Winter’s Embrace

“They wanted it to be timeless and livable, but also feel fresh and young.” —Lynne T. Rankin

Stucco and brown Crab Orchard stone quoins strike a balance in the design by architect D. Stanley Dixon. The builder was Douglas C. Mullins.

The homeowners, who have young children, carried the tradition of hand-flocking the tree into the next generation. The soft palette includes tufted sofas from Kravet in gray fabric from Thibaut, pillows from Acquisitions and draperies using Cowtan & Tout linen with embroidered medallions.

The Calacatta gold backsplash in the kitchen almost looks like an abstract painting, says designer Lynne T. Rankin. The oversize vent hood, cabinets and island are by Woodcrest. The light fixtures are custom by Eloise Pickard and the window looks out onto a boxwood garden.

The centerpiece is by Holly Bryan Floral Design. Schumacher appliqués on charcoal linen border the gray-blue linen draperies. The pleating on the Hickory Chair dining room chairs add feminine, yet not frilly flair. Art by William McLure adds an edge above an iron console from Scott Antique Markets. The chandelier was purchased in Florence, Italy; the table is from Leighton Hall Furniture.

Wreaths adorned with sugared fruit decorate French doors that open to the lawn and pool.

An antique trumeau mirror shares the space with Holland and Company wing chairs, Kravet sofas, a Visual Comfort chandelier and linen draperies in a Cowtan & Tout fabric

Rankin describes the interiors as timeless, livable and fresh. A small tree with sterling silver ornaments that are replicas of past family Christmas cards, serves as a point of reflection in the entry; the iron railing is by Calhoun Design & Metal Works.

The homeowners’ existing bedroom suite, including the draperies, moved with them to their new five-bedroom Atlanta home. The fabric is Zoffany and bedding is by Rose Tarlow.

A holly hedge in the yard produces cheery red berries amid a snowfall.

The marble mantel is deep enough for holiday greenery, by Floralis Garden Design, and glittery decorative trees.

The master bathroom is clean and crisp with Carrera marble from Speartek Tile and Stone and cabinets from Woodcrest. The light fixtures are from Visual Comfort.

Consider a snowfall the natural jewelry on a home’s seasonal attire. In this new Atlanta residence, winter’s touch sets an inviting scene for dinner parties and holiday traditions, such as adding artificial snow to the tree by hand. “The home itself feels so open and warm and welcoming,” says interior designer Lynne T. Rankin. “They always have roaring fireplaces and delicious food cooking in the kitchen.”

Architect D. Stanley Dixon’s design for the 6,600-square-foot English manse drew inspiration from Boxwood, Buckhead’s beloved Philip Shutze-designed estate, with which the homeowners have a connection. The use of stucco and stone gives the five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath residence on 2 acres the feeling that it’s existed for years, Rankin says. Antiques blend with tailored furnishings and a couple of high-stakes purchases. “It’s a fun collection of things that they’ve picked up over the years. They also wanted to add in some newer, fresher pieces,” she says. “They wanted it to be timeless and livable, but also feel fresh and young.”

The homeowners spotted the marble surround and mantel in London, sent photos to Dixon and Rankin, and then shipped it in pieces to Atlanta. Their splurge became the cornerstone of their future living room. A trumeau mirror found closer to home, in Alabama, proved a worthy match above the marble. A palette of bluish gray and creams wrapped the family in an airy and
approachable embrace.

In the often-used dining room, Rankin softened the space with gray-blue curtains that draw across the bay window and a Phillip Jeffries grasscloth in the same tone. The other walls are light paneled or painted. Another one of the homeowner’s international purchases, a dining room chandelier they found in Florence, Italy, joined the window as the room’s focal points.

Rankin and the homeowner, who have known each other since high school, made cross-country selections and other big decisions in the feeling of a true partnership, which also included Dixon and landscape designer Carson McElheney. “It’s been such a lovely experience,” Rankin says. “It was a really wonderful collaboration.”