For Hanson, part of the appeal of this space was its natural light. “The four grand Palladian-style windows, the patio door and skylights brighten everything,” she says. A white-upholstered sofa and pair of matching chairs team with a Maison Jansen campaign daybed to firmly establish the designer’s preferred neutral scheme. Sofa and chairs, B&B Italia from Domus. Vintage kilim rug, Sullivan Fine Rugs.
In the living room of Elizabeth Hanson’s loft, an iron-and-glass apothecary cabinet on wheels from Crate & Barrel houses a collection of geodes from her great-grandfather, a geologist. The white Jonathan Adler pottery and gray vase are from Belvedere.
In keeping with Hanson’s philosophy of relating details to one another, natural maple cabinetry is carried from the kitchen on into the nearby bedroom and bath. Even the stainless steel of the countertops extends to the loft bedroom above. Industrial cage light, Pollen. Wire wine rack, The Nicholson Gallery. Goat sketches in shadow box, Helen Durant.
A classic mid-century Saarinen dining table and four metal armchairs from Foxglove Antiques are set atop a newly constructed kilim rug, its hints of slate blue softening the stainless steel and highlighting the colors in the large-scale photograph of a cityscape by Philip Grossman. Dining table, Knoll Studio. Area rug, Sullivan Fine Rugs.
The inspiration for the master bedroom’s color scheme came from a vintage Kars rug dating back to the 1930s or ’40s. “I love the feminine pattern as well as the stronger, cream-and-black palette, which is very rare in an old rug,” says the designer. Rug, Sullivan Fine Rugs. Bedside tables, Belvedere.
Stunning area rugs can be found throughout Hanson’s home, and the bathroom—with its vintage Karabagh rug—is no exception.
The bathroom is wrapped in white Italian Thassos marble, with maple cabinetry and a Waterworks sink. A “Lugarno” rectangular pivot mirror from Restoration Hardware reflects light back into the space.
In the hallway, a quietly neutral chair and Italian molded-plastic side table allow the focus to remain on the area rug and the similarly colored wall art.
The loft above Hanson’s kitchen was originally her art studio but has since evolved into a sleeping space.
Schultz, a Great Pyrenees, rests under a painting by Michael Dines.
Elizabeth Hanson bought a Buckhead loft and designed the interior from the ground up, little did she know she was prepping for what would be a newfound career.
“I stumbled across the construction site while driving around one Saturday,” she recalls. “I walked into the construction trailer to see what was going on and if there was a top-floor unit for sale; I had spent enough time living below people in apartments. Luckily, there was a top-floor corner unit, and that was that! After one quick look at the floor plan and finishes, though, I decided to purchase the unit completely empty—no sheetrock, no ductwork, no flooring, no plumbing, no appliances, nothing—and just finish the place out myself. It only took about four months but they were the most hectic four months I’ve ever lived!”
Understandably. That’s a tall order for even a seasoned design professional. But Hanson reveals something that makes her undertaking of the build-out more extraordinary still: It was done before she attended design school or joined the staff of Westbrook Interiors. “I think I had probably lost my mind!” she laughs.
After graduating from Emory with degrees in psychology and sociology, Hanson started to pursue an advanced degree in psychology—but admittedly “hated it.” What was supposed to be a short break from the books turned into five years arranging flowers at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, after which she decided to channel her creativity in another way: By pursuing her lifetime love of interior design.
It was while Hanson was studying at the Art Institute of Atlanta that she was hired as an intern at Westbrook Interiors. And the day after her portfolio show, she signed on full-time. Fast-forward 10 years and Hanson has worked on many an impressive project, but perhaps none more rewarding than her own loft—which continues to evolve.
“I love living in a white, neutral space,” Hanson explains. “I wanted to achieve a quiet, clean, unified space that is satisfying to come home to after a day filled with abundant design details, one that’s unpretentious and relaxing, both visually and physically. The challenge of open-plan living is to achieve an aesthetically integrated environment. I wanted not so much to divide the spaces but, instead, outline them so [the plan’s] not confusing. Here, the surfaces are natural and restrained; it’s a simple color palette that unifies everything.”
INTERIOR DESIGN Westbrook Interiors. 2991 Hardman Court, Atlanta 30305. (404) 355-9430; westbrookinteriors.com