A Designer's Pretty Augusta, Georgia Vacation Home

With a burgeoning business in interior design and an equally energetic practice of buying and developing real estate, Joy Williams, the designer and chief creative behind Joyful Designs Studio, has designed the ultimate getaway. She and her partner own a fully renovated getaway in the city of Augusta in a 1920s-era building converted into three apartments, including her own 600-square-foot pied-a-terre.

While the unit’s previous owners decorated somewhat haphazardly, Joy wanted something more refined and intentional. Dubbing the apartment’s design style, “artfully modern with a grand millennial-ish twist,” it’s a combination of modern moments and classic approaches. A palette of earth tones with bright, colorful pops highlights details like the geometric wallpaper and abstract artwork hanging over the sofa. “My designs always reference the cultural and artistic,” Joy says, “whether it's mine or a client's.”

Small touches complete this room. The sculpture and necklace are both creations of the same artist, Cheryl R. Riley, that Joy picked up while traveling. “I love showcasing Black artists in my home,” she says. Other featured artists and works in the home include prints by Khari Turner and Christina Martinez as well as an original piece by Glenyse Thompson.

The far side of the living room reveals a cozy eating nook and fireplace. The room is a combination of vintage finds, modern twists and DIY projects. “We painted the brass bamboo dining nook chairs a white lacquer and rebuilt the fireplace adding porcelain tile to the surround for a modern touch,” the designer says. The stylish Indian wedding chest was found at a second-hand store, while the slatted built-in banquette was conceived of and built by the couple themselves. “My partner has a background in construction,” Joy explains. “There are cabinets hidden behind the slats and the bench seat lifts up to reveal a ton of extra storage.”