Coley Home Spotlight: Elizabeth White Cook
Meet Elizabeth! Based in Atlanta, GA, she is an entrepreneur and content creator! She also has an incredible eye for home decor and finding gems in estate sales. Read on to learn all about Elizabeth and how she styled her Coley Home piece.
Tell us about yourself & how you got to where you are today!
Hi There, I am so happy to be here with you! Currently, I’m at home in my hometown with my two little ones, Louisa (5) and Hayes (3). A few years ago, while pregnant with Hayes, I sold my second business, the Atlanta-based public relations firm Domino Media Group. At the time, I was feeling depleted and craved a proper maternity break to focus on my growing family.
After some time off, I realized I’m my best self when I have a creative outlet. When Hayes was about six months old, I stepped back into work—but in a much smaller, more intentional capacity—as I continue to navigate what feels right in this season of life.
My background blends publishing, lifestyle public relations, and entrepreneurship. My first business, Elizabeth Heard, was a line of thoughtfully designed hair accessories that celebrated personal style. That venture led to my being named a Forbes 30 Under 30 finalist in 2017. The company was acquired later that year, which you can read about here.
In 2016, I founded Domino Media Group, a nationally recognized public relations and brand strategy firm specializing in lifestyle brands. In 2021, I stepped away from Domino to explore new creative passions and spend more time at home with my family. Now, I’m in an exciting chapter of rediscovery, combining my love of storytelling, style, and thoughtful living in new ways. I’m so grateful to be here and share this journey with you!
What are your favorite areas to splurge when decorating a home, and favorite places to save?
When it comes to decorating a home, I’m all about mixing splurges with smart saves to create a space that feels elevated yet approachable. My go-to splurges are definitely beautiful fabrics, custom upholstery work, and high-quality contractor help. I tend to save in just about every other category and really relish scouring estate sales, thrift stores, online auctions, and sample sales.
How would you describe your style and aesthetic?
My home is a collected, layered, and continual work in progress. My style leans more traditional, but I have a deep appreciation for storied objects with history and personality, which is probably why pieces with a second, third, or even fourth life always call to me.
You recently selected the Eleanor Bench in Emmy, Seafoam for your son's room - Walk us through the design process!
My son's room is primarily red, blue, and green. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball Cook's Blue, and the sheets are green gingham, complemented by pillows from Pepper Home and Sister Parish. The bed is an antique mahogany piece I found on Facebook Marketplace. I loved how the Seafoam colorway of the Eleanor Bench matched the sheet color and brought in more green to the space. The bench has such pretty bones, and we've all been enjoying it!
Get the look
in Emmy, Seafoam with Belgian Linen, Dark Blue Trim
You find such great pieces from auctions and thrift stores…what are some tips you can give us on how to navigate them (particularly the online auctions)?
I love physical estate sales because you can snag everything from hardware to helpful objects like cleaning supplies or even a Dyson vacuum. Sometimes you can find better deals in person than online, plus you avoid those extra fees!
Online sales via LiveAuctioneers curate items from all physical auctions around the country, so you can shop from the comfort of your home. To make things easier, here are some tips for finding great deals in online auctions:
Download the LiveAuctioneers app and create an account on the website. It’s my preferred platform, though others like Invaluable and BidSquare are also good options.
Use the “Find Auctions” dropdown to find sales near you. Knowing about local auctions is great for previewing items and avoiding shipping costs.
Search by specific terms—play around with keywords for designers, furniture styles, materials, or colors. For example, search for "Bunny Williams" to find everything related to her designs.
Set up alerts for items you love. Save searches for specific items or designers and get notified when they go on sale. I have over 100 saved searches for things like Brunschwig & Fils, Madeline Weinrib, and Philip Moulthrop.
Do your price research. Check past sales of similar items to ensure you're bidding wisely. LiveAuctioneers makes it easy to research previous prices.
Educate yourself on designers and furniture styles. The more you know, the better you can recognize deals and high-quality items. Follow your favorite tastemakers on social media and check out design magazines and coffee table books.
Know the market. If you're into china, silver, or crystal, you can often find beautiful pieces for a fraction of their original cost. Mahogany furniture is another area where prices can be lower due to changing tastes.
Measure before you buy. Always double-check the dimensions in the descriptions, and if they're missing, reach out to the auction house for more details.
Be mindful of shipping and labor costs. Contact shippers ahead of time to get quotes for the pieces you're interested in. This helps you gauge the total cost of an item, including delivery.
Research the home or estate. Auctions often provide details about the home where the items came from. This can help you understand the taste and quality of the pieces.
Watch out for fees. Understand the buyer's premium (usually 25-30%), shipping costs, and any potential repair costs. Always calculate the total price before bidding.
Look for deals in less popular times. Auctions held at odd times or with less buzz can offer great deals as fewer people are watching.
Consider items without photos. Even if an item doesn't have pictures, the description can often provide enough details for you to Google it. If you're unsure, contact the auction house for more photos.
Finally, remember that when you bid, you're committing to purchase the item if you win! Happy hunting, and remember to be patient—sometimes the best deals take time to come around.
What is your most requested item from your followers?
I've really been leaning into the content world lately and have loved connecting with the community of design enthusiasts I've met online. The most common question I get asked is about our paint colors and the wipeable laminate on our kitchen chairs.
Do you have a favorite recipe now that it's finally winter?
I'm not much of a cook, but I look to Ina Garten for just about all my recipes. Her dishes are always comforting and delicious,
Do you have a favorite book or TV show at the moment?
I recently devoured Nobody Wants This on Netflix and absolutely loved it. As for books, I just finished Jamie Lin’s Worthy about the value of self-belief. She is the founder of IT cosmetics and loved hearing about how she got the beauty brand off the ground!
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