DESIGN PORTFOLIO: HERITAGE IN HARMONY

Honoring Legacy

When August Haven Interior Designer Jeanette Edwards was invited to help one Oshkosh family reimagine their living and dining spaces, she saw more than a design project—she saw a legacy to be honored. Jeanette approached the design with a deep sense of respect for the family's story. Every decision—from furniture placement to fabric selection—was made to celebrate heritage while maintaining functional elegance.

Artisanal, Handcrafted and Symbolic

Rooted in a family history of missionary work in the United Republic of Tanzania in East Africa, there was a treasure of hand-carved sculptures, a leather folding stool and a zebra skin rug from the 1960’s that needed to become focal points. Jeanette worked to thoughtfully layer each piece into a modern yet soulful environment that invites conversation and connection. Earthy tones and organic textures echo the Tanzanian landscape, grounding the rooms in warmth and authenticity.

Elegant Function

Inspired first by a generously sized round dining table and collection of charcoal top-grain leather back dining chairs, the homeowners knew they would be able to accommodate for family gatherings and card parties. Adored for its age-worn texture, an August Haven antique rug bench became the center of the living room furniture grouping, working multifunctionally as a footstool, additional seating and end table.

Useful and welcoming, Jeanette brought in two leather swivel chairs and a custom upholstered curved sofa. Furniture placement was key. “No matter where we are sitting, we can interact with people,” shares the homeowner.

Deeply Personal

Thoughtful furniture selections with clean lines and a muted color palette allow the art and artifacts to shine, while natural light highlights every intricate detail. Upon entering the home, guests are greeted by a dark walnut credenza with textured pewter metal hardware and a stunning table lamp that resembles the cherished Baobab trees of Tanzania.

Baobab trees live for hundreds of years and grow to immense sizes. Deeply revered by many African cultures, they symbolize resilience and are often called the “Tree of Life”. But for this homeowner, the symbolism of the revered Baobab tree holds an even deeper meaning. Gifted to their family by Maasai elders on East African land, there is a Baobab tree that has been on site of many of their family's weddings, christenings and funerals. The table lamp rests as a beautiful and deeply symbolic reminder of their heritage and travels across time and place. 

Balance

The living and dining rooms are a masterclass in balance—functional for everyday life yet layered in meaning and grace. This home is refined yet welcoming, where legacy lives not only through pieces displayed, but through the way the family gathers, connects and continues their story. 

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