An Art-Collecting Couple’s
Leafy Richmond Estate

About En Plein Air

At the highest level, our purpose is to elevate and inspire through art and design. Newly established in 2026, our En Plein Air short film series celebrates our interior designer clients and the beautiful installations they create with McKinnon and Harris furnishings.

We interviewed Richmond-based decorator Mary Williams to learn more about her design process and inspirations.

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About En Plein Air

At the highest level, our purpose is to elevate and inspire through art and design. Newly established in 2026, our En Plein Air short film series celebrates our interior designer clients and the beautiful installations they create with McKinnon and Harris furnishings.

We interviewed Richmond-based decorator Mary Williams to learn more about her design process and inspirations.

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McKinnon and Harris (MH): How long have you been working with this client?

Mary Williams (MW): I have been working with these clients since before they moved into this home, back when they were living in a newer neighborhood farther outside of town. They would always say in jest, “We’re going to get our house just right, and then we’ll move.”

For years, they had hoped to find a home closer to the heart of Richmond — one with a deeper sense of history and unique architectural character. After a long search they finally found the right fit.

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MH: When they came to you, what was their initial brief?

MW: The clients had dreamed of building a pool in their backyard for years and approached me after engaging with Marcia Fryer for the landscape and pool design. They asked me to develop several furnishing concepts for the spaces surrounding the pool, and from the beginning, we knew the selections needed to feel as timeless as the architecture of their home and as thoughtfully designed as the beautiful pool Marcia envisioned. After years of owning outdoor furniture that had not held up to the elements, they wanted to ensure that they would be investing in furniture that was not only beautiful, but that would also be durable.

MH: Tell us a little more about the client’s approach to collecting art.

MW: In every space I have designed for these clients, art has always been a priority because they understand that it is what truly brings a room to life. Over the years, we have worked closely with Bond Millen Gallery and the Reynolds Gallery in Richmond and Les Yeux du Monde Gallery in Charlottesville alongside my friend and art advisor, Caroline Wright, to thoughtfully curate pieces for each space. Caroline’s extensive knowledge and connections within the art world also allowed us to bring in several extraordinary pieces adding even more depth, character, and individuality to the home.

MH: How did you decide on using McKinnon and Harris for this project?

MW: After reviewing several furnishing options together, the clients suggested visiting your showroom and workshop. In addition to wanting furnishings that were beautiful and exceptionally durable, they also loved the idea of investing in pieces that were locally made with such an extraordinary level of craftsmanship. They wanted the pool to remain a place of relaxation rather than something requiring constant upkeep.

Once we toured the workshop and learned more about the artistry and craftsmanship behind each piece, there was no turning back — we were all completely sold.

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MH: What drew you to the specific collections you chose?

MW: We knew from the beginning that we wanted the furniture to feel traditional, yet updated with a cleaner and more streamlined silhouette.

The duVal Yacht Sun Chaises immediately stood out because of the durability and low-maintenance qualities of the Batyline® material — an important consideration for a space designed to feel effortless and relaxing.

When selecting the club chairs, we were drawn to the inviting curves of the deCamp Lune Collection. They fit perfectly around the fire pit and are just as striking from the back as they are from the front.

MW: We had not initially planned to install the deCamp Lune Sectional Ensemble, but as the hardscape plan evolved, an opportunity emerged for additional lounge seating. We explored several sectional options for the space, but the curved lines of the deCamp Lune paired so naturally with the shape of the patio.

We also loved the flexibility of its modular design, which allows it to function either as one larger sectional or as smaller individual loveseats depending on the occasion. We discovered during the CAD design process that the sectional’s shape also fits perfectly around the fire pit for additional seating during the colder months.

MH: Tell me a little bit about the textile/design choices you made for the McKinnon and Harris furniture and throw pillows?

MW: We selected the timeless Classic White finish for the frames, which beautifully complements the white siding of the home.

For the upholstery, I wanted to choose a sun-resistant and easy to clean fabric that would provide contrast against the frames while also offering enough depth of color and pattern to help conceal dirt and wear over time. McKinnon and Harris’ Ziggy Pond proved to be just the right fit. We added a contrast welt for one final custom detail to make the upholstery unique.

Once the furniture was installed, the space still called for an additional pop of color. We sourced several beautiful designer indoor-outdoor fabrics and created custom pillows for the chaises and sectional.

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