Text by Dana W. Todd
Photography by Emily Followill
While many millennials gravitate toward minimalism and neutral palettes, Molly and Brian McNeese took a different path. Describing themselves as “old souls,” the couple envisioned a traditional home filled with timeless hues of blue and green. Their search led them to designer Michelle Doughtie of Schilling & Co., who, alongside Katelyn Reaves, helped bring their vision to life.
6. Inside a Blue-and-Green Georgia Home That Redefines Traditional Design
5. Inside a Blue-and-Green Georgia Home That Redefines Traditional Design
4. Inside a Blue-and-Green Georgia Home That Redefines Traditional Design
3. Inside a Blue-and-Green Georgia Home That Redefines Traditional Design
2. Inside a Blue-and-Green Georgia Home That Redefines Traditional Design
1. Inside a Blue-and-Green Georgia Home That Redefines Traditional Design
Pulling inspiration from Schumacher wallpaper in the dining room, Doughtie built a cohesive palette throughout the home, incorporating blush pink and scalloped details for a soft, feminine touch that reflects the McNeeses’ life with two young daughters. Monogrammed dining chairs and blue-and-white chinoiserie accessories add layers of Southern charm.
The living room evokes an older-home feel with antique chests flanking the fireplace, while French Country details in the breakfast room blend gracefully with a modern table. In the kitchen, a custom-colored Ilve range and a brass-accented hood steal the show. The extra-thick island countertop and creamy Calacatta tile add to the room’s classical appeal.
Doughtie has a knack for transforming utilitarian spaces into showpieces. She turned a plain hallway into a lacquered butler’s pantry featuring Sherwin-Williams’s Silken Peacock, brass accents, and custom art panels. A standout feature is the multifunctional office-laundry room, affectionately called “the command center,” where Molly and her daughters enjoy time together amid chinoiserie treasures and soft lighting.
Brian’s office diverges from the home’s light palette with walls and ceiling in a dark charcoal hue, creating a masculine retreat tailored for his interests. The design cleverly incorporates guitar nooks, a high-top meeting area, and display space for his instrument collection. Music is a unifying theme in the house, with a player piano in the stair hall and a harp showcased in the front music room.
Throughout, Doughtie ensured that every inch of the home serves a purpose—especially in the children’s spaces, which were designed with future teenage hangouts in mind. A loft with a daybed and smart built-ins reflects this forward-thinking approach.
Outside, traditional architecture is enhanced with blue shutters, window boxes, and symmetrical touches by custom builder Smith & Kennedy, maintaining a classically Southern exterior.
From blush-toned primary bathrooms to family-friendly outdoor living areas, the McNeeses’ home captures the beauty of tradition with thoughtful, modern flourishes. “Schilling & Co. knocked it out of the park,” the homeowners agree.
