Modern Milieu

Color is king in the study, where dramatic walls—painted Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain in a semigloss finish—set the moody-meets-elegant tone. The drama doesn’t stop there, as saturated green pillows and burnt-orange chaise longues maximize the color-forward space.

Artwork by Susan Hable holds court above the Bradford library table in the husband’s office.

Dramatic walls (painted Avocado by Benjamin Moore), a streamlined banquette and velvet upholstered vintage chairs add an enveloping feel to the otherwise formal dining space.

Neutral walls (Seapearl by Benjamin Moore), and vibrantly hued furnishings, such as a plush purple arm chaise and matching slate-colored chaises (all from South of Market), add a cheerful disposition to the main-level living spaces.

Neutral walls (Seapearl by Benjamin Moore), and vibrantly hued furnishings, such as a plush purple arm chaise and matching slate-colored chaises (all from South of Market), add a cheerful disposition to the main-level living spaces.

Neutral walls (Seapearl by Benjamin Moore), and vibrantly hued furnishings, such as a plush purple arm chaise and matching slate-colored chaises (all from South of Market), add a cheerful disposition to the main-level living spaces.

Beams of sunlight flood into the master bedroom from the adjoining courtyard; the serene space elegantly pairs textured neutrals with edited bursts of color, including violet accents on the custom silk bedding from Kay Douglass Interiors.

In the master bathroom, contemporary features, such as an Irish monochromatic watercolor set from B.D. Jeffries and gray painted wood vanity mirrors from South of Market, complement traditional elements, including Carrara marble tile and a tufted Sylvia bench from B.D. Jeffries.

The custom headboard and linens by Kay Douglass Interiors capitalize on the monochromatic tone of the son’s bedroom, where a framed gray cross adds a graphic punch.

While life’s a beach when living seaside, the hustle and bustle of city life beckoned David and Melanie Jorden back to Houston in 2014. After discovering the perfect four-bedroom abode on a tree-lined street, they embarked on a home redesign with their good friend Kay Douglass, an interior designer and owner of Atlanta’s South of Market, who worked with the Jordens on their previous homes in Rosemary Beach, Florida. As recent empty nesters and parents of three young adults, the couple wanted a family-focused home with plenty of space for themselves and their visiting children.

“It’s a lovely, rambling home with lots of living areas, so everyone has a private space to retreat,” says Douglass. “The upstairs is beautifully divided into two main wings—the master suite with a sitting room, and a kids wing.”

As they did in their Florida residences, the Jordens made connecting the outdoors with the interiors a priority. In the sun-drenched master bedroom, iron doors were installed to maximize views of the courtyard, where Melanie practices daily yoga. Equally as peaceful were the subtle textures with which Douglass outfitted the retreat: woven carpeting, custom linens, an oversized headboard and plush gray chairs, culminating in what Douglass describes as “understated elegance with a dash of European restraint.”

Both the master bedroom and adjoining bathroom are painted a dewy neutral (Seapearl by Benjamin Moore) that syncs well with the violet accents in both spaces. The spa-inspired bathroom is outfitted with contrasting details, like small-scaled Carrara marble tiles and black-and-white abstract watercolor paintings, which add a contemporary touch above the upholstered bench.

Connected to the master suite is a private study and sitting room, one of the most dynamic spaces in the home. Boasting dramatic walls with vivid color pairings of striking green and burnt orange, this adult space—which also functions as David’s office—is both bold and graceful. Orange velvet chaises, a flax linen-blend couch and green throw pillows, all from South of Market, create a cool and contemporary seating arrangement that’s equally comfortable and glamorous. A geometric black walnut fixture, also from South of Market, anchors the sitting area, while the streamlined library table holds court beneath dynamic art by Susan Hable.

But the adults don’t have all the fun. In the entertainment room, oversized gray sofas and club chairs create the perfect setting for lounging in the cozy, elongated space, which pops against playful citron-hued ottomans. Downstairs, the adjoining dining and living rooms counterbalance each other with contrasting color play. The dynamic green of the formal dining room walks the line between moody and calming—especially when paired with a chic banquette and vintage seating upholstered in green velvet, all surrounding a midcentury French tulip table.

In contrast, the living room bursts with natural light that bounces against the neutral walls, with well-appointed furnishings and accents, including the lush purple velvet arm chaise and a gallery wall of Brian Carter ink drawings from Holland & Company, keeping the eye focused. It’s juxtapositions like these that create a merry mélange for the entire home.

“They wanted a space that felt comfortable and happy. It’s the playfully paired color combinations against the neutral backdrop that bring these spaces to life,” Douglass says. “When you walk into the front door, it truly feels magical.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Kay Douglass, Kay Douglass Interiors; (404) 995-0802; southofmarket.biz

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