Take a Look Inside the Young Family Home

A southern-style home was top-of-mind when Clarissa and Jeremy Young began dreaming of the home they would build together. “We both went to school in Arkansas, and we love vacationing in New England, so we wanted a home that felt like the Hamptons meets the South,” says Young. “We love the grand porches and have always wanted one.”

The couple began construction of their home in 2021 and moved in during the fall of 2022. Young says her goal for the home was to be timeless and traditional. Although she loves different design styles, she says she really wanted her home to be classic so the family wouldn’t be tired of it after 20 years. “We kept the floor plan pretty cozy,” says Young. “We have 10-foot ceilings to help keep the space proportional, large windows for sunlight, and panel-covered appliances so the open floor plan blends seamlessly from space to space.”

One of the home’s loveliest features is the front porch. “We love to sit out on the front porch and drink our coffee in the morning,” says Young. Their sons (Emerson, 8, and Samuel, 2) love spending time on the porch too. “They’re usually reading a book, bouncing a ball or eating a popsicle,” says Young. The Youngs enjoy entertaining, so bringing out their bar cart and loading it up with fresh flowers, lemonade and other goodies is something they do often. “I have a cut flower garden where I grow lisianthus, mint, zinnias, dahlias and cosmos,” says Young. “Lisianthus is native to Texas but it grows really well here, and I love it because it looks like roses.” The Youngs grow large bushels of heat-tolerant Russian sage in front of their porch for added color. “I’ve really just wanted our porch to feel as Southern as possible,” says Young.

An interior designer by trade, Young made many of the design choices for their home. “I love, love, love my lanterns on the porch,” she says. “I knew I had to have hanging lanterns and searched all over to find these.” The Youngs opted for classic wood rocking chairs for their outdoor seating. “Rocking chairs are just so Southern,” says Young. The wood finish on the chairs coordinates with their custom-stained solid wood front door, creating an inviting entrance on their Southern front porch.

The Youngs enjoy entertaining family inside their home, just as much as they do outside. Inside the home the Youngs incorporated traditional lighting with lots of antique brass and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. “I think a hallmark of Southern homes is the attention to detail,” says Young. “Our first home was from the 1930s and was a beautiful home full of architectural details.” Crown molding, built-ins, bookcases and a China cabinet in the kitchen all add beautiful historic character to their new home. 

Young is a big fan of designer wallcoverings and fabric. “I’m pretty partial to Schumacher, so anytime I can use that in my home, I’m happy,” says Young. “It marries my love of classic design without being too trendy.”

Young says she had always wanted to use Schumacher’s Pyne Hollyhock pattern since they began the designing process. They have wallpaper featuring the pattern in their powder bath as well as on a few throw pillows and cushions.

Young’s favorite space is the upstairs reading nook. “I’ve always wanted a window seat to read books and look out the window,” says Young. “We added some bookshelves and a round table and chairs, so it is such a cozy hangout for the kids or a good homework spot.”

The laundry room is another of Young’s favorite spaces in the home. It’s covered in a colorful, wild wallpaper with lemons and flowers. “It makes me happy to do laundry,” says Young. “It’s just a bright, happy spot in the house.”

As for decor, Young uses antiques to add character to their spaces. A mix of old and new is the goal, and layering pieces makes the home feel Southern in style. “I do love a good monogram on linens, skirted tables, lanterns and bullion fringe,” says Young. “I also really love a good floral chintz on just about anything.”

Young’s Virginia Rose China collection that was passed down to her from her grandmother is very dear to her heart. “I really treasure her china because it reminds me of her hospitality, which I hope I emulate,” says Young. “Making your guest feel welcome is a hallmark of the South, and providing small details and comfort will make your home inviting.” Many of the family china pieces have things like a little note inside a sugar bowl. It brings back memories of her grandma serving with her Virginia Rose China at the bed & breakfast she owned. Old memories are cherished in the home, and now the family is making new memories too. Reading together, arranging fresh flowers from the garden and cooking blueberry scones and lemon curd for family and friends make up their days, and Southern style is still at the heart of it all.