Solutions to Great Style

These homeowners revamped their kitchen and sitting area with comfort and grandchildren in mind.

When you move into a new house, it's important to think about your current lifestyle, especially if you're downsizing. For example, these Macon, Georgia, homeowners wanted a comfortable spot to relax that was adjacent to the kitchen.

Working with Atlanta interior designer Mary Margarett Nevin, the couple mixed furniture from their old house with a few new pieces for a relaxed look that's deceptively durablegreat for when the grandchildren visit.

Lightening Things Up

"The entire house, especially the kitchen, was very dark, dated, and formal," says Mary Margarett. "We kept the cabinets but had them painted and distressed for a fresh look." To spice up the neutral scheme, bright Italian tiles in a mix of patterns were used for the backsplash. "I wanted the kitchen to have a comfortable feel, and the tiles contribute to that effect," says one of the homeowners. A small eating area provided the perfect opportunity to use a table and chairs from the old house. "Without children at home, the smaller table is ideal for this couple," says Mary Margarett.

Creating the Perfect Spot

To decorate the sitting area, Mary Margarett had the tufting removed from two small love seats from the old house, and then reupholstered them for a simpler style. They look entirely new in durable taupe corduroy. "The material just gets softer with age, and they've faded a little from the sun, but they still look great," says one of the homeowners.

A metal drum-shaped table from Indonesia sits between the love seats. "It's a good scale for the space, and you can put up your feet without damaging the finish," says Mary Margarett. A textured rug, sheer window treatments, and an iron chandelier complete the room's refined but aged feel. "We love to sit there with our coffee in the morning, read the paper, watch the birds, and enjoy the changes in the courtyard garden," says one of the homeowners. That's smart downsizing. ALICE WHLSII DOYLE

Page 126: Interior design by Mary Margarett Nevin, Atlanta, (404) 7716515; rain drum coffee table from Pierce Martin; chandelier from Interiors Market, Atlanta (D); love seat fabric from Brunschwig & FiIs (D); barstools from Storehouse Furniture, www.storehouse. com (R); pillow fabric from Chelsea Editions (D); wall color is Manchester Tan from Benjamin Moore & Co.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Oct 2004
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