by Jodie Sexton Goff ’02

Barb Shadomy ’87 came to Oglethorpe from Richmond, Va., focused on earning her bachelor’s with a double major in accounting and economics. After graduating she went on to complete her master in business administration at Georgia State University. Barb spent several years in the financial services consulting industry prior to leaving her job to move to London. But, although her life was full of wonderful, daily cultural experiences, she eventually decided that she wanted a new challenge.

Barb decided to enroll at the Inchbald School of Design, a small school that is the oldest of its kind in England, where she studied interior and garden design. While researching a garden design project online, Barb stumbled on a real estate listing for Stonehurst Place, a historic bed and breakfast in midtown Atlanta, just one mile where she her previous home. Her challenge had presented itself. Barb’s newly purchased investment and business venture also became her first professional design job—the historic and eco-friendly renovation of Stonehurst Place.

“I just decorated Stonehurst Place in my own style,” Barb recalls. “I like to mix the old with the new, from the overall aesthetics to the actual pieces used, and tried to imagine how guests would use the space, making sure everything they need is available to them.”

Barb tries to appeal to guests looking for a casually elegant and sophisticated escape. “I pulled from our travel experiences at luxury retreats around the world. I incorporated a number of pieces from our personal art collection including original Warhols… Design training in Europe opened my eyes to different styles and trends, from architecture and design to ethnic perspectives.”

Stonehurst also boasts the largest residential solar thermal installation on the east coast and an extensive rainwater harvesting and purification system. Barb works with the City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability on their eco-initiatives and model legislation for rainwater harvesting and purification. She hopes her innovative B&B will be off the city’s water grid in 2012.

Since tackling this challenge, Barb and her partner have moved from London to Germany. From their home in Frankfurt, Barb utilizes Skype and cameras in Stonehurst’s public rooms to continue to run the day-to-day operations of Stonehurst, now one of the top accommodations in Atlanta. Stonehurst has been hailed as a ‘hidden gem’ by online travel giant TripAdvisor, named among the top eight ‘Best Urban Inns’ by BedandBreakfast.com, and awarded the 2011 Champion Award by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International. The renovation will be featured in the upcoming book Green Matters for Everyday Living by Jill Westfall.

“I tried to bring the best of my travels home to rest. It’s a wonderful privilege that I get to share with others.”