Georgian Home Renovation: Blending Southern Charm and Modern Style

Built in the early 1990s, the classic Georgian-style home features grand Grecian columns and a long walkway that leads from the street to the front door, design elements that McGuckin says she feels are “a good representation of Southern hospitality.” While the couple wanted to retain that character on the exterior, they also wanted the interior to make sense for the way they live and their style. “They like a contemporary twist, but I had to make that work within the home’s traditional framework. They wanted to keep the Southern roots but dip their toes in the contemporary water,” Burnside says. Notably, they were eager to trade the emerald and burgundy decor for a fresh palette of blue, gray, and cream as well as updated lighting and personalized, current furnishings. “It’s about being able to understand the heart of the home and its architecture and then being able to make it so the clients feel like they can truly live there. It’s a perfect dance,” Burnside adds.

The designer also saw the couple’s need for nontraditional rooms that can serve a variety of uses. “They didn’t need a living room, they needed it to be a multipurpose space,” she says. To this point, the spacious room has both a pool and game table along with plenty of comfortable seating. The living room also houses Sam’s guitar collection, a nod to the family’s love of music. “Music is a huge part of their lives,” Burnside says. “My dad was a musician, and Sam’s dad played guitar,” Sandy adds. Sam and the couple’s son, Chase, follow in their footsteps, both enjoying guitar. The artwork over the mantel depicts Chase playing guitar at an indie festival. Using mementos from his childhood, such as the cowboy boots he wore in kindergarten and small toy trains, artist Kirkland Smith (who also happens to be a dear friend of Sandy’s) created an assemblage work that is as impressive up close as it is from across the room.

For the McGuckins, entertaining is even more of a focus during the holiday season. To set the scene with Southern flair, Burnside mixed fresh magnolia and cedar garland with metallic ribbon and blue and silver ornaments that complement the everyday decor. The flocked Christmas tree is purposefully placed at the end of the entryway, making it visible from almost any point on the ground floor as well as the outdoor living area. For formal gatherings, the classic yet current dining room is ideal, while the nearby game and pool tables have tops that convert, allowing them to host up to 30 people for a seated dinner. “Sam and I love to host our big, extended family during the holidays,” McGuckin says. “We all tend to gather here.”

While the couple finds joy in inviting others into their home, Burnside notes it was designed to be equally comfortable when it’s just the two of them. “There is a place for everything in this house—a place to host friends and family, a place to play with the dogs or play the guitar, drink coffee or sip a bourbon, or simply sit and watch TV,” she says.