Local Color

In a creative enclave along a tony stretch of Peachtree Road, one design firm’s studio mixes the best of tradition with an invigorating, contemporary palette.

History has a funny way of repeating itself—oftentimes when we least expect it. That was the case four years ago when designers Will Huff and Heather Dewberry, of Huff-Dewberry, Inc., were searching for studio space. When they learned of a vacancy in a charming Peachtree Road enclave, they leaped at the chance to rent it. But it wasn’t solely the space’s high ceilings and abundant natural light that enticed them to sign on the dotted line. The office had once housed the studio of Dan Carithers, the revered designer for whom both Huff and Dewberry had previously worked. For Dewberry, moving into their old office “felt like coming home.”

Decorating their studio became an experiment in color as well as “an opportunity to show clients something bolder,” says Huff. Inspired by Albert Hadley’s use of aqua in his Manhattan apartment, the designers selected Benjamin Moore’s Antiguan Sky for the reception area and hallway, a color that Huff believes “acts as a backdrop like the sky.” For their respective offices, Dewberry chose lavender—a color with which she had never before worked—while Huff went with one of his favorite grassy shades of green. They did not, however, abandon neutrals. Beige wallpaper was selected for the conference room, proof that the creative duo is comfortable working in a range of colors and styles.

Comfort is also important to these designers, which is why the office feels more like a chic Upper East Side apartment rather than a typical workaday space. Antiques and vintage furniture, contemporary art and thoughtfully chosen accessories are mixed in with the designers’ favorite upholstered pieces, while drawings, fabric samples and trims are cleverly stored out of sight in cabinets, drawers and baskets. But it’s not all work and no play at Huff-Dewberry. Inveterate entertainers, the designers are known for hosting lively parties in their office, including seated dinners, cocktail parties and the occasional baby shower.

With their flourishing design business, Huff and Dewberry have come a long way since their early days in this space. Who says you can’t go home again?

INTERIOR DESIGN Will Huff and Heather Dewberry, Huff-Dewberry, Inc. 2300 Peachtree Rd. NW, Suite B-201, Atlanta 30309. (404) 355-7600; huffdewberry.com