Made to Measure

The living room houses a mix of antiques, a new Ferrell Mittman sofa and a redesigned mantel. Beams lend additional character. The pair of armchairs are from Brunschwig & Fils and are covered in Nancy Corzine fabric. The painting above the sofa is from Tew Galleries.

In the dining room, a carved French settee is covered in an Aubusson tapestry. A bright Oriental rug stands out against the newly stained floors. The antique gallery table is from William Word Fine Antiques; the still life is by David Arms from Tew Galleries.

The graceful arched opening leading to an office was part of a redesign by architect Yong Pak; it mirrors an adjacent bookcase that hides the television. Antique French chairs from Jane Marsden Antiques are covered in Cowtan & Tout fabric. The draperies are Scalamandré, and the painting over the mantel is from Lagerquist Gallery. The bronze urns are Jane Marsden Antiques.

“Carter and I worked on a beautiful urban English cottage in the middle of the city, updating it to become a personal reflection of our client and her lifestyle.” —Yong Pak

Like the kitchen, plaster was added to the entryway ceiling, as was an antique chandelier from Edgar-Reeves. A rug and antiques complete the small but charming space. The antique desk is from William Word Fine Antiques; the Edward Moulthrop bowl is from Signature Shop & Gallery. The Tabriz rug is from Keivan Woven Arts.

An antique piece from the client’s former home was converted into a vanity with the addition of a crystal bowl. To make the space completely private, Kay placed an antique French mirror in the window, which reflects the wonderful presentation of art. Vanity from Jane Marsden Antiques & Interiors; the art was sourced from Tew Galleries, Huff Harrington, Pryor Fine Art and Anne Irwin Fine Art.

The renovated kitchen features new plasterwork, a coved ceiling and a custom vent hood designed by Pak Heydt & Associates and produced by Calhoun Design & Metalworks. The white bowls and pottery is from Dixon Rye. The copper pot is from Foxglove Antiques & Galleries.

Treasures fill an antique vitrine in a corner of the dining room; it is topped with a papier-mâché tray from Scott Antique Markets.

A selection of the homeowner’s Meissen porcelain tops an antique sideboard from William Word Fine Antiques.

Natural light flows into the dining room from a boxed bay window added during the renovation. The custom iron table is by Smith Ironworks, the chandelier is from Jane Marsden Antiques and the lamps are from Edgar-Reeves.

The master bedroom includes a Louis J. Solomon bed, bedding from Gramercy and pillows from Holland & Sherry.

The soaking tub area is adorned with drawings of antique furniture and a side table sourced from Grizzell & Mann.

Subtle changes can often yield great results—not every floor plan needs to be totally reconfigured or every wall torn down for a successful renovation. An English cottage in the heart of Buckhead displays this sentiment at every lovely turn. 

Architect Yong Pak and interior designer Carter Kay inherited a project with innate charm that required some detailing here and there to suit the needs of the new owner. “We really wanted this house to be like a jewel box inside and out,” says Kay. “Changes were made to make the house more customized for our client and to set the stage for her antiques.” With that view, a box-shaped bay window added to the dining room creates the perfect alcove for a beloved sideboard and allows more natural light into the space. “We added other architectural elements such as plasterwork and a coved ceiling in the kitchen,” says Pak. “We created an arched opening in the living room to mirror an adjacent bookcase, added beams and designed a new mantel to make that space more distinctive.” Other changes included updating the master bath and dressing room and creating a chic vestibule from the living room to the kitchen with a hidden pantry and silver storage.

 When it came to choices for the interiors, letting go was part of the process. Kay helped her client pare down possessions, and then find ideal locations for the remainder in the scheme of the new rooms. “All the rugs and most of the furniture came from her prior house, so it was more about placement and refreshing,” says Kay. 

“We painted almost the entire house a neutral white which allows the furnishings, collectibles and beautiful Oriental rugs to be the stars in each room.” Wallpaper dresses the powder bath, a new French-style Ferrell Mittman sofa shines in the living room along with two bergère chairs re-covered in a muted leopard print. “The living room now gives off the air of old mid-century Paris,” says Kay. 

One joyful task for both designer and client involved deciding where to place a vast collection of art and objects of all types. Meissen porcelain stands out on the dining room sideboard; a floral oil still life graces the updated mantel; and a grouping of smaller works of art adds elegance to the powder bath. All these special pieces come to life in the renovated house, drawing the eye around each room. The spaces feel curated and sophisticated, but with room to breathe. Every detail is considered—just like a made-to-measure haute couture gown—and accomplished what everyone hoped for.

INTERIOR DESIGN Carter Kay, Carter Kay Interiors. (404) 261-8119; carterkayinteriors.com ARCHITECTURE Yong Pak, Pak Heydt & Associates, LLC. (404) 231-3195; pakheydt.com