Page 140 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2018

HOME fixer upper
A wall between the tiny kitchen and living room was taken
out to expand the space into a flowing area that includes the dining room. A wall of glass doors opens onto a screen porch that was added off the dining room, giving even more living and entertaining space, plus access to the back lawn. The porch has creature comforts that include a flat screen tv, ceiling fan, rugs, tables and chairs.
The talents of Jill’s parents
are evident. Her dad, Tom Abernathy, helped build the screen porch, a storage shed and a fence around the back yard. Her mom, Pat Abernathy, is a well-known Coast artist whose colorful works are displayed throughout the Mesekes’ home.
“We have all white walls and pull in color with art, rugs and accessories,” Jill says. “We used Benjamin Moore Simply White and White Dove.”
The art work is stunning and, in addition to Pat Abernathy, includes paintings of Paulette Dove, Norma Seward and others. The mix of mid-century style furniture and antiques is an eclectic combination that works beautifully. In the living room, a reclaimed railroad cart used as a coffee table and a cherry secretary with leaded- glass doors blend well with two white low-slung chairs and a cabinet straight from the 1950s and ‘60s. The muted reds and blues of the rug compliment
all of it while an interpretive painting of Jill that was done by
140 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • February 2018
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THE CHARMING KITCHEN features white quartz counter tops and white subway tile and brightly colored Fiesta Ware.