First Impressions 2024

1/ Wall Art

Decorative wall art is a must for making first impressions in your home. Art should be displayed not simply as a way to fill a space, but as a meaningful message to guests of what is important to you. Work from a local artist tells your guests how you support your community, peaceful blues and greens can reflect one’s love of the beauty of Chattanooga’s best outdoor features, neutral landscapes may set a calm and simple tone, or fun, colorful abstract art can remind your guests of your wild side.

2/ Comfortable Seating

Intentionally curating a welcoming area for guests to stop and chat, or have a glass of wine or whiskey, is essential to a good first impression in any home. Nothing is more important to an inviting home than a comfortable place to rest if you want your guests to feel relaxed and at ease. If there is space, a separate area with two or four chairs, away from TVs and the busyness of bedrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms, provides a meaningful place to interact and leaves a great impression.

3/ Beverage Cabinet

A well-stocked beverage cabinet is a great way to ensure excitement when entertaining guests. A well-stocked liquor cabinet works great for some, but a simple collection of non-alcoholic bitters, sodas, and teas can still encourage lively exchange when making first impressions.

4/ Accents

Accents in your home are the best, most versatile way to show off your personality and warmth. Floor mirrors are a very important utility in bedrooms and bathrooms, but as accents we recommend smaller, more artful mirrors placed thoughtfully to disperse light throughout the day, catch glances when walking through the home, and offer hints of other parts of your home that can’t be seen from every vantage.

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DYLAN DUDLEY

FMO CHATTANOOGA

423.654.8989

@FMOCHATT

1/ Stressless

Stressless is a Norwegian brand famous for its ergonomic seating solutions, featuring patented technologies that ensure personalized comfort and perfect support for the body. Stressless offers a wide variety of customizable recliners, sofas, and home theater seating. Their products are highly regarded for their sleek Scandinavian design, luxurious feel, and long-lasting durability, making them some of the best options in the high-end comfort furniture market. We’re proud to be the only Stressless dealer in the Chattanooga area.

2/ Gabby Chandelier

Gabby’s lighting collection includes chandeliers, pendants, sconces, and table lamps, each crafted with unique details and high-quality materials. Gabby’s designs blend traditional, modern, and transitional elements, making it easy to find pieces that fit any aesthetic – from classic elegance to contemporary chic. With finishes like antique brass, distressed wood, and sleek metals, Gabby’s lighting offers versatility and sophistication, adding both functional illumination and a touch of art to any space.

3/ Woodard Courtland Collection

Known for its timeless design and sturdy construction, this collection typically features cast aluminum frames, which are rust-resistant and ideal for outdoor use. The Cortland Collection includes a variety of pieces such as lounge chairs, dining sets, and sectional sofas, all designed with ergonomic comfort in mind. The collection often incorporates plush cushions made from weather-resistant fabrics, ensuring the furniture is both comfortable and able to withstand the elements for long-term use in outdoor spaces.

4/ Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg is a premium, versatile outdoor cooker that functions as a grill, oven, and smoker, allowing you to cook virtually anything – from grilling steaks to baking pizzas and smoking meats. Made from durable ceramic, it retains heat efficiently, delivering precise temperature control for a wide range of cooking styles. The Big Green Egg is available in various sizes, from compact models for small spaces to larger options for serious cooks, making it ideal for both casual grilling and gourmet cooking.

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CARTER FOWLER

FOWLER BROTHERS CO.

423.493.7630

@FOWLERBROTHERSCO

1/ THINK LIKE A DESIGNER

Get creative and think designer with your lighting. The Eden pendant offers a sophisticated alternative to traditional lamps, bringing unexpected accent lighting into the room. Its unique placement and design-forward approach add depth and character to the space.

2/ MAKE A STATEMENT

The main chandelier captivates attention with its striking design, instantly becoming the centerpiece of the room. The bold presence of this Jacobella chandelier elevates the ambience and leaves a lasting impression.

3/ DON’T FORGET ACCESSORIES

This set of six brass botanicals seamlessly ties together the fixture finishes throughout the space. The nature-inspired prints, complemented by linen matting, introduce a refined yet organic element and add the perfect finishing touch to any space.

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BETH SWANN

INLINE LIGHTING

423.629.1427

@INLINE.LIGHTING

@INLINELIGHTING

1/ Focus on First Impressions

The first impression sets the tone for the entire interior. As soon as someone enters, you want them to feel welcomed and pulled inside. Bringing in natural textures, forms, and colors can help the room evoke a relaxed and inviting sense of space.

2/ Bring the Outside In

Bring inspiration from the exterior materials and surroundings to the interior of the home. There should be a comfortable flow from what you experience outside to what you see inside. Color palettes that blend and seek to “bring the outside in” allow for a cohesive flow.

3/ Use Color, Texture, and Comfort

The interior design toolbox – color, texture, and comfort of furnishings – should be carefully thought out and curated. Use soft tones for a calming effect, clean fresh colors to update the overall mood, and furniture that is beautiful and functional to welcome guests.

4/ Design Your Space to Reflect You

Remember that your home should be an extension of who you are. Don’t shy away from incorporating interests, travels, and design styles through your décor. A designer also helps tremendously in this regard, giving a fresh eye to treasures, collections, and cherished pieces.

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KIMBERLY VARNER

KIMBERLY VARNER INTERIOR DESIGN

423.618.5664

@KVIDTN

@KV4JC

1/ Pursue All Things Classic and Current

Miles and Kirk Design loves hand-painted wallpaper murals and their highly sophisticated dupes. The featured hand-painted Paul Montgomery wallpaper adds instant style and interest to any home and is also available through their sister company, Mural Source, as a printed mural. Homeowners get more bang by papering public spaces, such as the foyer or powder room, which will instantly tell the story of your home.

2/ Wow! with Custom Fixtures

Custom fixtures, like this Charles Stewart Lantern available at Miles & Kirk Design, are always a homerun. We can specify everything from metal finishes to lacquer paint colors. Customizable fixtures are available to the public as well as to the design trade through Urban Electric.

3/ Store with Style

An antique table at the entry is a great place to toss keys and bags, while still adding history and style to the space. Baskets are an easy add-on layer to store shoes, sports equipment, umbrellas or even dog items. Look at auction houses for options.

4/ Add Interest from the Ground Up!

Needlepoint rugs, known for their durability, are now being made in great colors and patterns. We enjoy using them as stair runners as well, adding interest and joy. Indoor-outdoor rugs survive the wear and tear of being at the front door. A painted or stained entryway floor in a great pattern is a really on trend way to have fun at home. Shown is a Patterson Flynn option available at Miles and Kirk.

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RYAN KIRK KOPET
& Esmé Oehmig

MILES AND KIRK DESIGN LLC

423.774.5035

@MILESANDKIRK

1/ KEEP IT SIMPLE

Plantation shutters are timeless and versatile. From classic to modern, formal to casual, there is a shutter for every décor. They are energy efficient, excellent for light control, a cinch to keep clean, and can be made to fit unusually shaped windows, all while increasing the value of your home.

2/ MARRY FUNCTION AND STYLE

Roman shades are the perfect marriage of function and style. They are particularly well-suited for kitchens, bathrooms, and playrooms, as well as for windows with furniture below the sill. With seemingly unlimited selections in fabric or natural woven materials, Roman shades often provide that special something that other window treatments just can’t.

3/ DRESS UP THE OUTDOORS

Exterior shades are the ticket to making the most of your porch or patio. Weather resistant fabrics in a multitude of colors and weaves provide on-demand comfort and style. Whether you need relief from the sun, privacy from neighbors, shelter from golf balls, or reprieve from insects, exterior shades can do the trick.

4/ MAKE IT MODERN 

Simple, versatile, easy to use and maintain – it’s no surprise that roller shades are a popular choice. Whether you dress them up or down or somewhere in between, you can achieve a perfect look for any space. Roller shades’ discreet, clean look makes them the perfect fit for modern contemporary styles, and they are exceptional when motorized and fully integrated into home automation.

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Jason Flaherty

River Valley Blinds
Shades and Shutters

423.541.3100

@rivervalleyblinds

1/ Inizio Glazed Brick Lamp

Elevate your space with the Inizio Glazed Brick Lamp. Its unique design and glazed brick finish add a touch of sophistication and warmth. The perfect addition to any room, this lamp will create a cozy and inviting atmosphere while providing ample lighting.

2/ Pine Charcuterie Boards

Reclaimed wood charcuterie boards are distinguished by two strips of contrasting timber on one side, while the other side of the board shows the authentic beauty of the reclaimed wood. Versatile in the kitchen and ideal for serving antipasti, crudités, or a classic charcuterie spread.

3/ Rattan Wood Display Box

These display boxes add a warm texture to any tabletop. Glass lids offer a convenient glimpse of their contents, whether you’re storing remotes, stationery, magazines, or collectibles. The caning and woven rattan make them as decorative as they are practical.

4/ Arched Gold Mirror

This classic arched gold mirror is made of mango wood and gives a beautiful luster in warm light. Perfect for any space, it elevates the room with color and style.

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ZEEN OEHMIG

SOPHIE’S SHOPPE

423.756.8711

@SOPHIES_SHOPPE

1/ ADD PRIVACY TO YOUR SPACES

Privacy is a coveted element in any home. Your home should feel like a sanctuary,
a space for you to unwind and rest. Utilizing privacy sheers in your home allows you to do just this. Not to mention, they make a beautiful addition to your windows!

2/ SOFTEN HARSH LIGHT

Setting the mood with lighting is one thing, but using roller shades to soften harsh lights in your home is a great way to create a cozy ambience. Roller shades come in simple yet impactful designs. Not only do they look beautiful in any space, but they’re also practical to boot!

3/ MAKE MONOCHROME MAGIC

One way to create a clean, seamless aesthetic in any room is to design with monochromatic bases with pops of color. Aim for neutral furniture to ground the space while evoking interest with unique pieces like structured lamps and personal touches.

4/ LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION

Guests form a first impression immediately as they enter your home. Having a clean entryway open to your living spaces allows guests to feel welcomed into an unobstructed space to relax. Use statement pieces like artwork and take advantage of great views and sight lines to create a lasting impression.

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Kermit Purcell
& Chris Stephens

TOTAL CONCEPTS
FURNITURE
423.899.1114

@TOTALCONCEPTSFURNITURE

SUN CATCHERS
423.785.6865

@suncatchersblinds

@suncatcherstn