Enchantment

Through lush foliage and meaningful quotes, the hand-painted wallcovering by Bethany Travis echoes the sense of whimsy that designer Melanie Turner infused into the interiors. The bear painting is from Art Addiction.

A layered composition in the entry foyer includes books and other artistic objects.

A rug with a circular motif by Miami Circle Floor Coverings is one of many curves in the living room, including the custom bouclé- covered sofa by Interlude Home and wingback lounge chairs by Bjork Studio.

Colorful patterned accent pillows in a Jim Thompson fabric pop against the velvet sectional sofa by Douglass Workroom. The brass floor lamp is by Circa Lighting.

In the salon-style formal living room, Turner created distinct seating areas; a pair of matching velvet- covered wingback chairs create an intimate spot for conversation. The draperies are by Douglass Workroom.

A velvet sectional sofa by Lee Industries and a lounge chair by Bernhardt offer an ideal spot to gather in the cozy family room.

Upholstered in green leather, counter stools by Hickory Chair add a splash of color to the classic white kitchen, which had been renovated by the previous owner. The wooden table is by CFC.

Dark walls and cozy shearling-covered armchairs foster an enveloping feeling in the formal library. The area rugs are by Designer Carpets.

Crimson throw pillows and brass accents accentuate the serene blue hues in the master bedroom, where a plush sofa invites relaxation.

Adorned with a marble waterfall edge, a vanity from Karpaty makes a handsome addition to the newly renovated master bathroom.

A circular area rug by Miami Circle Floor Coverings mimics the shape of the plush velvet ottoman by Hickory Chair in the master bathroom. The custom folding screens were hand-painted by Bethany Travis.

Inspired by her love of princesses, the young daughter’s bedroom features pink walls, a canopy bed from RH and white nightstands from CFC. The rug is by Surya, and the drapery fabric is by Fabricut.

Tantalizingly located down a long drive surrounded by thick groves of trees, there’s something magical about the 1920s-era brick-and-stone home that Melanie Turner decorated for a young family with three children, who returned to Atlanta after years in the Bay area. “It’s a fairytale setting, and the house was asking for an influx of life, vibrancy and joy,” she says. “We wanted it to feel collected and special.”

Inspired by the bosky surroundings, a hand-painted wallcovering featuring lush trees, colorful flowers and meaningful quotes and sayings creates an enchanting first impression in the front foyer—a whimsical backdrop for an oil painting of a bear dressed in formal attire. “Their son was born in California,” says Turner, noting the grizzly is the state’s official animal. “Humor is important in design.”

That sense of humor can also be found in the adjacent salon, where a brass giraffe sculpture stands next to a console table-turned-wet bar. Designed for entertaining, the space features several distinct seating areas, including a serpentine sofa and chairs next to the fireplace and a velvet sectional underneath a large, round antiqued mirror emblazoned with baby butterflies. “There’s a constant push and pull of traditional and modern,” explains Turner. 

An ornate green Murano glass chandelier, for example, illuminates a round wooden table surrounded by blue velvet chairs in the formal dining room, playing off the green velvet draperies. The palette is echoed in the more contemporary great room, where a green velvet sectional sofa wraps around a plush blue velvet ottoman. “A common design thread runs throughout and generates a sense of style,” says Turner.

By contrast, the owner’s bedroom and bathroom feature serene light blue and lavender hues punctuated by crimson accents. And the walls and ceiling in the nearby library are painted in a dark green-black hue juxtaposed by a light area rug and plush, curvaceous club chairs covered in sumptuous shearing. “They feel like sitting in an Ugg boot,” the designer says. “This room felt like it needed to be a place to cocoon.”

That was certainly the idea when the owners moved into their new abode in the summer of 2020—smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic. “It was the perfect time to hunker down, and it’s working out really well for them,” explains Turner, noting they trusted her to take their aesthetic to the next level. “This project was a lot of fun.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Melanie Turner, Melanie Turner Interiors, (404) 250-0134; melanieturnerinteriors.com
BUILDER Frank Wicksteadt