An Art Collection Leads to a Huntsville Home Full of Layered Harmony
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A revamped 1880s cottage is finely tuned to suit an Alabama family’s enthusiasm for artful accents and relaxed living.Art and music course through the veins of Ginney and Foster McDonald’s historic Huntsville home. Paintings by contemporary masters like Nall, Mark Singer, and Steve Penley accompany antiques from London and pieces crafted by local artisans, a concordant blend of high and low that illustrates the family’s distinctive taste.
“If it speaks to us, we will find a place to hang it,” says Ginney, who has turned to designer Beverly Farrington of Accents of the South time and again for various projects since the family moved in more than 15 years ago. Beverly takes inspiration from the McDonalds’ eclectic collection of artwork for each update, infusing their interiors with a personal flair that reflects a laid-back lifestyle and affinity for art. “Instead of going in and doing it all at once, [the décor] has evolved over the years,” says Beverly.
With three musically inclined sons, the McDonalds repurposed the dining area at the front of the primary residence—one of four rooms original to the 1885 home—into a music room. But other than adding built-in shelves and a snug window seat to the space, Beverly says, “We did what I call ‘cake and powder.’ They obviously liked the house and the plan, but we came in and started changing colors and fabrics.” In addition to showcasing the family’s treasured paintings and other collectibles, Beverly balances traditional elements with modern touches to complement the cottage’s Victorian-era character, which includes shiplap walls, several original fireplaces, and beautiful pine paneling.
Beverly gleaned inspiration for the master bedroom from Ginney’s collection of botanical artwork. Bespoke draperies and pillows fashioned from striped and floral fabrics coalesce with the green velvet bed frame and lustrous chocolate-brown wall paint.
Beverly also bears in mind the McDonalds’ wish to create a welcoming retreat that’s always primed for gracious hospitality, opting for easy-to-maintain surfaces and floor coverings along with plenty of cozy seating areas throughout. “They aren’t trying to make it look like it’s a show house,” says Beverly. “They want to have a very comfortable house. That’s why the art is so important: it represents them.”
The McDonalds encourage visitors to enjoy the comforts of their home as much as their own family has. “The property has an emotional karma that lures people to stay and linger,” Ginney says. “Every bit of it is lived-in and loved.”
Photography by Mac Jamieson Styling by Beverly Farrington of Accents of the South
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