Savannah is one of those Southern towns whose reputation is both genteel and a touch mischievous. John Berendt’s famous Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil paints the historic town as a city of eccentric characters and a blend of Old-World charm with modern-day intrigue. It’s no surprise, then, that the ethos of designer Lynn Morgan—Rowayton based but raised in Savannah—is much like her hometown: tailored and timeless with a healthy dose of color and charm.
The designer’s own historic house in Savannah is cut from that same cloth: classical forms and gracious details filled with Morgan’s signature flair. The house, built in 1865, was bought by Morgan 15 years ago. “I have always loved an antique home and not much had to be done to this one,” says Morgan. “The light and proportion worked and the bones were gorgeous. All I did was give it some sprucing up.”
Morgan’s crisp and clean aesthetic starts at the front door. The entry opens to a blue and white Elizabeth Eakins rug with an antique gilt mirror from the designer’s grandparents hanging over a white painted console. “I wanted some American style, and I still have some antiques I inherited from my grandparents,” says Morgan. “I wanted the house to be clean and inviting; simple and casual.”
Designer Lynn Morgan’s historic Savannah townhouse was built in 1865.
The table in the courtyard is set with goods from the local store Hannah E.
An Elizabeth Eakins blue and white rug covers the foyer floor, and the antique mirror is from the designer’s grandmother.
On the living room mantel, antique pickle jars flank a mirror from Bunny Williams Home. A pillow in a Tillett Textiles yellow and white fabric adorns a fireside chair under artwork by David Hockney.
Kitchen counter stools are from Palecek, and the floor was painted by decorative painter Shelly Denning.
The chandelier is an antique, and the rug is apple matting from England. The abstract art is by Russell Sharon.
Pops of color top the dining room table, which is from Old Mill Road Table Company.
Hwang Bishop lamps flank a bed with pillows of Quadrille fabric in the primary bedroom, where painted French doors open to a dressing room.
A blue telephone accents the desk.
Striped walls lead into the primary bathroom, which has a blue painted floor and a monogrammed towel through Weezie.
In the living room, she kept the walls a soft linen color sharply contrasted with glossy white trim so the room’s natural light and graceful proportion take center stage. “High gloss trim brings out the details when there is good architecture like this,” says Morgan. This is not a house that was meant to look like a museum. Bright colors set off the architecture in a way that is polished, not jarring, but also not overly formal. Simple apple matting from England covers the floors, while antique turquoise painted bistro tables flank the sofa. Pillows in a poppy yellow Tillett Textiles fabric add a punch of color and give a nod to the David Hockney lithographs hanging in the room. Antique pickle jars temper the formality of the room’s more distinguished features. “I love Swedish design and its simplicity.” says Morgan. “It’s all about the mix. I love simple, casual and nothing too fussy.”
The original kitchen was pink Formica. Morgan painted it white and added wooden countertops. Decorative painter Shelly Denning painted the floors in a large-scale blue and white pattern. In the dining room, classical elements are balanced with zippy colors and modern art. The table was made by the Old Mill Road Company, and the chairs are covered in a chartreuse fabric that matches the shades on the antique chandelier. More apple matting covers the floor, while an antique mirror hangs over the mantel. In typical Morgan fashion, the room is sophisticated but welcoming and warm. “It’s easy elegance,” adds the designer.
Morgan’s characteristic cheer continues in the primary bedroom, where pillows in Quadrille prints sit with blue-glazed porcelain lamps. Antique French doors painted blue open to a dressing room where the walls are painted in cabana stripes. “I like little surprises,” says Morgan.
Of course, no historic house in Savannah would be worth its salt without a courtyard secret garden. Painted bistro furniture and boxwoods keep it simple and, at night, twinkle lights give it a bit of magic. “Savannah is home sweet home,” says Morgan. “It feels so comfortable—better here than it does Connecticut. The light and the feeling…it’s gracious, like the city itself.”