Soul of 78: Bart Williams

Interior Decorator, Sides Furniture

Words by Nick Norris | Image by Ryan McGill

Bart Williams believes the look of a house can say a lot about its occupants, and there is a tangible distinctiveness to every home. Even if the exterior looks somewhat usual, the interiors are always unique. The personalities of the souls who live there are represented by the artwork on the walls, the books resting on the coffee table, and of course, the items hanging on the fridge. No home is alike, and each tells its own story.

Bart has built a career by helping individuals express themselves through the style of their homes. The long-time interior decorator grew up working in his parents’ furniture store and continues his passion today.

“I’ve been in furniture for about 39 years now,” Bart says. “I started working for my parents at Williams Furniture when I was 15 years old, and I really treasure that. A lot of people aren’t able to work with family and spend that additional time with loved ones, so I appreciate that aspect of growing up in a family business.”

After high school, Bart earned his interior design degree in 2002. He worked as a designer at Issis and Sons Furniture & Rug Gallery in Birmingham before taking a job with Sides Furniture and Bedding in Dora just four years ago.

Local family-owned shops always felt more comfortable to Bart, so the job change was a natural decision. As is common in small-town businesses, the professional decorator has made countless relationships along the way.

“One of the things I enjoy most about my job is meeting new people,” Bart explains. “I love the new and long-time shoppers who come in to see us. Some have been with me for years and have followed me from my parents’ old store. And the people here at Sides Furniture are very nice to work for as well. They care about their customers and have become like a second family to me.”

The community has always been the main reason Bart returned home. “I’ve worked at places where the people aren’t as kind as those in Walker County,” Bart says. “I appreciate that the people here are close and look out for one another.”

Over the years, Bart has met a lot of faces and helped each one creatively express themselves through their homes. And because of kind, considerate folks like Bart, each home can properly tell its own story. 78