ATLANTA HOMES & LIFESTYLES
JUNE 2015
FRESH + CLEAN
VOLUME 34, NO. 6
fresh + clean
Atlanta Style Now! Rising Stars, Shutze award winners and more
CONTENTS JUNE 2015 // ISSUE NO.320
Home 44
Classic Flourish Tudor Revival style receives a modern update at the hands of Greg Busch and Melanie Millner.
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Private Dwelling Barbara Westbrook creates a residence rooted in classic style yet thoroughly instilled with a modern attitude.
Style 12
Twist on Tradition Globally inspired, antiques-filled vignettes from the 2015 Cathedral Antiques Show’s Inspiration Avenue.
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9th Annual Shutze Awards The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Southeast Chapter, awarded 14 coveted Philip Trammell Shutze awards to devotees of classical design.
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15 Under 40 Atlanta’s rising stars haven’t just paid their dues; they’ve created platforms, introduced proudctss and adopted philosophies that are changing the way we live today.
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Classic Beauty Carson McElheney breathes new life into the gardens of a Shutzedesigned homethrough timeless details.
Life 36 38 39 40 71 88 6 87
Real Estate Property Report Calendar Cultural happenings around Atlanta Naomi On “athleisure” wear Dish Dispatches from the local culinary scene Passport to Style Warm-weather travel Etc. Quintessentially Atlanta … with Marcia Editor’s Letter Resources + Ad Index Cover photographed by Emily Followill
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A MERICAN - MADE
CL ASSIC CO NT E M PO R A RY H OM E F U R NIS H IN GS
Alessa sofa, $2199; Fuller cocktail table, $799; Cable rug, $2299. Westside Provisions 1170 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta roomandboard.com
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WELCOME
EDITOR’S LETTER
WHAT’S NEW
ONLINE
#dailydoseofdesign Stay in the know with Atlanta’s design scene!
Simplicity
Follow @atlantahomesmag on Instagram, visit our blog or like us on Facebook to tag along as our editors visit showrooms, galleries, popup shops, new restaurants and more.
WHY DOES SUMMER FEEL SO INHERENTLY liberating? It’s almost as if there’s an internal switch we choose to dial down this time of year, to put spring’s steadfast songs to rest and take the time to indulge in the art of doing, well … nothing. And while lazy summer days are very much a paradox these days with young children who are quite active, ultimately our family finds joy each summer in retreating from the frenzy—in hopes that the next time we are asked, “How’ve you been?” the answer will be far from our standard “Busy.” Personifying that need for simplicity in this month’s issue are two clean-lined residences: one, nearly 40 stories above Peachtree at the Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, and the other, a leafy residence in Tuxedo Park. These projects, by interior designers Barbara Westbrook and Melanie Millner, respectively, prove that ruthless editing makes for the ultimate gratification. And that’s a lesson we could all take to heart.
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PORTRAIT BY ERICA GEORGE DINES
with AH&L’s new app, available on your smart
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CIRCALIGHTING.COM 3078 ROSWELL ROAD NW, ATLANTA CHARLESTON
CHICAGO
HOUSTON
404.233.4131
SAVANNAH
WASHINGTON DC
VENICE SCONCE IN BRONZE WITH ANTIQUE MIRROR BY THOMAS O’BRIEN
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STYLE NEWS
TWIST ON TRADITION
At the 2015 Cathedral Antiques Show’s Inspiration Avenue, area interior designers paired up with floral designers to create antiques-filled vignettes inspired by a country of their choosing. The results were as fascinating as they were a fun exercise in nostalgia. PHOTOGRAPHED BY David Christensen
1 The casual elegance of Scandinavia was on display inside HARMONIOUS LIVING BY TISH MILLS’ intimate dining space. A console and buffet from Parc Monceau Antiques added storage to the space, while artwork from Huff Harrington Fine Art contributed to the feeling of being in the Northern European countryside. Floral design by Josh Borden. 2 Ann Wisniewski of AJW DESIGNS, INC. employed traditional Japanese Zen philosophy in the design of her clean-lined vignette, which was enlivened by fitting florals from Elaine Jo and Iwalani Barbazon. Japanese silk screens, as well as Design Within Reach’s Line Credenza and Aura Media Unit helped anchor the space. 3 Inspired by the easy-going attitude of the Bahamas, AMY MORRIS INTERIORS evoked the blues of the ocean and sky in this soaring balcony space that was separated from the atrium below by sheer white drapery panels. Completing the look were mirrored walls layered with traditional Bahamasstyle wood lattice; a dramatic ocean-scene pastel painting from Mason Murer Fine Art anchored one of the walls. Antique gold brackets from Parc Monceau. 4 Using the Vietnamese city of Hanoi as her muse, DARDEN MOCK celebrated its eclectic style in a cozy office where color, pattern and texture abound. On the walls (made to look like cracked plaster), Mock incorporated ancestral paintings
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with contemporary pieces that reflect the vibrancy of the capital city. 5 Melanie Millner of THE DESIGN ATELIER was inspired by Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest; her greenery-lined space transported visitors to the jungle thanks to faux-bois furniture from Janus et Cie; accessories from B.D. Jeffries; and carpet tiles from Interface Carpet. 6 This striking room by TAMARA BICKLEY DESIGN was punctuated by pops of purple (including lush florals by Robert Long Flora Design) in a vignette informed by France and its “Je suis Charlie” movement. 7 MELANIE DAVIS DESIGN took inspiration from C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, creating the author’s office looking out into the world of Narnia. An Aubusson tapestry from Spalding Nix Fine Art acts as the backdrop for a carved walnut library chair and leather carved trunk with nailhead trim, both from Robuck, and books from Antonio Raimo Galleries. Oushak from Keivan Woven Arts.
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WESTBROOK INTERIORS Atlanta interior design-
ers Barbara Westbrook and Elizabeth Hanson of Westbrook Interiors earned an Honorable Mention in the category of RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN for this Tulsa, Oklahoma project. Judges commented that it was “a very extensive body of work;” that the firm was an “obvious talent;” and remarked upon the project’s “great design.”
9th annual
SHUTZE AWARDS
A SSELIN, INC. For the historic
reconstruction of L’Hermione, General LaFayette’s wood frigate, Asselin, Inc. received the award for ARTISAN▲
QUINCY H AMMOND L ANDSCAPE A RCHITECT In the cat-
SHIP/CRAFTMANSHIP. One of the
egory of LANDSCAPE/GARDEN DESIGN, this Southampton, New York,
most authentically built Tall Ships ever,
project by Quincy Hammond Landscape Architect earned an award
and the largest identical reconstruc-
for extending “the design of the house with framed views that slowly
tion of a Tall Ship ever created, the
revealed the property;” and for breaking up the large property into “a
ship, which is scheduled to set sail
series of spaces that are discrete, varied and well connected.”
across the Atlantic this year, wowed judges, who commented: “what courage;” and, “exciting to see such craftmanship and scholarship today.”
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WESTBROOK INTERIORS AND TAMMY CONNOR INTERIOR DESIGN BY ERICA GEORGE DINES
THE INSTITUTE OF CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE & ART, SOUTHEAST CHAPTER, AWARDED 14 COVETED PHILIP TRAMMELL SHUTZE AWARDS TO THE SOUTH’S TOP DEVOTEES OF CLASSICAL DESIGN.
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STYLE NEWS
J
AMES
F. CARTER This
Birmingham-based architecture firm earned an award in the category of RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY–4,000-10,000 SQUARE FEET for this Mountain Brook project. Design dictates included that the house be sited and gardens be designed to convey a strong sense of layer▲
HISTORICAL CONCEPTS
ing and a procession for arriving
A western North Carolina mountain estate de-
signed by Georgia-based architecture firm Historical Concepts garnered an Hon-
guests yet tempered by a nod
orable Mention for RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY–4,000-10,000 SQUARE FEET.
to restraint when viewed from
Judges comments included: “fantastic siting, charming with unusual shapes;” and,
the street. Judges said: “beauti-
“interior detailing is superb; loved the timber lintels.” The 5,200-square-foot home,
fully designed; it has soul;”
which evokes the spirit of a turn-of-the-century summer estate, conveys a feeling of
“details are erudite, learned, but
authenticity, a sense of place, and a certain heritage and tradition from an earlier time.
never heavy handed.”
TAMMY CONNOR INTERIOR DESIGN
Employing a relaxed approach
to classical design, interior designer Tammy Connor set out to create a series of inviting but defined spaces inside this lofty, shingle-style Kiawah Island project, which earned the Shutze award in the category of RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN. The interiors reflect its Lowcountry setting in a fresh but traditional manner. Judges remarked: “rooms are harmonious in scale and color without being controlling;” “wonderful mix of shapes and color;” “the mixture … feels personal.”
H ARRISON DESIGN Atlanta architecture firm Harrison Design earned an award for RESIDENTIAL SIN-
GLE FAMILY–OVER 10,000 SQUARE FEET for a private residence located in Greenwich, Connecticut. Inspired by classic New England Colonial architecture, the project artfully blends relaxed colonial vernacular with formal elements of classical architecture. Judges remarks included: “excellent exterior detailing and use of materials; pleasing sequence of entries;” and, “an efficient plan; a hybrid satisfying all the needs of today.”
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15 UNDER 40
O N ES T O WATCH ATLANTA’S RISING DESIGN TALENTS HAVEN'T JUST PAID THEIR DUES—THEY’VE CREATED PLATFORMS, INTRODUCED PRODUCTS AND ADOPTED PHILOSOPHIES THAT ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE LIVE TODAY. PHOTOGRAPHED BY David
Christensen
MISSY MADDEN B E L LW E T H E R L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T S Brookhaven-bred Missy Madden gleaned her earliest inspirations from her aunt, Mary Jo Means, a florist who designed bouquets for the 1996 Olympics. After a strong start at HGOR and seven years at Planters—with projects from rooftop terraces for Peachtree Road penthouses to Old Edwards Inn—Madden founded Bellwether Landscape Architects with former colleague Todd Yeager in 2011. “Focusing on design and project management allows us to stay nimble,” explains Madden, who helps clients bid on budget-friendly subcontractors while collaborating with industry heavyweights like Robert Brown and Linda MacArthur. On the probono circuit, she’s helped restore an Edith Henderson garden and serves on the building grounds committee for Skyland Trail, a local mental health nonprofit. Madden shies away from the overly textured garden, opting instead for perennials like Lenten roses and autumn ferns. “I think we’ve struck a chord with our contemporaries because we know how they live,” she says. “I love helping families build their dream homes.” –Kate Abney
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IESIA KING K I R K L A N D & K I N G D E S I G N A S S O C I AT E S Although undergrad pointed her toward law school, Iesia King can testify that pursuing her interior design degree was the best ruling she ever made. While completing her decorating coursework at Gwinnett Technical College, King accepted an internship at Bryan Alan Kirkland Designs. A mere week later, he offered her a job. Thanks to her proactive temperament and impeccable taste, the ambitious 30-year-old designer made partner at the firm, now Kirkland & King Design Associates, in 2015. Her classic, modern style has become her signature in projects ranging from residences in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to the 2015 Atlanta Symphony Show House, where she and Kirkland designed a guest room called the “Golden Bordeaux Boudoir,” inspired by the Pantone color of the year, marsala. “The room reflects the marriage between Bryan’s bold style and my simplistic, clean-lined approach,” she says. The jury is back—Iesia King is a designer to watch. –Jeanne Lyons Davis
DAV I D KO WA L S K I B R I C K + M O R TA R Originally hailing from Hickory Flat, Georgia, David C. Kowalski forged a complex career path that included teaching in China, assisting author Marcus Buckingham and working in marketing at Turner Broadcasting before he stumbled into furniture sales. He started small in 2012, selling alongside two friends at Paris on Ponce. But when Fab.com came calling, his hobby quickly transformed into a full-blown business: Brick+Mortar. Today, Kowalski’s hand-picked pieces sell on sites like One Kings Lane, Gilt and Chairish, in addition to his longtime Westside Provisions pop-up shop—though eagle-eyed Atlantans may have spied them in boutiques such as Tweeds and Billy Reid, as well as eateries such as Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, The Pinewood and Bell Street Burritos. Although Kowalski sources as far afield as Iceland, Budapest and Paris, his excursions center on the Southeast, uncovering mostly late-20th-century Americana relics like antique maps, desks and well-worn rugs. “There’s more charm in the patina,” he says. –Kate Abney 23
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“Getting light in as many places as possible drove many design and architectural decisions,� says project architect Greg Busch. right Interior designer Melanie Millner applied her tailored and inviting aesthetic to the formal living room, where steel-and-glass doors allow ample daylight.
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CLASSIC
FLOURISH
TUDOR REVIVAL STYLE RECEIVES A MODERN UPDATE AT THE HANDS OF ARCHITECT GREG BUSCH AND DESIGNER Sejal Bhima MELANIE MILLNER. WRITTEN BY
PHOTOGRAPHED BY Emily
Followill
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On the 38th floor of the Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta, “each piece of furniture is curated and not a placeholder,” says Barbara Westbrook. In the living room, that thoughtful mix includes modern seating, such as grey wing chairs from Bungalow Classic, and a pair of antique stools in teal blue wool from Holland & Sherry.
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PrivateDwelling WRITTEN BY Jennifer
Boles
PHOTOGRAPHED BY Erica
George Dines
BARBARA WESTBROOK CREATES A RESIDENCE ROOTED IN CLASSIC STYLE YET THOROUGHLY INSTILLED WITH A MODERN ATTITUDE.
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PA S S P O R T T R AV E L
FINDING BALANCE
The views and natural calmness of Blackberry Farm take you down a few notches even before anyone has laid so much as a finger on your chakras. Gina Christman WRITTEN BY
TRUE TO ITS REPUTATION, BLACKBERRY FARM is a smart, polished big hitter with a surprisingly gentle soul. The resort is a continually evolving jewel where the perfectly pitched nature-nurture approach is considered the gold standard. Designed with the utmost respect and appreciation for the Tennessee foothills and its natural bounty, Blackberry Farm is authentic in every way. Guests are pampered, yes, but also invited to participate in the process if they so choose. They can spend time with the master gardener, learn the heritage, history and art of harvesting and seed saving, and even work the fields (which is known to enhance mental and emotional well-being, lower blood pressure and boost the immune system). There are also cooking classes, visits with the preservationist and beekeeper, and demonstrations of everything from pickling, to cheese making to charcuterie—all done on property. Within this gastro-centric paradise, the focus is on wellness. Fitting, then, that one year ago The Wellhouse Spa was conceived as the next step in proprietor and visionary Sam Beall’s plan to foster healthy lifestyles. The anchor for Beall’s philosophy is the resort’s restorative bounty, along with his conviction that wholesome choices make for a healthful and fulfilling life that balances physical, mental and social wellbeing. 72
The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm, now a year old, is in a forward lunge. The spa has found its natural rhythm in connecting itself to the surrounding land. The menu of treatments features locally sourced products, along with healing plants and flowers offered on a seasonal basis. “Our philosophy of wellness at Blackberry Farm is rooted in balance,” says director of wellness Amanda Anderson. “Our goal is to help guests relax and renew, while nurturing sustainable habits for a healthy lifestyle after their stay is over.” Guests come to The Wellhouse to relax, refresh, and learn to live and feel better. Choice is the guiding principle, with a wide range of programs and experiences designed to help guests become more aware of themselves and their surroundings. Here is a tiny sampling of what to expect: SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SKIN GLOW—sweet scrub and skin conditioning using a blend of pomegranate seed, orange peel powder and essential oils, followed by a private steam bath and full body massage with nutrient-rich body butter. CRUZE FARM BUTTERMILK AND LAVENDER-WILDFLOWER HONEY— manicure or pedicure that combines the benefits of amino acidrich, locally sourced buttermilk with nature’s perfect humectant, honey, to soothe and soften hands and feet.
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PA S S P O R T STYLE
NATURAL FARM-FRESH REFUVENATION FACIAL—
BLACKBERRY FARM IMAGES COURTESY OF BEALL+THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY
uses Tata Harper’s 100% natural products featuring ingredients grown on her family farm and packed with botanical vitamins, minerals, omegas and antioxidants. Upgrade to a longer version that finishes with a Cruze Farm Buttermilk Mask. THE WELLHOUSE offers regular strength and fitness options, too. Group classes include zumba, barre, dance fusion, cardio-core circuit and more. One-on-one sessions feature personal training, private dance instruction, TRX and stretch and foam rolling release. Wellness activities extend beyond the spa. For best use of the fresh mountain air, head into the woods for yoga, meditation, EarthFit Endurance Hike or Run, or the Japanese-inspired forest bathing—quietly walking and exploring, with all senses open to every sound, scent, color and “feel” of the forest, buzzing in its bio-diversity. The goal is to “bathe” each physical cell in your body along with your entire psyche in the forest’s essence. For the sports-minded, there is fly fishing, mountain biking, tour kayaking, tennis, swimming and stand-up paddle boarding, to be followed by (of course) a Deep Woods Muscle Recovery Massage or an in-room couples massage, complete with Champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a drawn bath. As rustic and ruggedly unspoiled as the resort is, there is simply no escaping the luxury. It is nearly impossible to find anyone in the South who has never been to Blackberry Farm, but it may be time to revisit—The Wellhouse proves that great things can happen in the span of just one year. When asked what’s up next for the spa, passionate and exuberant Amanda Anderson describes a new massage and wrap called Nature’s Pharmacy: Magnesium Renewal, along with a new Tata Harper product-based facial called Natural Farm-Fresh Facelift which promises immediate results. “On the fitness front, our platform in the woods is built and ready for a full outdoor season,” she says. “We offer several versions of our trademarked Deep Healing Woods programs with hikes, runs and yoga all ending at the platform with a mediation session.” BlackberryFarm.com; (800)
opposite The Wellhouse Spa at Blackberry Farm. above The Wellhouse philosophy embraces the balance of the seasons and the abundance of the fields and forests as the key to transforming our bodies. below Situated on a pastoral 9,200-acre (and growing) estate in the Great Smokey Mountains, Blackberry Farm offers intoxicating views. The Quiet Room at The Wellhouse, where the views inspire meditation, or a nap.
273-6004; The Wellhouse: (800) 557-8451 73
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