Perfect Match

Liz Williams transforms a traditional Buckhead residence from blank slate to family gem for a pair of longtime friends.

Strinking the right balance between family-friendly and entertaining-ready is no simple task, but Atlanta interior designer Liz Williams isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. This much is evident in her work for Buckhead residents Katherine and Chip Reed.

“We met when both of our middle children were in the same preschool class,” the designer recalls. “That was 10 years ago now.” It wasn’t long before the Reeds requested that Williams adorn their new abode, designed by Atlanta architect Linda MacArthur, on the foundation of a razed ranch in the heart of Buckhead.

Built from the ground up, their dream home was intentionally free-flowing and full of light, necessitating a calm, cohesive approach to decorating that allows the rooms to blend beautifully into one another.

The residence, says Williams, has taken shape over more than a decade, a fact that speaks to the timelessness of her work. Beginning with the basics, the designer gradually made her way to bedrooms on the upper floors.

Downstairs, the kitchen, which opens up to both a casual den and formal dining room, captures her design acumen. The countertops, cabinetry and color were chosen by MacArthur and Jane Hollman of Studio Entourage during construction, but Williams intuitively parlayed the vintage green shade into coordinating fabrics, furnishings and fixtures–including an assemblage of creamware that adds a layer of interest a wall of built-in cabinetry. Truly the hub of the house–the young family completes homework from the island, enjoys meals from the breakfast nook and up with a book in the den–the casual room covers all of the bases.

In the family room, a large wall behind the sofa was brought to life by a series of framed botanicals in earthy tones, while the down-to-earth effect was enhanced by an ultra-durable ottoman the couple’s boys “practically live on.”  This hardworking room opens onto the pool, where Williams complemented the Ed Castro–designed landscape and hardscape with watery hues that harmonize with the home’s interior.

Replete with dressmaker details and a deft mix of old and new, Williams’s serene palette, developed through the years, serves as a consistent breath of fresh air. “This has been such a fun project,” says Williams. “After 10 years, we’re even better friends.” And if her strengthened friendships with the Reeds are any indication of a job well done, the designer couldn’t have a happier pair of clients.