Behind the Scenes with Margaret Kirkland
Ever wondered how a designerΒ showhouse room comes together? <a href="https://www.margaretkirklandinteriors.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Margaret Kirkland</a> guides us along her very first showhouse experience at the glittering <a href="https://www.atlantaholidayhome.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Home for the Holidays</a> event.
Talented designer Margaret Kirkland studied art atΒ UGA and design at Parsons in New York before returning to her hometown of Atlanta, where she trained with the legendary designerΒ Dan Carithers. In 2010, Margaret established her own firm, Margaret Kirkland Interiors, and quickly built a clientele treasuring her knack for classic Southern traditionalism with an updated flair. She received theΒ Atlanta Decorative Arts Center Rising Star in 2011, was named a Next Wave designer to watch by House Beautiful in 2012, andΒ recently made this yearβs Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 15 Under 40 list of local tastemakers. The one thing she hadnβt done, though, was take part in a showhouse. Hence, she was thrilled when Elizabeth Ralls, editor-in-chief of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, invited her to be part of the 2014 Home for the Holidays event. Here, Margaret shares some insightΒ into the timeline, planning and execution process forΒ this incredible project.
August
This is the first time Margaret seesΒ the house, a beautiful new construction on Habersham Road in Buckhead. The initial walk-through hasΒ her tingling with excitement to measure, plan and explore the possibilities. She is assigned the guest bedroom and bath suite, as well as the hallway. Margaret and her assistant, Emily Painter, return to the office toΒ brainstorm. They quickly decide to create an intentionally beautiful space that makesΒ guests feel honored when visiting. The bedroom will beΒ a special destination, full ofΒ personality and customization. Guests can βvacationβ at this residence, rather then stay in an anonymously styled hotel suite.Β This would be a luxury retreatΒ for friends to favor and in which our Southern mamas could take pride!
September
Margaret finalizes sketches,Β mapsΒ out a floor plan and the ordering begins. She needs to marry her vision with her budget (donβt we all!), then establishΒ what sheβll borrow. This showhouse providesΒ an excellentΒ opportunity to represent her brand publicly, and also featureΒ the products and lines she admires in such a way that gives them special attention.Β Finalizing all the sources requires legwork, patience and flexibility.
October
No more wiggle room now! The product list is due for submissionΒ to the showhouse organizing committee. Margaret selectsΒ local vendors and resources from whom she often buys, confident their products further enhance the quality and richness of the room. The final choicesΒ Β include:
- Fabrics from Brunschwig & Fils and Lee Jofa, who have long set the benchmark for style
- Farrow &Β Ball paint in Drawing Room Blue
- Furniture and lighting from Parc Monceau Antiques, Holland & Company and Edgar-Reeves Lighting
- Artwork from Fred Reed Picture Framing and artist Britt Bass
- A Stark rug
- Bed treatment and draperies made by A Drapery Thread
- Bed and bath linens from Leontine Linens.
November
Installation begins! During the first week of November, all of the teams commenceΒ work on their spaces.Β In a flurry of activity, everything must be loaded in, painted, hooked up, wired, hung, draped and dressedΒ β and all with an air of clandestine excitement, concealing details untilΒ the opening day. Obviously, each designer notesΒ the work of the others during this time, but nobody wants too much information leaked to the public β¦ that would ruin the fun. For this showhouse, thereβs an added twist, as teams return a few days after install to thenΒ deck their halls β¦ after all, this is Home for the Holidays, and the festive decorations give it a magical element.
Opening Night
Margaret Kirklandβs rooms sparkle! HerΒ big reveal gives huge impactΒ with the striking combination of dramatic hues and graceful furnishings. The space dazzles with sweeps of color, including an added texture of dark blue glossy paint finish on the walls, antiques, books, plants and art. The cozy angel canopy and the sumptuousΒ Leontine linens welcome guests to relax and sleep well. Antiques and art reflect the authenticity of the well-chosen pieces found in a sophisticated private residence.Β Little treats βΒ a breakfast tray of tea, good books, chocolates, fresh flowers and a dressing table complete with perfume β spoil any visitorΒ with touches of luxury.Β Take a lookΒ at the pictures from our sneak peek preview night:
Margaret, your first showhouse projectβs a spectacular success! Weβre quite certain this will be the first of many, many more!
See Margaretβs room in person, as well as all of the gorgeous work on display in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Home for the Holidays fromΒ November 19 to December 7 at 2865 Habersham Rd. in Atlanta. The home is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11am to 5pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. Parking is available at ADAC, with a shuttle running regularly to the event property. Tickets can be purchased for $25 online at www.atlantaholidayhome.com or at a variety of vendors also listed online.
