Easy Elegance

With her latest in-town project, interior designer Vaughn Connerty showcases her talent for transforming high-rise units into sophisticated homes.

Upon graduating design school, Vaughn Connerty honed her new skills working for one of the South’s foremost authorities in interior design, Phoebe Howard. During this time, Connerty wore several hats, working as project manager, designer and showroom manager at Howard’s multiple home-furnishings shops.

After seven years under Howard’s mentorship and establishing an impressive design portfolio—from residences and vacation homes to hotels and country clubs—Connerty was ready to strike out on her own. With a distinguishable classic style that’s punctuated by modern sensibilities, her aesthetic has become a natural fit in many of Atlanta’s high-rise dwellings. “I enjoy the challenge of providing my clients the comfort and softness of a home in these spaces that often have unusual layouts,” she explains.

Connerty recently lent her skillful touch to a condominium at The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Buckhead. Favoring a collaborative approach, she worked closely with her clients to create a home that is uniquely theirs. “I like to understand what my clients enjoy and how they like to live. It’s not just a process of choosing A or B but an exploration of what’s going to be best for them,” she says.

So while the wife initially requested “new everything” in the condo, Connerty encouraged her to take another look through her old home. “As we sifted through the art and furnishings, she began sharing what certain pieces meant to her, and I knew immediately we shouldn’t part with them,” says Connerty. “While it’s certainly fun to start from scratch, beloved pieces bring character and a sense of belonging that can’t be replicated.”

To complement both the older pieces and the newer selections, Connerty devised a modern palette of grays, blues and ivories and commissioned built-ins to mirror the clean, elegant lines of the unit’s architecture. The final result is a beautiful and bespoke home that is a reflection of its owners.

INTERIOR DESIGN Vaughn Connerty, Vaughn Connerty Interiors LIVING ROOM CHAIRS Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture COFFEE TABLE, OTTOMAN & CHEST Baker PAINTING Julia Klimova through Lagerquist Gallery DINING TABLE & CHAIRS Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture SIDEBOARD Baker RUG Mendel Tencer STUDY WALLCOVERING Schumacher ACCESSORIES Max & Company MASTER BEDROOM BEDSIDE TABLE Century Furniture GUEST BEDROOM BED Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams CURTAIN FABRIC Pindler