Meet Cynthia Porche | Interior Designer and Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia Porche and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Defining success can be a very different prospective for many businesses, however, the saying “do what you love and you will never ‘work’ a day in your life” is very true. Success is having the freedom to do what you are absolutely passionate about and always pushing yourself to do more good for others. My interior design path has led me to interact with so many amazing artisans, fellow designers, and clients and each day I learn something new. I attribute my firm’s overall success to endless creativity , never repeating a design, and really listening to what our clients are wanting for their homes. When your business is mostly comprised of repeat clientele calling to bring another project to life or referring you to another friend or family…then you have been successful. Doing what you love is the easy part, always doing the right thing, no matter the cost or sacrifice, to make sure the client is happy is the wonderful “lemonade”! Its the perfect blend of creative vision, imperfections of today’s crazy world, artisan details, and beauty that truly brings a HOME to life…the success is seeing your hard work being enjoyed through the years by that family, My passion for design, being good to others, and enjoying our family life defines my success.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As a young girl, I used to watch my grandmother meticulously set her dining table for her ladies Garden Party and several tables for her bridge group. I always admired how her home was so comfortable , however, every piece had its place down to her Bible. Of course, being a true southern lady, she always wore beautiful dresses, cooked every night..dinner at 5:30…6:00 was late and you do not show up late for anything! My grandparents living room was beautiful with perfectly patterned window draperies and a luxurious white silk sofa and large shelter wing chairs covered in an embroidered floral print that seemed to be from France…I still have them today! I had seen many of her friends homes and loved to imagine what I would change about those rooms but her home was so luxurious and comfortable….there is nothing I would change and I would think “how did she do it”? I think my love for all things luxe and timeless started with her home! Everything having a place and each night, everything was put back into its place even after we had a fun family day! She always told me growing up there was no excuse for not being clean and to always save for the piece you really wanted even if it took longer. Beautiful, well designed clothing, furniture, etc. are never cheap and quality was always worth the price. From this love of everything art and interiors blossomed a young girl going off to college to conquer the world of art and design. Then, one day I read about another designer in Southern Living Magazine that started her design business and showed her studio full of incredible fabrics and a basket of samples…I was hooked and I told her grandmother that afternoon that I am going to design beautiful homes! After I graduated from college, I worked as a lead designer with Ethan Allen Home and the rest as they say is history! After owning my own firm, I met the only man who had a passion for design and details as much as I did and he is now my incredible husband. We started Porche Home together and this passion for all things Home is what makes our company and our people so special.

Porche Home Atlanta is a full service turn-key firm owned by husband and wife duo Cynthia & Kevin Porche. Cynthia is an Atlanta interior designer and Kevin, a well known custom home builder and together they bring over fifty years of extensive experience to each project. The Alpharetta based design studio provides each client a complete and comprehensive design service from start to finish! Kevin and Cynthia collaborate together on each project from the ground up, literally. Their team consists of architects, wood artisans, cabinetry designers, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, painters, drapery workrooms, furniture, lighting, artwork, upholstery specialists…everyone and everything needed to complete your HOME! They handle everything from the architect meetings and drawings, to the scheduling of all contractors/fabricators, the materials, design, windows, furnishings, lighting plan, painters, down to the driveway installation.
What sets Porche Home Atlanta apart from others is their passion for what they do! This award winning team has combined their love for each other with their passion of creating beautiful, creative and intentional, design that is never duplicated to every project. Today, Cynthia and Kevin lead a team that builds luxury while it also builds community, with a belief in timelessness, craftsmanship, family and growing dreams, they always bring you back to the love that you have for HOME.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is so much fun and there is so much to do in and around the city! When we have friends in town who want to explore all the this city has to offer I always suggest flying Delta, then staying at the St, Regis, nestled in the heart of Buckhead offers a metro luxury experience. From the St, Regis you could navigate anywhere easily via Uber etc. While at the St. Regis be sure to visit their incredible spa and the St Regis bar because you never know what celebrity may step in for drinks. The bar to “see and be seen”.
Atlanta has a lot to offer for a week-long trip! Here’s a mix of places to eat, drink, visit, and hang out that capture some of the city’s best vibes:

Restaurants:
1. Staplehouse- For an exceptional dining experience supporting a good cause.
2. Busy Bee Cafe- Classic Southern comfort food.
3. Krog Street Market- A food hall with diverse options ranging from barbecue to sushi.
4. Chops Lobster Bar-Incredible seafood and steaks.
5. Anis-Intimate French Cuisine (if you know you know)
6. The Optimist-Just great food
7. Bacchanalia-Dining on another level of elevation

Bars and Nightlife:
1. The Clermont Lounge- Famous for its dive bar atmosphere and eclectic entertainment.
2. The Painted Pin- A boutique bowling alley with great drinks and food.
3. Little Trouble- A stylish spot for cocktails in West Midtown.
4. The Gardren Room-Its a secret garden with the most delightful cocktails and everything is “special”

Places to Visit:
1. Ponce City Market- Shop, dine, and enjoy rooftop views of the city.
2. Georgia Aquarium- One of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world.
3. Atlanta BeltLine- Walk, bike, or scooter along this urban trail and explore the various neighborhoods it connects.

Cultural and Historic Sites:
1. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park- A significant site honoring Dr. King’s legacy.
2. High Museum of Art- Featuring diverse collections from classic to contemporary art.
3. The Fox Theatre – Catch a show or take a tour of this historic theater.

Outdoor Activities:
1. Piedmont Park- Atlanta’s central park with trails, sports facilities, and beautiful skyline views.
2. Atlanta Botanical Garden- Explore lush gardens and unique exhibitions.
3. Stone Mountain Park- A bit outside the city, but worth it for outdoor activities like hiking and taking in the views.

Local Hangouts and Events:
1. Little Five Points-Quirky shops, street art, and a bohemian vibe.

2.Truist Park-If you can, come to see our Atlanta Braves and there is a lot to do here at any time.

3. Music and Festivals- Check local listings for live music, festivals, or events happening during your stay.

Atlanta is a city that blends history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods. There’s always something new to discover, so be sure to explore beyond this list and immerse yourself in the city’s dynamic atmosphere!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This Shoutout has to be dedicated a very pivotal player in our business, Tracie Bresnahan, owner and creator of Custom Creations. Tracie has been the fabricator of all of our crazy endless details and the key to bringing most of our softgood visions to life. Custom Creations is a drapery workroom that works with many industry designers and we have been working together for over 18 years! Meticulous attention to all the details is the key for our success! She is amazing and understands exactly how important each detail is to me and knows what I expect for our clients. “The devil is definitely in the details”!

Website: Yourhome@porchehome.com

Instagram: @porchehome

Twitter: Porche home

Facebook: @porchehome

Other: TikTok Porche home

Image Credits
Image credits: Head shot-Jess Henderson photography Photographer-Patrick Heagney (kitchen cabinetry images and the study with orb light image ) Emily Followill Photography (rest of images)