Page 131 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2019

The front exterior and lawn have lots of curb appeal with a soft cream color and white trim, welcoming porch and neat landscaping.
When Conn purchased the almost- 100-year-old house, it was a far cry from what it is today. “I completely gutted it and then said ‘okay house, talk to me,’” she recalls. Apparently the house responded and the two bonded because now it’s beautiful, light and airy.
Conn took down walls, enclosed a porch to add living space — bringing the total to 4,000 square feet — and used the original doors and transoms that she found stored under the house. White oak floors throughout the home add appeal to the white palette.
A star in the living room is her grandmother’s mantle that her dad surprised her with before she moved in. Touches of gold add to the room’s brightness, and texture is added with upholstered pieces, drapes and an animal hide rug.
It’s unusual to jump right to a homeowner’s dressing room/closet, but Conn’s is worthy of attention. It’s a converted bedroom, which leads her to say,” All the shelves are detached from the walls in case a normal person someday owns the house and wants it as a bedroom.”
Conn admits she had a closet and
a bathroom before she had a kitchen during the remodeling. Where to begin? The clothes are grouped
by function and color while the
top shelves display a varied hat collection. There’s a nook off to the side that houses her ball gowns. A cheerful poster proclaims ‘Life is short, Keep your party dress on.’ There’s an ornate chandelier overhead in addition to recessed lighting, an antique mirror over a lively-patterned sofa, a marble-topped center island that holds jewelry and a plush rug
on the floor. Did I mention shoes? There are shelves holding shoes of every style and for every conceivable occasion. Conn’s love of shoes is further evidenced by the shoe-shaped
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August 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 131
Their living room features a special and sentimental heirloom, her grandmother’s mantle, given to her by her father.