Meet Mrs. Howard: Interior Decorator, Author & Southern Style Expert
Meet Phoebe Howard…a nationally known interior decorator, retail shop owner, columnist and author. Oh, let’s not forget wife and mother too! Whew!
If you’ve read Southern Living magazine lately, then you’d know her by her monthly column, “Ask Mrs. Howard“. Each month in the column, Mrs. Howard addresses the most problematic decorating pitfalls and issues such as “How do I properly dress windows?”, or “How do I style open shelves?”. Thanks to Mrs. Howard, we can all feel like a decorating expert after taking her advice!
Phoebe is known for her fresh take on traditional style and her work can only be characterized by its timelessness (and her mantra of “keep it pretty”). While she is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Southern style, Phoebe is well regarded for her business acumen, catering to both homeowners as well as other members of the design community. Through her own retail shops, Mrs. Howard and Max & Company (with multiple locations across the Southeast including Georgia, Florida & North Carolina) she was one of the first entrepreneurs in the Southeast to introduce unique domestic and international lines to the area. And today, she continues to scour the globe for new products for both her stores and clients, as well as create her own exclusive line of products.
Phoebe’s penchant for creating stylish spaces has evolved into her own brand of decorating, which has garnered praise from national media (as well her clients). We’d have to agree…it’s fabulous! Mrs. Howard’s own decorating projects are a veritable library of design inspiration, and have been published in House Beautiful, Coastal Living, Southern Living, Elle Decor, Veranda and Traditional Home, among others.
Photo courtesy of Phoebe's blog, www.mrs.howardpersonalshopper.com
Early Beginnings: Life with Aunt Myra
{ excerpt from The Joy of Decorating, Introduction }
“I always loved to listen to stories of Aunt Myra and the house she decorated as a newlywed…I was intrigued by this vision of dark floors, white slipcovers and lilies. It seemed so basic and simple, yet so elegant. I realized that anyone could live surrounded by beautiful style if they chose to do so…
…Aunt Myra affected my life more directly when I was the delicate age of thirteen. My parents had divorced, and we’d moved from Florida to Alabama for a year. I was having trouble adjusting to the move and fitting in at my new school. My sweet Alabama relatives could see that I was struggling and did what they do best: They fed me! Chicken and dumplings, fried green tomatoes, ham and gravy, biscuits –the food was incredible, and I consoled myself with it. I also gained thirty pounds almost overnight…
I was struggling and everyone was at a loss about what to do. But not Aunt Myra. She decided to decorate my room….I can still close my eyes and recall every detail of that room. It embraced me and allowed my wounds to heal. When I think back to the impact the room had on me, I realize how powerful our environments can be. They affect us far more profoundly than we realize. In every room I decorate, my goal is to re0create the same sense of inspiration and comfort I felt in that bedroom. I want to make a difference in my clients’ lives – to give them what they hope for and dream of in their surroundings.”
We love Phoebe Howard around here so much she’s considered family. No, really. Sweet Aunt Myra just so happened to have married a man by the name of Jimmy Thompson…the founding father of Southern Homes & Gardens. Southern Homes & Gardens is still family owned and operated, which makes having family like Phoebe back to visit (and for her first book!) is a real treat!
We couldn’t be happier to host Phoebe and celebrate her very first book, The Joy of Decorating, and know you’ll love her just as much as we do…
Please join us to welcome Phoebe back to Montgomery and celebrate with an evening book signing!
The Joy of Decorating with Phoebe Howard
{ Book Signing }
Thursday, November 1st
5-7 pm, Vaughn Road store location only
{ complimentary refreshments served }
About the book…
Phoebe’s first book, The Joy of Decorating, features several of her largest design projects and addresses the most common decorating issues and questions her clients and customers ask. The book’s design projects are organized by theme: Inviting, Inspiring, Timeless, Graceful, Tranquil, Casual and Comfortable – all words that have been used to describe Mrs. Howard’s work and ones that illustrate the many different ways she strives to make her houses look and feel. Co-written with well-known Southern writer Susan Sully, this gorgeous book epitomizes the grace and elegance of Southern interior design.
Book copies will be available for purchase on-site during the event
Book reservations welcome – call (334) 387-0440
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