Art of the Edit

Handmade silver pieces from Germany rival a French painting and a sculpture by B.J. Coughlin. The English table from Turnage Place Estate Sales Co. is set with Baccarat crystal, Wallace Grand Baroque silver, Herend china and Sferra linens.

A pair of antique chairs upholstered in Scalamandré silk velvet pull rich tones from the Designer Carpets rug. Details such as Edgar- Reeves lampshades, a clay sculpture by Marci Turk and an African figure piece add a finishing layer.

Floor-to-ceiling draperies frame a Brunschwig & Fils fabric-clad sofa. A collected feel is achieved with artwork from France and a menagerie of antique furnishings.

Holding court in the light-filled foyer is a chest Jones has long loved for its interesting burled wood patina. The top is a perfect resting place for an antique lamp and everyday accoutrements such as fresh flowers or car keys.

A bird motif, seen on hand-painted pillows and skirted round table from Jerry Pair, lends color to the family room. An abstract work from Pryor Fine Art pops against a Lee Industries sofa and chairs recovered in oatmeal fabric to “play second fiddle to the artwork and, really, the people,” says Jones.

A cream scheme opens up the once dark wood paneled space. A geometric fire screen and iron-and-glass coffee table by Andrew Crawford add interest; a painting sourced in Paris and an African sculpture purchased at auction adorn the mantel.

In the grandchildren’s room, a blue-and-white Summerhill fabric sets a serene tone. Jones reupholstered dollhouse furniture to fit its new setting. A mirrored dressing table will grow with her granddaughter.

Playing matchmaker is a delicate art. For Suzé Surdyk Jones, decades of interior design experience proved paramount in marrying function and sophistication in her Buckhead home. After years of living on an estate complete with a guest house and pool, Jones and her husband were keen on the concept of convenience. The pair set their sights on an early 1960s ranch house (which also happens to boast a guest house), and enlisted architect Michael P. Landry to implement smart structural solutions while Jones began the task of judiciously editing the interiors.

“Just like when you’re dressing, simplicity has a great place in making a room feel elegant,” says Jones of her pared-down approach to decorating the cozy, one-story plan. The couple’s affinity for entertaining necessitated proper spaces for hosting a coterie of guests, including grandchildren. In the formal living room, a scene for celebrated occasions, her deft use of color plays up the airy ambience pouring in from generously-sized windows. “When you work off of a color palette you love, then as your lifestyle changes or you move, many of the pieces can easily be placed in different rooms,” advises Jones of collecting with longevity in mind.

Color is carried into the dining room where Benjamin Moore’s Buckingham Gardens strikes a verdant chord—becoming a backdrop for Jones’ collection of art, Herend porcelain and heirloom silver. Under the glow of a gilt chandelier, these pieces inspire convivial conversation—“If you’re sitting at dinner and you can’t think of anything to discuss, you can always talk about the art,” says Jones with a laugh. The prominently placed sculptures are travelers of sorts—set atop acrylic stands, they can be rotated seasonally to rooms that will host the most admirers. “Using only pieces that you love is about beauty, comfort and livability,” she explains.

Jones practices this in the family room, where she fashioned favorite vases brought back from Aix-en-Provence, France, into a pair of lamps. Despite cherished treasures delighting at every turn, nothing in the home is cosseted thanks to the livable layers Jones incorporated. In the grandchildren’s guest room, custom furniture is swathed in performance fabrics, while clever storage hides toys and stars painted on the ceiling add an ethereal touch.

This nimble blend of thoughtful comfort and refined aesthetic is woven throughout the entire home. Such is the mark of a skilled matchmaker—striking a perfect balance between opposites.

INTERIOR DESIGN Suzé Surdyk Jones, Suzé Surdyk Jones Interiors, (404) 841-7640; ssjinteriordesign.com architect Michael P. Landry, Michael P. Landry, LLC., (770) 425-1465; michaelplandry.com