ONE POSH PLACE
For Columbus pottery designer Mollie Jenkins it's not about making everything perfect; it's about living in the moment with her family, friends and pets.
By MARLA CALIGARIS . Photos By S.SAXON
Mollie Jenkins, a local potter and the owner of Mollie Jenkins Pottery, purchased her home in 2019 in historic Midtown and after a total renovation she moved in right before the Covid shut down in 2020. When she bought her home out of foreclosure it had been vacant for over a year and was in total disrepair. She enlisted the help of her uncle Jack Jenkins, a local architect at Jenkins Architecture, and her mother Celia Jenkins, who is a talented interior designer, to get their advice on how to make it livable and to fit her needs. She knew she wanted the main focus of the home to be the kitchen and living area because she loves to entertain. Jack Jenkins then figured out a way to design the home around the professional stainless appliances which came from a home in Green Island that was being demolished. This meant the front door had to be moved, the kitchen relocated to the center of the home and a hallway removed within the center of the home.
Next, the bathrooms were completely updated as well as both the sun porches on the driveway side and the den area. In the back sunporch new windows and doors leading out to the deck were also added allowing the interior to flow seamlessly to the backyard living space. Scattered throughout this charming home are many of her one of a kind pottery pieces which add to her home's casual and easy-living feel. Mollie also supports other local artists as pieces can be found throughout the home from Kate Waddell Art, Kingfisher Woodworks, Kate Mullin Art, Erin Gregory, Honeycomb Wax Art just to name a few. These original pieces give her home a pop of color as well as a personal touch. "I have worked towards creating this home to be an extension of myself to include some of my favorite items and artists as well as calming paint colors to come home to each day after the studio.”
Directly off the dining room and kitchen is this comfy seating area where guests can relax while visiting. It is also a favorite spot of Mollie’s dog Rook. Kate Waddell’s painting of the Eagle Mill is a favorite and gives the neutral room some color as do the bird paintings by Charleston artist Katherine Dunlap. The frog lamp was made by her mother Celia Jenkins and Bitsy Dedwylder, the animal pillows are from Scott Antique Markets in Atlanta, and the curtains trimmed in a Greek key detail are from Ballard Designs.
The gourmet kitchen was built around professional Viking appliances which were salvaged from a home in Green Island which was being torn down. The custom made cabinets were created by Woodcraft By MacDonald and each of the pottery subway tiles in the back splash were individually made by Mollie. The sink facette from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery is in a matte black finish which stands out against the white carrera marble countertop.and ties into the black soapstone used for the other countertops. Both materials were purchased at Mega Granite in Newnan. The light fixtures and barstools are both in a natural basket weave and give this space a relaxed feel.
The den area is separated by the sliding barn doors which give it more privacy if needed from the open space of the rest of the home. Here, Mollie and Rook can relax and watch TV or look out onto the back porch. The custom drapes trimmed in silk tassels elevate this space as does the classic sofa style, club chair and custom down filled pillows. The jute rug and weathered antique wooden coffee table keep the room from feeling too formal. The matching tortoise shell lamps with linen shades also ass to the casual but refined look of this room.
The guest room features an upholstered headboard which was originally a fireplace mantel. The antique bedside tables and mahogany dresser are family pieces, and the two pottery lamps were thrown by Mollie and are topped with linen lampshades.
As for the exterior, the front and backyard were completely overgrown when she purchased the home. Her sister in law Tess, along with her extended family members and friends helped her resod both the front and backyard (a job they laugh about now but swear they will never do again). She also planted bushes and flowers around the yard which were mainly purchased from Bloomers Midtown. A wooden privacy fence was put up by Best for Less Fencing which allows her dog Rook and her chickens to run free. She also built an outdoor stone patio area with a fire pit as well as a raised bed garden from which she enjoys harvesting vegetables and flowers. Lastly, Bubba Holland’s H&C Construction crew built the back deck, which is directly off the back den sunporch and where she enjoys outdoor suppers with family and friends. This deck, fit with party lights from DP Jones Electric, overlooks the now well-manicured yard with a prime view of the chicken coop, raised beds, fruit trees and her pup Rook romping about with the chickens.
