Napa Valley, New Orleans and Buckhead Showhouses

From a master suite balcony space in the heart of the New Orleans Uptown District,

To a front porch, deck and backyard of historic properties in Napa Valley Wine Country…

To a loggia and mudroom in the chic Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, a group of summer showhouses by House Beautiful and Traditional Home magazines have transformed outdoor areas into welcoming spaces with charm and character.

The magazines partnered with Woodard, the 150-year-old iconic outdoor furniture company, to furnish the homes in northern California Wine Country, New Orleans and Atlanta. “Collaborating with the designers of the showhouses has been a very rewarding experience,” said Bill Herron, Woodard creative director. Each of the homes has a very distinct flavor, he added.

The New Orleans home is located deep in the southern heart of the New Orleans Uptown District and served as the centerpiece of the inaugural “Southern Style Now” Design festival.

“The southern designers that Traditional Home chose for this project shared their modern, yet classic vision in the 15-room home, master suite balcony, courtyard and porch, while keeping the Southern traditionalism alive,” Herron said.

“Napa Valley’s northeast Californian beauty and charm added a quaint element to the downtown Randolph Street properties that were renovated and revitalized, bringing them into the 21st Century while maintaining their traditional wine country heritage,” Herron said.

The Atlanta home, in the Buckhead neighborhood, was not a historic home but a newly constructed one. According to Herron, the homeowner has twin toddlers, and the house had to be kid-friendly. The designers and builder used materials and furnishings that were “totally modern but comfortable.” The home included a mudroom and shower that required all-weather furniture. They used a pair of Isla ottomans from Woodard in the mud room.

Reflecting on the trends in color, pattern and materials on display in the showhouses, Herron said, “The designers chose a mixture of woven, aluminum and iron outdoor furnishings. Comfortable, deep seating was a key element, along with dark-colored frames and white or brightly colored cushions accented with contrasting throw pillows just like you would see in interior family rooms.”