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ATLANTA HOMES & LIFESTYLES

FEBRUARY 2021

livable luxury LIVABLE LUXURY

VOLUME 40, NO. 2

STYLE NEWS

IN THE MOOD This energetic library multitasks as a tailored retreat for work, musical play and relaxing—for any member of the family. Designer ANGELA BROMENSCHENKEL decorated the masculine-leaning space with tufted seating and rich blue-gray walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Witching Hour. Equally adept for entertaining small groups or for indulging in downtime, we predict this is the direction of the formal living room of the future.

WITH A VIEW A sophisticated but cozy library by interior designer LIZA BRYAN overlooks the rear courtyard and gives her clients a quiet, contemplative space. Existing bookshelves in the library were dressed up with molding and other detailing to match the distinction of the couple’s leather book collection. With no television in sight, it’s also the ideal outlet for escaping the 24/7 news cycle.

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▲ VISUAL SEPARATION Deep, rounded doors with built-in storage for precious or easy-access items create visual separation between a mudroom and breakfast room in this countryside residence by interior designer LAUREN DAVENPORT IMBER.

▲ PRIVATE DINING Will 2021 bring the return of the pivoting dining room door? Equal parts charming and practical, doors in the dining room are a proven way to keep aromas from the kitchen at bay, not to mention the sounds of scampering feet, whether it’s dinner for four or a chic work-from-home station. Part of a historic Buckhead residence, this dining room by TAMMY CONNOR DESIGN gives new

PHOTOS BY JEFF HERR, DAVID CHRISTENSEN, EMILY FOLLOWILL AND RICHARD POWERS

meaning to the desire for private dining experiences.

HALF FULL Perfect for keeping an eye on children and pets, the dutch door—in this example part of a casual entrance space accessed from a small sitting porch—has also been referred to as a “friendly” door. A dutch door is also the ideal solution for easing separation anxiety, in both a literal and metaphorical sense. Originally part of this home’s kitchen, this space speaks to the family’s desire to live more casually, say builder MICHAEL LADISIC and interior designer DANA WOLTER. We think it allows just the right amount of daylight and breezes.

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LIFE

C R E AT I V E S

A fascination with the natural world keeps artist Heather Lancaster endlessly engaged Written by SUZANNA CULLEN HAMILTON IN A WORLD THAT’S OBSESSED with appearances, Atlanta artist Heather Lancaster is consumed with what’s underneath the façade. Looking beyond the obvious and exploring the natural world are integral to her character, and those qualities permit her to capture subtle nuances in her exceptional paintings. As the daughter of nationally renowned artist Helen Durant, it was inevitable that Lancaster would be sensitive to—and observant of—her surroundings. “I grew up watching Mom draw, and I loved the process of brain to hand; graphite to paper,” says Lancaster. Although she considered a career in medical illustration, Lancaster graduated from Mary Baldwin College with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Historic Preservation. Those passions have evolved to result in her finely detailed paintings of fauna and flora. At first, Lancaster began drawing for her three young children as a way to create memories and tell stories. Soon friends began requesting her work, so she expanded into small graphite drawings of baby animals and plants. “My hope was to create these quiet little drawings to encourage observation and nurture children’s connection with the natural world,” Lancaster explains. Today Lancaster works on a large scale layering graphite, charcoal and in India ink—an unforgiving medium that doesn’t permit changes or corrections. Preferring to work on one piece at a time, 24

she’s her harshest critic as she evaluates the degrees of completeness, value and balance of a piece. “I break the rules with my application of ink and water, but I’m very deliberate about the marks I make, and negative space is tantamount to the figure in every composition,” says Lancaster. Lancaster is devoted to the study and careful contemplation of her subjects. She thoroughly researches them and then creates small-scale studies—a process she considers fun and interesting. For her original series on ostriches, Lancaster was inspired by a visit to the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels. “I love the Victorian weirdness and the odd elegance of these birds with their loose, flamboyant feathers that are completely juxtaposed with the stark musculature of their long legs,” says Lancaster. The majority of Lancaster’s work are commissions placed through galleries. “Art is the soul of the house, so it’s crucial for me to create each piece for each specific owner; each specific place.” While research, studies and proposals are part of the three-to-fourmonth process, the result is that every creation is intentional. “I’m deliberate. I love black and white. I value contrast and simplicity,” says Lancaster. This artist not only understands her creative language, Lancaster is equally genuine as a person—and that authenticity is evident in every painting.

GALLERY REPRESENTATION: SPALDING NIX FINE ART, SPALDINGNIXFINEART.COM; CAMELLIA ART GALLERY, CAMELLIAART.COM

FLAWLESS FEATURES

above left to right Allonge 2, Egret and Flex 1 by Heather Lancaster. left Lancaster works from her home studio creating mixed-media paintings of fauna and ﬂora. See more of her work on instagram, @heatherlancasterart, or online, heatherlancasterstudio.com

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Around town with

ILLUSTRATION BY MEREDITH GILLESPIE

Naomi Von Habersham I DEBATED WHETHER OR NOT to mention the pandemic in print yet again, because if you’re anything like me, you’re sick of hearing and talking about it. But if one is writing about the way we live today, how can one not mention it? The last 12 months have certainly changed our lives and lifestyles, what with social distancing and quarantining, and I suspect that those changes may have a lingering effect on how we live moving forward. Take television viewing, for example. 2020 was the year when those who didn’t already have a Netflix account got one. To be honest, I just didn’t have the bandwidth to commit myself to hours of streaming during the pandemic, so instead I watched my favorite reruns of “Law & Order.” I’m definitely the odd man out, because everyone else remains addicted to the latest streaming series. Will that change anytime soon? I doubt it, but streaming’s popularity might wane a bit once we can safely do other things that require us to step away from our TVs and laptops. For many of us, those “other things” primarily mean travel and entertaining. Like many, I’m dying to take an international trip, but for me, that probably won’t happen until next year. In the meantime, my focus is on planning the many dinner and cocktail parties I hope to host before year’s end, and I suspect many of you are doing the same. After a year of pent-up desire for socializing, what will our soirees look like? Will we start out entertaining more lavishly than we did in pre-pandemic days and then settle back into a more casual routine once our giddiness has subsided? I’ve got so many questions about what life will be like post-pandemic. Although we may have to wait a bit longer to figure things out, there is one thing we do know for certain about the future: Just as it has been in the past, and particularly now in the present, there will never be any place like home.

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LIFE DISH

ODE TO HOME

An homage to restaurateur Fares Kargar’s roots, Inman Park’s DELBAR transports guests to the Iranian countryside Written by LAUREN IVERSON

top to bottom Delbar owner Fares Kargar infused interiors with design elements inspired by his grandmother’s village in Iran, including plaster walls and Iranian art. Featuring walnuts, herbs, radishes and cheese, the Sabzi plate is commonly served with every meal in Persian culture to enjoy as a small bite or to add to main dishes. Delbar cooks meats like the Shishlik (lamb) kabob over charcoal for added ﬂavor.

Photographed by DAVID CHRISTENSEN

ATLANTANS DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR for a worldly experience thanks to restaurateur Fares Kargar, who opened Middle Eastern hot spot, Delbar, in Inman Park last May. With dreamy interiors and a family-style menu rooted in tradition with a twist, Delbar is the Little Women of restaurants—masterfully intertwining separate stories of food, family, culture and home into one narrative that you simply can’t help but love. Inside and on the glass-enclosed patio, every detail tells a story. Art throughout the restaurant was imported from Iran, and at the bar, glassware with arched detailing resembles Iranian architecture. The logo depicting a woman’s face represents the female figures who taught Kargar how to cook, and Middle Eastern design elements—Moroccan tile, clay plaster walls, woven chairs, colorful carpets and popular pre-revolution Iranian films projected on the bathroom walls—remind Kargar of home. “I envisioned my grandmother’s village in Northern Iran, Dastjerd, and tried to re-create it in the form of a restaurant,” says Kargar. That’s not to say opening the concept came easy. Because of the pandemic, normally common ingredients like beef and lamb were hard to come by, but Kargar stayed determined. A soft opening offered to-go only options until dine-in service was able to be safely implemented. “I was so close to fulfilling my dream of owning my own restaurant that going back was not an option,” he says. As for the menu, Kargar created dishes inspired by family recipes, such as Akbar

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THE SCOOP

DINNER FOR TWO

Joojeh (Persian-style Cornish hen) and stuffed trout, and introduced more traditional Middle Eastern dishes like lamb neck shawarma, an assortment of spreads (think hummus and labneh, a creamy strained yogurt concoction) and crispy rice selections. To infuse a layer of smokiness, dishes are cooked over charcoal, common in the Middle East but a technique not often seen in Atlanta’s commercial kitchens. And the experience is truly transportive. Its name translating to “heart captured,” guests are sure to feel as though they’ve discovered a new corner of the world upon finishing a meal at Delbar. “I want the restaurant to stand up to its name and steal people’s heart away,” says Kargar. “I want Delbar to represent a journey into the Middle East, and my childhood, without needing to take a flight. And beyond that, I want people to fall in love with Middle Eastern food and culture like I did.” delbaratl.com

“I want Delbar to represent a journey into the Middle East, and my childhood, without needing to take a ﬂight.” —Fares Kargar

Fine-dining doesn’t have to be limited to dine-in services, in fact, this Valentine’s day BACCHANALIA is offering a special mise en place menu for two that can be enjoyed from home. The four-course meal includes indulgent dishes like lobster bisque, thyme-cured tenderloin or steelhead trout, roasted vegetables, a baguette and rich chocolate hazelnut tartes. Cap off with a strawberry-rose macaron, and this meal will leave your heart—and your stomach—happy. starprovisions.com

LAZY BETTY BY ANDREW THOMAS LEE

Date night just got a little more hands-on—literally—thanks to at-home handroll sushi kits from MUJŌ. With ﬁsh selections including king salmon, spicy tuna, sea urchin and more, each kit includes sashimi, sushi rice and all other necessary ingredients to prepare a seaside dinner at home. Each kit serves two and orders are available online through Mujō’s website. mujoatl.com

clockwise from top Al fresco dining is possible year round thanks to Delbar’s glass-enclosed heated patio and blankets provided to cover guests’ legs. Istanbul Nights cocktail with Mezcal, Génépy and lime, garnished with a chili pepper. The Omani Prawns, dressed in a Persian-dried lime, sour orange and herb labneh, are a crowd favorite.

Finish dinner with something sweet with LAZY BETTY’s handcrafted, gourmet chocolate boxes. Each box includes six dark chocolates with an assortment of decadent ﬁllings—raspberry rose water, strawberry guava, vanilla chai, peach bourbon and more—and are sure to delight. Orders can be made online and are available for pick-up Feb. 10–14. lazybettyatl.com

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with a twist

SURROUNDED BY VERDANT VIEWS AND QUIET NATURE, THE 2020 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS SHOWHOUSE INFUSED CLASSIC DESIGN SENSIBILITIES WITH A SPLASH OF GLAMOUR Principal Photography EMILY FOLLOWILL Produced by SUZANNA C. HAMILTON Written by TATE GUNNERSON, LORI JOHNSTON and JENNIFER BOLES

WINDOWS Windsor Windows & Doors WALLCOVERING Cowtan & Tout WINDOW TREATMENTS Cowtan & Tout fabric with Samuel & Sons trim; fabricated by The Drapery Room ADELE LARGE WIDE DRUM CHANDELIER Circa Lighting OAK VERSAILLES DINING TABLE and SCULPTURES ON STANDS Stock & Trade Design Co. CONSOLE UpCountry Home OUSHAK AREA RUG Moattar ARTWORK Sylvia McEwan through Pryor Fine Art CLEAR VIEW GLASS VASE The Nicholson Gallery PAINT SherwinWilliams Limewash

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CABINETRY Bell Cabinetry & Design COUNTERTOPS and BACKSPLASH Temmer FABRICATION Visionary Stoneworks FLOORING Vintage Elements of Atlanta FAUCETS Waterstone through Renaissance Tile & Bath APPLIANCES Wolf, SubZero, Cove through Howard Payne Company PENDANTS Circa Lighting HARDWARE Matthew Quinn Collection PRESERVED TOPIARIES IN CACHEPOT and LARGE WHITE BOWL Stock & Trade Design Co. VINTAGE CUTTING BOARD, RECYCLED GLASS CONTAINERS, NICKEL COOKBOOK HOLDER The Nicholson Gallery PAINT Sherwin-Williams Krypton

ethereal delight

KITCHEN AND BREAKFAST ROOM, JANIE WILBURN, THE JANE GROUP AND BELL CABINETRY & DESIGN Designer Janie Wilburn—who selected all of the interior specifications for the showhouse—approached her kitchen and breakfast room designs with special attention to light, shadow and sparkle. The inspiration for the blue cabinets by Bell Cabinetry & Design came from the swirls of blue and gray in Temmer’s Calacatta Lucina marble countertops and backsplash. The polished nickel strapping dresses the cabinets with elegance. A monolithic hood captures the curve of the barrel vault ceiling, making it feel impressive, important and appropriate to the scale of the kitchen. A few steps away in the breakfast room, the decision to round the walls, combined with Wilburn’s idea to wrap the drapery hardware around the room further softened the space. Wilburn layered creams, taupes and blues with light-reflective finishes, from the tablescape to the acrylic and glass chandelier. “Everything in that room is layered in the same shades and tones with different textures and saturations,” she says. “Nothing is abrupt; nothing is stark.” Sherwin-Williams’ Limewash in a high-gloss finish picks up the iridescent sheen on the octagonal tile design in the Cowtan & Tout grasscloth wallcovering. When the weather allows, the patio doors slide all the way open for a play on al fresco dining. —Lori Johnston 34

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF HERR

be my guest

DINING ROOM, MALLORY MATHISON GLENN, MALLORY MATHISON INC.

STEWART SIDE CHAIR Hickory Chair with Cowtan & Tout fabric and Samuel & Sons trim CUSTOM CURTAINS Scalamandré ALABASTER LAMP Vaughan Designs through AinsworthNoah MURAL and PAINTING Monteigne Ray Mathison PLACEMATS and NAPKINS The Linen Ladies CHINESE EXPORT BOWL, GILTWOOD MIRROR and CHANDELIER William Word Fine Antiques GOATSKIN BAR CART Aldo Tura WATERFORD GLASSES Waterford Crystal SCALLOPED JUTE RUG From Jaipur With Love PORCELAIN FLOWERS Joseph Konrad PARTY CRACKERS and MARBLED CACHEPOT Rebecca Gardner BRASS HERB POT Skultuna

When the hand-painted wallcovering that designer Mallory Mathison Glenn commissioned for the formal dining room still hadn’t arrived two days before the show, she recruited her mother, Alabama artist Monteigne Ray Mathison, to paint a beautiful, painterly mural that captured a similar spirit. “This space feels like a cheerful winter garden with an English twist,” she says, noting it was designed for an imaginary “posh woman about town.” Indeed, an antique gilded crystal candelabra chandelier illuminates the wooden dining table and cane chairs, which have malachite-patterned emerald velvet seat cushions with gold ties and tassels. The jewel-toned fabric coordinates perfectly with the striped silk drapery and the twin table lamps’ silk shades, which have a gold scalloped edge. “Those details make it feel feminine and thoughtful,” the designer explains. The scalloped motif can also be found on the jute rug and the custom placemats—part of an eclectic tabletop design that features potted ferns, white ceramic ﬂowers and vintage porcelain geishas. And atop each plate, a rolled up “cracker” includes a party hat, a joke and confetti. “It immediately lightens the mood and puts everybody in a festive spirit,” she says. “This is a magical place for a lovely dinner party.” —Tate Gunnerson 37

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MANTEL Cleo by Francois & Co. IRON CHANDELIER Circa Lighting FLOORING Vintage Elements of Atlanta JOSEPHINE COCKTAIL TABLE Kathy Slater Design Collection ARTWORK Doug Foltz through Foxglove Antiques & Galleries ABACA NATURAL RUG Patterson Flynn Martin 18TH-CENTURY AUBUSSON TAPESTRY, 18TH-CENTURY LOUIS XV WALNUT CONSOLE TABLE WITH CARVED FRIEZE, EARLY 19TH-CENTURY ENGLISH WINDSOR CHILD’S CHAIR IN OAK, 19TH-CENTURY ENGLISH LAP DESK IN ROSEWOOD WITH BRASS ACCENTS, 19TH-CENTURY ENGLISH MAHOGANY AND BRASS PEAT BUCKET, 17TH-CENTURY ITALIAN PARCEL GILT AND FAUX TORTOISESHELL PAINTED MIRROR and PAIR OF OLIVE WOOD CANDLESTICKS William Word Fine Antiques ORCHID ARRANGEMENT Ashley Skandalakis SOFA, TUFTED CHAIR, CLUB CHAIR George Smith EUROPEAN STAG TROPHEY Foxglove Antiques & Galleries PAINT Sherwin-Williams Limewash

all is calm

LIVING ROOM, PATRICIA MCLEAN, PATRICIA MCLEAN INTERIORS, INC. Designer Patricia McLean took cues from the living room’s views of the deep wooded lot to create a cozy, classic space with her deft blend of French, Italian and English antiques. “It’s a woodsy wonderful life,” she says. Nature’s palette is unveiled in the green and blue tones in the fabrics, contemporary scenic painting by Doug Foltz and the lamps and accessories with Dutch, English and Continental influences. She started with blue linen draperies with Cowtan & Tout embroidered trim, and once she saw the 18th-century Belgium tapestry, her woodland-inspired design fell into place. McLean, a traditionalist, used the Aubusson tapestry as statement-making art on the great big wall opposite the French doors. The foliage, flora and fauna are woven in greens, golds, blues, creams and teals. “It was all about the natural elements surrounding the house,” says McLean. “All of the colors melded together so nicely for the setting.” The limestone top of the Kathy Slater cocktail table pairs nicely with the fireplace’s Francois & Co. limestone surround and rounded plaster ceiling. The natural fibers of the abaca rug contrast with the mohair upholstery and rich wool in the tapestry for a masterful balance of heavy and light. —Lori Johnston

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