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A 17th-century Italian walnut commode from Foxglove Antiques & Galleries demands attention in the foyer of a Buckhead home by Chris Holt of Holt Interiors. 

A shapely lantern from Visual Comfort enlivens the foyer while green velvet ottomans by Lee Industries anchor a patterned rug from Turkish Carpets, Inc.  

A painting by Kiki Slaughter floats above a custom sofa from Charles Stewart in the gracious family room.

Custom wingback chairs dressed in a Jerry Pair suede leather offer a cozy spot for conversation. 

Calacatta marble tops the eye-catching waterfall island, backsplash and range hood in the kitchen. For both form and function, floor-to-ceiling custom paneling conceals hard-working elements including appliances and a pantry.

In the dining room, a Haven Regency dining table from Chaddock and chairs from Highland House sit center stage. The floral artwork is by Paule Marrot through Natural Curiosities.

A settee from Jonathan Charles offers a resting spot for side conversations after dinner. Patterned pillows are covered in Namay Samay fabrics and the skirted chairs are from Lee Industries.

Two sofas from Highland House covered in a J. Samuel fabric mirror each other in the living room. The arm chairs are by Alfonso Marina and the patterned slipper chairs are covered in a Fermoie fabric.

The back hallway features a Cairo Console by Lillian August and water lily prints by Soicher Marin.

In a private corner of the home, the primary bedroom provides a restful environment for the homeowners to relax and unwind. 

A crane framed print through Ornis Gallery hovers above a Lucien Parchment Desk from RH.

The primary bedroom sets a delicate tone with an upholstered bed from Highland House and vine-like patterned pillows covered in Kerry Joyce Textiles fabric.

Once a guest room and then transformed into an office space, the library features an English sofa by Charles Stewart with a suave green velvet fabric by Pindler. A colorful painting by AK Hardeman anchors the bookcase.

Holt made sure the middle child’s bedroom was outfitted with as many seating areas as possible to accommodate friendly hangouts.

The playroom, located on the third level of the home, channels a coastal vibe through the various shades of blue in the space. The Chaddock game table is frequently used for family game nights.

The eldest boy’s room offers a comfortable locale for a teen to slip away. The upholstered bed is from Bernhardt and the large pendant is by Arteriors. 

The back of the home lends a laid-back environment for year-round gatherings with family and friends.

DESIGNER CHRIS HOLT had previously worked with his clients—a young couple with three energetic boys—on their Lake Keowee home in South Carolina, before they tapped him again to revamp their new primary residence in Buckhead. Having recently been renovated by architecture firm McAlpine, the home’s refresh provided Holt a clean, graceful backdrop to perfectly tailor each space to the active family’s needs. “[The couple] loved what I did with their lake house, so they really gave me free rein to get creative on this project,” says Holt. “It was a perfect and beautiful blank canvas.” 

Immediately upon entering, a sprawling staircase makes a grand statement in the foyer, where an oversize brass lantern suspends overhead illuminating a 17th-century Italian walnut commode. Pops of green on the ottomans and muted tones of blue and beige in the rug complement the foliage just steps from the front door. 

The color palette continues throughout the home, including in the family room, where a commissioned Kiki Slaughter painting anchors the space while neutral upholstery with punchy pillows enhance the furniture’s curvaceous silhouettes. Floor-to-ceiling windows and doors flood the room with natural light, dressing the space in a layer of sophistication and supporting Holt’s classic, yet fresh signature aesthetic. “I consider my style as light and clean with a nod to traditional,” says Holt.

And that holds true in the dining room, where a delicate seating arrangement invites the feel of al fresco dining indoors. Subtle blue floral hints were sprinkled throughout the space—like in the lush artwork by Paule Marrot or the patterned fabric on the settee’s pillows—while a circular dining table allows every guest to be part of the conversation. “I used a slightly more modern set of chairs with a contrast cream finish on all of the legs so it’s not too stuffy,” says Holt.

Continuing with a more modern approach, the kitchen serves fresh, streamlined style without feeling too stark. Hardworking elements, including the refrigerator and pantry, are camouflaged behind panels while fluted detailing on the cabinetry and island elevates the fashionable, yet functional space. 

Indeed, form and function were top of mind for Holt throughout the home, including in the boys’ bedrooms. The designer met with each one individually to brainstorm animated yet polished spaces they could call their own. “I wanted to make sure their rooms were a little more grown-up and not so juvenile,” says Holt. “Something that they could grow into.” 

As for the homeowners, the primary bedroom lends a serene spot for the parents to retreat to after a long day. “I wanted their space to be ethereal and feminine compared to its counterparts,” says Holt.

And in its entirety, the home’s finished result directly reflects the spirit of the family. “Throughout this process we have become great friends,” says Holt. “I was able to start the project with a clean palette, not having to work with past design implements which allowed me to fully execute every aspect of my plan.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Chris Holt, Holt Interiors, (404) 351-5682; holt-interiors.com
ARCHITECT McAlpine, (404) 501-9200; mcalpinehouse.com