MAKING A HOUSE A HOME Designing Unexpected Moments of Joy

For Jaclyn and Alex Barba, special moments are what make a house a home. So when their young daughter wanted to celebrate her birthday “hiking near a creek,” they spent the week at Serenbe in a gorgeous Grange house, finding joy around the fire pit as a family, celebrating Thanksgiving with friends, baking in the gourmet kitchen, and cozied in the living nook with a book in hand. It became clear pretty quickly they felt at home at Serenbe. Now, all they needed was their own house. They toured available homes and immediately fell for a limewashed brick cottage set on a garden courtyard in the Mado neighborhood. What sealed the deal was a living room garage door that led to an enclosed outdoor space. “It was so unexpected and continues to be our home’s favorite feature,” said Jaclyn.

Their Serenbe home is now an “oasis in the woods to relax from their busy lives in Miami,” Patrick Sharp said when the house was covered in RUE Magazine. Patrick and his wife Meghan are the duo behind Mister & Mrs. Sharp and worked with the Barbas on their interiors. The Barbas discovered their work while touring the 2022 Serenbe Designer Showhouse and admired their stylish aesthetic, then found their Instagram handle and got in touch. It proved to be the perfect collaboration.

“Meghan and Patrick [Sharp] have an enthusiasm for their work that is very contagious,” said Jaclyn.

The Barbas channeled that enthusiasm through what they believe makes their style “theirs,” the unexpected moments that evoke joy. The black sheep statue by the living room garage door and the giraffe wall sculpture peeking out from behind their guest room curtains. Spaces that “nudge your mood in a positive direction.” They also took the back porch accessed through that living room garage door and turned it into a stylish al fresco dining space, perfect for those special moments of gathering.

“This second home for us manages to feel like our first home. We love the beauty of the home the Sharps have created for us and the friendships that have come with living in Serenbe.”

Visit misterandmrssharp.com to see their full interiors portfolio, past press coverage, their curated shop, and to contact them about designing your home’s interiors.

(Opposite) The Guest Room is filled with neutral textures and a cheeky giraffe peeking out from the curtains.You’ll find Schumacher Queen of Spain wallpaper in the Powder Room, along with a Glacon pendant from Jonathan Browning Studio, a Ventus bath sink from Stone Forest, and a Vertical Portait Mirror by Ted Boerner. The loft at the top of the stairs was designed to be a built-in reading nook with bookcases, and has Circa lighting and Schumacher pillows. The Kitchen includes Balboa counter stools from Serena & Lily, a Barcelona Dining Table with Oakley Dining Stools from Verellen, and a Pascal pendant from Arteriors. (Above) The living room boasts a 110” Rowan Sofa from Verellen, as well as a tête-à-tête chaise from Hickory Chair, an ARIL chair, and Bar Cabinet from Habachy Designs. On the patio you’ll find a large reclaimed teak dining table on the covered patio, which leads to an outdoor fire pit under the stars. Photos by Rustic White Photography.

Weddings

The historic Inn at Serenbe has been a memorable wedding backdrop for more than 20 years, and we are sharing a few of our favorite images of those priceless moments. Our first wedding was even featured in Martha Stewart Weddings