After first meeting Blair Newman, there is one thing for sure, you have just made a friend. Her smile, her warmth and her love of home exude in all she does. Setting foot inside her home you can feel the love and life in the decor, in the art, and in the design. It is a home full of character, style, and functionality.
Blair and John Newman moved to Lake Guntersville first in 2011, then with a job in South Africa had to relocate and returned back to the lake in 2014. They moved into John's parent's lake cabin that was originally purchased in 1970. Blair Newman smiles and says, "I love that we are on a family property that has so many memories, yet we have a home here that is completely ours. We kept pieces like the beams in the living room that in the old lake house. You can still the the old pant splatters and nails."
Birmingham Interior Designer Mark Kennamer helped The Newmans renovate and make the home their own. "We have a lot of influence from South Africa," Blair states, "I wanted the walls bright white so artwork and unique pieces would pop."
"Almost everything has a story or was found in an interesting way. It is a passion of mine to happen upon cool pieces. I have a friend who says she loves to come over because every time she spots something new. That's fun for me. The little surprises or 'happy's' that make you laugh or wonder where in the world I found them," Blair says beaming.
Blair grew up on Smith Lake in Jasper so she has always been a lake girl and this return to lake living has been a sweet homecoming for her. She states, "I enjoy the beauty and have become a wildlife and bird enthusiast. We try to enjoy sunset every night. It is our little celebration at the end of the day."
The Newmans also love the casualness of lake living, from friends dropping to jump off the dock or have a drink, they have embraced the casualness by creating a home with indoor/outdoor living and a laid back style.
Blair's favorite room is the dining room but each room has pieces that she loves. "The dining room is my favorite because it reminds me so much of our time living in South Africa and because we keep it clean! The kudu who greats you when you walk into the dining room always puts a huge smile on my face. John went on one hunting trip in South Africa and we took a lot of the kudu meat to the township of Soweto and gave it away. Plus, the head was never returned to us. Recently someone very close to us passed away and his family gave us his kudu head," she continues her story, "Our friend was a great chef and loved dinner parties so I’ve named him Dr. P and he greets us every time we sit down for a special meal."
She smiles, "The bat sconces really make me laugh. We have bats flying around every evening because of the bat cave on the lake, so they are truly part of our home inside and out."
Blair is an artist and you can see the lake influence in all she paints. "My artwork is definitely inspired by my surroundings - my views, color combinations I come across, and my travels," Blair remarks. She has art openings in both Huntsville and Guntersville at different venues.
"Since moving to Guntersville I have really tried to connect with my creative side. Becoming more serious about my painting and I have written two children's books The Adventures of Blair Bear and Nunny Bunny was my first," she continues, "It's a story based on my childhood lovey that I still have. A piece of him was sewn into my wedding dress!"
The second book, Lily The Catfish, was written for a non-profit in Guntersville, The Book Club of Guntersville. All proceeds fund scholarships for high school seniors. One of Newman's best friends, Weezie Boiles illustrated both books, and the two have been doings book signings across Alabama. You can follow her and her art at @blairmaynewman.
The sun is starting to set and the peacefulness of the lake sets in. The water seems to turn to glass and the sounds of frogs, crickets, and cicadas fill the air. What a serene and magical place to call home. It is easy to see why many choose not just second homes on Lake Guntersville, but also make Guntersville their home.
From decorating a stunning lakefront home to raising a family on the water to painting landscapes of the surrounding scenery to writing creative stories of legendary lake creatures, it is clear that the Newmans have built a beautiful life on Lake Guntersville.