Lance Bass's favorite Dr. Seuss book seems to have had serious implications for the life of this early-twenties Mississippian. While he has always loved music, he never dreamed that it would take where he is today, traveling the globe using musical talent to entertain millions as a member of the pop group 'N Sync.

    Lance, who grew up in Clinton, joined the group when he was only 16 years old, and for the past six years he has been recording albums, touring internationally, and making videos with the other four members of the groupóa very fast-paced and grown up lifestyle for someone so young. Lance says that he deals with his fame by reminding himself just how blessed he has been; he knows that opportunities like his only come around once in a lifetime. Keeping in touch with family and old friends also helps to keep things in perspective. There may be times when this popular star wishes he could go unnoticed, but he admits that the positives of being fame outweigh the negatives.

    Because of the hectic pace his life travels the majority of his days, Lance needed a place to call home that would provide him privacy and a relaxing atmosphere. After he located a house in the metro Jackson area, he says that he needed a designer who could do it all because his schedule does not permit him to actually do a lot of planning with a designer. Kathie Sorensen of Elite Interiors suited his needs perfectly. Her shop, currently located in Brandon but soon moving to Lakeland Drive in Flowood, provided an excellent source of unique accessories, which he says is one of his favorite things about the look that he achieved. Every time he came home for a visit during the decorating process she had added more fun new things.

    Lance's favorite room in the house, the sunroom, is open and airy and overlooks the pool area in the backyard. The view and comfortable atmosphere of the room are the things about it that Lance likes most. The room was an addition to the house, when she began the design process, Kathie says that she first decided on the warm, neutral color scheme and the tropical feel that she wanted the room to have. The bamboo blinds add to the tropical atmosphere and also provided inspiration for the island. The granite topped island is faux-finished with bamboo insets that match the blinds, tying the room together and also making it very unique. The barstools, made from Cairo alligator leather, also add to the uniqueness of the room. A large textured chenille sofa and a ratten and brown velvet chaise louge provide plush seating, and a sisal rug with a tapestry border covers the ceramic tiled floor. The casual comfort of the room makes it a peaceful haven for Lance to spend time reading and listening to music.
 

The view from the sunroom allows visitors to see the lush pool area, but what they can't see from the sunroom windows is that a cleverly tucked away sun porch provides a place for shade-dwellers to enjoy the outdoors comfortably. Situated directly beneath the sunroom, the porch area is a quiet outdoor space, enhanced by the sound of running water from water from a fountain positioned in front of it. Plenty of green and blooming plants and candlelight give the space a natural feel, while iron details like candle stands and planters and animal and plant themed accessories continue the tropical flair of the sunroom. The floor of the porch, by Ray Rountree, is Brix-crete, a mixed concrete that is hand-colored and laid like this.

 
 
 

Complete with cinema screen and film projector, the Hollywood-themed theater room provides hours of movie viewing, another of Lance's favorite activities to share with friends and family. Plush black leather sofas arranged in three tiers and large, soft silver pillows allow guests the most comfortable viewing experience. Adding to the atmosphere of the room, the lights are chrome torches that Lance saw in London. The fixtures consist of a piece of silk, blown by a fan from its interior, giving the appearance of a flickering flame. The deep crimson walls hold framed pieces of memorabilia from two of Lance's favorite Hollywood personalities, Lucille Ball and James Dean. Lance's mom, Diane Bass, says that Lance has loved Lucy since he was a child and watched the black and white reruns on television in the afternoons. One of the frames in the theater room holds Lucy collectibles given to Lance by Lucille Ball's dauighter.

    Another of Lance's favorite childhood personalities, Dr. Seuss, provided inspiration for the brightly colored gameroom upstairs. Lance's mom began reading Dr. Seuss books to him when he was very young, and now he has the complete set. The Dr. Seuss room was his idea, says Kathie, and so she began the designing of his home with this room. Primary colors dress the spacious area with a bright and happy feel, while characters from Dr. Seuss books dance along the walls, hand painted by Lance's brother-in-law Ford Lofton. Bookshelves hold Lance's collection of Dr. Seuss books and other memorabilia, and the whimsical, laid back atmosphere of the room provides plenty of space to display music awards and other collectibles that would not fit into any of the more formal areas of the house. With a pinball machine at one end, a soda-shop styled ice cream table and barstools at the other, and overstuffed couches in between, this room personifies youth and fun.

    By taking things that have been meaningful in his life and incorporating them into the design of the house, Kathie and Lance have created a home that is both unique and personal. Because Lance's busy life with 'N Sync causes him to live out a suitcase when he's not in Mississippi, he needed a relaxing atmosphere to call home. Mississippi will always be home to Lance, because, he says, his heart will always be with his family, who all reside here. As he has traveled the world on tour, he has encountered many different ideas about his home state; some people are even surprised to see him wearing shoes! His window of fame has provided Lance the opportunity to correct common misconceptions about Mississippi, and he says the best way he has found to share his roots is through the way he lives and the way he treats people he meets: "People have referred to me as a 'southern gentleman,' which I take as a compliment."

    When he does get the opportunity to come home to Mississippi, designer Kathie Sorensen has made sure that he can relax and enjoy his friends and family in a house designed to suit his personality and his need for privacy and restóa home away from the road.

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