A Tale of Two Homes

Produced by Kelly McMaster in collaboration with Allyson Conklin

Photographed by Brian Bieder

See how one Georgia designer helps two families craft their forever homes.

Maggie Griffin Design is a full-service interior design studio based in Gainesville, Georgia. The company was founded in 2008 by Maggie Griffin, an interior designer recognized for her approach to designing for modern Southern living and belief in “using your best stuff everyday.”

We’ve been long-time fans of Maggie’s distinctive blueprint for design, which blends playful patterns, colorful fabrics, comfortable upholstery, and a pinch of chinoiserie, strikes the perfect balance, resulting in spaces that are classic, stylish, and comfortable. She’s infused her style and unique methodology to transform homes across the Southeast and beyond, earning her notoriety and a loyal following. From custom new builds to renovations, and primary homes to lake houses and farmhouses, Maggie’s commitment to creating beautiful and livable interiors turns houses into homes and dreams into realities.

A Home to Grow In

This 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath Buford, GA house is home to a young family: Anderson Bowen (the owner of Walker Anderson), his wife Brinkley, and their infant daughter, Collins. Their home is located in the blossoming downtown area, with wide sidewalks, walkability to restaurants, and many other draws for young families. After appreciating Maggie Griffin’s work in many of his extended family homes (Maggie has worked with his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his sister), it was finally his turn.

He wanted to elevate his home from bachelor pad to family-friendly, and Maggie immediately was on the same page. The home itself is charming, and Anderson was open to investing in pieces that he and Brinkley can continue to add as they grow their family. It was important to the couple to have spaces for their family to stay and the space to entertain.

Maggie got to work, transforming the dining room, study, living room, breakfast room, kitchen, bar area, powder room, primary bedroom, primary bath, laundry room, guest room, loft space, nursery, and nursery bath. Lovers of color and pattern, Maggie helped Anderson and his family bring to life a home that’s decidedly traditional while offering a sense of liveliness through color.

Key brands used include Schumacher, Visual Comfort, Kravet, and Thibaut.

Big Style for a Big Family

A large-scale renovation to revamp their Gainesville, GA home was an exciting time for this family of seven. With a focus on functionality and style, they knew Maggie Griffin would bring their vision to life while honoring their needs for function. A new, modern kitchen and updated bathrooms were at the top of their list. The kitchen now features a spacious layout suitable for family gatherings and meal prep. Sleek countertops, ample storage, and state of the art appliances were easy decisions, as they provide so much value to a family on the go. The new design now connects the kitchen to the living and dining areas, which promotes togetherness and a cohesiveness to the home. Other spaces that Maggie transformed include the living room, sitting room, dining room, breakfast room, primary bedroom and bath, bunk room, and an upstairs bathroom.

Notable brands used include Kravet, Benjamin Moore, Visual Comfort, Stanton, Fabricut, SubZero, and Wolf.

A Designer’s Journey

Wonder how a successful interior designer gets a start? Read Maggie’s inspiring story.

Some things are just destined to be. And it’s safe to say that Maggie Griffin was destined to be an interior designer. This is partly in thanks to her mother and two grandmothers, who instilled in her a love for design early on, inviting her to tag along to showhouses in the Atlanta area. Maggie was taken by the beauty of the homes she was exposed to. That’s why it was no surprise to anyone when Maggie enrolled in the Furnishings & Interiors program at the University of Georgia. The interior design program, as well as her time abroad in Florence, Italy, studying The History of Fabrics and Retail Design, only reinforced her choice to pursue interior design as a career. During her schooling, Maggie landed a part time position with a local home furnishings boutique in Athens, Georgia. In the long run, this position would prove to be more impactful than she could have ever imagined, as the customers she befriended there would ultimately become her first clients. After graduation, Maggie moved to Gainesville, Georgia, and shortly after, in 2008, opened the doors to her very own interior design studio. For almost 20 years, Maggie and her team have worked hand-in-hand with homeowners in Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond, to make their dream homes a reality. Maggie Griffin Design is proudly woman-owned and operated. Maggie resides in Gainesville with her husband and three sons.