The French Connection

A painting by Katharina Chapuis through Pryor Fine Art takes center stage in the formal living room. The modern curved-back chair is Rose Tarlow through Jerry Pair, and it’s covered in a metallic fabric with a scalloped skirt by Nancy Corzine.

An Oushak rug layered atop a large sisal fosters an intimate feeling in the formal living room, which features a mix of antiques alongside new pieces, such as a brass table with a Lucite top by Lucy Smith through Holland MacRae.

Displayed above an antique desk, artwork by Rocio Rodriguez through Sandler Hudson Gallery is one of the many contemporary art pieces throughout the home.

In the front foyer, a custom metal railing by Calhoun Design & Metalworks graces the curvaceous stairway, which features a stylish animal print runner by Stark. The stairwell painting is by Kiki Slaughter.

Designed so that the party can spill outside, the back patio features streamlined furnishings from Kolo Collection.

White cabinetry is accented by a linen fabric with a velvet overlay from Mark Alexander. The kitchen was designed in partnership with Cynthia Ziegler.

A chandelier by Avrett through R. Hughes showroom illuminates a custom table with a metal base by Smithworks Iron & Design and walnut top by Skylar Morgan in the breakfast area.

A contemporary work of art by Hutton Snellings coordinates with colors in the Oushak rug in the luxurious formal dining room. The tabletop is styled with Chinese export rose medallion vases and the client’s collection of china and silver.

“The mix of old and new makes this home feel younger, hipper and more current.” —Courtney Giles

Lacquered paneled walls are balanced by textural fabrics, which include draperies and roman shades made of wool from Holland & Sherry with a cut velvet trim from Cowtan & Tout. The desk is Julian Chichester.

A wall of antiqued mirror reflects the Romo wallcovering in the powder room and creates an elegant backdrop for a floating marble vanity, a Venetian glass-framed mirror and sconces from The Urban Electric Co.

The drapery fabric by Raoul Textiles inspired the design of the guest bedroom, complementing the wall-to-wall carpet from Stark and the bedding from Julia B. The chair is re-covered in fabric from Jane Churchill.

Accented with draperies and luxurious bedding, the light-filled master bedroom boasts a seating area with a plush sofa in light blue fabric and antique chairs. The sconces are from Oliver Street Designs.

A wall-to-wall carpet from Stark, light pink walls and a balanced mix of antiques and new furnishings foster a sense of serenity.

“The mix of old and new makes this home feel younger, hipper and more current,” interior designer Courtney Giles explains of the stucco-clad, French-inspired manse in Buckhead that she decorated for empty nesters with a large collection of antiques gathered through the decades. 

A runner with an animal print, for example, accents the serpentine open stairway in the front foyer, perfectly balancing the reclaimed stone flooring and intricate antique chest. A vibrant abstract painting also strikes a more modern note, establishing the palette of aqua, blue and blush tones that can be found throughout the interior. “The foyer is very clean and crisp, and that’s how the rest of the house feels,” Giles says.

It faces the formal living room, a light-filled space with a pair of striking black metal-and-glass doors that lead out to the backyard patio. In between them, a contemporary painting over an antique black marble fireplace mantel creates a powerful focal point for a sofa, antique French chairs and a curvaceous upholstered chair with a scalloped skirt. “It shimmers,” Giles says, referring to the metallic stripe in the fabric.

A large abstract painting likewise commands attention in the elegant formal dining room, where an antique chandelier illuminates a glass-topped pedestal table and chairs atop a traditional wool rug. There’s a more casual eating area in the adjacent kitchen, which has traditional white cabinetry and Imperial Danby marble counters. Along the far wall, a custom plaster hood on a floor-to-ceiling marble backsplash gives the space “a modern edge,” Giles says. 

Lacquering the paneled walls in blue does the same for the husband’s den. Giles took the hue directly from a piece of contemporary art, which she reframed and placed above a plush mohair-covered sofa flanked by a pair of skirted chairs covered in a handsome plaid fabric—an ideal spot to watch football with the grandchildren.

The bedrooms, by contrast, feel softer, more feminine. In one of the guest suites, patterned wall-to-wall carpeting and complementary draperies pay homage to the wife’s blue-and-white pottery collection. And in the master bedroom, light pink walls and light carpeting create a soft and serene backdrop for a blend of new and antique furnishings. “This color reflects really beautifully on everyone that walks in the room,” Giles says. 

Completed over the course of three years, the house is exactly what the owners envisioned, an elegant spot to entertain yet comfortable and family friendly. “This has been a dream project,” Giles says. “We’ve created a space that they are happy and proud of, and that’s the best feeling.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Courtney Giles, Courtney Giles Interiors. (404) 791-3404; courtneygiles.com ARCHITECTURE Duane Stone, Duane Stone & Associates. (404) 325-4907 BUILDER Dallas Denny, Holland Renovation and Restoration (404) 557-9492; hollandrenovation.com