a room’s decor.”
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Bunny designed this pattern for her new collection with Lee Jofa.
For a quick bedding refresh, try a patterned throw or suzani.
Bunny treated the bath like any other room, hanging a painting over the tub.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Southern LivingHome Collection
Primary Bedroom: Get the Look!
Bunny says, “This room would work well for all ages.”
The designer recently added this and other beds to her Bunny Williams Home furniture line.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Here, she chose vibrant and light-hearted apple greens and blues.
Pajama Lounge: Get the Look!
“Purple can be hard, but lavender is great.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
It works with robin’s-egg blue and also apple green.
If it’s pale enough, it can even be a neutral,” says Bunny.
Girl’s Bedroom & Bath: Get the Look!
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
This helps connect the house to its location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains."
This 1 1/2-story house is flanked by two chimneys.
“Lower houses fit better with the land,” says Rosney Co.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
These southeast-facing porches capture sunrises, filling the kitchen with morning light.
A vaulted ceiling echoes the adjacent living room’s cathedral ceiling.
These wicker chair frames (Laurel Lounge Chair; ballarddesigns.com) remind Bunny of tree bark.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Dining Terrace
The dining terrace provides another spot for alfresco meals.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Design: Bunny Williams
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
