Happy Placers: Ginny & Mike Garcia
Two months ago we officially launched The Happy Place and it has been an absolute whirlwind. Sharing this passion with the world has been (at times) terrifying; but it also has brought me a joy that I cannot explain. I currently have six projects I’m working on that vary in scale and scope and over the next few months I will be introducing you to them and their homes. I love all of my ‘Happy Placers’ so much and today I thought I would share a project that began a year ago and was a HUGE reason I was brave enough to bring my tiny little design business to the forefront of my life. Meet my brother, Mike, and my sister-in-law, Ginny!
A couple of years ago Mike and Ginny bought an older home in a beautiful neighborhood with the intention of knocking it down and building their dream home once they wrapped up wedding planning. It’s been an exciting thing for our family to watch unfold and I have felt very honored to be able to take part in the journey.
When determining who would build their dream home, they looked no further than Devonshire Custom Homes in Tampa, FL. I must say it has been a relatively stress free experience. No doubt that has something to do with owners and brother/sister duo Brooke and Josh Layton. They are highly experienced, skilled, and successful...but also so laid back and FUN! Now add the beautiful, Randi Lotze, and this dream team knocked down the old home and went to work!
Knowing that I would be designing the interiors, we started by applying The Happy Place philosophy which is simply surrounding yourself with a home that is a reflection of you and celebrates the things that bring you happiness. Mike is an Orthopedic Surgeon by day, avid chef and wine junkie by night. So we knew that incorporating his love for entertaining would really take the lead on the main floor. Ginny has been the driving force behind the vision and I have enjoyed getting to brainstorm and create this beautiful home with her. She’s also the best client because she’s the perfect mix of risk taker and also knowing what she likes and dislikes.
Photo by @thestudiomagnolia
With dry wall and electrical complete, we are now heading towards the finish line! I recently took a trip back to Tampa to really get a feel of how the space is coming together.
Photo by @thestudiomagnolia
Photo by @thestudiomagnolia
I also enlisted the help of my friend and fellow designer Mandy Drew to be my boots on the ground as we start to really solidify the final design plan.
Photo by @thestudiomagnolia
With the goal of completion by the end of the year, we have selected paint colors, larger upholstered items with longer lead times, and some ‘must have’ lighting pieces. But knowing the Highpoint Market is just around the corner, I have convinced Mike and Ginny to hold off on what I know will be some fabulous new options for accent seating and storage pieces!
This house is coming together QUICKLY and it’s all so exciting. I can’t wait to share all the details over the next couple of months. Stay tuned for our trip to Highpoint and sneak peaks at the beautiful things that will make this house a home!
Xx,
Jo