Introducing Guest Curator, Whitney Durham! Design and decor enthusiast, Whitney is an interior designer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Whitney's designs always catch my eye and after following her for a while now, I finally gathered enough courage to reach out and ask her to serve as our latest Guest Curator. Thankfully, Whitney agreed! It is always a treat to learn about art through another person's perspective, especially when they have such a keen eye for design. Reading Whitney's thoughts on art in our collection is no different, she has encouraged me to experiment when choosing art for a space. See Whitney's current Well + Wonder picks below as well as read more about her in our rapid-fire Q&A.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a design and décor enthusiast living in Atlanta, GA. I am constantly sharing my passion and ideas with my husband, two young boys, and chocolate lab, for as long as they will listen😉 I love color, original art, animal prints, coffee table books, fresh flowers, red wine, coffee, and Instagram. I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I love every day!
Why did you start your blog/brand/business?
I started my interior decorating and design business a few years ago through constant encouragement from family, friends, and acquaintances who attended parties, showers, and other gatherings at my home. I have always had a true passion for interiors and home décor for as long as I can remember. I love helping my clients turn their houses into their homes and creating rooms they can’t wait to spend time in. With the support of family and friends, I took a leap of faith and started Whitney Durham Interiors. I have been blessed with a very consistent client base stemming primarily from referrals and social media exposure.
What is currently on your nightstand? What are you reading?
My nightstand has a black and brass antique vase that my great-grandmother brought back from her travels in India. My grandfather made the vases into lamps for my grandmother and they were passed down to me. Alongside my lamp(s), sits two coffee table books – one by Suzanne Kasler and the other by Michael S. Smith. On top of the design books sits a small original Sally King Benedict face and a pair of my great-grandfathers reading glasses, for a little unexpected, quirky surprise. I have a blue agate coaster for my morning coffee and on the bottom shelf, I store my most recent home décor magazines, which patiently await an opportunity for me to read them.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
My favorite room in our house is the sunroom, which also serves as our family room. It used to be our screened porch until we did a renovation to give us another interior room. It is now filled with windows, which allows you to view our professionally landscaped backyard and patio. During the renovation, we removed all exterior doors, so it feels very warm and cozy. I filled it with a pair of custom, comfortable swivel chairs and a sectional, to allow for ample spaces to sit. It is located right off our kitchen and has French doors that open to our living room. It currently has an antelope rug and a vintage acrylic coffee table filled with pretty art, home décor and travel books.
What is your biggest score online to date?
My biggest score online is probably a set of (3) three vintage lucite and brass barstools I found on craigslist. They were in great condition and so unique. I have never seen any quite like them! I recovered them in a Schumacher, blue (of course) faux leather and had one of my talented vendors cut them down to counter height after I renovated my kitchen island.
It is said to look for art that "makes your heart skip a beat." What aspects of art make your heart skip?
I personally love a large-scale, colorful abstract painting!! It can be edgy but timeless, fun and fresh all at the same time! Abstract art is very versatile and looks great in traditional, transitional and modern style homes. I love the WOW factor of a large-scale piece. It makes such a statement in a room and is something you will have for a long time and can potentially pass down for generations. Art is also something you can easily bring with you if you move into a new home. Colorful, abstract art is like a breath of fresh air to me!
The key to making a house a home?
What does a home need more of and less of? The key to making a house a home is incorporating special and unique pieces that are important to the homeowner. This personalizes the space and allows them to feel like it is truly theirhome. For example, using a few family heirloom pieces of furniture, art and/or accessories or a book, pillow, or rug that the homeowner found during their travels. This one of a kind pieces really personalize a home and serve as good conversation starters.
The greatest color combination that ever existed?
Any and ALL shades of BLUE! I love navy, aqua, peacock blue, cornflower blue, royal blue, blue/gray, ETC. In any form or fashion! Blues are calming and fresh. They serve as both a good neutral and can add bold color to a space all at once! Blues all work well together too! Just think about all the shades of blue in the ocean…there is not a bad blue color combination. Blues also pair well with just about any other color in the rainbow. (I personally live in a house with all boys, so they love it too. 😉)
What’s your favorite housewarming gift?
My favorite housewarming gift to give is a scented candle or bottle of wine. My favorite housewarming gift to receive would be a small piece of ART or fresh flowers. 😉
Photography by Laura Negri
