ATLANTA HOMES & LIFESTYLES
DECEMBER 2017
GET COZY! GET COZY!
VOLUME 36, NO. 12
CONTENTS DECEMBER 2017 // ISSUE NO.350
Home 34
Farmhouse Fresh A pair of townhouses in Serenbe’s Mado community is as lovely as it is lively thanks to original, inspired design
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ADAC’s Architect of the Year Exploring the narrative behind the South’s next big architectural talent
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Merry & Bright Indulge in holiday cheer with a pair of festive tabletops
Style 12
2017 Holiday Gift Guide Impeccably curated gifts for her, him, and the hostess!
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Nashville Calling Highlights from Tennessee’s O’More Designer Showhouse
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Influencer Renowned designer William Peace seeks projects, people and places that reflect his commitment to authenticity
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Passport Must-visit destinations, from England to Riviera Maya, to add to your 2018
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travel bucket list
Life 26 28 29 30 80 6 79
Real Estate Property Report Calendar Cultural happenings this month Naomi On holiday madness Dish Bar Mercado Suzanna Musings of a homesick Southerner Editor’s Letter Resources + Ad Index
Cover photographed by David Christensen 4
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FIND THE PERFECT WOOD FLOOR FOR YOUR HOME.
Visit us at The Galleries at Peachtree Hills: 425 Peachtree Hills Ave. Suite 28, Atlanta, GA 30305 realwoodfloors.com/ATLANTA 404.600.6829 realwoodfloors.indd 1
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Gift Guide
2017
Dazzle everyone on your list with stylish embellishments, thoughtful touches and luxurious details!
gifts for the GENTS
Leisure meets luxury with these dashing finds—perfect for the man who has everything Four Up. $189, RH, (770) 804-9040; restorationhardware.com
Genuine American alligator belt strap. From $265, B.D. Jeffries, (404) 231-3004; bdjeffries.com
Baccarat Harmonie Collection. $135, MDM Home, (404) 213-4744; mdmhomeinteriors.com
4-player air hockey table. $899, Frontgate, (404) 841-7170; frontgate.com Black cubisme bookend. $195, Jung Lee NY, (212) 257-5655; jungleeny.com
Deco Dominos set by L’Objet. $465, MDM Home, (404) 213-4744; mdmhomeinteriors.com
Hornvarefabrikken shoe horn. $35, Cobbler Union, (404) 500-6828; cobbler-union.com
Rabbit felt and grosgrain ribbon hat. $680, Hermès, (404) 233-1011; hermes.com
Hand-lacquered wood with leather chess set. $2,000, Hermès, (404) 233-1011; hermes.com
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STYLE NEWS
Parade lace-up ankle bootie in suede goatskin with palladium plated perforated H laces nozzle. $1,325, Hermès, (404) 233-1011; hermes.com
Tassel pavé diamond necklace. $2,550, B.D. Jeffries, (404) 231-3004; bdjeffries.com
Sawyer Embellished Satchel with mother-of-pearl buttons, beads, sequins and faceted stones. $1,198, Tory Burch, (404) 816-3261; toryburch.com
Thelma Coat in metallic-foiled velvet, with solid piping and fabric buttons. $998, Tory Burch, (404) 816-3261; toryburch.com
gifts for HER
Long Hanalei earrings in smoky topaz set in 18-karat gold with brown diamond pavé. $21,600, Mish New York, (212) 734-3500; mishnewyork.com
Sparkle and shine have never looked so refined! Make the season extra memorable with these 10 sassy, stylish finds
Equino featherweight cashmere shawl. $235, Huff Harrington Home, (404) 467-0311; huffharrington.com
Double wrap bracelet in red. $650, Hermès, (404) 233 1011; hermes.com
Capitol Peak Snowflake pendant-brooch in 18 karat white gold with black and white diamond pavé. $19,600, Mish New York, (212) 7343500; mishnewyork.com
Small cotton canvas gold tote bag with faux leather handles and base. $55, Annie Selke; annieselke.com
Rose Gold metallic leather women’s deconstructed cupsole Alpargatas. $89.95; Toms, toms.com
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STYLE
INFLUENCERS
T H E I N C O M PA R A B L E
WILLIAM
PEACE
From his Southern roots to his westward expansion, designer William Peace seeks projects, people and places that reflect his commitment to authenticity WRITTEN BY Suzanna
President Charles Gandy in the mid1980s. The enormously successful partnership of Gandy/Peace solidified Atlanta’s design principle of mixing the best of the past with a clean, contemporary aesthetic. The firm lasted 17 years, until Gandy retired.
Cullen Hamilton
Early Days William Peace was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and studied interior design, architecture and photography at the University of Kentucky. Working in residential architecture and construction was a formative experience for Peace. “From setting foundation blocks to speaking with the cleaning crew or the owners, I learned the importance of communicating with everyone involved in the project and how to relate to people from all walks of life,” says Peace.
First Partnership After a brief stint at Ferry, Hayes & Allen Designers in Atlanta, Peace joined renowned designer and ASID National 22
Peace Design rapidly expanded, opening a Montana office in 2004. “In the 1990s I fell in love with the majestic and magnetic vistas of the West,” says Peace, “and that made me want to explore how to create interiors that complement the views rather than compete and overshadow the incredible landscapes.” Peace Design now employs 10 people. The firm relies on a palette of neutral backgrounds so that textures and elements of the natural world can be accentuated. “Whether creating sleek, modernist urban interiors or textural, layered Western interiors, I strive for classic design that incorporates objects, art and decorative elements that are authentic and pure,” says the designer. Peace is a unifying force among Atlanta’s top designers. “We are so fortunate to live and work in Atlanta, where it’s a unique community of designers that compete for projects,” he says. “But we’re actually friends, and we influence each other in positive ways.”
PHOTOS BY EMILY FOLLOWILL, ERICA GEORGE DINES AND CHRIS LITTLE
Unifying Force
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Peace has won numerous awards throughout the years, including Southeastern Designer of the Year and National ASID Project awards. In 2016 William Peace was awarded the Georgia ASID Chapter Award for Design Achievement.
Westward Expansion Regardless of geographical direction or design ethos, Peace Design continues to flourish. “I have an amazing staff, and we work on beautiful projects all over the country,” says Peace. “But we rely on our Southern roots as we expand west in creating unique, interesting, classic projects.”
Peace incorporates art, objects and decorative elements that are authentic and pure. clockwise from above Exotic treasures, tribal antiques and animal mounts pop against textured barn-board walls. Peace designed this elegant high-rise condominium around a contemporary art collection. Luxurious materials such as bronze, marble, leather, wood, silk and mohair, are layered throughout. opposite, clockwise from top A modern, masterful mix in a St. Regis Atlanta residence. Designer William Peace. “This is an authentic classic Western cabin, and we were respectful of the setting so that the interiors relate to the landscape,” he says.
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FARMHOUSE FRESH
THE FIRST UNIT OF THE 2017 SERENBE DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE MAKES AN IMPACT WITH STREAMLINED STYLE AND EYE-CATCHING ELEMENTS WRITTEN BY Kate
Abney
PRODUCED BY Elizabeth
Ralls
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Jeff Herr
Kitchen Jena Salmon, Kay Design Studios and Mathews Furniture + Design This unit’s kitchen was designed to be “a soft take on contemporary,” explains Jena Salmon, the interior designer who selected the finishes for the showhouses. For this unit, she collaborated with Kay and Jamie Chung of Kay Design Studio to create the room’s many attractive components: Tall, narrow cabinet doors and deep drawers, for instance, are outfitted with the award-winning German Hettich system, which helps users get the most storage and efficiency out of the space. Nickel bar hardware offers a streamlined silhouette, and the island is topped with durable Neolith. The space was dressed up further with white-glass ceiling pendants, bamboo barstools and antique paintings added by Don Easterling and Nina Nash. In a final stroke of genius, Kay Design Studio installed a flat-screen TV against the vent hood, creating a the ultimate convenience in keeping with the kitchen’s streamlined style.
CUSTOM CABINETRY Kay Design Studio CABINETRY SYSTEM Hettich ALL APPLIANCES Jenn-Air ISLAND COUNTERTOP Neolith PERIMETER COUNTERTOP Compac COUNTERTOP FABRICATION Miami Circle Marble ALL TILE AND PLUMBING Porcelanosa BAMBOO BARSTOOLS McGuire through Mathews Furniture + Design BRONZE AND WHITE-GLASS CEILING PENDANTS Xavier by Ralph Lauren through Mathews Furniture + Design PORCELAINS Mathews Furniture + Design 35
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Master Suite CHRIS HOLT, Holt Interiors For a master bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and modest proportions, designer Chris Holt created a showstopping canopy by draping a bed from his retail store, Noah J. & Co., with an S. Harris fabric in a serene blue. “I took sort of a fresh country approach,” says Holt, who was heavily influenced by Serenbe. The Lee Jofa chintz of the pillow fabric informed the color scheme of this layered, sophisticated space, and every design decision relates back to nature, be it through patterns, artwork or plenty of fresh greenery. Located just off the bedroom is a covered porch boasting pair of “big, comfy chairs” woven from a weather-ready polymer, plus an easy-care Couristan rug. Anchoring the
BATHROOM BY MALI AZIMA
retreat is a chartreuse-stained cypress cabinet by Kay Design Studio.
(far left) ALL FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES Noah J. & Co. (left) WOOD-LOOK SHOWER WALL Neolith PLUMBING Porcelanosa FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH Noah J. & Co. (above) CABINETRY Kay Design Studio APPLIANCES Jenn Air ACCESSORIES Noah J. & Co. WOVEN OUTDOOR CHAIRS St. Barts by Kingsley Bate GLAZED GARDEN SEATS Emissary INDOOROUTDOOR RUG Couristan VINTAGE AFGHAN POTTERY Scott Antique Market
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EUROPEAN ELEGANCE THE SECOND UNIT OF THE 2017 SERENBE DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE IS A STUDY IN WARM TEXTURES AND SOPHISTICATED TOUCHES, BORROWING INFLUENCE FROM ITS EUROPEANINSPIRED NEIGHBORHOOD WRITTEN BY Claire
Ruhlin
PRODUCED BY Elizabeth
Ralls
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY
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WOOD BENCH, MARBLE TRAY, PERSIAN RUG & APOTHECARY JAR SET Montgomery Gratch Interiors BOOTS Westside Market HALLWAY RUG Dash & Albert
Guest Suite MICHELE GRATCH and JULIE MONTGOMERY, Montgomery Gratch Interiors
through Codarus FRAMED ANTLERS Holland & Company
Julie Montgomery and Michele Gratch cultivated a sense of sophisticated ease in this comfortable
EASEL & OWL ARTWORK
guest suite, which encompassed a hallway, a bedroom and bath, and the home’s laundry room.
Mathews Furniture + Design
“We wanted the space to feel gender neutral with an eclectic mix of items that would appeal to
LOUNGE RUG Moattar, Ltd.
anyone,” says Gratch. Organic and vintage elements such as antique books mix with touches of
GOLD CHAIRS Selamat De-
glam, including a custom daybed upholstered in a jewel-toned crushed-velvet fabric. Riding boots
signs at Steve McKenzie’s
and landscape artwork nod to Serenbe’s pastoral landscape.
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“People know this house as it is viewed from Habersham Road. Nestled into the landscape and mostly hidden by trees, one can see only a small Whether beach jewel boxatofthe a portico or onthe a mountain, from street, which architect Jeff rey we is precisely how Dungan’s wanted tocreations build it are intimately connected back. Luckily, most of to the land. “I love the vegetation around outdoor spaces and the house remained extending the architecintact,” says Dixon. ture past the normal boundaries,” he says.
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E X P LO R I N G A DAC ’ S 2 0 1 7 AWA R D - W I N N I N G
ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
The story behind the next big Southern talent reveals why his residences are as timely as they are timeless WRITTEN BY Kate
Abney
PHOTOGRAPHY BY William
Abranowicz, Jean Allsopp and Emily Followill
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MERRY & BRIGHT Bountiful and beautiful, this skirted round table beckons guests with a mix of cottage charm and holiday happiness WRITTEN BY The
Editors
PHOTOGRAPHED BY David
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OH, WHAT FUN! Dressing down the formal dining room doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. Bill Ingram reveals the ultimate high-low mix
A
RCHITECTS MIGHT JUST MAKE FOR the toughest real estate clients. So when Bill Ingram decided he wanted to swap his Colony Square pied à terre for a tree-lined street in Buckhead, he knew his work was cut out for him. But serendipitously, a house designed by one of the leading firms of the early 20th-century South—Pringle & Smith—caught his eye, and the architect could not ignore its tall ceilings, classic symmetry and heart-of-Buckhead location. Another bonus: The former lady of the house also possessed great taste, so it was a no-brainer to swap a pair of formal Fortuny draperies in the master bedroom with the ones in the dining room as the starting point. Painting the walls apricot and a pair of doors high-gloss black was the next order of business, and once again, rather serendipitously, a set of eight 1960s faux-bamboo Baker chairs he found on 1stDibs featured worn orange velvet cushions with tassel ties, completing the mix. In addition to his refined architectural and interior design sensibilities, Ingram is also a style ambassador for Serena & Lily. The company’s serene blue chambray tablecloth provided the perfect visual anchor for a large-scale dining table, while Serena & Lily tabletop pieces, such as the rattan Tortola lanterns and round raffia placemats, play off the natural feel of the faux-bamboo chairs and counter the formality of Ingram’s generous collection of English porcelain. 65
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PA S S P O R T T R AV E L
GRAND-SCALE INDULGENCE It’s like being in a village of such beauty and extravagance that you’ll never want to leave WRITTEN BY Gina
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TRAVELING SOUTH FROM CANCUN ALONG Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a giant white wall behind a glistening turquoise pool beckons entry—the minimalistic aesthetic is a welcome break from the cacophony of colors along highway 307. But behind the “great wall” there’s a surprise: 206 acres of glorious gardens, lush jungle and mangroves leading to Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort. Three distinctive sections, Zen Grand, Ambassador and Grand Class, house a total of 540 suites, each a whopping 1,100 square feet or larger. As you enter any suite, the sheer scale of the room and the stunning views will take your breath away. High ceilings, massive doors and lots of natural light add irresistible appeal. The suites look as if a top designer had a hand in every aspect, not only in the design, but also in the functionality. The furniture is perfectly scaled, with sitting areas, desk areas, super-luxurious beds and regional-inspired artwork. Bathrooms are floor-to-ceiling marble, with double, raised sinks, large Jacuzzi tubs, rain showers and L’Occitane amenities. Zen Grand is Polynesian-style with an enormous open-air lobby. It serves as the resort’s main activity hub with closest proximity to the convention center. The Ambassador suites are family-
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friendly, and tucked inside is a business center, Kids’ Club and Teens’ Club. The Grand Class, with suites up to 1,300 square feet, is exclusively for adults. Ambassador and Grand Class suites have pool and ocean views, and completely private terraces or balconies. The Zen Grand suites are set in the jungle with all the lush flora and fauna one would expect. No matter which section you chose, expect to be indulged—your personal Concierge will see to that. Need a beach chaise set up with chilled towels? No sweat, your Beach and Pool Concierges have you covered. Health, beauty and wellness experiences are easiest at resorts where you’re in a beautiful environment—there’s fresh air, sunshine, healthy food, excursions—but the Grand Velas Spa takes it to a whole new level. Voted Best Spa in the World by Virtuoso, the spa’s naturopathic approach, extensive treatment offerings (40 treatment rooms), lush green surroundings, low lighting, and, what seems to be “water, water everywhere,” helps guests instantly downshift into escapism. If you can, spend the entire day at the spa to experience the ultimate in ancient curative traditions of Mexico. It is not to be missed. Upon arrival, the pampering starts with a refreshing strawberry and lemon drink garnished with starfruit, and an iced, orange blossom-scented face towel. Following that, the Hydrothermal Journey, which includes no less than seven water-based therapeutic processes, is the spa’s heartbeat (until you’ve experienced a Water Bubble Bed, you haven’t lived). Treatments—facials and massages, among others—incorporate products considered sacred by the ancient Mayans, such as corn, honey, coffee, cocoa, aloe vera and millet. The treatment menu
above The pool in the Zen Grand section, set in the jungle, serves as a focal point for King and Queen Pool Suites. below The beachfront façade of the Ambassador, as seen at eye level from the infinity pool. opposite, top to bottom The private balconies of the Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s Grand Class section feature plunge pools and views of the Gulf of Mexico. Meticulously maintained foliage accentuates the magificent architecture in an open-air hallway to guest suites in the Ambassador section.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA
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PA S S P O R T T R AV E L
LINGERING IN THE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE
Take your time and sip some wine as you cruise along Jason Frye the canals of France WRITTEN BY
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SAILING THROUGH THE HEART of Burgundy, the Nenuphar makes its way from one storybook village to the next, navigating dozens of locks and taking seven days to cover less than 40 miles of canal. Along the way you’ll have ample time to relax and shake off the real world. Visits to wineries in Chablis; cathedrals in Auxerre; and postcard-perfect abbeys, châteaus and historic sites will ensure it. And if that’s not enough, the wine—from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards—and accompanying meals served on board will do the trick. The cruise begins in Paris, where you meet the rest of the group at the Hotel Regina for a motorcoach transfer to Tanlay. In Tanlay you get your first glimpse of the Nenuphar. Green and white, gleaming and pristine, it stands taller than the other boats, revealing something of the barge’s personality and purpose. Stepping from the coach into an embrace or handshake from the captain, you start to feel at home. Like the other barges in French Country Waterways’ fleet, the Nenuphar is built for intimacy and luxury. With six suites, there’s room for 12 passengers; additionally, six crew—captain, matelot (think first mate), tour guide, chef and two hostesses—live on board. On the bow, a sundeck gives passengers room to lounge or dine outdoors,
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while the stern is taken up by the wheelhouse (which you can visit, even steering the barge under the captain’s supervision). Inside, a wellappointed salon and bar will serve as a cocktail hour, late night, or pre-and post-tour gathering space. Behind that are the dining room and galley. Belowdecks are the six suites, each with a sizable bathroom and king or dual-twin bed. Your onboard chef prepares every meal of the week—save your visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant—from the galley. Dinner, a four-course, plated affair, lets the chef show off unforgettable recipes and techniques. In addition to two more outstanding wines and another trio of cheeses, each meal brings in regional ingredients—bought at nearby markets (you can shop with the chef at the market in Montbard)—and classic French preparations. Expect dishes like beef filet with morel mushrooms, duck breast with stone fruit, lamb, and fresh fish and desserts from the classic crêpe Suzette to fruit tarts with homemade ice cream to crème brûlée. One evening during the sailing, you’re in for a special treat as you dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant. On the Burgundy route, passengers on the Nenuphar dined at the two-star Le Relais Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu, enjoying an off-menu, three-course meal. Most passengers agree that while the service and experience there are unparalleled, the chef on board delivers meals on par with what you’ll taste on your Michelin adventure. Canal cruising can be as active as you’d like, as daily excursions to spots like Fontenay Abbey, the Grande Forge de Buffon, châteaus and wineries keep you busy. Or skip the tour and make one of your own by stepping off the boat at one of the locks and taking a walk or bike ride on the towpath beside the canal. It’s easy to outpace the barge, which goes only 2.5 miles per hour, and there are villages along the canal where you can shop in markets and patisseries, visit churches and cafes, or just explore the streets. Keep a few euros in your pocket in case you want to shop or in case you see the bakery delivery van driving around doling out hot baguettes. Sailing through the countryside at this pace gives you an excellent feel for the place and people here, but getting off the boat and onto the towpath allows you to be part of the town, at least for a little while, so taking one morning or afternoon excursion is a must. fcwl.com
clockwise from top The bar and lounge on Nenuphar, a cozy space to gather at for evening drinks. Bottles of champagne aging and awaiting hand corking at Champagne Brigandat. Sailing the Canal de Bourgogne at a leisurely pace gives you long moments to soak up the countryside and even explore by bike or on foot. Fresh cheeses are brought in daily from local market. opposite, top to bottom Nenuphar, your home for the week, takes you into corners of France that foreign visitors seldom see. The versatile dining room goes from a casual breakfast and lunch venue to an intimate and elegant dinner setting where the shipboard chef prepares meals that illuminate the flavors and traditions of the region.
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