By Mary-Kathryn Herrington

Herrington Jones Interiors

Photos by Bruce Newman>

When Mike and Missy Morrison built their home at the top of Cullen Road, their family was the number one priority. With three adult children and five grandchildren, a livable home that could host and entertain their family was their goal.

The Morrisons worked with Conway Design Group to draw the plans for their British Arts and Crafts–style home, but Missy was deeply involved in the process—sketching much of the floor plan and decorating the home herself. They hired builders Montgomery and Martin to handle the construction.

Although the home is newer, many elements bring an old-world charm, and each room has details that add warmth and coziness. Warm wood beams run the length of the ceiling in the living room, and the fireplace is surrounded by a limestone mantle. Beautiful and updated upholstered furniture is balanced with many antique and warm wood accents, including the matching cabinets that flank the fireplace. Antique doors, which Missy sourced from Palladio Antiques in Memphis, separate the den and kitchen, as well as another set that creates a thoughtful transition between the anteroom and primary bedroom.

Their warm white kitchen feels timeless and is filled with light from the large window over the sink. The spacious island, with five barstools tucked underneath, provides seating for their family during the many birthdays, holidays, and game weekends they spend in Oxford.

The light and airy dining room is also a great spot for gathering. The antique farm table is surrounded by fun gold chairs and two beautiful host chairs. Just like the rest of the home, the walls are full of their art collection.

The bunk room, featuring built-in custom bunks and a hidden toy closet beneath the stairs, makes this house the perfect spot for visiting grandchildren. Missy has a crib sheet embroidered with each of the grandchildren’s names and said she’s hanging on to it in hopes of adding more names!

One of Missy’s favorite spaces in the house is the sitting room at the front. Four comfortable club chairs sit in front of a small fireplace with an antique wood mantle, giving the space an inviting feel—perfect for conversation or curling up with a good book. The vaulted ceiling, finished with painted wood planks, makes the space feel special and custom.

Years of art collecting also give character and personality to the home. The Morrisons have collected art from Diana Barnes, Sarah Frances Hardy, Jose Lima, Cheryl Presley Becker, and Chick Heutell, as well as Missy’s favorite artist, Gwen Doppler. As you move throughout the home, it’s easy to see their love of art, as it is featured in nearly every room. In addition, a large gallery wall in the living room showcases many pieces.

A nod to the importance of their family, their children’s portraits—painted by Jim Sasse, Elizabeth Todd, and Mildred Wolfe—also hang in the home.

In 2024, Missy was asked to participate in the Holiday Home Tour, a fundraiser for the Oxford nonprofit Doors of Hope Transition Ministries. The organization’s mission includes guiding homeless and at-risk families in Lafayette County, Mississippi, toward self-reliance and stability through a holistic, individualized approach that includes life-skills training, mentoring, and supportive housing. Believing in the importance of home, Missy happily accepted and opened her doors for the Doors of Hope Holiday Home Tour, where community members are invited to visit local homes beautifully decorated for the season.

Inside, simple but elegant Christmas decorations added holiday charm to the Morrison home. From eclectic, colorful glass trees on the console table to her beautiful and traditional Christmas tree in the living room, the holiday spirit was sprinkled throughout. Pops of holiday fun in the form of pillows and festive decorations appeared in the bunk room, while elegant glass ornaments tied with blue velvet ribbon adorned the four-poster bed in the primary bedroom. In the sitting room, a unique tree fashioned out of books adorned the window table. The holiday magic continued outside, where the back porch was decked for the season with a fun, pale pink Christmas tree adorned with colorful ornaments.

Whether during the holiday season or on a ballgame weekend, the Morrison home feels thoughtful, comfortable, and the perfect place for gathering.

The 2025 Doors of Hope Holiday Home Tour will take place on Saturday, December 6, featuring seven Oxford homes.