Ep. 377: The Design of a Country Estate with Cathy Purple Cherry

Besides having one of the best names in design, Cathy Purple Cherry is known for her uniquely holistic approach to design, embodying the ability to meet both the lifestyle and emotional needs of clients.

In her first book, The Design of a Country Estate, Cathy offers a deeper look at the creation of a magnificent estate and working farm on the Chesapeake Bay. In our chat with Cathy, she shares insights into building her firm from the ground up, the creation of a magnificent country estate on the Chesapeake Bay, and the philosophy into her thoughtful, human-centric design process that has defined her decades-long career.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode: 

• Cathy's firm founding journey and distinctive name story.
• How her firm has grown since opening in 1993.
• What made her write her first book about a single project?
• Cathy shares a timeline of the Chesapeake Bay estate project, which took about 5 years from start to finish.
• Her personal experiences and influences in design philosophy, including raising a child with special needs.
• Cathy's holistic approach prioritizes function and emotion.
• The role of millwork, light, and views in human-scaled spaces.
• Cost-conscious strategies and practical considerations.
• Designing tips to show your home and family’s unique personality.

Mentioned:

• Ballard Designs
• Watch the Full Episode - Ballard Designs YouTube
• The Design of a Country Estate
• Purple Cherry
• IG