Atlanta’s Sherry Hart is an interior designer known for creating casually elegant spaces. She’s also the author of the fresh, funny (and inspirational) blog, Design Indulgence.
Background: Worked as a flight attendant for 20 years Eastern Air Lines and teaches fitness classes at Jeanne’s Body Tech in Buckhead. Started Sherry Hart Designs in Atlanta in 1996.
My decorating style: Leans toward a casual, relaxed look. I like livable, functional spaces that reflect how my clients live.
Where you’ve seen my work: Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living and quite a few of Meredith’s special-interest magazines.
Best thing about my job: The creative process. Although it is hard sometimes for a client to see my vision, every now and then I get one that lets me run with it.
Favorite accessories: I like a room to have a patina, which can be accomplished by adding old books, a few wooden bowls or vintage art. I want the room to look like it was designed over time.
Favorite design trick: Painting the room, including trim, white or a light neutral color. This allows the art and accessories to star. It also makes it easy to change out when you want to re-decorate.
Cheap tricks: Use ready-made curtains, natural area rugs or recover an inexpensive bench with a yard of great fabric. And crisp white bedding always works.
Design pet peeve: Over accessorizing or putting art on every wall. Sometimes the eye needs a resting place.
Biggest design mistake I’ve made: When we renovated our little bungalow in Peachtree Park 20 years ago, I made the island too big. I think if I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to change the kitchen, it would throw him over the edge. So I live with it.
Favorite room to design: A bedroom. So many times clients do their bedroom last. When it finally looks pretty, it is so rewarding.
Hardest space to design: A family room. Usually, there many elements to work with, like windows in strange places, two focal points (a TV on one wall and a fireplace on another) and many doors. Seating also can be a challenge.
Designer’s challenges: One is trust. My blog, started in 2010, helps people get to know me and my style. Another is working with unrealistic budgets. I try and help people prioritize by sticking to one room at a time and getting it finished before moving on to another room. Then they see where their money went.
Common design mistake homeowners make: Buying furniture that is way too large for the space. They see it in a large showroom with 20-foot ceilings and then get it home in a much smaller space with 8- to 9-foot ceilings.
Favorite shopping sources: It is no secret that one of my favorite places is Scott’s Antique Market. But I also like to mix in things from Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel and Ballard Designs.
Fabrics: I do love to use certain fabric lines from showrooms at ADAC (the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center), including Schumacher, Kravet and Lee Jofa.
Unexpected finds: HomeGoods and Target for an inexpensive accessory or two.
Favorite design sources:
- Books: “Black & White (and a bit in between) by Celerie Kemble. When I am stumped I will flip through her book and be totally inspired.
- Designers: Darryl Carter, Victoria Hagan and Thomas O Brien.
- Websites: Etsy for original art and Pinterest. It is like a huge scrapbook online.
Space I would like to design: Help my younger sister Nancy Goodrich redo her home. She has owned Nancy G’s Café in Sandy Springs for nine years and has put every cent into that place (shameless plug).
Household item I am fussy about: Towels. I like them white and fresh. Also dishtowels, with no stains.
Favorite household object: My new dining room chandelier (from Visual Comfort, which can be found at Circa Lighting).
Most recent project: My own dining room. I almost fired myself because I kept changing my mind.
Up next: A den/dining room in Virginia Highland.
Find Sherry Hart at:
SherryHartDesigns.com
Instagram: sherryhdesigns
Blog: Design Indulgence
About the Author
