HOME TOUR: An Atlanta Home Bursting With Brilliant Ideas
We’re so pleased to unveil something extra-special on Nate Right Now – a home tour exclusive to this site. Yes that’s right – this is the first place you’ll see these photos, though we like to think they’ll live on, not only here, but as inspiration on Pinterest, awesome design blogs, and the like. So let us be the first to welcome you to our Atlanta dream home – a Nate Berkus Associates project led by Nate and one of the firm’s design directors, Lauren Buxbaum.
We wanted this to be an extra special unveiling, so we’re also putting our own twist on things. You’ll see notes from Nate and Lauren on how it all came together, but we’re also pulling out an enviable (and copy-able) move from each room. Think of it as inspiration + activation. Let’s go!
“Working in Atlanta for the first time with a vibrant blended family meant we had to pay attention to every element we added to the home,” Nate told us. “It started with a gut renovation of the existing house. Phase two was filling it with bright, joyful and well-chosen things.”
Design Tip: Practice selective symmetry. Notice how the mantel is decorated with a perfect pair of pineapples, but the sofa pillows are a mix? Having both of those moments in one room keeps things from looking too “perfect”… or haphazard.
“The client was so fun – as nice as they come and a total free spirit,” says Lauren. “And that’s how she runs her household, although it’s infused with some sensible rules! We wanted the décor to be a reflection of that.”
Design Tip: When you’re working with a colorful home, let the smaller, transitional spaces – like hallways, staircases – stay in a (mostly) black-and-white color scheme to ensure they work with every room.
Design Tip: Think outside the kitchen. Love how easy, chic, and warm this kitchen feels? Part of the credit goes to the pieces that some people think have no business being in your kitchen. Like the purple bench or super-comfy wing chair! Don’t be afraid to look for things in unexpected sections – you might come across the perfect piece.
Design Tip: Glamour doesn’t have to be front and center – it can also be saved for special moments. While we love the chandeliers and luxurious touches in the more highly-trafficked rooms, there’s something about going glam in the bath – seen here in the powder room and master bath. It’s an excellent reminder that these rooms should never be forgotten when it comes to upping the chic factor in your home.
“We wanted to make sure none of the textiles felt too serious and none of the antiques too precious,” says Lauren. “So we mixed vibrant patterns and colors, and selected antiques with patina or unusual details.”
Design Tip: Let your rug be a connector. Notice how this beautifully-bright chevron rug ties everything in the room together perfectly? That’s no mistake. If you’re at a loss for where to start in a room, choose a colorful rug and pick each color as a starting point for different pieces of furniture or accessories.
Design Tip: Make use of a view. In both the living room and patio, you’ll see how there’s at least one seat looking straight out to the outdoors – it’s an extra-welcoming seat, and if you’re having trouble mapping out a seating plan, it’s a good place to start.
“The 7(!) kids were totally respectful of their home,” says Lauren. “And our client was ok with her [at the time] teething twins chewing on our African bead accessories, so it was a lot of give and take.” (Clearly, the result is a stunning and family-friendly home.)
Design Tip: Focus on one color, but many shades. Whether you’re designing a kids’ room where the desire is for one color, or you’re just fixated on one hue, broaden your palette by exploring every shade of it. It obviously worked for this dream of a purple room!
Design Tip: For warmth, weave texture throughout. The guest room, with its extra-large size, could easily feel cold, but thanks to the theme of wovens carried through the room – from floor to seat to window coverings, it feels welcoming, airy, and spacious.
“The only room with restrictions was the boys’ bedroom,” says Lauren. “The client assured us that the they would be swinging off the light fixtures so we kept that in mind while designing it. And she was right…they ran into their new rooms like Tasmanian Devils! But to date, all is still intact.”
Design Tip: Not every toy belongs in a toy chest. Choose a few to give prominent placement, as seen here, for a look that’s fun, charming, and entirely personal.
…And here we are back in the dining room this story led with – now with a wider look. “I love the juxtaposition of the sconces on the custom painted fringe burlap wall covering with the whimsical celadon dining chairs with the parchment dining table,” says Lauren. “We took some serious pieces and paired them with things that felt out of left field to add some eccentricity and spirit.”
Design Tip: We can’t say it better than Lauren! Make sure your serious pieces have a friend in something more spirited. In other words, have fun!
Photography by Fred Gerlich
