The Story Behind Angel Oak
The story of Angel Oak Design and Home is a lot like its namesake, the Angel Oak tree—full of twists and turns. This beautiful live oak tree on John’s Island near Charleston, South Carolina is between 400 and 500 years old. It has survived several hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. It was damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 but has recovered and continues to grow. It is 17,000 square feet and is simply breathtaking.
The beautiful Angel Oak tree in John’s Island, SC.
As a young adult, I realized that God had gifted me with an eye for design. Many of my friends would ask me to help them decorate their homes because I was able to see the potential in a space and could bring it to life—making a house a home. I wanted to go to school for design, but life events moved me away from that dream.
I married at 18 and I supported my husband as he went to college. When it was my turn, it was never the right time. We had two young boys and I focused on raising them.
I returned to work in 2001 and worked in sales for Habersham furniture. I loved it. Designers would pull me into their client meetings and ask me for my recommendations on different pieces and the right finishes—it confirmed that I had an eye for design. I was in my element.
In January 2004, my world turned upside down when my marriage of 27 years ended. Navigating the new chapter was challenging but God provided in beautiful ways.
In 2005, I was blessed to meet Chris Goethe and we married the same year. Chris saw my passion for design, connecting with people, and making a house a home. He encouraged me to pursue my license as a Kitchen and Bath designer. In 2008, I sat for the exam and I passed. It was finally time to start my own design business.
My first project was such a great success that I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. In fact, my first client is still a client - a blessing that is not lost on me. Despite the detours and storms of life, I have been restored to this design path and I continue to grow as a designer daily.
When it was time to name the business, the beautiful and resilient Angel Oak was a perfect representation of my path to this point in my life. Angel Oak Design reflects the strength, beauty, and perseverance reflected in that iconic tree. It is our desire to create a legacy through our designs and our commitment to the community that will last for generations to come.
In 2015, Chris and I moved to my hometown—Toccoa, Georgia. We love this small town and are invested in seeing it grow and thrive. Not long after our move, I told Chris, “I can’t keep going to Atlanta for design resources. This area needs a design showroom.” Chris suggested we open one and Angel Oak Home was born on Sage Street in Historic Downtown Toccoa. We moved to our current Doyle Street location in 2020. In 2021, we hired Bree Tuttle to our team—an interior designer with 20 years of design experience handling high end projects in Atlanta, New York, and now here in Toccoa. By adding Bree we are now able to increase our services and offerings to clients and the surrounding communities.
Reviewing a client’s finishes with Bree.
Together, Angel Oak Design and Home offer a full suite of interior design services. Our expertise and product selection allow you and our clients in Toccoa and across the United States a one-stop shop for all of your home design and renovation needs.
The Angel Oak Design and Angel Oak Home Team in September 2021.