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The Happy Place

A house is built with walls. A home is made with joy.

Article by Annie Singh-Quern

Photography by Robert Peterson, Rustic White Interiors

Originally published in Fayette County Lifestyle

The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably altered the meaning of home life. Home is now a place of refuge from the virus, a sanctuary, a space of respite, a school base and a site for working remotely. We’ve learned to decrease the tempo of our lives and increase the precious moments spent with our loved ones. As a result, home has become our happy place. 

Angela Palmer, a Peachtree City interior designer and founder of Palmer Kay Design, has been designing home interiors for the past 14 years. She shares that her clients are overwhelmingly asking her to create peaceful, calming surroundings in their homes during a time when the outside world remains uncertain and scary. “Now, more so than ever, we need to surround ourselves in our home with the things we love and cherish, among walls that embrace us, from color and lighting to furnishings and furniture." 

Design plays an important role in helping to create a happy place for its inhabitants. When working on projects with her clients, Palmer’s approach is one of flexibility. “I’m a big believer in meeting people where they are,” she says. “If my clients have a certain budget, I work within it, and help them understand how far the budget will go in accomplishing their goals.” She begins with a discovery call and a complimentary in-home consultation. After the project is awarded, Palmer manages all aspects of it, from the first meeting to final installation. This way, her clients can enjoy a stress free experience and focus on building memories with their loved ones.

Her latest clients had contemplated building a new home in Florida, but due to the pandemic, opted to redecorate their current Peachtree City home. “They wished for a change that was calm, chic, but still comfortable,” Angie explains. The ten-room transformation took a little over six months. Existing colors in black and shades of red, green, and gold and heavy fabrics were replaced with cream and soft green. Fabrics, rugs, and accessories were redone in tonal blues, greens and creams with accents in soft gold and champagne. All of this translated to an overall feeling of calm, but also lightened up the house interior. Just before Thanksgiving, the clients excitedly threw open the doors to their newly transformed home. “Impacting my clients’ lives in a positive way brings me great joy,” says Palmer. 

Angie also shares a piece of her heart to those in need. Her most recent, pro bono project entails volunteering with the founder of Two Sparrows Village, Jennifer Conforti (and publisher of Fayette County Lifestyle) to design a home for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. “I wanted to utilize design as a way to give back to the community. When I saw the announcement for the project, I contacted Jennifer immediately to see how I could help,” says Palmer. The designer is specifically managing colors, fabrics, furnishings, art and accessories, and collaborating with the larger team on lighting, flooring and granite. The project, between Two Sparrows Village and Christian City, is expected to be completed by fall of 2021.

When Angie Palmer is not infusing joy though her design, she seeks quality time with her husband, J.B., and their 16-year-old cat, Jeri, in their two-story brick colonial home. In the mornings, Jeri accompanies Angie while she sips her “happy” coffee. Work and inspiration take place in the designer’s 1,200 square foot studio complete with tools and resources needed for a busy design professional. Weekends may find Angie gardening or riding her e-bike on Peachtree City’s cart paths. “It’s one of the ways I can spend time with my cyclist husband, and ride the way I like – for pure joy,” she smiles.

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