interior design

BEFORE :: PROJECT DORSET PRIOR TO DALLAS TORNADO OF 2019

August 25, 2021 by Denise McGaha

Being recognized by your peers is always an honor and when the Design Leadership Network chose to tell the story of a project we designed in 2018-2019 in their publication HIVE, we were so happy to see it in print “as it was”……I say “as it was” because the images here represent a project that no longer looks the same. The entire landscape and home were damaged by the devastating tornado that hit Dallas in October of 2019.

Since then, we have been working with our clients to reimagine their beloved “Dorset” to be even better than before. This post also shares the importance of documenting your projects and your home, because without these images and our detailed accounting paperwork, the insurance claims would have been much more difficult.

We are anxious to show you the new and improved “Dorset” and hope to do so this Spring. Between a tornado and a pandemic, this project and our clients have been through so much, but that makes the new results just that much sweeter.

Thanks so much to Michael Boodro, editor of HIVE and the team at DLN for featuring our work and sharing with the entire membership of the Design Leadership Network.

DENISE MCGAHA INTERIORS COVER AND FEATURE IN FLOWER MAGAZINE

August 20, 2021 by Denise McGaha

What an exciting day when one of your projects completed during a pandemic makes it way to your mailbox and you see it on the COVER!!! We were over the moon that our darling clients, who are featured in this great article, allowed us to photograph their home during a stressful time.

The gorgeous florals and styling by Jimmie Henslee were photographed by Stephen Karlisch and were the icing on the cake for this charming project. Please enjoy and take a minute to soak in the charm and beauty of this great property.

A special thanks to everyone who made this photoshoot work and especially Alice Doyle and Margot Shaw of Flower Magazine.

OUR GUEST SUITE FEATURED IN FLOWER MAGAZINE

May 15, 2020 by Denise McGaha

I am so excited that we are featured in this month’s Flower Magazine! The magazine did a Q&A with me about design, how my business got started and we talked about my recently re-designed guest bedroom & bathroom. It was so much fun to do this interview and here are a few sneak peek photos of the space. Thanks to the talent of Stephen Karlisch for his photography, Margot Shaw, Editor and Alice Doyle, Editorial Director at Flower Magazine for the talented writing and telling of my story.

During this time, when we are all stuck at home a figuring out what works for us and what doesn’t. I wanted to make our guest room beautiful and inviting, but also bold and representative of our own personal style.

The bed I chose was Alexa Hampton for Theodore Alexander. I wanted the fabric to be bold, so I went with a Celerie Kemble for Schumacher stripe in the teal colorway. The chandelier in the room is from Circa Lighting and while it is no longer available, they have several other pendants like this. I love using something that adds a bit of style without being too overwhleming in a smaller bedroom.

Our guest bedding is from Peacock Alley and I recently joined them for an Instagram Live from this bedroom talking about what makes the perfect bed. I love that all of their bedding is super soft, beautiful and adds a level of sophistication to a guest room. The best way to pamper your guests is with beautiful bedding.

To add a little bit of personality I flanked the bed with lamps from my collection with Currey & Co. and added custom lamp shades in Brunschwig & Fils ‘Les Touches’ fabric.

I love any opportunity for a gallery wall and I think it adds some interest on the wall next to the bed. This wall includes so many of the pieces we have collected over the years and is the perfect representation of both Scott and I with masculine AND feminine references. Also, I wanted to add a lumbar pillow in the matching fabric that you see on the lampshades to tie everything together.

These modern yet classic bedside tables are by Michael Berman for Theodore Alexander. They fit perfectly in the space and add a natural wood aspect. I love the interiors of these chests and they allow me to have storage in the room as well which is a big bonus.

Patterned drapery is another area where I love to add some pattern. This Schumacher fabric by Miles Redd was the perfect textile to bring the entire space together. It has colors in the headboard, but also works great with the lampshades and lumbar pillow. A floral that works for everyone!

Onto the bathroom… This is one of my favorite wallpapers from Cole & Son! It was the jumping off point for the entire bathroom. I selected the shower curtain and towels to bring out the blue and orange in the paper, it turned out great! The monkeys hidden in the pattern are my favorite part.

The hardware in a space is like the jewelry that makes an outfit! I fell in love with these beauties from Addison Weeks and had to have them on the cabinetry doors!

I hope you enjoyed the tour and I will be back with more details on the beautiful Theodore Alexander pieces in the room in my next post. To see the full interview and lots more details, click HERE!

Xo,

Denise

OUT OF THE BOX: NON-CONVENTIONAL WAYS TO GROW YOUR DESIGN BUSINESS

October 18, 2019 by Denise McGaha

Hello Friends!

I am going to be heading to High Point Market later this week for the fall furniture market. I always love attending market and seeing new trends and shopping for clients! I am also excited to sitting on a panel to discuss non-conventional ways to grow your design business! I will joined by Tish Mills and Joni Vanderslice and the panel will be moderated by Beth Dempsey, President & Founder of Images & Details, Inc.

What: Out of the Box: Non-Conventional Ways to Grow Your Design Business Seminar

When: Sunday, October 20th, @ 2:00PM

Where: Alden Parkes Showroom (200 N Hamilton St. Suite #110)

You will learn ways to appeal to new clients and help grow your business. We will provide tips on how to be successful in growing your business in non-traditional ways! If you are going to be attending High Point Market this year, we would love to see you at our seminar.

XO,

Denise

OUR NEW MR. STEAM HOME SPA FROM THE VIEW OF MR. MCGAHA

July 31, 2019 by Denise McGaha

As you already know, Scott and I are so thrilled with our new master bathroom! We specifically love our steam shower, thanks to Mr. Steam! Thanks to Mr. Steam we were able to have the the very best steam shower around. We love the iTempoPlus Steam Shower Control and the Linear Steam Head. We also are able to control the steam from our SteamLinx Mobile App. Another great part of the Mr. Steam shower is the Audio Home System. We are able to listen to our favorite music in the shower! I can’t forget the aromatherapy option and how we are able to pipe in eucalyptus and lavender at the touch of a button.

Recently I asked Scott how he feels about the new bath::

DENISE:: Talk about the process of creating our home spa, our bathroom was completely overhauled. How did you manage not to “peek” while the construction was going on? What was it like living in the guest room?

SCOTT: Well, you asked me to trust you and not to look until the entire project was installed. It was our bedroom, bathroom and closet. I knew you had some purpose for asking, so I chose to oblige:). I completely trust your ability to design a beautiful space.

Living in the guest room was a different challenge. You know that wasn’t easy. All of our clothes were on rolling racks in the living room and dining room. It’s not a lot of fun getting dressed in front of huge open windows every morning. That lasted about 90 days. Luckily we survived the chaos of a renovation.

DENISE:: Obviously, I know you extremely well! Talk about which of your favorite bath preferences that I took into account when creating the space.

SCOTT: I had no idea that you were putting a steam shower from Mr. Steam into our shower. You kept telling me you had one really big surprise for me. I was curious, but I didn’t go nosing around. With running my own business, managing the schedules of our family and everything else we have going on, I don’t have a lot of time to be nosy:)

You do know I love a great soak in the tub. You installed a deep Japanese style soaking tub as well, which makes me happy! Because we have traveled together often and enjoyed spas all over the world, you know I am a fan of a perfect bathroom. The steam shower was a huge surprise and I love it.

DENISE:: How does the renovated bath fit into our lifestyle? Are there aspects of it that have improved your quality of life?

SCOTT:: One of my favorite technology features is the ability to open an app on my iphone and turn on the steam shower. I can program the perfect temperature and the length I plan for my steam before I ever leave our bed. I also forgot to mention the Bluetooth sound system that you included in the shower. I love being able to connect to the speakers and play music from my phone while I shower or soak! Starting each day with a steam and your favorite music is perfection:)

DENISE:: According to the Kitchen & Bath article, you were uncharacteristically silent during the reveal. It’s true!! Now that you’ve had a chance to get used to the bathroom, what would you have liked to say at that time?

SCOTT:: I am laughing as I hear your question. If you know me, I am rarely at a loss for words. But I was truly overwhelmed at everything you designed. I completely understand the television reveal process and the emotions that come with it. You completely transformed our bedroom, bathroom and closet. I am not embarrassed to say that I was overcome with grateful emotion.

Now that I have been able to live in our new environment and appreciate all the perfect details that you created, I would love to say thank you so much, darling. I love you, and thank you for taking the time to make our home as perfect as you do so many other client’s homes on a daily basis. I am blessed to be married to such a talented and gifted lady.

I swear I didn’t pay him to say those things!! But being able to share my design talents with those I love makes all of the late nights and trips away from home completely worth it all. Thank you Mr. Steam for transforming our lives with healthy steam and a home spa. WE LOVE IT!!

30TH ANNUAL ARTS AWARD FOR INTERIOR DESIGNER 2019

January 29, 2019 by Denise McGaha

Scott and I recently attended the 30th Annual ARTS Awards where I was honored and humbled to have been nominated in the Interior Design Category. I am not a stranger to this beautifully produced Awards ceremony as I have been a presenter, as well as being nominated in the Interior Designer Category for the past 3 years. I have never won this coveted award and the week leading up to the awards was quite hectic.

I managed to schedule a manicure and a blow out the day of the ceremony, but didn’t really have time to shop for a dress…..so I shopped my closet. I have always opted for a ballgown but this time, it was a ball skirt from 10 years ago and a draped jacket from last season. I actually felt comfortable and relaxed and honestly didn’t prepare a speech. Sitting at the table with my great friends from Currey & Co., I had a fun dinner and prepared for the ceremony to start.

I think you probably know where this story is going, but when our category was called and my name was called out as a winner, I was seriously stunned. I really was shocked and when I went on stage, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I thrust that coveted statue in the air and squealed with excitement.

What a wonderful honor to be recognized in my 18th year of business. I want to thank the judges, Sharon Davis, the ARTS Nomination Committee and this industry I call family. I am really so excited to have this recognition of my team and our firm because without them this wouldn’t be possible.

As always, having my loving and supportive husband by my side made it all the more special. Photos below by Beth Tilley Green for Currey & Co. – and a huge thanks to my Currey & Co family for all of their support and for hosting us at their table!!

Interior Designer – Denise McGaha, Denise McGaha Interiors

SOUTHERN STYLE NOW ’18

October 31, 2018 by Denise McGaha

Hi Again!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am doing a lot of traveling this week. First stop will be NY and later in the week I will be in Charleston for the Traditional Home Southern Style Now Showhouse Opening! I will specifically be on a panel on Saturday November 3rd, at 3:00pm est. Joining me on the panel will be Joni Vanderslice, Ben Sohr, and Arden Waggoner Stephenson and our moderator will be Cecil Adams.

To purchase tickets, click HERE!

I hope to see you there!

XO,

Denise

TO THE TRADE ONLY MARKET DAY

October 30, 2018 by Denise McGaha

Hello Friends!

I am traveling again this week and my first stop is Stamford, CT. New England Home and Wakefield Design Center are hosting an event this Thursday! I am so excited to be on a panel with Young Huh and Joni Vanderslice. We will be talking about the ABCs of Licensing. We are going to share everything we know about licensing! See the invite below and don’t forget to RSVP!

XO,

Denise

HIGH POINT MARKET:: EVENTS

October 8, 2018 by Denise McGaha

We have a busy High Point market coming up! See below for all of the events we are a part of! I hope you can join us!

XO,

Denise

SOUTHERN STYLE NOW AND TRADITIONAL HOME:: SAVANNAH SHOWHOUSE

September 10, 2018 by Denise McGaha

Hi Friends!

If you remember back in November of last year, we were a part of the Traditional Home: Southern Style Now Showhouse in Savannah. It was my first time to work in this beautiful city and the history had me leave a changed person. I met so many wonderful local designers, influencers and entertaining mavens. I am so excited to share all of the details here now that it’s on newsstands. Pick up the latest Traditional Home magazine to see the highlights from the Showhouse.

BEFORE:: These are the photos of what the space looked like before we put our design in place:

As you can see in the images, the ceiling are very low (like 7′ low!!!!) and there was limited natural light. We wanted to space to feel cozy without making the ceiling feel so low. So, we wallpapered the ceiling in “Lily Pad” from my line with Design Legacy. We used the colors in the paper for the inspiration for the space. Blushes and hunter greens layered together created the ideal space on the first floor of this townhome.

Here are the beautiful after photos taken by the talented J Savage Gibson: