Classic Update

A plaster chandelier by Paul Ferrante through Ainsworth-Noah softly illuminates the light-filled formal living room, where a curved sofa by Gregorius Pineo anchors a cozy seating zone in front of the fireplace.

Landscaping by Carson McElheney Landscape Architecture & Design creates a welcoming sense of arrival to the stately Italianate manse in Buckhead.

Neutral textiles foster a soothing milieu in the formal living room, where complementary sofas anchor two distinct seating areas. The silk velvet chairs are by Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair.

Artwork by Isabelle Menin enlivens the open music room. The ottoman is from R Hughes.

A 15-globe chandelier from Design Within Reach makes a glamorous statement in the formal dining room, where chairs by Platner surround a table by Quintus.

Painted in a vibrant color by Fine Paints of Europe (S1515-Y8OR), the glam bar hidden behind a door juxtaposes the light walls in the main living areas.

A vintage light fixture from 1stDibs illuminates a Tulip table and upholstered chairs, all by Eero Saarinen from Design Within Reach, in the cheerful breakfast area.

Pendants from Palmer Hargrave soften the linear lines in the spacious contemporary kitchen. The stools are by Gregorius Pineo.

A sectional from Bungalow Classic and plush armchairs surround a cocktail table by Nancy Corzine through Ernest Gaspard in the family room.

A handpainted wallpaper from Gracie Studio adds a pop of color and pattern to the wife’s study. The plaster light fixture is by Lerebours Antiques.

Parchment nightstands from 1stDibs flank a bed by Dmitriy & Co. in the soothing primary bedroom suite. The armless sofa is by Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair.

Serenity is the idea in a sitting area off the primary bedroom, where a sectional by Dmitriy & Co. and a “puff chair” by Studio Giancarlo invite rest and relaxation. The light fixture is from R Hughes.

Varying patterns rendered in complementary colorways foster a traditional milieu in the guest suite, which includes built-in shelving. The bamboo writing desk is from Mathews Furniture + Design.

Upholstered in fabric by Schumacher and made by Willard Pitt Curtain Makers, the headboard coordinates perfectly with the gray-blue walls in a boy’s bedroom.

Draperies made with fabric by Jim Thompson beautifully frame the floor-to-ceiling windows in a light-filled library with a cozy seating area. The wing chair is covered in fabric by Pierre Frey.

A sofa and armchairs by Janus et Cie create a spot for fireside conversations on the serene, covered porch. The lantern is from Ainsworth-Noah.

Architects Robert Norris (left) and Frederick Spitzmiller (right) alongside designer Suzanne Kasler.

When a young design-minded couple with three children and a golden retriever first purchased this home on a sought-after street in Buckhead, they knew they needed just the right design team to reimagine it for a new era. Designed by interior designer Suzanne Kasler along with architects Rick Spitzmiller and Robert Norris, who first renovated this early 1920s-era brick Italianate-style home two decades ago, the team got started on translating the homeowner’s love for classic interiors in a fresh, youthful way.

In pursuit of warmth, the architects had the stark white exterior painted in a warmer shade punctuated by black window shutters. They also swapped out the steel front door with a wooden one and replaced the clear kitchen windows with paned—just a few of their many subtle yet impactful changes. “We pulled the house together and made it more cohesive inside and out,” says Norris. “There’s a classical basis, but it’s also timeless,” says Spitzmiller.

The landscape design by Carson McElheney Landscape Architecture & Design enhances that timeless quality. Among their many changes, the firm incorporated large boxwoods alongside flowering plants such as oakleaf hydrangea and azaleas. “We only wanted to use green and white plantings,” says the firm’s CEO Kaitlyn Peake. “It’s showstopping but in a modest way.”

The interior likewise radiates a quiet elegance. Tailored draperies, for example, call attention to the height of the tall windows in the formal living room, where blue velvet accent chairs add a hint of color to a soothing area of sumptuous fabrics rendered in neutral hues.

The palette flows into the kitchen, which is outfitted with a mix of oak and painted cabinetry accented by light marble countertops and brass hardware. A white metal hood adds a bespoke touch. “Even in a house with a classic or traditional foundation, you can push the envelope,” says Kasler. “This house has more than one note.”

The lighting exemplifies her assertion: Pendants with large fabric drum shades soften the linear architecture in the kitchen. And a vintage chandelier with a trio of metal shades adds another dimension to the adjacent breakfast room, where a set of curvaceous, modern upholstered chairs by Saarinen surround a white Tulip table. “The light fixtures are special elements,” says Kasler. “The clients loved that.”

The dining room chandelier is one of their favorites. Its constellation of smoked glass globes appears to float above a wooden pedestal table that is surrounded by iconic Platner chairs with Venetian silk velvet upholstery. An embroidered patterned wallcovering adds to the sense of romance. “In a house with a quiet elegance, wallcoverings give you a chance to have your own personality,” says Kasler. “It’s a great way to create a strong point of view.”

Indeed, a handpainted Gracie Studio wallcovering in pale blue and white hues creates an equally magical backdrop for the neutral furnishings in the wife’s office, which has tall arched windows overlooking the lush landscaping. And while its impact is subtle, the neutral fabric wallcovering in the primary bedroom establishes a sense of warmth that is reflected in the plush furnishings.

No strangers to renovations, the owners took the pandemic-related supply chain issues in stride. That said, they were overjoyed when they could finally relax in their newly renovated home. “It’s beautiful and chic, but it lives very comfortably,” says Kasler. “They love it.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Kasler Interiors, (404) 355-1035; suzannekasler.com ARCHITECT Rick Spitzmiller and Robert Norris, Spitzmiller & Norris, Inc., (404) 812-0224; spitzmillerandnorris.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Carson McElheney Landscape Architecture & Design, (404) 467-1690; carsonmcelheney.com