Finishing Touches STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & ALI HARPER PHOTOGRAPHY
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Lake Martin is not home to a one-size-fits-all interior design pattern, and local designers said cookiecutter, stark white look with sliding barn doors has hit the highway hard since the onslaught of COVID-19. Designers around the lake said their clients now want unique, more eclectic, yet fuss-free design schemes in their homes. They want to be surrounded by hints of nostalgia, nature and comfort that offer functional, everyday home experiences without a ton of effort and upkeep. “Interior design is becoming a more personalized experience,” said Chris Hutcheson, owner and designer at Hutche and Co. “I’m seeing clients change their décor by selecting older pieces with a modern touch that evoke memories and spending time with family. I believe we appreciate things a little more today than we did a year ago.” For many people, Lake Martin was once a retreat, a place where families came to make memories. The difference is that now people are flocking to Lake Martin for more than the memories. What was once just a retreat is now home, and the memories made in both the past and present are being incorporated into the décor. “A rug here, a chair there, or maybe grandma’s clock on display. Either way, clients are definitely bringing in those family-oriented materials,” said Hutcheson. Furniture is becoming more functional and even more livable. Long gone are the days of stark white couch cushions that everyone was afraid to sit on and elaborate rugs that cost a fortune. People are flocking to more durable styles, such as leather chairs with clean lines, rattan furniture and even antique wooden pieces.
28 LAKE
APRIL 2021
The decorating trend at the lake focuses on liveability
