STYLISH SHOPPING: MRS. HOWARD ATLANTA

Walking into the retail and design shop Mrs. Howard in Atlanta is like walking into a gracious, beautifully designed home. I visited the shop last fall and am still mesmerized by it. I have to say I have never seen anything like it. It is genius. Spanning two floors, the rooms, stairways and nooks are styled to the hilt, in an elegant and traditional style that is move in ready. Classic architectural details and mill work make the spaces seem like they have existed forever and provide a sophisticated canvas against which everything shown is available for purchase. Phoebe and Jim Howard shop for antiques, decorative accessories, artwork and upholstery incessantly, and know their clientele well. I am a total convert to this kind of shopping experience, that where home and retail are fused as one, blurring the lines of commerce. I am sure I would not be the first person that has walked in saying, I want this for my home! To feel like I am stepping into Mrs. Howard every day, I read Leah Kennelly's Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper. If you are heading south, visit the wonderful gals that work with Phoebe, like Anne Patterson in Atlanta, at 425 Peachtree Hills Avenue Suite #23. Or, when in North Carolina, visit the Charlotte location a 1001 East Morehead Street. If south means Florida for you, Phoebe's style can be found in Jacksonville, at 4128 Herschel Street and at Jacksonville Beach 2400 Third Street South Suite #304. Enjoy!

Painted wall panels of climbing trees are a lovely natural element against this major mirror.

Decorative plaster walls and a rustic beam ceiling set the stage for a dressy elegant room that could work in a city and country locale. This was one of the first rooms I saw upon entering.

Incredible mill work in the entrance ties the flax hues together.

A grey painted bookcase seems to go on for miles. It holds rattan entertaining accessories and could do wonders in a home with lots of space.

Inspiring ideas are everywhere- the mix of artwork styles and frames on this wall showcase how effective artwork can be.

The fresh melon wall color balances the sage green upholstery in this seating area.

Marble inlay floors in a bold square pattern lead to a staircase where the second floor bedrooms await. The mirror sheathed armoire looked so divine there.

A corner cabinet in an antique white finish with beautiful pediment detail is representative of many of Phoebe's great antiques.

As you made your way up the staircase, the landing holds a more modern chrome book shelf styled with antiques.

Pops of blue in the wallpaper, artwork and hurricanes surround a French antique chest.

The piece de resistance- this bed! A cozy little serpentine love seat and side tables at the end of the bed are a great idea when there isn't room for other seating in the room.

A serene white bedroom with a metal bed ensconced with bed hangings. A celery colored settee sits at the foot of the bed, making a nice addition.

A bedroom done in pale blue and cream. I love the little antique stools at the end of the bed.

A pretty antique desk can also act as bar.

This painted secretary is charming and a little tufted slipper chair is a bedroom must. You see a section of the pale blue fabric window panel here and it adds a soft, tonal element against the seafoam green wall.

Serene shades of blue are present throughout the store- it is such an easy color to live with and it makes the dark wood of antiques look spectacular.

Antiques and reproduction pieces make for a move in ready mix.

An airy dining area upstairs with bird prints, a super long bench at the window for perching, and a taupe and cream color scheme.

Multiple sofas and club chairs surround a cocktail table on the second floor. The room is done in a moody, darker shade of blue with white trim.

A checked fabric on the walls with a white painted mirror have a certain charm. What a darling writing desk.

The architectural details in her shop are incredible. The beamed ceiling and window arches add to the feeling of a real home.

Light bleached wood floors and pale ceiling beams make the color in the room pop.

That staircase! Storage is no problem here, as the space under the stairs contains cabinets. This large room feels move in ready from the fab chandelier to the terra cotta tile floor. The seating dining area has a casual elegant feel with fresh white walls and pale blue accents.

This is a good seating plan for a large space, as it incorporates a dining area and multiple seating options.

A beautifully styled bookcase with white accessories. The ric rac edge on the piece is a charming detail.