Bolder and Brighter

Outdoor living space, more color in new design trends

By Kathy Dean

Atlanta residents have a style all their own and, today, they’re expressing their individuality through bold designs in their homes. The city’s mild climate, greenspace and beautiful views allow them to blur the line between indoors and outdoors.

Homeowners are treating the outdoors as part of their living space these days, according to Tiffany Barcik, Architect at Moon Bros. Inc. Architects & Craftsmen. “Screened-in living rooms have become extremely popular. They expand the footprint of the house by incorporating outside space, and they include traditionally interior amenities – stone or brick fireplaces, large screened TVs, comfortable couches, dining tables, kitchenettes and bars.” that can’t be found online by everyone.”

She added that there also has been an increase in the desire for courtyard spaces that create a private outdoor experience. Considering Atlanta’s weather, screened-in living rooms and courtyards can be used 10 to 12 months of the year.

One of the ways to make an individual statement is to take more of a risk with color, LaFalce noted. Navy is hot right now, she said, but the tone is brighter, so the color falls between a navy and ultramarine with almost a blueberry look.

“We’re still seeing a lot of orange and pink, though the pink is now softer, more of a blush, and it’s often mixed with gold accents,” she added. Gold remains popular for metals, and many items feature a gold leaf or brass finish. However, the brass is more matted and yellow than the brass of the 1970s.

LaFalce said that she’s been noticing interesting applications of wallpaper to add drama to spaces like hallways, stairways and powder rooms. While barnwood and wide planks are still being used in flooring, they tend toward a more refined, less rustic look. “The floors have gotten lighter, too,” she continued. “We’re seeing pale blonde and grey washes, more of a Scandinavian look, as people move away from the deep dark colors like espresso.”

Innovative products, like dimmable LED lighting tape are adding depth to rooms, when installed inside bookshelves or under cabinets. “Homeowners are starting to layer their lighting,” LaFalce stated. “A large light feature, like a chandelier, becomes a focal point, a piece of art, and ambient light is added and layered throughout the room.”

When investing in furnishings, clients are willing to incorporate pieces that are a bit more unusual into their homes, she said. “For example, a bench made of Lucite and leather. In fact, there’s a lot of interest in Lucite right now, but it’s always mixed with something – like leather, hide or sheepskin – to make the Lucite more comfortable.”

Shagreen, a faux material made to mimic the texture of a skate, or stingray, is gaining interest. The textured, leathery material is often seen mixed with other materials, LaFalce explained.

“A reclaimed wood coffee table may have its sides covered with shagreen. Actually, we see a lot of fine textures mixed with rough stone or reclaimed wood,” she said. “While there’s still some interest in the heavy, reclaimed items that have been popular, more refined and luxurious pieces are being mixed into the farmhouse/industrial interiors to create a unique look.”

Bathrooms have become a focal point in the blending of exteriors and interiors. “A specific trend in bathrooms is to establish a connection with the outdoors through features like exterior showers and hot tubs, expansive windows, French doors to outside patios, and transom windows that lighten and open up a usually bound-in space,” Barcik explained.

Overall, design trends seem to be shifting toward modern and contemporary lines. Barcik noted that it’s unusual for Atlanta residents to embrace contemporary design, even though there are more and more modern infill houses.

“While the architecture design may not be moving toward modern, there is more focus on modern details and materials – less trim and more texture – especially in interior design,” she said. “Textures are rising in prominence, and architecture is being enhanced by the interplay of textured materials.”

As far as trending colors, Barcik pointed out that white is being replaced by subtle, neutral tones with color accents and accessories. Natural wood is also making its way into the material palette, not just on floors, but as accents and design focal points in architectural spaces.

“Today’s biggest trend in home décor is the bolder use of materials and color,” said Jessie LaFalce, Design Director and Lead Designer of Nandina Home & Design in Atlanta. “Our clients are looking for furnishings and design elements that are unusual and make their living spaces unique. They want something

Real Estate Briefs

Antiques & Interiors

46th annual Catherdal Antique Show is Feb. 5-12

The Cathedral Antiques Show returns for a 46th year of art, antiques and floral and interior design, Feb. 5 - 12. The annual event features a speaker series, antiques show, flower festival and home tours.

The show kicks off Feb. 5 with a Young Collectors’ Home Tour showcasing five homes and their use of antiques, while the main Tour of Homes on Feb. 12 will present five private residences, featuring distinguished architecture and design.

The antiques show itself opens with a special patron preview gala on Feb. 8. While enjoying drinks and canapés, patrons will get a first glimpse of the show’s mix of new dealers and old favorites and their collections of period furniture, jewelry, art and accessories from the past four centuries, including mid-century modern. The show opens for general admission Feb. 9 - 11.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with The Antiques Council, a professional nonprofit association of antiques dealers that advises leading US antiques shows,” says Cathedral Antiques Show cochair Laura Cullen. “New highlights this year include contemporary art, a gardening boutique, and a Young Collectors' Booth. These exciting additions, combined with our phenomenal speaker line-up, promise to enhance this year’s show and broaden its appeal to a variety of audiences.”

This year’s Cathedral Antiques Show speaker series features talks and book signings from seven authors and industry leaders in the fields of interiors, architecture and floral design. Speakers include Alexa Hampton, Rebecca Vizard, Chuck Chewning, Laura Dowling, Margot Shaw, Cathy Kincaid and James Farmer.

The 2017 show also features a flower festival where guests will see the best in floral design and examples of the latest trends. Spaces throughout the Cathedral Antiques Show will be adorned with the work of local garden clubs, and sacred spaces in the Cathedral of St. Philip will feature designs from Atlanta flower guilds.

The Cathedral Antiques Show is organized by the Episcopal Church Women of The Cathedral of St. Philip, and, aside from the home tours, all show events are held at the Cathedral in Buckhead.

The show has raised more than $5 million to benefit Atlanta-area human services charities. This year, The Cathedral Antiques Show has selected First Step Staffing as its beneficiary. The Atlantabased nonprofit organization is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by helping to secure sustainable income for individuals transitioning from homelessness. For ticket information and additional event details, visit cathedralantiques.org.

A condominium at the Mandarin Oriental in Buckhead sold for $3,888,000, making it the highest-priced sale of 2016. Karen Rodriguez, founder of Group KORA, which merged earlier this year with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, was the listing agent for the residence. Encompassing an entire floor of the Peachtree Road high-rise, to condo features 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths and skyline views.

Bill Rawlings , Vice President of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, has been elected as the 2017 President of the Atlanta Realtors Association at the recent annual meeting and installation ceremony held at the St. Regis Hotel.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry's Atlanta Chapter recently honored Brad Cruickshank, CR, founder of metro Atlanta-based Cruickshank Remodeling, for his longtime service to the chapter with the presentation of the first Brad Cruickshank Leadership Award. Going forward, the award will be presented annually to one member who has demonstrated strong leadership skills and who carries the torch for NARI Atlanta.

John Barnes, Senior Vice President and Managing Broker of John Barnes of Harry Norman, Realtors Buckhead Chastain office hosted a celebratory breakfast party at the Chastain American Legion post to present an abundance of gifts collected by agents for Toys for Tots

Design Awards

Medallions given in honor of renowned architect

The Southeast Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) recently handed out the 2016 Shutze Awards, named after renowned Atlanta architect Philip Trammell Shutze.

The honorees received specially designed medallions at a party at the SubZero and Wolf Showroom in Buckhead.

Winners included Jackye Lanham (who was also given a lifetime achievement award); James L. Strickland; Rhonda Price; Ken P’Pool; James F. Carter; C. Brandon Ingram; Aaron Daily; D. Stanley Dixon; Susan Ferrier; William B. Litchfield; Graham S. Wyatt; Kevin Smith; Alec Michaelides; and

Shutze designed some of the city’s most notable buildings including the Swan House, The Temple, Academy of Medicine, Grady High School and the East Lake Golf

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ABOVE: More than 60,000 people took part in the peaceful March for Social Justice and Women from the Center for Civil

Rights to the

Capitol on Jan. 21. (Photo by Julie E. Bloemeke).

TOP RIGHT: A new rendering for the proposed pedestrian bridge to connect the PATH trail over Moreland Avenue at Freedom Parkway has been released. Residents who live in the surrounding neighborhoods want the bridge as traffic congestion continues to grow at the intersection, but there is no timeline or funding source at the moment for the project.

BOTTOM RIGHT: An official ribbon cutting was held Jan. 19 for the new Metro Atlanta Chamber offices located in the 191 Peachtree building in Downtown. Gov. Nathan Deal and Mayor Kasim Reed were on hand for the event. The MAC moved to the new 26,000 square foot space after more than 30 years at it Centennial Olympic Park location, but moved to make way for expansion of the park.