Left Coast Chic

Shayelyn Woodbery transforms a well-loved porch into a chic, family-friendly retreat

For Vickie and Tom Kirbo, the screened porch of their Vinings home serves as a central gathering place for both entertaining friends and enjoying family time with their two children, Scott and Mary Cate. However, the space hadn’t been updated since the Kirbos renovated their home back in 2005, so the couple decided it was time for a much-needed style refresh.

Vickie, who runs the fashion blog Kirb Your Style, wasted no time in calling upon designer Shayelyn Woodbery to transform the porch, along with the rest of their home. “Vickie wanted the new design to reflect her personal style and feel chic but very family-friendly at the same time,” says Woodbery. “She makes several trips a year to the West Coast for inspiration for her blog as well as personal shopping. I thought it would be fun to bring a little of that West Coast feeling to her porch: equal parts glam, laid-back family fun and chic.”

Because the Kirbos wanted Woodbery to ultimately revamp the entire house, the designer set out to create a look that could eventually be carried into the remainder of the home’s redesign. Using The Beverly Hills Hotel’s iconic jungle palm wallpaper as her jumping-off point, she incorporated a lively palm fabric from Fishman’s Fabrics into the drapery and pillows. Woodbery also replaced the original ceiling fans with bamboo light fixtures to continue the Hollywood Regency feel and make “the space more of a room and less an isolated outdoor area.”

The bold print and West Coast styles determined the rest of the room’s palette of green, black, yellow, camel and white. Vintage rattan chairs—covered in a chic, black Sunbrella fabric—add texture, as does an antique milliners table. “We loved how the green-and-white painted inscription on the top works perfectly with the color story, and its length allows for a great dinner party,” says Woodbery.

Because there are doors leading to the porch from both the family and breakfast rooms, the Kirbos plan to use their porch as an extension of both spaces—whether watching sports, enjoying a meal or hosting guests. “I’m really inspired when I am able to help support a family in creating a space that reflects who they are,” says Woodbery, “one that they want to be in not only because it looks good but [because it] feels good too.”

RESOURCES INTERIOR DESIGN Shayelyn Woodbery, Shayelyn Woodbery Interiors (404) 271-5161; shayelyn.com LIGHT FIXTURES Currey & Company FAN Circa Lighting RATTAN CHAIRS Vintage COFFEE TABLE Arteriors through Bungalow Classic DINING TABLE Antique DINING CHAIRS Clients’ own CONSOLE Bernhardt through Mathews Furniture + Design PALM FABRIC Fishman’s Fabrics SOFA AND CHAIR FABRIC Sunbrella TABLE CENTERPIECE Lush Life HURRICANES Erika Reade Ltd.