Chai Style Home: Going Coastal with Vintage Romanticism

Interior designer Candi Miller describes her style as vintage romantic. Her Dunwoody home feels, “warm and layered with personal pieces and items ‘collected along the way.’”

Her romantic style features floral patterns, curves, and metallics. She said, “Vintage is having items with a history, from another time period. I have incorporated it all!”

The front living room features one of the Californian Redwood tree stump tables that the family restored.

With the grandeur and nostalgia of hometown Savannah, Miller’s design takes a break from the fast lane to be calm, cool, and collected. Yet, there is a certain sense of intrigue with California Redwood tree trunks formed into a dreamy backdrop of solitude and sociability.

Tour Miller’s home as she breathes modern life into each room and pieces old and new.

This old porcelain stove was purchased by Miller’s parents in Italy in 1978. While the stove is not functional, it was originally used for cooking.

Jaffe: When you purchased your home in 2007, what happened next?
Miller: I knew it had great bones and an entertaining backyard. The kitchen and primary bath were a “no-go.” I brought in my contractor to do the reconfiguration. We moved the laundry room upstairs to the bonus room and made that space our playroom/laundry. That allowed the creation of a sprawling, open kitchen with an island. Upstairs we removed the huge wall between the kids bathroom and created a large primary bath with shower, soaking tub, and water closet all done in marble and blue slate.

Jaffe: Where do family heirlooms fit?
Miller: My home is filled with them. I have many antiques from my parents, and both sets of grandparents. I have several tables that all have a story. One is a Redwood tree and trunk coffee table that belonged to my parents. On one of their trips to California in the ’70s, they had three pieces made: a large dining table, a coffee table, and a side table. Each piece is a large, live edge top and a trunk for the base. I have the coffee and side tables. My sister has the dining table. We had them re-oiled and cleaned. They are exquisite and rare. I also have a beautiful brass and wood grandfather clock from WWII that belonged to my maternal grandparents and several mid-century pieces from my paternal grandparents. They are all special and will stay in my family for many generations.

The Dunwoody home was purchased in 2007 and totally renovated.

Jaffe: Art is …
Miller: My art is also special and personal as each piece exudes meaning. My father, Robert Segall, is an artist in Savannah and works strictly with oils. He has lived in Savannah his entire life as is revealed by his devotion to painting the ocean. His work is stunning and bright as he isn’t afraid of color. I have many of his paintings throughout my home. They represent the ocean and feature seabirds and boats. My favorite is one he did of a shrimp boat. His work has depth and brings me closer to home.
My other favorite artist is right here in Dunwoody and one of my closest friends, Beth Berss. I have her art in almost every room. She does abstract paintings, but I also have her florals and feathers. Her art brings happiness and inspiration, as art should.
My palette consists of neutral colors with a few pops of blues and teals, but it’s primarily white, black, gold and silver. There is a “moody” vibe that is comforting and warm. My “go to” white is Marshmallow color by Sherwin Williams, which is my dominant wall.

This étagère is an expression of Miller’s ability to arrange and stage art and bric-a-brac.

Jaffe: As a designer, how does lighting “glow” for you?
Miller: Lighting is such an important design element. Having layered lighting adds another dimension to a space. Good lighting creates depth and height and adds a cozy feeling. Lamps are a great way to bring in one’s personality and have some fun. I have several styles of alabaster lamps; and because of the different shapes, they each provide a different feel and style. I bought a broken 1950s brass, five arm lamp at Scott’s Antique Market and had it re-wired with my fingers crossed. Now, it’s a showpiece in my bedroom.
I love “the hunt” for unique pieces for myself and my clients. I love shopping at Scott’s, … all great places to find something distinctive and personalized.

The enclosed porch (24 x 15 ft) is among Miller’s favorite entertainment spaces.

Jaffe: What is it about Savannah that tugs at your heart?
Miller: In addition to the ocean, I adore the majestic live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Savannah is a city of beauty, the ocean, and loads of history. Some would say I have a “coastal/nature vibe” going on as well. I decorate with shells, driftwood, and items I found in nature. I love being outdoors and experiencing all things “nature,” so much so that I rebuilt the back porch to accommodate for easier entertaining and better views of the yard. If it’s nice out, that is where you will find me. It’s my happy place and an extension of my interior. It feels like indoor living, but outside.

Miller’s teens like to hang out in the lower-level great room, which doubles as Miller’s office on one side.

Jaffe: Being a designer, how does that sway in your own home?
Miller: Decorating one’s own home is difficult, especially for designers. We are our harshest critics, and it takes many hours, and difficult decision making to get it right. Since the 2007 renovation, I am still working. I guess it will always be a work in progress, but I am finally loving what I see.
I enjoy all types of design. I especially love helping clients find happiness in their homes. It doesn’t have to be a full remodel to update and give it a fresh feel. I like working with clients over time and finding special pieces, fun and functional furnishings. I love the challenge of creating a space that tells every client’s story and showcases their style while keeping it functional for every day. I tell my clients to “be true to who they are” and the rest will work itself out!