Gail Majure, Adrienne Elliott, Ashley Grant and Yuki Northington are four of the top style guides on the Coast. Who are they and what can we learn from them? They shared with us recently.
GAIL MAJURE
Best way to describe my design style. Timeless classics combined to create a beautiful yet comfortable space that is truly welcoming.
What makes someone know that it is a Gail Majure design? The way that I would hope someone would recognize a Gail Majure design would be simply that it is a timeless design beautifully pulled together. I don’t want my work to always look the same so that it would be recognized in that way or reflect a certain style or look. Every project is different to me. I strive to make sure that someone’s home feels like their own and reflects their own personal style.
Tell us about a project that you have worked on that you are particularly proud of. One project that I am particularly proud of is a home that I was able to help a client build and furnish from ground up down to the sheets and towels. Fast forward a few years and I was asked again to help furnish the home for new owners, taking a completely different approach.
What is your best design advice to someone looking to update their home? Seek professional guidance if you are unsure of your own ability to create a cohesive and beautiful space. It is so much wiser to invest in a trained professional than to make the same costly mistakes. Then…be willing to follow their advice.
YUKI NORTHINGTON
Describe your design style. I would describe my design style as classic with a creative flair. I am always looking at the newest products and trying to use them in unique ways.
What is your hallmark? I’d have to say that it is the curved line and use of color. I am not a straight line, all white kind of girl.
What makes someone know that this is a Yuki Northington design? No fear of color or contrast. I am most proud of the fact that my healthcare designs feel more spa like than sterile.
Tell us about a project you worked on recently that you’re proud of. The last project that I fell in love was Brenda’s House. It is a temporary home for kids that wind up in the foster care system in Hancock County. I did the nursery in ivory and driftwood finishes and a girls bedroom that had a canopy ceiling filled with a circus of bright-colored ribbons.
What is your best design advice to someone looking to update their home? The easy answer is a fresh coat of paint. t’s OK to go with a neutral and just change out linens to refresh any space, whether it be throw pillows, bedding or window treatments. Doesn’t have to be expensive and will give any room a fresh look.
ASHLEY GRANT
Describe your design style. I do not think you have to sacrifice a warm ambiance for a clean style. My homes have this sort of understated splendor, inspiring awe, but also beckoning you to curl up in front of the fireplace, surrounded by the ones you love. I love to say, “it’s about the textures” and the juxtaposition — dark and light, antique and modern, high and low, casual and elegant. It’s balancing these things that keep a room “alive” and exciting.
What makes someone know that this is an Ashley Grant design? I never want my clients’ homes to be a testament to my business or me — rather, I want them to be admired for their craft, comfort, functionality, and attention to detail.
Tell us about a project you worked on recently that you’re proud of. I recently designed a home in Watersound, Florida, that I am particularly proud of. I was able to bring together all of my favorite aspects of a home, such as remarkable light fixtures, stately marble countertops, wood floors, and pops of unexpected color.
What is your best design advice to someone looking to update their home? Decorate a new home? Painting and editing both go a long way. One shade darker or one small tweak can completely transform a room. It’s just about having the eye to see what to adjust. Many people hear the words “interior designer” and assume they could not afford the help. However, hiring a designer often proves to be more cost-effective, as a designer drafts a cohesive plan, allowing you to make fewer mistakes.
I also try to stress to clients that not every item in a room has to be the “main character/movie star” — every good movie needs a supporting cast as well. This means that you don’t want every selection to scream at you. Try to start each room with one piece that knocks your socks off (movie star) and then add pieces that support it (supporting cast!). That one piece can be an antique, a piece of art, a rug — whatever takes YOUR breath away.
ADRIENNE ELLIOTT
Describe your design style. My design style is comfortable, eclectic, and I love adding a vintage touch. Soft textures such as linen and cottons are definitely favorites with an accent of a warm wood and pewter or champagne bronze metal.
What is your hallmark? What makes someone know that this is an Adrienne Elliott design? Neutral and warm designs with the unexpected touch; open concept floor plans for today’s modern family lifestyles; and mixed wood tones in each home with soft textures surrounding them.
Tell us about a project you worked on recently that you’re proud of. I recently worked on a beach home project I am very proud of. It was the winner of two awards for the state of Mississippi, including the Grand Award. Our team worked to incorporate an antebellum feel on the exterior and partially on the interior while adding a modern touch. I love to test scale and push the limits with an oversized fireplace mantel or fabulous trim detail.
What is your best design advice to someone looking to update their home? A simple piece of advice would be take chances on a bold color. Always go with what your heart is drawn to and yet take that chance on an exceptional light fixture or eye-catching accent pillow. The design is in the details. Make the bones of your home traditional and most importantly comfortable. Do not feel that everything has to be a matching set. Do not push all of your furniture against the walls — create engaging and comfortable areas to live in.