In Good Form
Beth Webb infuses a Buckhead home with quiet luxury, paying tribute to the homeownerβs artful legacy.


Interior designer Beth Webb approaches each project with a steadfast rule: The home must reflect the personality of its owners. So when she spotted Lisa and Nick McKayβs impressive art collection during a visit to their home, Webb decided to make it the centerpiece of the homeβs renovationβand for good reason. βThe art is not only really stunning but itβs an intensely personal collection,β says Webb.
All of varying sizes and mediums, the sculptures, maquettes and medals are by Lisaβs late grandfather, Henry Kreis, an accomplished German-born sculptor who immigrated to the United States in 1922. After studying at the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design in New York City, Kreis apprenticed with Paul Manship, a highly influential American sculptor. As an assistant to Manship, Kreis worked on Rockefeller Centerβs world-famous Prometheus sculpture. He went on to have a highly regarded career himself, earning accolades and commissions across the country.
βI have loved and coveted all his sculptures and other works since I was a child,β says Lisa. βMy father recently passed on a very large portion of his collection to me at once, and I was at a loss on how to showcase them because I wanted each piece to be appreciated.β
To make the artwork a focal point Webb added pedestals, shelving and other displays throughout the home to give the sculpturesβonce tucked into corners, relegated to the floor or even in storageβprominent viewing. And although there are countless works on display, including beautiful silk-screen prints by Lisaβs late grandmother, Patricia Alden Kreis, it never feels overwhelming, thanks to Webbβs thoughtful planning, no doubt influenced by her background in art history.
Also top of mind for Webb was to scale and soften the homeβs interiors. In the living room, the fireplace was given a complete overhaul, as the designer deemed its petite proportions too small for the space. Also under scale was the contemporary leather furniture that exuded an uninviting ambience. β[The McKays] werenβt using this room much because it felt very uncomfortable,β says Webb. She gave the room new life by commissioning a handsome stone fireplace and layering in plush textures. Bedrooms also received a makeover, including the master bedroom that was retrofitted with a curtained wall. βJust like the rest of the home, this space needed to be more approachable. We accomplished that by adding layers of soft textures,β Webb says. βThereβs a lot of consideration that goes into the parts and pieces when decorating.β
Webbβs attention to detail is a trait familiar to Lisa. βMy grandfatherβs forms are very simple yet very strong,β says Lisa. βThey have a natural and soothing simplicity to them. He never wanted to create a piece that had anything unnecessary in it. Itβs a philosophy thatβs echoed in her homeβs interiorsβpeaceful and pared down, yet full of panache.β
INTERIOR DESIGN Beth Webb, Beth Webb Interiors. (404) 869-6367; bethwebb.com