Two weekends ago we stopped in Atlanta on our way to Savannah to crash Jeremy and Katie Bower’s lovely home. While we were there we filmed a short decorating tour for anyone who loves seeing rooms come to life. Enjoy the tour, and don’t miss our table-setting video linked at the end of this post.
First up is a charming mini mudroom Katie created with a simple ottoman and a few coat hooks. Since we’re familiar with this approach, Burger made himself right at home and cozyed up the moment he scampered through the door.
Beyond the entryway is an elegant dining room filled with soft blue accents, white china, and beach-inspired touches. Katie is a master at scoring bargains, so many of the items that caught my eye were thrifted or outlet finds—proof you don’t need to spend a fortune to create a polished look.
I also loved the petite hutch near the kitchen door, though the kitchen itself was impossible to resist.
The kitchen is a standout. Jeremy and Katie opened up the space by removing walls, learned electrical work, installed stock cabinets, and laid the flooring themselves. From the range hood to the backsplash, nearly everything was a DIY effort, and the result is an open, bright kitchen that feels both functional and finished.
Katie pays attention to every detail. Her white china displayed in a doorless hutch, a hand-sewn dishtowel with pom poms, and thoughtfully placed accessories prove that style doesn’t have to be expensive to look curated.
The kitchen opens to a cozy den with a tiled fireplace they completed themselves and a coffee table Katie found on Craigslist and refreshed with paint. The white-painted pieces bring cohesion and light to the space.
Katie has a clear affinity for clean white accessories. Thrifted candlesticks, DIY artwork, and a sweet ceramic bird all add charm without breaking the bank. Small, inexpensive finds like these create personality and warmth.
They widened the opening between the den and living room so the entire first floor feels open and airy. Decorative pieces—like the white ceramic horse head on the coffee table—tie rooms together and reinforce the cohesive, relaxed aesthetic.
Pops of green appear throughout the living spaces. Katie repurposed a Pottery Barn placemat into a pillow and admits she shops outlet and thrift finds regularly. The mix of affordable pieces and a few well-placed purchases makes the rooms feel collected, not staged.
Katie and Jeremy’s bathroom renovations also showcase their DIY skills. One downstairs bath was updated on a very small budget, with Katie handling much of the work herself. The result is fresh and modern while remaining budget-friendly.
You may recall Katie’s dressing room from when we toured her closet. Instead of a standard closet, she has an entire third bedroom lined with wardrobes for clothing, jewelry, and shoes. The other side of the room serves as a welcoming bonus space for reading or hosting an overnight guest.
Upstairs, they transformed a guest bathroom with moody khaki paint and a custom wood frame around the original mirror. They distressed each piece of wood with nails and chains before staining it, creating a rich, rustic finish that balances the room’s palette.
Their bedroom and ensuite are peaceful and familiar-feeling; Katie once told us she modeled a curtained wall after our bedroom, and we even featured her room in a reader spotlight. The soft, layered textiles and thoughtful finishes create a calm retreat.
Finally, we wrapped up our visit with a playful table-setting video. We created five distinct settings on camera in real time, experimenting with Katie’s extensive servingware and accessories. It took a few takes, but we were thrilled with how the staged settings came together and wanted to share the process so you can recreate elements at home.
Notes about the video: we start a little nervous, get progressively more relaxed, and have a few lighthearted moments. You’ll see us trade tips, laugh, and demonstrate simple ways to elevate a table—on a full table or a smaller surface if you prefer more room for serving dishes.
- We’re a bit awkward at first, then loosen up as the video goes on.
- We tried several variations to show how versatile a few key pieces can be.
- Small changes—ribbon, linens, centerpiece choices—make a big difference.
Thanks to Katie and Jeremy for welcoming us into their home and for helping arrange the table settings multiple times. We hope this tour gives you ideas for affordable decorating and inspires a few DIY projects of your own. Which table setting was your favorite?