Q+A .Jill Sharp Brinson

This home is absolutely a reflection of it's owner. It has charm, wit and character apparent in every room. I fell for it's rustic sensibilities and industrial fittings when I first saw it on the House Beautiful site. Then and there I did a blog post this wonderful space. It was soon after I saw it gracing the December cover of HB magazine. When out of the blue one day I received an email from it's owner, who was having a blast seeing her "funny little house all over the world", I knew this was a lady I liked. When she said she would love to answer any questions as she was "very opinionated", I couldn't wait to hear her answers. So I purposely asked random questions, the kind that give you some insight into the person, not just the great designer. So I am thrilled to give you my Q + A with Jill Sharp Brinson. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

jsb.WHAT A STRANGE RANDOM BRAIN YOU HAVE - I LOVE IT - I CAN RELATE

( thanks Jill! )

ss.My husband and I had the opportunity to live in Columbia SC for a short time. I fell head over heels for the South. ( not just Columbia itself, but Charleston and the history and plantations, and the stories that surround the area. ) How did you end up in Atlanta? Are you originally from there? Are you a southern girl?

IF ONLY ATLANTA HAD THE CHARM, SOPHISTICATION, COASTLINE AND ALLURE OF CHARLESTON - SADLY, IT DOES NOT AND WE HAVE TO CREATE OUR OWN MYSTIQUE HERE!
I WAS BORN IN TEXAS, LIVED THERE 5 MINUTES AND THEN MOVED TO CONNECTICUT - NEW CANNAN, TO BE EXACT - AT THE END OF EIGHTH GRADE MY FATHER WAS TRANSFERRED TO TOKYO, JAPAN WHERE WE LIVED FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS - FABULOUS, INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE - MADE ME THE GIRL I AM TODAY -
ALL DURING MY CHILDHOOD WE TRAVELED LIKE MANIACS - MY PARENTS ARE COLLECTORS SO WE WERE ALWAYS ON THE HUNT- DRIVING IN OUR STATION WAGON ALL OVER NEW ENGLAND GOING ANTIQUING WAS NORMAL FOR ME AT 6! MY PARENTS ARE SOUTHERN SO WE WOULD DRIVE TO ATLANTA FOR L O N G SUMMER HOLIDAYS TO VISIT OUR GRANNIES, AUNTIES AND MY DADDY'S ALMA MATER, GEORGIA TECH

Coffee or tea?

TEA - IRISH BREAKFAST IS MY BESTIE AT THE MOMENT

When are you most productive?

MORNING MORNING MORNING LOVE THE MORNING
EARLY TO BED IS OUR PROGRAM - MY HUSBAND AND 3 DOGS ALL PILE INTO THE BEDROOM - THE PUG (RICKY BOBBY BRINSON) IS IN THE BED WITH US, THE STANDARD POODLE (BIANCA JAGGER BRINSON) IS IN HER FLEECE-Y BED AND THE SCOTTISH TERRIER (ANGUS BRINSON) SLEEPS IN THE LARGE WINDOW ON A HUGE PILE OF FOLDED RUGS MADE OF FIG-GATHERING CLOTHS (CAN U STAND IT?) ((I LOVE FIGS AND THE FOLIAGE))

What keeps you going to work every day? Why do you love it?

THERE IS NO SEPARATION BETWEEN WHAT I DO AND WHO I AM
I LOVE TO LOOK, READ, STUDY, PONDER, DRAW, DREAM, CREATE, SHOP, PRUNE, DANCE, DOG WALK, MAKE BEAUTIFUL IMAGES AND MEANINGFUL INTERIORS - SO I HAPPENED TO FIND THE RIGHT ROLE FOR ME IN LIFE
SOME DAYS I STAY HOME AND DO NOTHING AND THESE DAYS ARE AS IMPORTANT TO MY PSYCHE AS THE DAYS I WORK LIKE A MANIAC (UH - OH - SAID MANIAC TWICE SO FAR)

Favorite place to holiday.

OUR HOME (TRULY)-BEYOND THAT: MARRAKESH, ST BARTH'S, EAST HAMPTON, CONNECTICUT, PROVENCE

Kids?

ONE FABULOUS STEP-SON WHO IS STUDYING PHOTOGRAPHY LIKE HIS DADDY, MY HUSBAND, ROB BRINSON

You have a color scheme.. love that - I'm the same way. What happens when you fall for something that doesn't fit?

I BUY IT ANYWAY AND IT ENDS UP FINDING ITS SPOT -
I AM VERY DECISIVE
I GET PAID TO SHOP AND MAKE SURE AND QUICK DECISIONS
MY EYE IS RELENTLESS
I KNOW IN A FLASH WHETHER IT WILL WORK - I DON'T WAFFLE
I OFTEN BUY THINGS AND REWORK THEM TO HOW MY EYE SEES THEM

I love that you make your bed the way my mom taught me when I was a little girl. Do you always make it this way?

WE REALLY JUST MADE IT FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT - HALF THE TIME ALL WE DO IS PULL THE DUVET UP AND GO!
I DO LIKE USING THE NUN'S SHEETING, HOWEVER - KIND OF IMPENETRABLE TO THE DOGS - I BUY THEM WHEREVER I FIND THEM IN FRANCE - THEY ARE WOVEN OF LINEN AND HEMP AND LAUNDER BEAUTIFULLY
I JUST BOUGHT (TODAY!) 2 STRANGE KING SHEET SETS FROM WEST ELM IN THIS WONDERFUL GREIGEY-PALE AMETHYST COLOR TO MAKE A DUVET FOR THIS SEASON - I AM REALLY ENJOYING BEING AROUND THAT COLOR - LIKE WHAT WAS IN THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL SHOOT ON OUR SETTEE - THAT GOOD SQUISHED BEET COLOR - BUT THESE SHEETS ARE WAY GRAYED DOWN FROM THAT HUE

Your website is lovely - did you design it?

YES - I WORKED FOR 6 MONTHS WITH THE COOLEST TEAM, SOAPBOX STUDIOS, HERE IN ATLANTA - I THINK I MAY HAVE DRIVEN THEM OVER THE EDGE - BUT THE END RESULT TRULY IS LOVELY
I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT - I WANTED IT TO TURN LIKE A BOOK - BUT IN THE END, I WANTED CLEAN, SPARE AND COOL AND THEY DELIVERED TEN-FOLD

Tell me about the Hominy project! Do you have any interior pictures yet?

AHHHH - HOMINY - THE COOLEST TOWN HOMES YOU CAN IMAGINE - NOT BUILT YET, BUT HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE
I DESIGNED THE PROJECT, WITH THE HELP OF 2 LOVELY ARCHITECTS, BUT THEY ARE VERY HIGH-END AND THIS MOMENT IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO LAUNCH THEM
THEY WILL BE LOCATED AT SERENBE - WHICH IS THIS WONDERFUL HAMLET 30 MINUTES SOUTH OF ATLANTA, THAT IS T H E PLACE TO OWN - ORGANIC GARDEN, GENTLEMAN FARMING, PAIRED WITH 5-STAR RESTAURANTS, SUPER COOL SMART PEOPLE AND FABULOUS WOODS TO WALK IN - MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A STONE BARN THAT WE WILL BUILD AT SERENBE - HOPING TO START IN THE SPRING

What are you famous for?

HAVING EXCELLENT DOGS AND BRINGING THEM EVERYWHERE I GO

Favorite shoes?

GREY WOOL MULES FROM INDIA THAT I BUY FROM "LES INDIENNES.COM"
I ALSO REALLY LOVE PRADA 5" HEELS

Most loved clothing item in your closet.

WOW-FUR VEST FROM ISABEL MARANT/PARIS THAT I BOUGHT IN THE FALL
IT MIGHT ALSO BE MY SIMPLE SUEDE SAFARI JACKET THAT I BOUGHT A FEW YEARS AGO
AND I LOVE MY JEANS AND RIDING PANTS

Is there one thing you do every day that sets the tone for your day?

NO BUT I PROBABLY NEED TO START

Jill, I can't thank you enough. xo S