Have you ever stayed at a friend's house where you were relegated to a leftover full-size bed with musty sheets, an odd lamp, and nothing else? Melanie and Rob Evanko had no intention of letting their visitors feel so unwelcome. They created a room where Southern hospitality and clever decorating play such a strong role that now they practically have to shoo company away.
The Evankos and their children, Grace and Lucas, moved to their Dallas address after years in Atlanta. Because they left lots of family and friends on the other side of the Mississippi, a guestroom was essential for
when those visitors came to Texas. "Besides," explains Melanie, "as a typical Southern girl, I've always prepared a guestroom. It's nice to have a space where people feel comfortable away from home." Sorting Out a Solution
Melanie called on local interior designer Cindy Zelazny Rodenhaver to help her rearrange furniture and establish a look that would not only be attractive and stylish but efficient as well. "Cindy's got such a great eye," explains Melanie. "She helped me use things that I already had."
