den could have felt “huge and cavernous,” Kirkland notes
of the family’s main living space. “We wanted to make sure
all the upholstery was inviting and soft to counteract that.”
So she covered Weathington’s existing deep club chairs
in a floral Manuel Canovas fabric (Manoir in Ceylan) and
chose a velvet for the “supercomfortable” Hickory Chair
sectional. Multiple lamps and sconces add a warm touch,
but the rustic Paul Ferrante chandelier really stands out.
At nearly 4 feet in diameter, it’s big enough to be the focal
point in such a sizable space.Revive your old pieces.
Many of Weathington’s existing furnishings leaned toward
classic, but Kirkland gave several of them a face-lift with a
simple coat of paint (framed artwork in the dining room got
a lighter wash) or fresh upholstery. The biggest makeover
was on a set of red needlepoint-embroidered chairs in the
bold living room. She re-covered them in a brown-and-
white, curvy stripe (Schumacher’s The Wave). “They were
beautiful before, but now they’re fun too,” says Weathington.Add interesting antiques to your collection.
Thanks to Weathington’s regular
pastime of scouring local shop
Parc Monceau for antique finds,
she already had “quite a nice
collection of pieces,” says Kirkland.
To get an even broader mix, the
designer sourced eclectic items.
A Moroccan rug added graphic
interest in the living room and a
dose of plushness that softens
all the fine furniture.Dare to be modern.
A combination of black-and-
white marble tile, an ornate
mirror, and a vintage console
made the foyer—the home’s first
impression—seem too formal.
To help loosen it up, Kirkland
swapped out the ivory paint
for Benjamin Moore’s soothing
White Dove (OC-17), which
provided a backdrop for abstract pieces. “Lively art sets
the tone that this house is an upbeat traditional rather
than the sedated kind,” she explains.Hold on to the classic dining room.
A beautiful antique chandelier was already “the star”SOUTHERNLIVING.COM / FEBRUARY 20 1967a standout
LIVING
ROOM
Challenged with a “dark,”
formal chocolate brown
space, Kirkland turned
to green paint for its
quick-changing powers
(for a similar shade, try
Benjamin Moore’s Dill
Pickle, 2147-40). She then
unrolled a funky, fluffy
Moroccan rug and threw
in a barely there acrylic
coffee table. “Now the
room just seems edgy—
even though it’s filled
with antiques!” raves
Weathington.