Top Design
At the recent Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Home for the Holidays Showhouse & Marketplace, area designers unleashed their impeccable style on a rambling Colonial-style Buckhead abode. The result: tailored-to-a-T spaces that both push the envelope and beckon guests to stay awhile.
Master Bedroom & Master Bathroom // Kelly Wolf Anthony, Wolf Design Group
The unabashedly glamorous master suite included a palette of blacks, whites and greys. “Black and white always inspires me,” says designer Kelly Wolf Anthony. “I find this palette to be both calm and sharp at the same time.” She counteracted the palette with sumptuous textures such as lamb’s wool, fur and velvet for added warmth. The showstopper: a polished malachite headboard, an unexpectedly chic twist to the plush space. headboard Bradley Murano chandelier Smith Grubbs & Associates Rug Designer Carpets lamps Circa lighting Artwork by Patricia Wolf demilunes, ottomans and drink table Anthony Wolf collection leather chair Jerry Pair
The lavish luxury of the bedroom extended into the master bath, where a tufted suede ottoman set on a sheepskin rug created a glamorous feel. Kelly Wolf Anthony suspended artwork in front of the windows, adding dimension and privacy to the spa-like space. Cascading, moisture-resistant curtains softened marble countertops and tile floors while agate and nickel sconces added a jewel-like touch to his-and-hers- vanities. Swan painting by Dawne Raulet at Huff Harrington Fine Art figurative series painting by Stephanie Wheeler antique brass mirror bradley acrylic chair, bench, rug and side table Anthony Wolf collection
Library // William Peace, Peace Design
A long, curved sofa swept visitors into the cozy paneled library. Designer William Peace was inspired by a collection of wooden bowls by the Moulthorps-three generations of Atlanta wood carvers-and displayed the coveted pieces throughout the space. “I wanted the room to be warm, rich and somewhat masculine,” says Peace, “since the rest of the house is light and more feminine.” To enliven the traditional space, he hung an oversize red and white encaustic painting, and added a mirrored coffee table for shine to contrast with the tactile fabrics, artwork and books. Round table and sectional Christian LiaIgre Chair and ottoman Ainsworth-Noah rug Keivan Woven Arts Mirrored table Bradley Jewel Side table R Hughes Mirror Jerry Pair Moulthrop bowls signature shop & Gallery painting Sharon Weiner at Alan Avery Art Co.
Living Room // Jimmy Stanton, Stanton Home Furnishings
This home’s front door opens directly into the living room, requiring the light-and-bright space to both welcome visitors as well as entertain. “I wanted it to be a room that’s not too stuffy, but refined and inviting,” says Jimmy Stanton, who strategically hung collections of botanical plates between on the walls between French doors (the room features six sets of doors). A soothing assemblage of tailored, comfortable seating with low, metal-framed chairs beckoned visitors to stay, while patterned fabrics, from the zebra cowhide to a Greek key design added visual interest to the tailored space. A pale oushak created subtle pattern and character. all furnishings and accessories available through Stanton Home furnishings
Breakfast Room // Paige Schnell & Anna Kay Porch, Tracery Interiors
At the opposite end of the kitchen, a lively breakfast room offered the perfect spot for casual weeknight get-togethers and family meals. Paige Schnell and Anna Kay Porch set the tone for the cheery space with a vibrant overdyed rug, echoing its saturated colors in the blue skirted chairs and colorful table settings. “We began with the idea of peacock and citron colors and eventually tied those in with the rug, pillows and curtains,” says Schnell. A modern crystal chandelier above the table enhanced the room’s youthful feel. All furnishings and accessories available through Tracery Interiors
Kitchen // Bell Kitchen & Bath Studios
The spacious, light and airy kitchen melded the best of traditional and modern design. Classically styled cabinets-some with glass fronts-lent interest to the upper walls, while an island stained in a rich green suggested the structure of an old farm table. The centerpiece of the cozy space: a white range hood with brass trim, alluding to the graceful elegance of a European kitchen. Tracery’s Paige Schnell and Anna Kay Porch completed the space with decorative details. Cabinetry & hood Bell Kitchen & Bath studio light fixture Circa lighting all other accessories available through Tracery Interiors
Men’s Guest Suite // Bill Musso, Todd Falconbury & Lauren Dott, Musso Design Group
“The inspiration for this space came from an editorial spread in Vogue,” says Musso Design Group principal and lead designer Bill Musso. “There was a modern approach to luxury with a baroque twist to it that was intriguing.” Ornate elements, such as a tufted chaise, crystal chandelier and chartreuse velvet paneled walls contributed to the room’s opulent, old-world aesthetic. Drapery panels trimmed in bold tape hung from the ceiling and created the illusion of a four-poster, while the absence of pattern kept the room rooted firmly in the present. Gleaming elements, from glass lamps to mirrored finishes, added a bit of sparkle. Night stand Holland & Company bed curtains and coverlet Martin Nash chair Baker, Knapp & Tubbs chandelier Smith Grubbs & Associates rug Moattar ltd. bench fabric Duralee art by Daniel Biddy
Stair Halls // Courtney Giles Decker, Courtney Giles Interiors
The central intersection of this year’s showhouse: a large, airy stair hall. Courtney Giles Decker filled the lofty space with a mix of antique furniture and interesting works of art designed to complete the area without making it feel cluttered. “For inspiration, we started with the large canvas painting and then pulled colors from it,” says Decker. Touches of blue, including the antique glass jugs (downstairs) and a pair of columns (upstairs), contributed to the central hall’s breezy ambiance and prove both dramatic and soothing in the large space. Slipcovers tempered the formality of antique French chairs downstairs, as did the nubby cotton-and-linen fabric on a pair of small benches beneath the console. A collection of framed intaglios anchored an upstairs wall. Pine console and Astrid sofa Macrae pair of antique benches and iron vines Jerry Pair tree canvas painting by Jane Ingols
Dining Room // Barbara Westbrook, Westbrook Interiors
The white-on-white dining room felt anything but ho-hum under Barbara Westbrook’s skillful direction. “I wanted it to be a room that would entice everyone to stay seated after a meal and chat with one another,” says the designer. Comfortable dining chairs, upholstered in an approachable wool, received just the right dose of formality from elaborate embroidered monograms. Lush linen curtains with a row of tiny pleats at the hem lent the room Westbrook’s signature dressmaker polish. Above the table, Westbrook hung an eye-catching piece to create a strong focal point: a sculptural antique chandelier made of bronzed leaves, hand-cut crystals, carved wood and red-painted metal. Table Jerry Pair & Associates custom monogrammed chairs Bungalow Classic high back chairs Westbrook Antiques. credenza, chandelier, mirror and Artwork Robuck & Co.
Family Room // Kay Douglass and Dixie Peeples, South of Market
The concept for this home’s warm and contemporary family room began with the idea of a cross ottoman anchoring the space. “We decided the ottoman should be Swiss red, and the room’s palette evolved from there,” says Douglass. A vivid red-and-blue tribal rug found in France reinforced their vision. An extension of the kitchen and breakfast nook, the family room also opens up to an outdoor living space. Douglass and Peeples designed the room as a comfortable gathering space, where children and teenagers alike would feel welcome. To that end, the design team utilized the perimeter of the room to maximize seating. “The custom-made banquettes soften the room and create comfortable reading nooks,” Douglass says. chandelier bradley sofa, canvas, chaise, wing back chairs and all accessories available through south of market
Girl’s Bedroom // Allison Hennessy, Allison Hennessy Interior Design
A bedroom tucked away under the eaves presented designer Allison Hennessy with the challenges of a dormered ceiling. “Rooms like these are an opportunity to use wallpaper, since there’s no space to hang art,” she says. A playful, abstract pink and white pattern swathed the walls and set the tone for the feminine space. A fanciful ceiling light fixture inspired Hennessy to repeat the arched motif around the room, on both the daybed design and an arched awning at the windows. Striking a balance between the playful and energetic, even the desk area boasts sophisticated flair. Desk The New Traditionalist chair Alan Robandt custom daybed and memo board Sonia’s Place fabric by Buckhead Upholstery rug Surya Rugs
Office & Mudroom // Rick Anthony Bonner, InsiDesign
Tucked into a secluded corner of the rear hallway, the home office provided privacy and minimal distraction for correspondence, work and family management. “A home office must be a comfortable and desirable haven for productive work, with the ability to become a respite from the activity of public areas when needed,” says designer Rick Anthony Bonner. Plentiful storage under the desk surface kept clutter out of sight. Desk chair and all other accessories available through InsiDesign
For the family command center, Rick Anthony Bonner envisioned the mudroom and adjacent home office as highly functional spaces. The shiplap paneling of the mudroom gave it an air of casual efficiency. A row of lockers for each family member, with drawers for off-season storage below, are connected by a built-in bench while not one, but three clocks “keep a busy family running on schedule,” he says. Desk chair and all other accessories available through InsiDesign
Powder Room & Laundry Room // Karen Ferguson, Harrison Design Associates
With an industrial-type sink with double faucets, the powder room was uniquely suited to washing muddy hands. The sunny decorative tile inspired the adjacent laundry room’s color scheme and gave the utilitarian space a richly traditional appeal. Wrought-iron sconces reinforced the old-world ambiance. Iron sconces Edgar-Reeves pine stool the Nicholson Gallery
Sunny, hand-painted tile in an adjacent powder room inspired Karen Ferguson to extend the ochre color palette into the laundry room. “In a family home like this one, you spend a lot of time in here, so the room needed to be warm and inviting,” she says. Ferguson also ingeniously wove in space for a dog bed within the cabinetry and adorned the flooring with unexpectedly chic penny cork tiles. Roman shade Bjork Studio
Lady’s Retreat // Cheryl Womack & Alison Womack Jowers, Womack Interiors
Sophisticated and bold with a fresh and fun feel, the lady’s retreat was also notable for its delicate details and an invigorating color palette. A choice spot for relaxation, Cheryl Womack and daughter Alison Womack Jowers fashioned a space with distinct personality thanks to hand-painted fabrics and plush leather and hide accents. Jowers says she chose the room’s coral palette because she adores the hue: “The combination of coral and pink is yummy, the wheat is grounding and the black adds depth and dimension,” she says. Chair & stool Knoll hide rug Saddleman’s wooden drink table Martin Nash pedestal Ernest Gaspard & Associates sculptures through Pryor Fine Art canvas artwork by Susan Moreno Geodes & Obleisques Lush Life
Outdoor Living Room // Steve McKenzie, Steve McKenzie’s
Steve McKenzie took advantage of the remarkable innovations in outdoor furniture and fabric design to create an outdoor retreat that could be used in every season. He chose the teal blue, green and natural wood tones from the surrounding garden and added splashes of orange and paprika to reflect the autumnal leaves. “I love the outdoor fabrics by Laurie Bell,” he says. “They have the feel of cut velvet but function outdoors. I wanted the outdoor areas to be an extension of the beautiful interiors, to be comfortable and welcoming like the home itself.”
Women’s Guest Suite // Heather Dewberry and Will Huff, Huff-Dewberry, Inc.
A second guest suite revealed an exercise in confident color, and the Tree of Life fabric hanging over the bed inspired the room’s color scheme. “We thought that a bed hanging would help cocoon the room and make the ceiling height cozier,” says Heather Dewberry. The upholstered headboard and footboard were inspired by a classic Parish Hadley design, and helped create a sumptuous feel. “You can take risks in a guest room that you may not normally take elsewhere,” she says. The powder room repeated the bedroom’s fresh aqua tone, with a patterned wallpaper enveloping the space. Huff-Dewberry extended the marble backsplash to surround the mirror in a wide frame, adding structure and contrast to the wallpaper. Polished sconces, hung directly on the vanity mirror, added sparkle to the cheerful space. “Luminous bits throughout the space brighten the room and help bring it into today,” Dewberry says. Fabrics and wallcoverings Duralee bedside lamp Edgar-Reeves end table and drink table Holland & Company console, garden seat and vestibule bench Parc Monceau antiques floor lamp Circa lighting art by Sally K. Benedict