Southernite Interiors: Bringing Classic Style Home

Founded by Ella Hope Murdock, Southernite Interiors in historic downtown Canton offers home décor, furniture, and gifts for the discerning sophisticated Southerner, as well as interior design services with exclusive furniture and fabric lines available through her design studio.

When asked what the name Southernite means, Ella responds, "I imagined it to be representative of someone who embraces Southern grace, charm, and class. Sophisticated Southerner describes someone who appreciates quality, attention to detail, and a nod to classic, Southern style. I would consider my style to be a light and airy mix of clean and classic with a touch of antique.

"Growing up, I actually rejected the idea of being a Southerner and had high aspirations to move to a big city. By the time I went to college and had spent time in large cities such as Los Angeles and New York City, I realized that I loved gardens, land, big blue skies, friendly communities, and ultimately my Southern roots," she continues.

Ella's full-service design studio has offerings ranging from in-store consults, one-room expert design advice, as well as long and short term design projects for an entire home. "We offer design consultations for any size project including new construction and renovations. Experts are available to help you choose paint colors, furniture, and room layouts, custom upholstery, and window treatments, lighting, rugs, seasonal décor, and more," she says.

When working with a client, Ella uses a curated approach to seek out the right pieces and incorporate special finds. She explains "I firmly believe design is so personal that it can change your life for the better to live in surroundings that you can emotionally connect with to bring joy. It is very important to me that I'm decorating for the client and what uniquely brings them joy versus stamping a signature design on each home over and over again."

The interior designer has had a love of beautiful surroundings for as long as she can remember and says she comes from a long line of female entrepreneurs. "for many years, I worked in the corporate world with a focus on a marketing, finance, and business. For years behind the scenes, I was cultivating my design acumen and passion. By the time Southernite Interiors was born, God paved the way so that it was a seamless transition from a corporate position to entrepreneurship in interiors and furnishings," Ella shares.

She chose downtown Canton because of its historic downtown filled with unique charm and history. Growing up, her maternal grandparents lived in Greenville, Georgia, and she has fond memories from childhood of the time spent in Greenville's historic downtown area.

"When I moved to Canton in 2014, I fell in love with the city and wanted to support local. I quickly realized there wasn't a local full service furniture and design store and felt led to use my background in business, retail, antiques, and design to bring the concept to Canton. I knew that downtown Canton was the only place I wanted to be as it has so much charm and history," she enthuses.

The rewarding part of being in Canton is the community and how quickly they embraced Southernite Interiors, she points out. "Our customers want us to succeed and remain loyal and supportive. Also, the Main Street Program and how much support we are provided with as a downtown business. The constant events, promotions, and social media presence they provide is priceless. You couldn't ask for me."

"I would like to make a positive impact on as many lives as possible, whether it's giving someone a respite from whatever they're going through by walking through a beautiful store, collaborating with local business owners to help them grow their business, bringing joy into someone's home through curated design, or being in a position to invest in the community through financial resources and time," she says.

Ella constantly strives to grow and improve by attending seminars and achieving certifications such as Certified Color Expert for exterior and interior paint. She is part of an Interior Design Business Coaching Program where she collaborates with some of the best minds in design from all over the country to improve processes, client experiences, and all values.

This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.