Page 153 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2026

fixture selections marry a desire for efficiency and beauty. A large Douglas fir timber runs the length of the home, reminding them of their Minnesota life. Lighter birch in the kitchen cabinetry draws from the sandy beach across the street, while blue tile backsplashes immediately connect you to the sky and water right outside. A walnut barn-style closure, one of the few doors in the home, was crafted by Julie and Brad themselves. “We close the bedroom door at night and when we open it each morning, bright light comes in, and it’s a new day.”
There is a sleeping area for six awaiting their children and grandchildren. Again, angled ceilings create a feeling of spaciousness while large windows overlooking a beautiful oak tree give you the feeling you are sleeping in a tree house. It is filled with family heirlooms, like Julie’s father’s saxophone, a piano, puzzles, LEGO, and all sorts of fun for the young ones to discover. No TV here! This is the only area in the house with what everyone calls stuff. “We don’t have a lot of stuff anymore, just the right stuff,” says Julie.
The Blues say their home functions just as they had hoped it would. “There is always something going on, but it never feels anxious. Everything is simple here.” That was their goal from the beginning. They wanted their home to have what they call the four E’s—Excitement, Emotion, Efficiency, and Effectiveness. They achieved their dream.
“We’ve been living in this house in our minds for the last ten years. But we were not so locked into our ideas that we missed opportunities for better design decisions, and we connected with the right people. It takes time to find the right fit. You can’t rush.”
What does not take long at all, however, is to see that the Blues are easy to get to know, quick to share what they have learned, and living their best life on the Mississippi Coast.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly
20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
SASSY BIRD INTERIORS
211 Main St. Bay St. Louis 228.344.3181 | www.sassybirdinteriors.com