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When I went to Charlottesville to begin a new project this past week, I was curious what I would see. What would the house be like? The people? The backdrop? Sure, some of my Yankee friends sent me off with a cheeky, typical Yankee condescending “Yeehaw!”.

Honey, they couldn’t have been more wrong….this place was sophisticated, educated (of course, UVA is there) and really, really polished, but in a southern charming and utterly lovely way. The old school quiet way… The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley were as idyllic as it gets; truly breath-taking. And with the Fall air and the leaves turning, I felt I was in some pure untainted country paradise.

The home I visited was DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. I am so excited to share some details with you as we begin our design work, because it is going to be a real special southern stunner.

But the thing that literally stopped me in my tracks (no pun intended) was the simple rustic beauty of this woman’s reclaimed barn oak wood floors. Taken from a barn nearby, they were enough to get me super excited about this project, as if I weren’t excited enough already. I have never seen such rough hewn good looks in a home, and I doubt I ever will.

With seagrass rugs casually placed in certain rooms and others left bare, the look was Farmhouse Chic like you’ve never seen. The nubs and cracks and knots were so charming, a bath mat would look great on these! Well, maybe not a bath mat, but you get the point…

The real take-away is when you have an architectural element that is outstanding and special such as this, it can stand on it’s own. It requires less decoration to grab your attention, and in fact, should be left simple and pure. Perfection (or in this case perfect imperfection…) need not be messed with.

Where do you find such floors? Old barns, buildings, churches and the like. Arrangements can be made to purchase/salvage the floors, install and re-finish them. There are companies that specialize in this as well. A (charming) and sustainable choice, if that’s your ticket.

I headed South last week, and what a refreshing change of pace. Sometimes when you leave your home and busy life to travel to another place, your eyes see things in a new way and you stop to really take in life’s little beauties.

Having conversations with strangers becomes a thrill, listening to accents makes you giggle (mainly at your own!) and your creative battery gets a good charge. We all have the same goals in our homes, but have access to different resources. We learn from each other and become enriched. That’s what happened in beautiful Charlottesville.

Images via Pinterest

When I started writing this blog about 9 months ago, (it felt like) no one was reading. That wasn’t the point. Even though I felt like a complete loser and fool at the time. I set out writing on a daily basis for no one really, except myself.

I would be in the car or the grocery store and have these visual or design related thoughts and musings and no vehicle to track them or write them down. Attaching visuals and doing in online seemed like the place to start, and that was that. I was convinced that it would be “lost in cyberspace”—some bizarre personal journal that no one would read. But that was okay…

Now here we are, some short months later. I am preparing to get on a few airplanes to visit a few of you and begin our exciting projects together. I have met several of you on Skype and over the phone, and some of you in person. The thrill and the honor of hearing you found me through this blog is so exciting, I can’t really explain it in words, ironically.

Very Truly Yours,

If you google Belgian Style design in America, it is likely you’ll come across Kay. Her trademark style is Belgian in influence, but with a very American edge. With an emphasis on comfort all her rooms are utterly gorgeous in their simplicty—a look that is very difficult to achieve, especially for those of us who subscribe to the more is more aesthetic.

I chatted briefly with Kay about her style and design philosophy. If you’re in Atlanta, be sure to stop in her store, South of Market. I know I’ll be going there when I am in Hotlanta in the Spring…

1. Can you briefly explain the Belgian aesthetic you are known for? What attracts you to this type of design aesthetic?

Kay Douglass: I first became interested in the Belgian aesthetic about 10 years ago as I went to shop in Brussels for my retail store, South of Market. I was taken instantly by the restraint found In Belgian design. Large, over scaled, comfortable upholstery mixed with beautiful woods and an object or unique light – Enough to complete a room. I realized this was my shared view of design, special objects infused into comfortable, simple interiors.

2. How would you describe the Atlanta design scene?

The Atlanta design scene is slowly gravitating out of such Traditional design and opening themselves to a little more edgy, modern influences. It’s fun to see it evolve.

3. What are three items every homeowner should consider purchasing?

A very comfortable, slip covered sofa. A unique light fixture (new or old) – can transform a room and one special object d’art per room.

4. What creates comfort at home?

We know we’ve pulled it off when our clients say, “my house is so peaceful,” or “it’s perfect – I feel at home!” With the world on the outside being so crazy, it’s so important to have a peaceful retreat; a good place to read; a perfect room to sit down and chat!

5. How do you feel about design blogs and how they are influencing the industry?

Design blogs are truly incredible. It’s such an amazing vehicle to really explore the design world – and as we all know, it’s addictive! One fabulous blog connects to another and so on, and so on… We now have access to so much material – it connects continents of design content and for that, we’re grateful!