Designer Sally May Uses Classical Elements to Create Timeless Style

Sally May - Timeless Style, Southern Lady Magazine

For interior designer Sally May of Birmingham, good design is a marathon—not a sprint. “Contrary to today’s reality home-makeover shows, good design does not happen overnight or on a dime,” she says. It was this “long-view” approach that Sally took when transforming the house she shares with her husband and two boys into a warm and inviting home.

“The classic structure of the house was a good starting point when we bought it,” Sally says of the 20-year-old building, “but there wasn’t anything custom or unique about the house itself. My goal was to stamp my personal style on it.” With its lovely mix of collected pieces and heirlooms, the home is decidedly elegant, but it retains an approachable, livable quality for the family. A wash of soft creams and browns color the main living spaces, while hints of cool blues and greens punctuate the rooms with subtle style.

“While I enjoy the opportunity to work in a wide range of aesthetics, my personal style has always been a classic, traditional look,” Sally says of her home’s furnishings. “Mixing in a few edgy elements is important to add interest, but I gravitate toward timeless, understated spaces as a matter of preference.”