Text by Claire Pool
Classically Southern, casually elegant, and graciously detailed are only some of the ways to describe Ashley Gilbreath’s style. In her debut book, The Joy of Home, Ashley focuses on how to achieve the home of your dreams through excellent design and plenty of personality.
Throughout the book’s 240 pages, Ashley breaks down many of her interior design projects and her process for those homes. “For every project, I focus on creating a home tailored to each family’s needs and to stand the test of time.” she says. “I tap into my clients’ histories and memories to understand what resonates with them.” Her ability to dissect each client’s personality and desires while also reflecting her signature touch is what makes her method so interesting. She identifies some of her distinctive elements as elegant drapery, eclectic art pieces, timeworn antiques, hand-selected light fixtures, and custom treatments, such as banquettes and reupholstered chairs.
Each chapter explores a different home, from Ashley’s own beachfront oasis to lakeside getaways and downtown locales. While her elevated touch is evident in each one, distinct individual styles differentiate one project from the next. Rustic farmhouse tones in an Alabama abode contrast against the traditional eclectic flair of a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home. Ashley’s incorporation of fun pops of color lets certain projects stand out against the chic, clean lines of others. “My work is intended to balance form and function with memory and emotion as I help make a house a home,” she says.
Familial tales and helpful tips are scattered within the book as well. Stories about her youth reveal how her childhood experiences, like observing her mother and grandmother’s love of Southern style, still help shape her designs today. Ashley also shares tidbits on her early career, noting ways she grew as a designer and honed her skills through each project. Her words serve as an encouragement to all homeowners who desire to create a home that provides the joy of everyday living.
