Eclectic Inspiration

Southern style fuses seamlessly with antique flair

Past the winding roads of Hidden Valley lies a house that doesn’t belong in this era. The home of Joe and Sherry Beard possesses a rare, transcendent quality. A narrow pathway leads to the front entrance, past the hanging swing and grand columns. But it feels like home.

A pair of bronze lions frames the forged-iron door, the perfect precursor to this antique-inspired home. The exterior is composed of brick and white columns, creating a Southern feeling. Sherry Beard, who wore cowboy boots and a bohemian dress to our interview, led me through the marble-floored entrance to her favorite area: the living room.

It’s obvious why this is Beard’s favorite room. A wall of windows overlooks the pool and 80-acre lot. Through the glass, trees envelop the back of the house like a fortress. The light blue walls and neutral colors serve as a backdrop for Beard’s antique collection. A chandelier hangs from the high ceiling under soft light fixtures. Most of the high-end furniture is beige and oversized, including pieces from Drexel Heritage and Company C.
Beard spends most of her time in the kitchen and den, the family rooms of the house. It would be easy for the 8,000-square-foot house to feel more like a museum than a home because of the size, but the six-bedroom, six-bath home could not feel more comfortable. Each room maintains a unique look, but blends in with the overall aesthetic of the house…

By Caitlin Giddens
Find the full article on page 84 of the March 2013 Wacoan magazine