A study in contrasts.

Elegance Abounds

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BARRETT 

The charm and comfort of a home are set not only by the pace of the inhabitants but also by the design decisions that first bring the interior spaces to life. The professional experience of Jackson interior designer Celia Barrett came together with her personal attention to the clients' seen and unseen needs to create an elegant yet comfortable look and feel in this Ridgeland home.

With more than 23 years in practice around the country, Barrett maintains design offices in her native Mississippi and in New York City. For this project, Barrett began with clients who were familiar with her published work and special projects. The needs of this family of four included a unification of the whole-bringing together a unified plan of color, open yet intimate spaces, and furnishings including a family heirloom table and chairs. The home's chateaux style is emphasized by an exterior of brick and stucco. A manicured garden and pool area were two exterior scenes that the owners wanted to be able to enjoy from the interior as well, so considerations of view and good guest flow topped the clients' list of priorities.

Entering through French-style front doors, a clear definition of space is obvious. The rectilinear form of the living room is softened by specially selected and custom-designed furniture, fabrics, and finishes. The space is open, airy, and comfortable, with well-appointed pieces that offer multiple seating options. Varying furniture styles are brought together through a warm color palette of cream, brick, and blue. The focal point of the living room is a classically colored Flemish-style tapestry that hangs above the fireplace mantle. The tapestry theme is continued by a custom tapestry-style border on the room's wool sisal rug. Accents of fringe and rope on the sofa and drapery tie-backs, along with richly textured accent pillows, bring a cohesion of color to the space. The furniture here is delicate in design, yet sturdy in construction, providing a comfortable area for conversation and relaxation.

The color theme of the living room is repeated with subtle variations throughout the public areas of the house. The brick accent color of the living room becomes the wall finish of the dining room. The heirloom table and chairs typify the Renaissance feel of the interior. Also in the dining room are accent furniture Pieces including a sideboard, antique secretary, and gracious corner cabinet, all of which bring warmth to the elegant space. The uniquely carved elements of the walnut pieces are enhanced by rich fabrics found in the Persian rug, tapestry-upholstered chairs, and full, plaid drapes.

The public areas of the house are connected by transition spaces including a foyer and hail. These areas allow guests to circulate easily and are tied together by similar wall finishes and elegant furniture. The artwork hanging in the common areas expresses a classic, even romantic style through warm hues and stylized frames. Other accessories in the living room and dining room include delicate china pieces dotting the walls and gracefully placed candle-holders that provide ambience and elegance.

In all of Barrett's projects, synthesizing the elements takes initial planning. "Drawing the furniture layout, even on a small project, can save time and money," Barrett encourages. She goes on to note that a "wow" piece will set a room off, create a focal point, and draw one into the space. "It is important to be aware visually of the space--the structure, finishes, furniture, or accessories--and ask, does it invite you in?" For this Ridgeland family, the invitation throughout the house is to sit, relax, and enjoy.

RESOURCES: Designer, Celia Barrett, Jackson; 601/354-0066; www.celiabarrettdesign.com. Living Room: Paint, #1054 by Benjamin Moore, 800/344-0400. Antiques, St. Martin's Gallery, Jackson, 601/362-1977, and The Antique Market, Jackson, 601/982-5456. Chaise and sofa, custom designs by Celia Barrett. Arm chairs, Century Furniture. Wool sisal rug, Saxony Carpets. Drapery fabrics, Nouveau Fabrics. Dining Room: Paint, #1301 by Benjamin Moore with aged faux finish. Agra area rug, Different Accents, Natchez; 601/442-3516. Draperies, Travers Fabrics.

RELATED ARTICLE: CELIA'S DESIGN TIPS:

* Small areas like under a staircase can be opened up and brightened by adding a mirror and complementary furnishings and accessories of a scale befitting the space.

* Unique architectural elements such as carved wood panels in the dining room can be used as wall hangings alone or grouped with another element for a warm look.

* In choosing an area rug, the pattern should complement other styles of the space but not match in living and dining rooms.

* The overall color of a room enhances existing element such as the stained concrete of this living room floor. Here, the wall was changed from a cool grey to a warmer tone, creating balance and bringing out the burnt orange hues of the floor.

CLASSICALLY CONTEMPORARY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG CAMPBELL 

Interior spaces unique and different are the signature of Jackson designer Tommie Goodman. Known for her simplicity and striking style, Goodman defined this 3,000-square foot house in Jackson as a collage of color and shape, a space of ease and comfort.

The homeowner's primary goal was to create defined areas for entertaining and enjoying music. Beginning with a well-executed existing color palette, the owner asked Goodman to pull everything together. Existing furniture was used as a departure point; pieces were relocated and new ones added.

Upon entering the home, an interesting feeling of calm excitement grabs one's senses. The living room is a unique melding of traditional elements and contemporary minimalism. The spaciousness of the room is counterbalanced by smooth lines and gentle curves. Furniture is arranged around two focal points--a fireplace with classic architectural millwork and a minimalist painting enhanced by a wide frame. The abstract painting is the impetus for the room's dynamic yet subtle color scheme. Hues of green, orange, and black dot the areas, while smooth and textured surfaces create a background for Goodman's design. Two matching kidney sofas are positioned around a brushed steel coffee table on a muted rug. Black and white photos add interest to the bookcases flanking the fireplace.

From the living room, a music room connects to the less formal areas. A color palette of primarily grey, black, and white gives a visually simplistic background for the area's audible interest. The breezeway feel of the music room is broken by the baby grand piano at one end, also visible from the living room. Queen Anne lacquered chairs with a whimsical black and white animal print-upholstered seat flank a maple demilune table. Centered in the space is a striking doughnut-shaped ottoman covered in a cobalt silk; the ottoman can separate into two pieces to allow for movable seating options.

The long, narrow dining room is another successful combination of tradition with contemporary simplicity Architectural millwork defines the boundaries of the room and borders the warm yellow walls. Elements of this streamlined room are focused on a central axis, illuminated by a sculptural light fixture of metal ribs and resin shades. Artwork from the owner's private collection offers visual interest for dinner guests.

The combination of traditional elements and a fashionable contemporary style again brings comfort and pizazz to the library. Large furniture and pillows in bright red offset the delicacy of the millwork. Through a successful combination of existing elements, including the woodwork, color palette, upholstered furniture, and an antique writing table, the library is a quiet area for concentration and contemplation. Complementary accent colors and furniture pieces allow the eye to move easily through the space. Silk pillows and throws enhance the Asian influence and pull the area together.

A sleek contemporary feel is prominent in a soft, metallic-hued bedroom. Tones of silver, grey, and blue enhance the restful nature of this room. Using the brushed steel four-poster bed as a grounding element, additional pieces were introduced to soften the bed's cool fabric. Soft, solid colors in the faux-finished striped walls contrast similarly with the dark, playful animal-print rug. Yet it is the profusion of tactile elements that encourages the home-owner to relax and experience the space.

The success of spatial arrangement, says Goodman, is "measuring to get the scale right." She suggests measuring not only the floor space each piece will need but also the height. The next critical element, she says, is color. "You can combine anything if the scale and the colors are right," Goodman says. "Find things to show off in a room, and focus on important pieces." For this project, incorporating existing and new elements along with important pieces was the key to a one-day installation. A can-do spirit is Goodman's trademark, and it made the transformation of this home both easy and inspiring.

RESOURCES:

Designer, Tommie Goodman, Max Contemporary Furnishings, 2906 N. State St., Jackson; 601/366-0283.

TOMMIE'S DESIGN TIPS:

* For a quick, bold change to an area, consider introducing a fun animal print as a chair covering, pillow, throw, or rug.

* Artwork provides a focal point and can serve as color inspiration or bring all of a room's colors together. Make sure the artwork's scale fits the space.

* Built-in bookcases can hold more than books and accessories. Hanging artwork at the back of a bookcase will create a framed area for the piece and fill space in an interesting two-dimensional way.

* A strong component of a contemporary interior is the use of a minimal window treatment, allowing the focus to be placed on color and furniture instead. A window then becomes a way to bring the outside in.