Twenty-six floors above Buckhead, where the sun and sky seemingly meet, interior designer Melanie Turner transformed a condominium into a little slice of heaven for a young family. Located in The Ritz-Carlton Residences, this luxe corner unit has no shortage of sweeping views.
But for all of the condo’s outward appeal, Turner essentially began with a blank slate—and tight deadline—when it came to the interiors. “The only thing they had was a bed for the master bedroom, so we pretty much had to start from scratch,” she says. “Plus, with the lease on their rental almost up, they gave us a timeline of just 10 weeks.” Rising to the challenge, she and her team got right to work.
Given the main living area’s long proportions, Turner broke up the space by creating a seating area at one end and a dining area at the other for a more structured and intimate layout. She defined the separate spaces with tailor-made furnishings from Bradley, a smart move considering the time constraint. “Ninety percent of the furniture in here is custom, which was a real benefit with our timeline,” says Turner, noting the often-dreaded wait times of factory-made items. “And best of all, it gave us the opportunity to create unique pieces that fit the space to a T. In many condos, there is not much architectural detailing, so by adding a piece of furniture that’s different or large in scale, it adds instant character.”
It’s Turner’s more subtle design details, though, that make this condo a standout. She devised a soft and ethereal color palette with pink and blue accents to complement the unit’s airy setting. “It’s incredibly dream-like. You feel like you’re in the clouds, so in turn I wanted the whole condo to feel like a pretty little jewel box,” says Turner. To play up this aesthetic, the living area’s ceiling features a powder-blue lacquer that reflects light for a beautiful effect. Other gleaming—and decidedly luxe—details include custom consoles in the foyer with pink stone accents and a steel-base soaking tub in the master bath that reflects the bold movement of the floor-to-ceiling marble.
Also part of Turner’s vision for the condo was the family itself. She incorporated vintage lion sculptures in the dining area as a playful nod to the husband’s zodiac sign, Leo, while an adjacent reading nook for the wife offers a cozy spot to indulge her passion for reading. Best of all, the young daughter’s bedroom is a vibrant and fantastical refuge fit for a princess. “There’s purpose behind the beauty,” says Turner. “Our goal is to always create a home that captures the essence of those who live inside it.”
INTERIOR DESIGN Melanie Turner, Melanie Turner Interiors. (404) 250-0134; melanieturnerinteriors.com.