Chastain Charm

Margaret Bosbyshell puts a twist on traditional in this refreshed Chastain Park residence, where casual elegance and formal entertaining intertwine.

“Fourth time’s the charm,” jokes designer Margaret Bosbyshell of Margaux Interiors. She has decorated three previous homes for her beloved clients, but as their three children grew up, the home’s intention transitioned from raising youngsters to entertaining the young at heart.

When the family moved into their fourth abode in 2011—a five-bed/five-bath renovated ranch house on a deep, lush lot in Chastain Park—Bosbyshell styled the new space with their former furnishings. But three years later, with their youngest child leaving for college, the soon-to-be empty-nesters and frequent entertainers were ready for an interior refresh. “They originally had a warmer color palette with lots of yellows and rusts but craved a more relaxed and contemporary style that still felt traditional,” says Bosbyshell.

The lush grounds, designed by Hastings Landscape, and livable backyard patio were the catalyst of the redesign. Tall-paned windows throughout the main floor seamlessly connect the interior and exterior while allowing in ample streams of natural light. With a new emphasis on connecting the outside with the inside, Bosbyshell honed in on a clean-lined interior and selected a coastal-inspired palette of lighter blues and creams reminiscent of the family’s travels to Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

The great room surrounds framed windows and French doors that lead to the arched outdoor patio and fireplace. Since the family craved a cozy room to watch TV and to entertain, Bosbyshell selected fabrics that were chic yet subtle in comforting colors and rich textures. The interior flows casually throughout the home thanks to a mix of soft-hued furnishings, dewy walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Morning Light and an abstract painting by Sarah Otts from Anne Irwin Fine Art. And as a playful nod to the sun-filled space, a starburst mirror from Mr. Brown London at Holland & Company mounted above the natural stone fireplace acts as a visual anchor—and burst of sunshine—for the popular hangout.

The airy breakfast nook boasts a custom round table from Old Biscayne Designs and rattan-inspired seating from Hickory Chair, perfect for sipping coffee while overlooking the terrace or as a serving station for large parties. A sleek, platinum-finished wall unit, also by Old Biscayne Designs, displays the homeowner’s pottery collection, including coastal-inspired pieces from South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

As frequent entertainers, the couple wanted a home that effortlessly transitioned from respite with family to festive fêtes with friends, sometimes within minutes. Rather than a formal elongated dining room table, Bosbyshell incorporated a custom round walnut table from Holland & Company and paired it with Wesley Hall dining chairs for a more intimate arrangement that lends itself to potluck suppers as well as sit-down dinners.

“It was important that the home felt approachable and elegant,” Bosbyshell says. And thanks to its composed decor and multifaceted rooms, the family achieved a comfortable and capable open house, no matter the dress code.

INTERIOR DESIGN Margaret Bosbyshell, Margaux Interiors Ltd. (404) 600-2174; margauxinteriorslimited.com. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Hastings Landscape.