TUESDAY: Inspiring Spaces by Dan Carithers

Ok, so how many of you saw this one coming? I couldn't help myself. When Joni of Cote de Texas posted her fabulous living room up-do, and showed the inspiring page from a 20-year old magazine, a home decorated by the inimitable Dan Carithers:

I immediately thought to myself, where have I been?? Now, granted, 20-years ago I was a 9-year old 4th grader more interested in playing the Sega Genesis my mother wouldn't dream of buying for my brother and me than looking at her design magazines. Thankfully rooms as beautiful as these are cataloged for days like today, when I'm more interested in beautiful rooms than just about everything else.

Dan Carithers is an Atlanta native, and his traditional design sensibilities make my heart flutter! Now retired after a 50-year career creating rooms photographed for shelter mags like Veranda, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Southern Accents. In 2003, Carithers was named one of House Beautiful’s “Giants of Design”—the highest honor bestowed by the magazine; it’s only been given to a handful of honorees during its 100-year history.


But perhaps the most inspiring part of Carithers' story, is the beginning. A young boy from small town Jefferson, Georgia, who got started and gained notoriety as the design director for home furnishings at Rich’s Department Store. From design director to design icon, let's take a look at how he got the well deserved crown:

I wish I had more photos to share with you - but this is all I could dig up in the short time I had to get this blog post together. Suffice to say, if you really studied these, you'd be on the blog all day - and please, don't let me rush you off. I love having you here! Thanks so much for spending a little bit of your day with me, and of course, Mr. Dan Carithers.