Jill Sharp Style

February 1, 2010 | 20 comments

Last May the Peachtree Heights East neighborhood in Atlanta hosted a garden tour of a few houses in the neighborhood. I had planned to attend the tour, but skipped it because it was raining the day of the tour and I wasn't sure there would be any houses on the tour that I'd really be into. After viewing photos from the tour on the Architecture Tourist blog, I was kicking myself. I was wrong - there was a house on the tour that I was quite into. The house instantly caught my eye because of its grand steel window and door that afforded a view of the kitchen. "Wow", I thought, "I hope there's another tour and the house is open - not just the garden!"


Fast forward to this past December and imagine my surprise and satisfaction when the house I had been curious about appeared in House Beautiful magazine. I'm referring to none other than Jill Sharp Brinson's magnificent home that graced the cover of the December / January issue. What a treat to see the home in its entirety; it certainly didn't disappoint. Judging by the response I've seen on the Internet, I wasn't the only one who was spellbound by Jill's home. Images from the magazine have blanketed many of the blogs I frequent.

I naturally wanted to see more of Jill's work after reading the article in House Beautiful. Surely someone this talented isn't a one-hit wonder. There must be more I thought - and there is. Via a comment Jill left on one of my posts, I was able to discover her website: Jill Sharp Style.


Even without furnishings, another beautiful house with interior design by Jill, and showcased on her website, illustrates her incredible talent. The palette and material selection share a similar aesthetic with her own home. All photos of the house are by Brian Bieder.


Jill and I conversed over email about the details of this new house that recently sold. These first two photos are of the dining room. Jill related to me the direction she'd take in decorating it:

overall - this room has the best feel - I would use it as a salon style space with a large table, piles of books, an oversized wing chair pulled up to the table, some floating ottomans - hang some mismatched folding chairs on the wall to pull down if you needed to entertain a larger group - pure dining rooms are SO not now - everyone needs to think about how they can re-purpose their existing dining rooms to become rooms that you go in every day - to read, to write, to laptop, to commune

Regardless of where I go or whom I speak to lately, I hear the same sentiment. We should be building smaller instead of larger and making it higher quality and making the most of less space. To me, Jill's description of how she'd decorate the dining room reflect just that.


In our correspondence Jill proceeded to describe how she went to lengths to ensure the window above the sink became a reality. I can certainly appreciate that as I personally prefer that setup in a kitchen and how it showers light into the room. Behind the louvered, retractable shutters are double Viking ovens, a microwave, and a coffee bar. To the left of the refrigerator is a pantry.


This dual photo presents the house's mudroom on the left and the entry hall on the right. Jill selected Peacock Pavers for the flooring amid a complimentary palette of neutrals. I like her selection of lighting as well.


The final photo is of the powder room. Jill's sharp style is evident again. She used one of her favorite fabrics to cover the walls and she was responsible for the design of the vanity. I wish I had discovered this house sooner when it was still on the market. I would love to have seen it in person.

I'm looking forward to seeing more design from Jill in the future. There is a townhouse project at Serenbe named Hominy that will ostensibly commence when the real estate climate will support it. Beyond that and her work for Ballard Designs, Jill has a product line of her own in the works. Aptly named, STABLE, on the fact that she has amassed a stable of craftspeople from around the world to collaborate with for her upcoming home and body products.

In case you can't get enough Jill Sharp Style, you can read a recent interview with her on the flourish design + style blog.

20 comments:

Doug Davis said...

I remember seeing an image of the steel kitchen window on Terry's blog but never made the connection until now...what a wonderful home. I'm glad to have seen some more of Jill's work, she's very talented. Great post, as always!

Things That Inspire said...

I immediately zeroed in on that kitchen that Terry snapped while on the garden tour, and used it in my steel doors post. I saw the kitchen again in the Southern Accents 'Top 10 kitchens' - http://www.southernaccents.com/decorating/our-top-10-kitchens-00400000040564/page7.html

SO it was a thrill to see it in House Beautiful, and this post is the perfect continuation of the story!

The Peacock Pavers look great. We have been talking about Peacock Pavers on my project - possibly for the back mud room area, and carrying out to the backyard. There was some discussion of them starting to look bad if you use them outside, because of acid from the rain etching them (I need to follow up on this - we were discussing alternatives to bluestone, as bluestone can get quite hot and kids hate the heat when they are barefoot). I love the look of Peacock....especially the random pattern that Jill used in the house she designed.

Great post!

Sarah said...

these houses really are amazing. can't wait for the new project at Serenbe. that's one of my favorite places. used to live just south of it in newnan.

CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED said...

Hi James-
Oh how I drooled over that kitchen window when the HB article was published! Similarly, I love reading Jill's words about expanding the use of the traditional dining room and I agree that stand off-ish rooms with only one formal use are completely passe. Instead, I love the idea of hanging folding chairs on the wall. There is something ridiculously stylish about that kind of approach, brings Kate Moss's {seemingly} effortless to mind. Happy to have Jill in Atlanta and won't it be fun to see her line!!

Terry said...

That is a special room in a special house, on a special property. Let's hope it's on the Duck Pond tour again this year. One of the amazing things is that the house is backed up to high rise residential buildings. Yet, it's an oasis half a block from Peachtree.

Blayne Macauley said...

I love it. I love the window in the first picture. It is so striking. Did you see the Huff harrington post about the art that was in the house beautiful article? You should read it. Thank you so much for sharing her vision of the dining room. She was so articulate with such a defined vision, I could see it! So cool! Also, do you have any information on the door in the half bath? It looks like an old shutter or something? It's quite beautiful.

Laura@Developing Designs said...

Beautiful work....I love the mudroom w/ the choice of door selection along with the flooring and light fixture makes for a delightful space. Thanks for sharing.

trouvais said...

Hi James. Thanks for the quotes...adds alot to hear her thought process. Love the metal windows. And the seemingly random patterned rectangle stone floors. Thanks! Trish

Tina Steele Lindsey said...

Beautiful post, and once again I drool. there is not an image that isn't enchanting. Jill is incredibly gifted.

Verdigris Vie said...

I adore a small and functional kitchen. The ovens neatly tucked away. I think the 2 oversized sinks are also lovely, (it's probably a Kosher Kitchen) but I can't tell you how many times I wish I had 2 separate sinks - for dishes and for food.

The peacock pavers are fabulous, and I can't get enough of those rustic beams..

Thanks for another lovely one James..:-)

Anonymous said...

She is so talented! Her passion and creativity continue to inspire me... I'm off to read the interview. Thanks for sharing! xoRH

James said...

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed learning a little more about Jill as did I.

paula said...

It is just gorgeous. Loved the view of her kitchen looking in too. I love where she said building smaller with higher quality. That's so me.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Such a great post. Not sure if you knew but Jill Brinson's kitchen was also featured in Southern Accents March/April 2007 issue under the heading "remodeling". It's always interesting to see the little changes a homeowner/designer makes along the way. For example: the interior iron doors were originally cream! The black really does finish them off perfectly. BTW love your header....sexy, sexy car!

Angela at Giannetti Home: Design Online said...

Fabulous post. Jill's style is creating quite the buzz, and it is easy to see why! The details are fantastic and everything seems so liveable.

A Perfect Gray said...

wiping the drool from my screen. . .

Charlotta Ward said...

Wonderful house - such great bones! The flow and light are amazing. Loving her choice of flooring, and general approach to decorating the rooms. Multi function and smart pairing are excellent - I agree. The only room I am not so keen on is the powder room. It feels a tad heavy - I would have gone for a lighter look - classic yes, but with a twist.

Lovely post yet again. Thank you - I feel inspired!
xCharlotta

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

It's beautiful! I just love it!!

Unknown said...

What a fantastic post.. she really is an exceptional lady! Thank you so much for including my little chat with her - it was alot of fun! xo

Unknown said...

I could move into that mudroom and be happy forever!

Post a Comment