In 2022, Robin and Brad Wheeler made the decision to relocate to Mississippi from outside of San Antonio, Texas, to be near their daughter Zoe, who would be attending Belhaven University in Jackson. The couple purchased a sight-unseen home in the Whittington neighborhood in Madison. Because the home had remained vacant for quite a while, it greatly needed updating. “It was a very forlorn home,” says Robin. “It had been abandoned all through COVID.”
Robin knew the home still had aesthetic appeal and potential, and the couple began the daunting renovation process. Knowing that they would be handling the renovation from Texas, they searched for an interior designer who could fulfill many roles. That designer was SummerHouse of Ridgeland’s Hathaway McMillon. While Hathaway has been with the firm for six years, it was her years spent living and designing in Austin, Texas, that clicked with the Wheelers. “I loved meeting Hathaway. She is so exuberant,” remembers Robin. The chance meeting at the firm’s Ridgeland storefront led to a yearlong partnership that resulted in a home that exceeded the Wheelers’ expectations.
The couple handed over the key to their new home and returned to Texas, giving design direction of their tastes and style, and Hathaway hit the ground running. Based on pictures of their Texas home, Hathaway knew she had the opportunity to create a home that was unique, colorful, and special. “In the process of design, it’s very important to get to know your client: the way they live, what they enjoy doing, everyday lifestyle, what they’re passionate about,” Hathaway says.
The home’s floor plan stayed the same while most of the renovations were done to the hard surfaces. “The existing home was very ‘farmhousey,’” states Hathaway. The home’s new foyer makes a grand statement that introduces these style changes. The dramatic ceiling and trim in Benjamin Moore’s “Onyx” paint accents the bold Kelly Wearstler wallcovering, while a Rod Moorehead “Fury” statue holds court on the chest. The piece was sourced by Hathaway from Fischer’s Galleries of Ridgeland. “I try to use as many local artisans as possible,” Hathaway says.
Robin opted to repurpose the formal dining room space adjacent to the foyer into a lounge area, and the same foyer wallcovering and paint extend into this nearby space. Lush Parisian silk draperies frame the picture window, but the room’s showstoppers are the art pieces above the sofa. A king and queen by ESOM art, Tracey and Tony Mose in New Orleans, were painted to coordinate with the room’s fabrics and colors. “I fell in love with the paintings on their website and knew they were perfect,” says Hathaway. “However, the colors in the robes did not work with the design. When I called Tracey, she was happy to accommodate the color change, so I sent swatches so that they could customize the pieces to the space.” With the couple relocating to Mississippi, the designer wanted them to feel like this was home. “I wanted it to be their castle, and this artwork is symbolic of the two of them.”
The home’s main living area hints at the dramatic color palette that welcomes visitors. Matching white Hickory Chair sofas with Fortuny fabric pillows and chairs covered in a bold Pierre Frey fabric provide comfortable seating. Hathaway painted the shiplap wall and built-in bookcases that flank the fireplace in black to provide depth.
The home’s kitchen and dining areas received the most significant facelift. The space was full of shiplap and farmhouse accents. The countertops and the backsplash were changed to a beautiful white quartz. The ventahood was also updated with a more contemporary flair. Barstools by Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair line the island. Pendant lights with bright brass accents by Marie Flanigan hang above. The nearby dining area features a cozy green velvet banquette designed by Hathaway and crafted by local artisans specifically for the space, which is complemented by matching Hickory Chair chairs covered in the same fabric. A Talia bubble chandelier by Julie Neal grounds the space.
Going into the project, the designer knew her clients wanted color, and McMillon was given carte blanche to select colors for each space. The master suite, like most of the home, is bathed in Benjamin Moore’s “White Dove” but is filled with pops of lavender, purple, and eggplant. The headboard of the king-size Thomas O’Brian bed was covered in luxurious raw silk in a soothing purple shade. Gorgeous amethyst lamps by Kathryn McCoy grace the nightstands. The tufted bench in a rich eggplant velvet, placed at the foot of the bed, was also custom-designed by Hathaway and crafted locally. “We can dream of something in our heads, but to have it made locally and finally see it; that’s pretty special,” she shares. A traditional Ebanista wall bench covered in a subtle, matching hue provides additional seating, while a side table by Bunny Williams offers a great spot for morning coffee. Hathaway kept the existing tilework in the bath, updating fixtures and adding a beautiful lavender-hued wallpaper from Mural Source and a Niermann Weeks light fixture, ultimately creating a serene space for the homeowners.
For Zoe’s room, Hathaway wanted this space to be comfortable and special for the college student since she would be living at home. She also designed the custom headboard and covered it in Zoe’s favorite color—blue. The room is adorned in shades of blue, seen through bedding and accent colors. A blue Becky Vizard pillow lends a luxurious touch to the bedding, and a coordinating Pierre Frey fabric was selected for the chair at Zoe’s desk. She chose a substantial alabaster chandelier by Chapman & Myers to add flair to the room. “It was so heavy,” shares McMillon. “We had to add reinforcements when we hung it.” A beautiful navy grasscloth wallcovering by Shumacher was added to the bathroom. A collection of gold butterflies that Zoe wanted incorporated into the space was placed around the mirror, creating an ethereal setting.
When the project was completed, and the Wheelers saw their new home for the first time in 2023, they couldn’t have been more pleased. “I feel like she waved a magic wand,” Robin says of the results. As McMillon reflects on the project, she shares, “It was fun to me because it’s different than your everyday designs.”
