Home Idea Houses 2016 Idea House: An Alabama Cottage Filled With Inspiration Around Every Corner In honor of our 50th anniversary, we picked five of today’s best designers and inspired them to decorate this charming cottage. By Zoe Gowen Zoe Gowen After a notable obsession with yellow houses, historic homes, and glossy magazines as a child that lead to a degree in American Studies from Sewanee: University of the South followed by a jaunt through the Washington, DC art world, Zoë found her way as the Senior Home and Garden Editor with Southern Living. There she crisscrossed the region to produce inspiring interiors, entertaining, and holiday stories while also overseeing the Idea House franchise. After seeing more porches and Christmas trees than any other reasonable person can claim, she ventured out to pave new roads freelancing for various magazines and helping people bring magazine tearsheets to life inside private homes via interior decorating. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 20, 2024 Welcome to the 2016 Southern Living Idea House! In honor of our 50th anniversary, we picked five of the South's best designers–Mark D. Sikes, Lauren Liess, Margaret Kirkland, Ashley Gilbreath, and Amy Berry–and set them loose to decorate this beautiful Mt Laurel cottage. Designed by architect Bill Ingram, the space is a fresh take on traditional Southern style without sacrificing any of the charm. Trust us–you'll want to step inside for a tour. Laurey W.Glenn Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit