For their 27 years of marriage, Leigh and Chad Bridges have resided in beautiful historic homes, their previous house was built in 1857 and is said to be the oldest in Hazlehurst. While enjoying the process of renovating and decorating a historic home, the two felt it was important to stay true to the period of the house and closeted their more contemporary tastes. After deciding to relocate closer to their offices in Jackson, the couple searched for a home with a more contemporary feel. When the couple discovered a house in the Eastover neighborhood constructed in 1965, but extensively remodeled in the late 1990s, they found the perfect space to intertwine their traditional antiques with modern elements to create a style more suited to their personalities.
The previous renovation of the French Country home resulted in smart design choices with an ideal layout and good bones such as cypress doors and intricate crown moldings. The stately home stands high on a hill that showcases its simplicity, symmetry, and refined elements. The single-level home with the capacity to suit their lifestyle also provided well-established landscaping and the ideal space to install the swimming pool and guest house they desired. After a cosmetic update, that included a kitchen refresh by contractor Louis Wilkinson of Craig Wilkinson, Inc., Leigh and Chad were set to commence establishing their personal style.
To create their aesthetic, the couple called upon designer Courtney Peters of the eponymous firm in Jackson. They were drawn to her willingness to incorporate their existing furnishings and accessories while weaving in new modern pieces and patterns. “I knew immediately her artistic eye would be able to bring a nice balance between beautiful fabrics and our existing antiques,” Leigh states. Courtney also embraced the couple’s eclectic collections of accessories, art, and even Leigh’s beloved handbags by creating unique ways to incorporate them into her design. “Designing your house should be a special experience,” Courtney notes. “It should be fun picking things out and seeing your ideas come to fruition.” Color and pattern were of the utmost importance when making selections, and Courtney and Leigh spent many afternoons culling the perfect choices. The two decided to keep some of the existing wall colors in certain rooms, and Courtney added contrast and energy with light-colored Crypton upholstery and kaleidoscopic Oushak rugs. Patterned wallpapers and drapery brightened other spaces and added personality to more traditional furnishings and neutral carpeting. The blend of both playful and traditional motifs in drapery and upholstery brings color to the forefront to create the charming and charismatic home the couple desired. The use of color plays a huge role in this residence, seen through the personal section of artworks, accessories, and even the signature Tiffany blend of tea—their personal vice—featured in the custom mini-coffee and tea bar.
Artwork is such a personal and inspirational part of design, and Courtney believes the client should enjoying looking and living with it for years to come. “I always encourage clients to visit galleries to find artwork that speaks to them,” states the designer. Chad and Leigh sourced much of their artwork from local artists and gathered many pieces on their travels. Courtney worked each piece into a perfect space so to add depth and charm to its room. Among the couple’s favorite pieces are commissioned paintings of past and presents pets as well as a collaboration between Chad and his brother in 1972 at ages 2 and 4. “As the story goes, their mother needed a project to ‘entertain’ the children while she completed her master’s thesis, and finger painting provided the perfect outlet!” she laughs. These sentimental masterpieces are mixed with custom selections by Dick Ford, Charlie Busler, and Angelika Robinson and others from Browns Fine Art in Jackson—all perfectly placed by the detailed eye of the designer.
In the space previously used as the home gym, Courtney’s creativity overflowed as she custom-designed Leigh’s favorite space—her “purse room,” which displays both her considerable collection of handbags and her “girlie” side. Each grouping of bags was systematically measured to be sure that each had the perfect size cabinet or drawer for adequate space. The pair used this as a great design opportunity to create a fun, feminine space with accents such as a chandelier and blue and white printed carpeting. Rainbow rows of clutches, satchels, and totes are showcased in boutique-style, allowing every morning’s selection to feel like a stroll down Fifth Avenue.
The lighting selections are another beloved collection curated by the homeowners and the designer. The dining room is topped with a statement piece by Kate Spade that lends the ideal modern element to the deep-colored walls and traditional furnishings. In the breakfast room, enveloped by an entertaining paper featuring eggs in various cool tones, a gorgeous tiered piece takes center stage over the table. The couple spotted the chandelier in a restaurant in Orange Beach, and Courtney sourced the appropriate size and incorporated it into the lively space. The designer also installed brass picture lights to accent the artwork in the main hallway. The addition is the icing on the cake. “Many view lighting as jewelry for a room,” Courtney notes. “That being said, we had a great time specifying fixtures as Leigh loves statement light fixtures as much as she loves accessories.”
After commuting for years into Jackson, the proximity to work for Chad and Leigh was essential, and their new home was the ideal discovery. With the help of their talented designer, the house reflects the approachable and lively personalities the couple shares. “The mix of their antiques with fun, new details adds a lived-in element that makes the home interesting and inviting,” Courtney adds. After this incredible transformation and blending of their old and new lives, they look forward to opening their home to friends and family for festive celebrations. M.
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