Architect D. Stanley Dixon imbued new life to a 1970s colonial revival home originally designed by architect James Means. Dixon added a lime wash to the brick facade, as well as a slate roof, Georgian-influenced portico and new dormer windows.
Architect D. Stanley Dixon imbued new life to a 1970s colonial revival home originally designed by architect James Means. Dixon added a lime wash to the brick facade, as well as a slate roof, Georgian-influenced portico and new dormer windows.
A David Iatesta scalloped tole chandelier from Ainsworth-Noah commands the dining room. It hangs above an inherited dining table and chairs and a traditional rug from Sullivan Fine Rugs. Creamware plates from Interiors Market are displayed on walls upholstered in a fabric by Boussac, available through Travis & Co. The 19th-century bergere chairs were found at Foxglove Antiques & Galleries, then updated with a contemporary fabric from Galbraith & Paul. The diamond-patterned sconces are from Parc Monceau. Curtain fabric is Pierre Frey, available through Travis & Company.
In the living room, a starburst mirror by Julian Chichester, available through Holland & Company, presides over sumptuous Victoria Hagan wing chairs that are upholstered in a pleated velvet from Lee Jofa. The antique Italian olive wood secretary is from William Word Antiques. The draperies, brought from the family’s previous home, were lengthened with new fabric panels to fit the new space. The wallpaper is a design by David Goldberg, available through Jerry Pair.
In the foyer, an antique Khotan rug from Sullivan Fine Rugs boasts the perfect balance of pinks and blues, and melds beautifully with Williams’s color scheme. A slight blue tone also appears in the faceted sea glass chandelier by Ironies, available through Ainsworth-Noah. Framed botanicals from Edgar-Reeves hang above an Italian settee from Parc Monceau. The painted sconces are Italian.
The home
The master bathroom features a freestanding soaking tub and white marble tiles from Renaissance Tile & Bath. The mercury glass sconces and lantern are by Niermann Weeks, available through Grizzel & Mann. The polished nickel hardware is by Houles, through Ernest Gaspard & Associates. The drapery fabric is by Lee Jofa.
The master bedroom is a dreamy retreat, complete with a bed by Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, available through Ainsworth-Noah. Sumptuous linens are from Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings. The bedside lamps are Parc Monceau finds, topped with lamp shades from Edgar-Reeves. The bedside table and bench are both from A. Tyner Antiques. Bench fabric, Scalamandre. Wall covering, Kravet.
The paneling in the stately library was designed by Dixon, constructed from hemlock and expertly finished by local artisan Hal Jones. “This room is the gem of the house,” says Dixon. The book stand is from MacRae.
The screened-in porch is a favorite gathering spot, and a charming Orkney chair provides pint-sized seating. The sofa and club chairs are by Walters Wicker. The custom striped rug is from Eve & Staron.
In the kitchen, Dixon’s team laid the floors with a classic combination of pine and colonial-inspired brick. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White. Spindle-style bar stools from MacRae are covered in a fresh Galbraith & Paul fabric from Jerry Pair. The lamps are by Vaughan, available through Ainsworth-Noah. Dixon also designed the custom range hood.
In the family room, architectural remnants hang above the sofa, while a quatrefoil mirror from MacRae provides a focal point above the fireplace. Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman club chairs are from Ainsworth-Noah.
Designer Liz Williams custom-designed the upholstered sofas with Manuel Canovas fabric and nailhead trim. The tole lanterns are by Vaughan, available through Ainsworth-Noah & Associates, and the hand-painted walls are by Judy Neukrug of Finished.
The back terrace is a sunny but secluded spot, thanks to an elegant arbor added by D. Stanley Dixon Architects. The sofa and chairs are by Niermann Weeks, available through Grizzel & Mann. Accent pillows are by Lacefield Designs, available through The Nicholson Gallery.
Having increased their brood and outgrown their former home in Ansley Park, a young couple set their sights on a larger, architecturally significant residence in Buckhead. They had grand plans for the property, including removing the roof and adding a second story, but called architect D. Stanley Dixon straightaway before they purchased it. “As I drove up to the house, I immediately realized it was the work of James Means,” Dixon explains, referring to Atlanta’s 20th-century master of colonial American architecture.
Knowing this, Dixon insisted they update the house in other ways—such as adding a lime wash instead of white paint to the exterior. His artisans applied this most generously under the eaves, creating the effect of ages of rain erosion. Taking cues from Virginia’s historic Gunston Hall, he also added an octagonal portico, plus symmetrical wings on the back of the home, dormers to light upper hallways and two new staircases to connect the downstairs living spaces with private quarters above.
Taking a page from Means’ playbook, Dixon incorporated reclaimed materials—from antique bricks to crown glass windows—at every turn, creating a seamless marriage of old and new. Historically sensitive detailing—which included intricate trimwork, a slate roof, egg-and-dart moulding, unlacquered brass hardware, restoration glass and Chippendale railings—was so immaculate that Dixon’s firm received a Shutze Award for the project from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art in 2011. Gracious landscaping was achieved at the hands of the equally esteemed John Howard of Howard Design Studio.
For the interiors, the homeowners returned to Liz Williams, who had outfitted their previous home when they were first married. She brought in softness with a breezy, blue-green scheme, tempered by subtle touches of pink. Incorporating a few key furnishings from the couple’s former abode, she reupholstered several pieces and added luxurious wall coverings for depth and interest.
Allowing the architectural design process to evolve over time was perhaps one of the project’s biggest boons, as not rushing the interior design allowed it to unfold in a beautiful way. “Often, we don’t have the luxury of waiting 18 weeks for orders, but in this case, we were able to hold out for some great pieces, such as those from Holland & Company and Niermann Weeks,” Williams notes. In fact, it was a unique hall table from MacRae that set the decorating plan in motion. “We didn’t want a table that would be too formal on the brick floor, but because it’s the first thing you see from the front door, it had to be special,” she says.
It was those types of touches that fostered the marriage of historic precedent with current-day elegance. “By layering architectural interest, we referenced history even stronger than before, but we also made a house that lives like people do today,” says Dixon. The owners got the comfortable family house they desired, where no rooms are off limits. And as this young family—and their home—has grown, they’ve found room to enjoy it all.
ARCHITECTURE D. Stanley Dixon, D. Stanley Dixon Architect, 2300 Peachtree Rd., Suite C101, Atlanta 30309. (404) 574-1430; dsdixonarchitect.com
INTERIOR DESIGN Liz Williams, Liz Williams Interiors, LLC, 690 Miami Circle, Suite 700, Atlanta 30324. (404) 816-9868; lizwilliamsinteriors.com
FLORAL DESIGN Holly Bryan Floral & Botanical Design. (404) 664-8750; hollybryandesign.com
