Design Supremacy
At the 2015 Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Home for the Holidays Showhouse, the region’s top interior designers put their stylish stamp on a sprawling European manor-style home designed by William H. Harrison and Frank Heery of Harrison Design. The resulting marriage of classical design principals with cutting-edge interior selections is nothing short of a visual feast.
Chinoiserie Chic // John Oetgen, Oetgen Design Inc.
Inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s China: Through the Looking Glass exhibition, John Oetgen imbued the dining room with a spectacular sense of occasion thanks to convivial colors, conversation-worthy art and an unforgettable table setting that includes a collection of rose medallion porcelain and one-of-a-kind sterling silver settings and serving pieces. De Gournay’s silverleaf wallcovering sets a bedazzling tone; that sheen comes to life with a pair of watercolors created by Oetgen in addition to a set of English chairs upholstered in a rosy chenille. That subtle glamour is matched by Oetgen’s reverence for Orientalism; at one end of the room, a Chinoiserie screen presides over a group of sculptures no doubt as diverse as the guests who will enjoy sitting at this immaculately set table.
De Gournay Wallcovering and Jan Showers mirror Ainsworth-Noah Chandelier and fluted columns Foxglove Antiques Rug Stark Dining table, Steel-and-glass table, 20th-century bench, fire screen, silk velvet tiger pillows Parc Monceau sterling silver Beverly Bremer ROSE MEDALLION PORCELAIN Jane Marsden Antiques & Parc Monceau Linens Julia B. through Jenny Johnson Allen
Graceful Gathering // Barbara Westbrook, Westbrook Interiors
An expansive curved wall—an architectural hallmark of this freshly constructed home—created unique proportions in this salon, but that did not deter interior designer Barbara Westbrook from envisioning the room as a comfortably elegant gathering space for a young family and their guests. Westbrook was careful to keep a light palette in a room so rich in texture and tone, opting to fill the light-filled room with luscious textures, from silks to tactile wools. Interest abounds at every turn, from flokati throw pillows and a table with a tortoise-shell top to a pair of oversize paintings from Pryor Fine Art. Throughout the space, pretty pales are punctuated by pieces with dazzling sheens, for an effect that’s at once calming and exuberant.
BRASS CHANDELIER, OCHRE SCONCES, SIDE TABLE AND ANTIQUED MIRRORED COFFEE TABLE R. Hughes SOFA R. Hughes; upholstered in Holland & Sherry Fauteuil CHAIR, TORTOISE SIDE TABLE AND CENTER TABLE Robuck and Co. PORTA ROMANA TABLE LAMP, ONYX BOWL, BRONZE STOOL, FLOOR LAMPS AND CANDLESTICKS Jerry Pair FLOKATI THROW PILLOWS Nicholson Gallery CHAIR THROW PILLOWS Foxglove Antiques PAINTINGS Pryor Fine Art
Master of the Mix // Carole Weaks, C. Weaks Interiors
30-year design-industry veteran Carole Weaks imbued this airy, light-filled master suite with subtle romance and a nuanced mix of neutrals—from the embroidered Hodsoll McKenzie draperies and Osborne & Little wallpaper to the Stark carpet with a soft metallic sheen. A floor-to-ceiling canopy anchors the space, setting the stage for a bed bedecked in bespoke Julia B. linens. Despite its mix of both precious and new pieces (think a Swedish desk from a Paris buying trip and a silverleaf Paul Ferrante console), it’s a space that feels both quietly elegant and utterly livable, thanks in part to an inviting seating area next to Francois & Co.’s ornate, grey-polished Victoria stone mantle. After all, says Weaks, “If it’s going to be neutral, you have got to pay attention to the details.”
ALL Fabrics Hodsoll McKenzie through Ainsworth-Noah. Edward Ferrell Club Chairs, Osborne & Little wallpaper, David Iatesta bench, Paul Ferrante console and Michael Taylor chandelier Ainsworth-Noah; all bedding Julia B. Mirror above bed, bedside lamps, Brass benches, marble-top commodes, Directoire clock, pair of cranes, floor lamp, Venetian-style mirror, andirons AND Accessories Parc Monceau Rug Stark ALL ARTWORK Tew Galleries
Dark and Handsome // Joel Kelly, Joel Kelly Design
This richly layered study by architectural and interior designer Joel Kelly and associate Jonathan Alexander is an evocative ode to both personal history and that time of year when relaxing fireside with a glass of Scotch is the ultimate luxury. A departure from the pared-back aesthetic his firm is known for, Kelly and Alexander fashioned a masterful counterpoint to the adjacent light-and-airy master bedroom thanks to deep, dark jewel tones like garnet, moss and walnut. “There’s this sense of being enveloped by the color,” says Kelly of the paneled space in which a dyed hide rug resembling leaves on the ground creates a movement that’s echoed by luscious texture at every turn. Treasures from Kelly’s own collection, such as Brutalist lamps and a Russell Whiting sculpture, round out the tailored but cozy space.
FABRICS Jim Thompson DRAPERY TRIM Samuel & Sons through Ainsworth-Noah SOFA Ernest Gaspard FORMATIONS CONSOLE TABLE AND IRONIES CHANDELIER Jerry Pair KYLE BUNTING RUG, JEAN DE MERRY WING CHAIR, Jonathan Browning DRINK TABLE AND TUELL AND REYNOLDS SIDE TABLE R. Hughes EBONISED SIDE CHAIRS Lee Stanton Antiques CLUB CHAIR AND SCONCE Holly Hunt through Jim Thompson ANDIRONS Parc Monceau ART Tew Galleries COCKTAIL TABLE Designed by Joel Kelly; fabricated by Skylar Morgan; stone by Marmi Natural Stone
Subtle Glamour // Robert Brown, Robert Brown Interior Design
A pair of kitchen islands, one for prep work, and the other for dining, informed Robert Brown’s decision to envision this spacious breakfast niche as more of an evening entertaining space—one in which a couple could relax with a glass of wine and enjoy conversation among friends. Floor-to-ceiling Classic Cloth draperies pay homage to the adjacent kitchen’s moodier hues, while a duo of seating arrangements in a more solemn palette are brought to life thanks to an oversized painting from Pryor Fine Art. “The house is traditional, but the kitchen is not,” says Brown, who expertly mixed midcentury tables and woven outdoor chairs with upholstered pieces from his own furniture collection for a look that’s as comfortably chic as it is well-edited and statement-making.
TABLES, UPHOLSTERED CHAIRS, ACRYLIC TABLE, FLOOR LAMPS, CANDLESTICKS, PILLOWS AND BAR LAMP Townhouse by Robert Brown BANQUETTES Ainsworth-Noah WOVEN CHAIRS McGuire through Baker DRAPERY FABRIC Classic Cloth by Dessin Fournir through Ainsworth-Noah RUG Keivan Woven Arts Copper Countertop Francois & Co. CABINETRY Kingdom Woodworks HARDWARE Emtek through Holland Interiors
Modern Drama // Beni Borza, Kingdom Woodworks; Karen Ferguson, Harrison Design; Robert Brown, Robert Brown Interior Design
Kingdom Woodworks designer Beni Borza eshewed the all-white kitchen (and the traditional ornamentation you might expect for this sprawling European manor) in favor of a showstopping, ink-hued design that’s as glamorous as it is unexpected. Inspired by the wall of metal-and-glass doors specified by Harrison Design, Borza designed a layered hood in which a wood-and-black-glass frame encases a second, slatted layer of zinc-plated metal in a distressed finish. The antique-mirrored backsplash creates depth against honed black granite counters on the perimeter, while a pair of cream islands with brass accents serve as a chic counterbalance. Each quartzite-topped island serves its own function; one for prep and one for dining.
Cabinetry, Hood & kitchen Design Kingdom Woodworks Countertop Fabrication Atlanta Kitchen Interior storage & LED lighting Kingdom Woodworks and Rev-a-Shelf Countertops Levantina HARDWARE Emtek through Holland Interiors Faucetry Waterstone by European Kitchens & Bath Appliances Sub-Zero/Wolf Metal windows and Doors Kevin Grisso Antique Mirror Backsplash Atlanta Glass Concepts Lighting Circa Lighting RUNNER Keivan Woven Arts GOLD AND MARBLE VASES, ETCHING AND EASEL Townhouse by Robert Brown
Crown Jewel // Lindsey Coral Harper, LCH Interiors
Influenced by Billy Baldwin, this Georgia native turned New York interior designer transformed the lofty family room into an intimate space thanks floor-to-ceiling color, touches of animal print and deep jewel tones. Harper sought to employ the “gorgeous greens” found just outside the windows of this room, which overlooks the pool, but the scheme quickly evolved into teal, which, she admits, is more in tune with her style. Adding interest to every crevice, Harper accented the blue-green grasscloth that covers the walls with moldings hand-painted by artist Jay Lohmann in a faux-tortoise trim. Bunny Williams Home’s Tray Chic ottoman anchors a seating arrangement made cozy by the addition of a pair of woven seagrass chairs, plaid armchairs and a plush Celerie Kemble for Henredon sofa.
Tray Chic Ottoman Bunny Williams Home Sisal Rug Stark Draperies Lee Jofa Plaid Chairs Hickory Chair; upholstered in Cowtan and Tout Antler Candelabra and Octagonal mirrors David Duncan Antiques Ostrich artwork and handpainted trim Jay Lohmann Lamps Christopher Spitzmiller through Ainsworth-Noah Sofa and console Celerie Kemble for Henredon Seagrass chairs Mrs. Howard Horn side tables Bernhardt
Studio Suite // Barbara Marshall Howard for studio b
A fantastically draped bed creates a compelling anchor in this upstairs studio space. Employing a fresh textile release—studio B, a Jim Thompson collection designed by artist Ben Carter—designer Barbara Howard envisoned a loft-like space in which a young designer might live, work and entertain. A long sofa doubles as twin beds, ideal for overnight guests or cocktails among friends. Low, button-tufted chairs in a luscious velvet are a nod to Tony Duquette’s famous watermelon chairs from his 1950s Paris apartment; the sunburst chandelier overhead is also a Duquette design. While color, thanks in part to a 16-foot saturated painting, appears to reign supreme, Howard notes that the room is primarily a black-and-white envelope punctuated by well-edited bursts of color.
ALL Fabrics studio B through Jim Thompson Chandelier Remains Lighting through Jim Thompson button-tufted chairs upholstered in No. 9 fabric by Jim Thompson PAINTING Linda Hale
Delicate Balance // Tish Mills, Harmonious Living by Tish Mills LLC.
Using English-style architecture as the jumping point for her design, Tish Mills cultivated a soft and transitional guest suite that’s as eye-catching as it is serene. “The whole idea was to show how masculine and feminine balance within the space,” says Mills, who played with scale, color and material to create a sense of harmony. Saturated ombré Boeme draperies and bold oak furniture intermix with fresh, lighter hues in the textured rug and bedding, and Mills purposefully placed nightstands with strong scale next to the pale, washed bed frame. A seating area by the window provides an additional touch of femininity, as do a blush pink ceiling and a delicate chandelier. “It was fun to see men realize that they felt really comfortable in a room with so much pink,” notes the designer.
BED Robert James through Grizzel & Mann BEDDING Peacock Alley BEDSIDE CHESTS McAlpine Home through Holland & Company RUG Khotan through Moattar Ltd. PASTICHE BIRD PANELS Fred Cox through Tritter Feefer BEDSIDE Accessories Studio B5b DRAPERY Boeme through Martin Nash CLUB CHAIRS Baker; upholstered in Kravet ACCENT TABLE Robert Allen through Grizzel & Mann TABLE LAMP Circa Lighting INDONESIAN TRUNK, BEDSIDE LAMPS and TWO-DOOR CABINET Chip and Company
Design At Play // Melanie Millner, The Design Atelier
When scheming this children’s room, Melanie Millner took a playful approach, creating a fresh, fun retreat with an equally tailored powder room. Cheerful white bedding and an alpaca rug soften the space, as do tufted headboards covered in durable, worry-free Perennials fabrics. The true showstopper, of course, is the room’s suspended platform, designed with the help of furniture maker Kevin Scanlon. Floating above twin beds, the piece is an ideal spot for lounging with friends. “The loft was designed with teenagers in mind,” says Millner, who is the mother of three teens. “The loft provides a quiet place to read, watch movies and accommodate a larger group for sleepovers. Friends are a big part of growing up, and it’s nice to have special places where they feel welcome.”
FABRICS Perennials through Grizzel and Mann RUG Moattar, Ltd. FUR PILLOWS AND BEDDING Peacock Alley BEDSIDE TABLE, DESK AND DESK CHAIR Holland & Company LOFT Kevin Scanlon MIRROR McLain Weisand through Ainsworth-Noah BENCHES Holly Hunt through Jim Thompson LAMPS Circa Lighting GRASSCLOTH Phillip Jeffries at Jim Thompson MIRROR Ironies through Jerry Pair
Coming Up Roses // Chris Holt, Holt Interiors
In the entry foyer of this sprawling abode, natural light streams through a two-story window wall, so it was important for designer Chris Holt, who also operates Buckhead showroom Noah J., to set a welcoming first impression. Inspired by the “movement, ease and colors” of both Robert Jessup’s Slow Time Turn painting in the upstairs stair hall, as well as by Katie Leede & Co.’s Rush of Rose fabric holding court in the foyer on an iron-and-hide bench, Holt’s subsequent selections were driven by this feminine colorway. While rugs from Keivan Woven Arts ground each space, the designer maximized impact with statement vignettes that include raffia-wrapped acrylic consoles, oversize sculpture and upholstered chairs with sinous silhouettes that exemplify his tailored aesthetic.
RUGS Keivan Woven Arts VINTAGE WINDSOR CHEST AND QUINN ARMCHAIR Lillian August ANTIQUED MIRROR Made Goods MERRITT SOFA, CLAY MCLAURIN STUDIO PILLOWS, IRON-AND-HIDE BENCH, CREAM JUG LAMPS AND CUSTOM SHADES AND ACCESSORIES Holt Interiors Art Pryor Fine Art ACRYLIC CONSOLES Tritter Feefer; covered in Thibaut fabric BARREL BACK CHAIR Hickory White
Posh Pattern // Mallory Mathison Glenn, Mallory Mathison Inc.
Mallory Mathison’s preppy-chic room takes cues from the splashy motifs of Palm Beach, mixing bold pattern and color for an exuberant statement. Schumacher’s striking jade Zanzibar Trellis wallcovering anchors this scheme, and Mathison carried the vibrant fretwork pattern onto the elegant settee placed at the foot of the bed. “I wanted it to have the feel of a 1960s conservatory, but in a bedroom,” she says. “I filled the room with art, furniture, fabrics and accessories that I loved.” The designer continued this spirited theme in the adjacent hallway niches, accentuating the walls—outfitted in Schumacher’s Singeries wallpaper and Benjamin Moore’s azure Venezuelan Sea—with exuberant artwork, striking green lampshades and an antique marble-top console table.
PALOMA LANTERN Coleen & Company DRAPERY FABRIC, WALLPAPER, WICKER CHAIR CUSHION, ARMCHAIR, SETTEE FABRIC AND PILLOW FABRIC Schumacher BRASS DESK LAMP Travis & Company BEDSIDE LAMPS Currey and Company SHAMS, TOP SHEET AND COVERLET Julia B. through Susan Shepherd DUVET COVER D. Porthault HALLWAY LAMPS Circa Lighting MARBLE-TOP CONSOLE TABLE William Word Fine Antiques BED Baker Furniture DESK Bungalow 5
Lavish Layers // Karen Ferguson, Harrison Design
Vivid blues and burnished bronzes create an intimate feeling in the upstairs guest suite, where Karen Ferguson mixed saturated color and rich materials for a layered effect. The Phillip Jeffries wallcovering allows a dark bed frame, writing table and ottoman to take center stage. A mix of more contemporary accessories—such as an onyx vanity, sheep throw and abstract painting—balance the traditional backdrop. The mix of textures and shapes continues into the laundry and bath, where Ferguson incorporated softer elements such as a custom gray-stained mahogany vanity, heathered gray linens and a cream vanity stool. “By incorporating old and new furnishings and accessories, we created a room that is both fresh and comfortable,” Ferguson says.
VANITY Century HIDE STOOL McAlpine Home APPLIANCES Whirlpool through Guy Gunter Home HARDWARE Holland & Co. TILE Specialty Tile COUNTERTOP Cambria WRITING DESK McGuire through Baker DESK CHAIR Robuck BED Dessin Fournir through Ainsworth-Noah OTTOMAN Formations through Jerry Pair ALL RUGS Keivan Woven Arts ARTWORK ABOVE DESK Brian Coleman through Anne Irwin Fine Art
Suitably Tailored // James Wheeler, J. Wheeler Designs
Taking cues from the exterior stonework and leafy views, James Wheeler opted for furnishings and materials with a rugged appeal, selecting rich woods and menswear-inspired fabrics for this distinctly masculine space. To allow for entertaining throughout the seasons, rattan dining chairs were sprayed with a protective coating, and the pressure-coated steel dining table’s whitewashed wood top was sealed for additional durability. Blending indoors and out, Wheeler selected tailored upholstered pieces that would traditionally be displayed inside, such as an wool sofa by A. Rudin. “Our hope for this space is that it would serve as an extension of the living room be enjoyed in all seasons,” the designer says.
RATTAN WING CHAIRS AND SIDE CHAIRS Gabby Home CUSHIONS Wesley Ticking Stripe in Ebony by Schumacher; upholstery by Bjork PENDANT E.F. Chapman through Circa Lighting SOFA AND CHAIR A. Rudin through Paul + SOFA FABRIC Création Baumann through Paul + CHAIR FABRIC Moderne collection by Mokum through Paul + CONSOLE The Sterling Collection through Paul + DINING CHAIR Mattaliano through Paul + LARGE CHANDELIER Thomas O’Brien through Circa Lighting
Old-World Appeal // Kerry Howard, KMH Interiors
“The laundry room shouldn’t be treated as a separate space,” says designer Kerry Howard, who designed the compact mudroom and laundry with Scottish architecture in mind. “I wanted to embrace the room by making it connect with the design scheme of the rest of the house,” he says. To that end, Howard brought the exterior limestone’s texture and curb appeal inside with a reflective cork wallcovering by Thibaut that imparts a sense of warmth. From there, the designer outfitted the close quarters with deftly placed transitional accents—a lantern from Currey and Company and an earthy Robert Allen fabric—that balance old-world sophistication with modern appeal.
CABINETRY Kingdom Woodworks APPLIANCES Guy Gunter Home COUNTERTOP Cambria TILE Specialty Tile PLUMBING Waterstone by European Kitchen & Bath HARDWARE Holland & Co. LANTERN Currey and Co. WALLCOVERING Thibaut FABRICS Robert Allen
Soft & Serene // Heather Hogan Roberts, Ivy & Vine
Heather Roberts of Ivy & Vine tackled the challenge of a tightly designed side entry hall and ground-floor powder room by layering organic elements, lacquered accessories and an ethereal cream-and-blue palette to create a soft transition from the adjacent outdoor terrace. Roberts opted to continue the open-air theme in the powder room with Krane’s Banana Leaf wallpaper. “The wallpaper in the powder room is the hero,” says Roberts, who chose the paper for its Palm Beach–inspired pattern and sapphire hue. Vintage chinoiserie-style console lamps and a custom table skirt continue the color scheme, as do a set of abstract paintings and a gallery wall of silver leaf–framed intaglios, which complement the high ceilings without overpowering the room.
WALLPAPER Krane through Bradley HAND AND BATH TOWELS, GLASS TRAY, BLUE HERRINGBONE THROW AND ACCESSORIES Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings SIDE HALL LUCITE VELVET BENCH, PILLOWS, WALL BRACKETS AND CONSOLE LAMPS AND POWDER MIRROR Ivy & Vine ARTWORK Mary Elizabeth Ellenburg SISAL RUNNER Stark Carpet
Blossoming Romance // Steve McKenzie, Steve Mckenzie’s
When conceptualizing this old-world-meets-modern stair hall, Steve McKenzie turned to Grange’s Miss Butterfly chest of drawers—which boasts Louis XV lines and a contemporary Osborne & Little floral wallpaper—as his starting point. The designer continued the botanical theme by outfitting the windows in custom shades from his personal Garden Bouquet fabric collection. Meanwhile, a classical bust, one of McKenzie’s trademark style elements, imparts a storied history, while a custom-designed tufted club chair in gray velvet continues the inky color scheme and serves as a comfortable place to curl up with a book. “I wanted to create the modern version of a quiet reading nook: tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house, but within earshot,” says McKenzie.
CHEST OF DRAWERS Miss Butterfly by Grange RAINDROP CHANDELIER Tracy Glover Studio through Steve McKenzie’s RUG Laura Walker for Verde Home ROMAN SHADES Custom, Garden Bouquet Collection by Steve McKenzie BUST, CLUB CHAIR Steve McKenzie’s ABSTRACT PAINTINGS by Steve McKenzie CONSOLE LAMP Harmonious Living by Tish Mills FLOOR LAMP Currey and Company
Timeless Comfort // Judy Bentley, Interior Views, Inc
The elegantly appointed gallery, located on one end of the second-story hallway, exudes classic appeal thanks to Judy Bentley’s keen eye for enduring style. A handsome window, framed in an enveloping Ralph Lauren tartan, illuminates the room, while the walls—painted Benjamin Moore’s rich Fairmont Green—contribute to the cocooning effect. A pair of wingback chairs continue the color scheme, while classic furnishings such as a walnut table, Regency consoles and a 19th-century chinoiserie Parliament clock cultivate Bentley’s signature sense of timelessness. “This would be a great area to reflect on the moment with a cocktail or a good book in hand,” says the designer.
SIDE TABLE, CLOCK, CONSOLES, CHAIRS AND BOUILLOTTE LAMPS Parc Monceau RED GARDEN STOOLS International Art Properties WINDOW TREATMENTS AND CHAIR FABRIC Ralph Lauren SISAL RUG Stark Carpet ANTIQUE RUNNER Sullivan Fine RugeOTHER ACCESSORIES Interior Views Inc.
Easy Elegance // Jessica Bradley, Jessica Bradley Interiors
Though spacious, this formal powder room reads far from cavernous and cold. “I knew I had to have something grand on the walls to warm the space into feeling more intimate and inviting,” says designer Jessica Bradley. She found her solution in Lewis & Wood’s ornate wallpaper in “Bacchus,” which made its U.S. debut at the 2015 Home for the Holidays showhouse. The pattern, derived from Elizabethan wall painting, is complemented by an equally old-world Italian gilt mirror and an antique tufted chair. For artwork, she created a wall of charcoal vases on antique wood brackets, adding modern elements such as a lamb’s-wool ottoman and sleek sconces for balance and continuing this harmony into the adjoining hallway via gilded sculptures and a distressed chest.
WALLPAPER Bacchus in Malt by Lewis & Wood at Jerry Pair GILTWOOD MIRROR Robuck VELVET PILLOW B.D. Jeffries DRINK TABLE Huff Harrington PEWTER VASES International Art Properties
Natural Beauty // Beni Borza & Kingdom Woodworks, Karen Ferguson, Harrison Design, Carole Weaks, C. Weaks Interiors
The light-and-bright master bathroom is an ode to serenity. Illuminated by a pair of picture windows, the space feels downright ethereal thanks to details like Carrara marble floors, polished marble counters, nickel faucetry and sconces and cabinetry painted in a Benjamin Moore slate hue. Equal parts fashionable and functional, this is a bathroom in which “his and hers” are comfortable colliding, thanks to a large walk-in shower that deftly divides the pair of closets, commodes and vanities. Choosing to keep the space as clean as its design, Carole Weaks opted for minimal ornamentation in the form of monogrammed linens by Julia B. and a Roman shade in a subtle Hodsoll McKenzie fabric.
Cabinetry & Design Kingdom Woodworks Countertops Levantina; fabricated by Atlanta Kitchen tile Specialty Tile INTERIOR STORAGE Rev-a-Shelf and Kingdom Woodworks Plumbing Toto sconces Circa Lighting Roman Shade Hodsoll McKenzie at Ainsworth-Noah linens Julia B. Shower door Atlanta Glass Concepts