Front Door & More

Your local home experts share

insightful tips and industry trends

Story and photos by Casey Hilder

Describe your personal style.

I would say I started out very traditional and Southern with lots

of color, but as time has gone on, I’ve adopted a tone that we

call “new traditional” here at the store, that still has lots of color,

but cleaner lines. It’s still a traditional feel, so you can mix in your

antiques and whatnot, but it has a bit of an updated look.

How do you determine what a room really needs?

It all comes down to the dimensions of a room and its purpose. If

it’s a family room for gathering and watching TV, you know you’ll

probably need heavy-duty upholstery that’s easy to take care of.

If it’s a room that you won’t be spending as much time in, that

aspect isn’t so important. If you have children or dogs, those

details are definitely going to play into how you design your room.

What are some design trends for 2017?

Stacy McSpadden | Interior Design | Chestnut Hall

Emily Layson | Front Door & Entryway

The Wooden Door

What are some things I should keep in mind when decorating my front door and entryway?

Your front door and entry are the perfect places to add color and brighten things up. Even if you have a neutral color scheme in your home, your front entry should be bright and inviting. You can still be neutral and bright by adding a pop of white or yellow flowers to greenery.

What color schemes are in style this year?

Pinks and purples in different shades are big colors this year.

What’s a good year-round decoration style for my front entryway?

I love to decorate by using the colors and textures from nature. Any type of grapevine, moss, magnolia leaves, or cotton, with any pop of color is sure to last all year long and look great!

Are there any general rules of thumb for curb appeal?

I would say a good rule of thumb would be to stick with a max of two bright colors, mixed with the neutrals. You can absolutely use all different colors, but choosing just two is a bit easier on the eye and has a larger impact on curb appeal.For a double door entry, I do think that each door should match. Buckets and baskets that hang are great for fillingwith seasonal flowers and greenery. These are much easier to change out seasonally than a wreath that has to be torn apart and re-made.

What are some ways to make your front door represent the rest of your house?

Pull in the same accent colors from the inside to the outside. Most homes have a few accent colors that can easily be carried into a wreath or basket.

What types of lighting go best in the following areas: the dining room, the den, the hallway, the bathroom.

A chandelier is typically the best light for a dining room. Recess lighting is often added for additional lighting or to focus on a specific piece of art or the center piece.

How can lighting affect the mood of a room?

The light level can affect the mood of any room. Bright light is functional and works well in kitchens, baths and other task areas. Layered lighting using lamps, recess lighting and overhead lighting can create a more intimate and inviting environment because the light levels can be controlled by the number of lights used at one time or using dimmers on any or all of the lighting can make a room seem more welcoming.

How can different styles of light fixture change the theme of a room’s decor?

Different styles of lighting can change the theme of the room simply by the design of the light itself. There are many option theme specific lighting. A light with antlers would certainly suggest a hunting theme, fixtures that are dainty in light whimsical colors might create a theme for a little girl's room. Replacing a ceiling fan with a chandelier in a den or family room creates a more formal theme.

What do you generally want to be the brightest room in the house?

Most kitchen are the brightest rooms in the house simply because cooking and other task done in the kitchen require good light.

What are some current trends or big sellers in home lighting?

Gold and chrome are some of the most current finish trends in lighting today. Metallic has made a huge comeback in residential lighting. Farmhouse/shabby chic is very popular, as well. Distressed woods with rustic metal are very popular. LED is a huge trend in lighting, whether it be replacing existing bulbs or purchasing fixtures with integrated LED diodes. The technology is making an impact on the way customers think about lighting selections. Magnolia Lighting is constantly trying to stay in touch with the current trends and technology in order to serve our customers well.

Different styles of lighting can change the theme of the room simply by the design of the light itself. There are many option theme specific lighting. A light with antlers would certainly suggest a hunting theme, fixtures that are dainty in light whimsical colors might create a theme for a little girl's room. Replacing a ceiling fan with a chandelier in a den or family room creates a more formal theme.

What do you generally want to be the brightest room in the house?

Most kitchen are the brightest rooms in the house simply because cooking and other task done in the kitchen require good light.

What are some current trends or big sellers in home lighting?

Gold and chrome are some of the most current finish trends in lighting today. Metallic has made a huge comeback in residential lighting. Farmhouse/shabby chic is very popular, as well. Distressed woods with rustic metal are very popular. LED is a huge trend in lighting, whether it be replacing existing bulbs or purchasing fixtures with integrated LED diodes. The technology is making an impact on the way customers think about lighting selections. Magnolia Lighting is constantly trying to stay in touch with the current trends and technology in order to serve our customers well.

Pam Whitfield | Home Lighting

Magnolia Lighting

What types of stone are best for kitchen counters?

Granite countertops are #1 on the “most wanted” list due to their durability and natural appearance. However, granite is not the only natural stone on the block. Another natural stone commonly used in kitchens is soapstone. Quartz is also a very popular choice. Quartz is a durable, man-made stone that comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors. The only downside of quartz is the burn temperature of 400 degrees, which is a little low.

What types of stone are best for bathroom counters?

Mostly the same as above, but we are seeing a trend with more quartz in bathrooms because it is so maintenance-free and offers a wide variety of solid colors to choose from.

What are some trending themes in countertop aesthetics this year?

Kim Moore & Rob Whitlow | Countertops & Bathroom | Architectural Stoneworks

Quartz with marble patterns, solid quartz in white, waterfall edges, reamless stainless sinks and anything gray or white.

What’s the best way to clean and maintain my countertop?

Natural stone is very easy to clean with dishwashing soap or natural stone cleaners. The only other maintenance is once-a-year sealing, which is easy to apply and hassle-free.

Patterns: Taking the traditional aspects of design and reinvigorating it with fresh new patterns is big now. I just got back from market in April and I saw lots of florals, bigger patterns, and a use of color that we haven’t seen in the past four or five years. You’re still seeing some geometrics, but florals really stuck out the most.

Colors: We’re definitely seeing a resurgence of red and other bold pops of color, which I love. We actually saw several red walls in the showrooms, something we haven’t seen in a while. So from the walls to the upholstery, it’s all about bold.

Finishes: We’ve been seeing a real industrial look at market these past few years. Lots of metals with partially distressed wood, things like that. We’re not seeing that so much now, it’s more about the clean feel of pines and painted finishes. We’re still seeing lots of use of metal, but more like a pretty brass than the industrial look, for handles and drawers and things like that.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I look at Instagram and magazines like Traditional Home, House Beautiful and Architectural Digest. I like Lillian August, since she uses lots of color. We have several pieces from her on our floor at Chestnut Hall and it’s always fun to look at her showroom. I like her because she’s not afraid to use color at all.

How do you incorporate design choices that reflect a subject’s personality?

It all depends on what we’re working on. Sometimes I like to work out of my box with a style that I’m not really a huge fan of, because it’s a challenge. It may not be something that I’d put in my own home, but it’s always fun to work on something really different.

What’s one thing happening in modern design right now that you don’t like?

Probably anything overly minimal and ultra-contemporary. Sofas and chairs without a lot of cushioning and things that don’t look comfortable, that’s the opposite of my own style.

What do you tell someone working on a tight budget?

There’s a lot you can do without spending a lot of money. Sometimes it’s as simple as putting together a new floor plan. Something as simple as switching out the pillows on a good base sofa can really change the look of a room.