Artful Elegance

A second home provides the genesis and inspiration for an Atlanta-based art collection.

Perched above the trees in one of Atlanta’s premier high-rise condominiums is a residence designed with a combination of bold gestures and understated luxury. When a busy New York executive and his wife decided to invest in a second home in Atlanta, they contacted Peace Design to create an environment sophisticated enough for entertaining business guests yet welcoming for the entire family.
“The original dictate was to design a residence around an art collection, but one that remained warm and approachable,” says designer William Peace. Windows with sweeping vistas provide frames for the sculpture collection, while the interior walls create gallery-like spaces for paintings and photography. Luxurious materials such as bronze, marble, leather, wood, silk and mohair—hallmarks of a Peace Design project—are layered throughout the home.
While the furnishings are a mix of vintage and modern pieces, the art is contemporary and was purchased from Atlanta galleries. “It was important to the clients that they make an investment in Atlanta and support the artists and galleries here,” says Peace. Todd Murphy, Jennifer J L Jones, Allison Stewart and Berenice Abbott are just a few of the artists included in the extensive collection.
The home’s overall design aesthetic is one of subtle panache. Vintage club chairs reupholstered in orange mohair flank an onyx table and create drama in the otherwise cozy den. A Ralph Pucci lamp anchors the living room, where a turned bowl by Ed Moulthrop and a large horse sculpture by Russell Whiting blend with other sculptural elements for a seamless urbanity. “On balance, the project exudes a modern elegance,” says Peace.
There are multiple outdoor living spaces, one of which boasts a fireplace, that are furnished for year-round entertaining. Outdoor furniture from Christian Liaigre and Kolo Collection match the contemporary, understated aesthetic of the indoor furnishings. By using the same color palette throughout, Peace Design ensured that the spaces would flow into the unobstructed views spanning from Kennesaw Mountain to Stone Mountain to Buckhead.
Knowing his clients intended to expand their art collection, Peace established clean, modern spaces that command attention and maintain depth. “The home is interesting and substantive, and it’s going to continue to evolve as they add to the collection,” says Peace.