Don’t worry, you won’t find any Hoboken racketeering at the hands of Marlon Brando here (though that would be an interesting selling point). Instead, this University Lake-front home with interiors designed by Meghann Landry with McMillin Interiors is nothing but charm, its light façade and welcoming windowpanes the picture of Southern hospitality. Just say the word “biscuit stitched headboard,” and you’ve arrived.

In fact, now that we’re here as guests, why not linger in the guest bedroom? The headboard itself is the star of the sleeping area, creating visual height above the walnut poster bed in agreement with the 12-foot ceilings, an airy alcove that registers as bright and alert in the day time, while becoming smooth and soothing at night. 

Still, Landry wanted something above the bedside chests to balance the height of the bed and reflect light throughout the space, so she chose a subtle combination of beveled mirrors framed in eglomise glass and gold to check those boxes without stealing focus from more important features.

“With our color palette based in blues, I layered the room with patterns in different scales and varying textures,” says Landry. “The star is definitely the English linen drapery, which was the first fabric selected, and which set the tone for the rest of the design. Balanced with deeper contrast solids and rich cut velvets, a restful retreat is the result.”

Then, the details. To reduce visual clutter, Landry assembled a handmade pottery collection in various shapes and sizes on the burled wood etagere bookcase, their celadon hues mixing beautifully within a range of shades. Even laying down on the hand-knotted Stark rug would be a treat, completely custom in size and color and scaled specifically for the room. Landry also had it hand-washed to give an aged appearance after being colored to match the drapery fabric. 

“Overall, the goal was to create a timeless guest space that could serve as a retreat for friends and family,” says Landry. “Using classic elements and a tonal color scheme, I believe we’ve created an updated traditional space my clients will enjoy for years to come.”

To read more about this lakeside home, check out this article, photo gallery and video tour from the inRegister archives.