Style Shift

“The study almost looks like a black-and-white photo, it’s so monochromatic,” says Webb. Comfort and durability are key for the sofa and chairs, which are available at Bungalow Classic. Simple panel draperies from Restoration Hardware and pillows from Scott Antique Markets soften the room.

“The study almost looks like a black-and-white photo, it’s so monochromatic,” says Webb. Comfort and durability are key for the sofa and chairs, which are available at Bungalow Classic. Simple panel draperies from Restoration Hardware and pillows from Scott Antique Markets soften the room.

A tufted ottoman from Axis Twenty centers the cocktail party-ready living room. A sumptuous gray mohair sofa by Todd Hase is punctuated by the more elaborate pair of black chairs from Scott Antique Markets. The painting is one of artist Gene Davis’ signature striped pieces.

An antique Aubusson rug anchors the living room. The homeowners rotate their collection so that works of art are never touched by direct sunlight. A piece by Robert Motherwell is propped above the mantel. A yellow abstract by Josef Albers nestles in the corner.

A comfortable club chair from Bungalow Classic mixes company with a classic antique chest from ABC Carpet and Home and the more modern shaped drinks table from Mathews Furniture Galleries. The mirror and metal lamp are from Scott Antique Markets.

Previously unused by the homeowners, the porch now beckons with a vaulted ceiling and calming terrazzo floors. “You really feel like you are up in the trees,” says Webb. Woven outdoor furniture and cushions by Aventis. End table, Bungalow Classic.

In this late-1940s ranch home, beams were added to the dining room ceiling to differentiate the space from the neighboring kitchen. The chandelier is from Circa Lighting, and the etageres are by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

The kitchen, designed by Hearth & Home Interiors, features a seamless marble backsplash and sconces from Waterworks. Walnut stools designed by Norman Cherner offer casual spots to eat.

The home’s facade is in the spirit of Palladian design.

Beyond the stone wall, the formal pool area gives way to the natural forest. The landscape design is by John Howard of Howard Design Studio.

The master bedroom is an intimate space that is soft and inviting. The bedding from Restoration Hardware complements the rug and chairs from ABC Carpet and Home. A piece by Joan Miro hangs over the bed. End table, Bungalow Classic. Lamp, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

Ironically, the homeowners of this late-1940s ranch had merely a small modification in mind for their Atlanta home—the addition of a laundry and powder room. But once they began to brainstorm with architect Laura Howard DePree, the ideas began to snowball.
Though DePree still considers the project a simple renovation, the changes that were made transformed everything about the house, while only moving a few walls and doorways. “It’s all about how you enter and move through the space,” says DePree. “The house has a graciousness and casualness.”

Ten-foot ceilings, unusual in a ranch home, made the process easier. Classical elements marry with modern touches to give the house verve and to suit the homeowners’ personalities. A new cedar shake roof, striking metal-and-glass doors and simple, smooth-finish stucco elevate the style. “It is now in the spirit of Palladian architecture. I was inspired by the fact that the original Palladian Italian villas were working farmhouses,” explains DePree, “very much like American ranch houses were built for post-war working families.”
Art collectors at heart, the couple wanted a neutral interior design fueled by comfort and function. They turned to Randy and Courtney Tilinski at Bungalow Classic. Consulting with the Tilinskis, the wife would often bring pages from magazines as inspiration. Randy noticed one designer’s work in most of the pictures—Beth Webb of Beth Webb Interiors.

So after two years of living in the renovated house, the homeowners asked Webb to refresh, rearrange and renew the interiors. She started by removing what wasn’t needed—a coffee table here, a china cabinet there. Then she layered the interiors with accessories, pillows, lamps and throws. “I took this great canvas and filled in the blanks,” says Webb.

Since the owners’ collection is never complete, Webb focused on fashioning understated rooms to complement the art. The living room is a perfect example. All the pieces were perfectly lovely, but they were a hodgepodge from the owners’ other homes and various rooms. Webb wanted to give them air and space, visually, and create different seating areas to inspire the couple and their guests to linger.

Some tweaks were simple enough, like pulling in a drinks table from another room and adding new lamps. Others took Webb’s designer eye and expertise: rearranging shelves, reconfiguring art placement, and weaving in objects with different heights and dimension. The end result is a home full of character, warmth and personality.

“I used to be a big symmetrical person,” Webb admits. “But perfectly perfect is so boring. It’s much more interesting to mix things up.”

Architecture Laura Howard DePree, AIA, (404) 685-0202. Interior Design Beth Webb, Beth Webb Interiors, (404) 869.6367; bethwebb.com Landscape Architecture John Howard, Howard Design Studio, (404) 876-7051; howarddesignstudio.com