Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse
Update (3/17): Based on the latest recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to limit gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, we will not re-open the Showhouse for the final days, March 19-22.
It’s now more important than ever to support Atlanta’s cultural institutions such as our beloved Atlanta Symphony Orchestra – especially on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary! If you purchased a ticket and have not yet visited the Showhouse, consider designating your ticket purchase as a donation to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra keeping in mind your ticket also entitles you to an annual subscription to Atlanta Magazine and Atlanta Magazine’s HOME. Should you still wish to receive a refund, please email lpurcell@atlantamagazine.com and we will process a refund.
If you didn’t get a chance to tour the showhouse, or want to revisit your favorite rooms and designers, we will publish an extensive special feature in the upcoming Summer edition of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, available to our subscribers and online at atlantamagazine.com.
Thank you for your continued support.
ABOUT THE SHOWHOUSE
Atlanta magazine and Atlanta Magazine’s HOME are excited to partner with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to present the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse, opening to the public in early 2020. Harrison Design’s Modern Studio Director, Robert Tretsch III, has created an architectural masterpiece, inspired by a 1945 Atlanta Youth Symphony performance. The dramatic arc of compositions by Rossini and Schubert were his muse, as the home’s understated exterior belies its striking, light-filled design. ADCO Construction brings this contemporary design to Buckhead, with the use of modern-styled brick, stucco, concrete, and steel. Many of the finest interior designers in Atlanta will come together to create an interior vision to complement the contemporary architecture. The distinguished design team consists of top talent including Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria, Bill Peace of Peace Design, and Barbara Westbrook—to name a few.
ABOUT THE ARCHITECT
Founded in Atlanta in 1991, Harrison Design is a full-service architecture firm with residential expertise that encompasses a range of architectural styles—from traditional to modern. Harrison Design approaches every job as an artisan with great attention to detail, creative problem solving, and quality finishing. Harrison Design’s Modern Studio Director, Robert Tretsch III, joined Harrison Design in 2003. After earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Syracuse University, Robert began his career as an intern at TVS Design in Atlanta before working for firms in Princeton and Atlanta. His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and Rotary Club of Buckhead.
ABOUT THE BUILDER
ADCO Construction embraces the highest level of detail and craftsmanship that clients expect in a truly custom experience. As a boutique firm, ADCO Construction is able to guide each project with a hands-on approach from initial design to final completion, catering to clients looking to create not just a home, but a lifestyle. From property management to remodels, additions and new construction, their family-owned and operated company stays true to their foundation of providing service that is as passionate, inspiring, and unique as the clients they work with and the Atlanta community they serve.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Atlanta is known for its Southern hospitality, its booming film industry, its dynamic sports teams and its diverse musical heritage. At the heart of that musical heritage is the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This is a transformational time for both Atlanta and the Atlanta Symphony, and the ASO’s 75th season will not only celebrate the Orchestra’s rich history, but will set the stage for the future. The ASO continues to affirm its position as one of America’s leading orchestras with world-class performances, renowned guest artists and engaging education initiatives. As a cornerstone for artistic development in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs more than 150 concerts per season, including educational and community concerts, for a combined audience of more than a quarter million people.
ART: Bill Lowe Gallery
For over three decades, Bill Lowe Gallery has served as a portal to global visual culture for art enthusiasts around the world. Our unique juxtaposition of style and substance is articulated in exhibitions that embrace universal and eternal considerations with great visual drama. This has earned the gallery recognition as a sanctuary for the cross-cultural intersection of beauty and meaning.
FOYER + POWDER ROOM: Karen Ferguson l Harrison Design
Karen Ferguson, director of the Interiors Studio at Harrison Design, created a striking yet inviting foyer that sets the tone for the home and emphasizes the contrast between darkness and light. A rich mix of objects and materials, including a tonal rug, a sculptural console, and a linear bench, adds interest to the space. In the adjoining powder room, a textured Holly Hunt wallcovering is juxtaposed with clean modern fixtures and a floating vanity.
STUDY: Tami Ramsay & Krista Nye Nicholas l CLOTH & KIND
The study is a quiet and restrained space. “We went with streamlined forms and refined selections because the architecture of the room is so lean and mean,” said Tami Ramsay of Athens, Ga., half of the design team CLOTH & KIND. Krista Nye Nicholas of Ann Arbor, Mich., is the firm’s other partner and principal. Design inspiration came in the form of skateboard art by North Carolina woodturner George Peterson. A half-dozen hang on the walls, their shades of brown, black, and ochre dictating the room’s earth-toned palette.
MASTER BEDROOM: William Peace I Peace Design
When designing the master suite, William Peace imagined the people who might live in the house. The Atlanta designer achieved an ideal balance, creating a space that is at once both edgy and cozy. An off-white textured wallcovering with a subtle sheen envelops the room in sumptuous luxury, while a large gray Tibetan wool and mohair rug with metal detail adds drama. In the bath, a wallcovering that evokes an antiqued mirror adds vintage appeal. The same sheer drapery from the bedroom carries over to the bath for a soft filtering of light.
"HIS" LOUNGE: Justin Q. Williams | TradeMark Design Co.
Adjacent to the Master Bedroom is “His” lounge, a cozy area designed for relaxation. Formerly known as "His" master closet, this space has been covered in Benjamin Moore's "Gentleman's Gray" to set the tone for a space that is relaxing and full of personality. Justin is known for his unconventional design, which is evident in this art-covered space where one is afforded the opportunity to relax, meditate, or simply exist. The rich colors, from the walls to the furnishings, make this a fun collection of pieces that dance so well together.
“HER” LOUNGE: Ronald Jones | R Jones Designs
“HER” Lounge is arguably the most important place in a woman’s household, where all of her favorite items reside. While designing “HER” lounge, Ronald of R Jones Designs Inc. kept in mind the chic and classy decor that every woman yearns to see each morning. Covered in “Monticello Rose” by Benjamin Moore, the closet exudes relaxation and artistry. Ron is known for his subtle but meaningful touches throughout designs, leaving clients in admiration upon entry. The vibrant rose color alongside the accessories and articles within the closet make for the perfect “HER” Lounge.
KITCHEN: Matthew Quinn & Team, Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio
In the home’s kitchen, Matthew Quinn and the entire design team at Atlanta’s Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio blended style and function to create a cutting edge space fit for a master chef. The designers placed the cooktop in front of a large bank of windows to give homeowners an expansive view of the outdoors. A massive island accommodates a large sink, lots of storage space, and plenty of seating. Opposite the island, a ‘tall wall’ houses a refrigerator, two ovens, an appliance garage, and pantry.
FAMILY ROOM + DINING ROOM: Barbara Westbrook l Westbrook Interiors
The home’s family and dining rooms are defined by floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the treetops. Inspired by the scenery, designer Barbara Westbrook created inviting spaces that are elegant and understated. In the family room, soft white walls, pale gray wool window treatments and a jute area rug provide a neutral backdrop. In the adjoining dining room, a table fashioned from pine found in a monastery is juxtaposed with eight contemporary chairs covered in cream-colored wool.
COVERED PORCH: Vivian Bencich & Carolyn Balfour l Square Feet Studio
When designing the home’s covered porch, Vivian Bencich and Carolyn Balfour of Atlanta’s Square Feet Studio were inspired by the paintings of abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky. “We love his bold expressions of color and movement and his connection to music,” said Balfour, referring to the artist’s ability to see colors when he heard music and to hear music when he painted, a phenomenon known as synesthesia. The designers used strong shapes and punchy color, both of which hearken to Kandinsky’s work, throughout the porch.
LAUNDRY ROOMS + MUD ROOM: Dana Lynch I Dana Lynch Design
Style meets function in the home’s laundry rooms and mud room, which were outfitted by Atlanta designer Dana Lynch. In the larger upstairs laundry, Lynch paired an understated palette with black-green cabinets and omitted the uppers in favor of an oak box shelf that wraps the corner of the room to provide a shot of contrast. The smaller downstairs laundry sports a custom iron and wood shelving unit with modular lift-off trays. The drop zone is playful and kitschy, with a pair of brutalist towers that reflect the design of the other two spaces and provide functionality with style.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY: Angela Chrusciaki Blehm
For Angela Chrusciaki Blehm, art and music are inseparable. “When I listen to music, I see colors and shapes,” said the Gainesville, Ga. artist. So, it comes as no surprise that the inspiration for her hallway design was the interconnectivity between the two art forms. Anchoring the space are two large wall panels that feature a series of dots and circles reminiscent of musical notes. In front of each window, acrylic boxes perched on colorful pedestals allow light to pass through, giving the illusion of stained glass.
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM #1 + BATH: Bradley Odom l Dixon Rye
For Bradley Odom, founder of Atlanta design firm and retail store Dixon Rye, inspiration for the home’s guest bedroom came from a recent trip to Antwerp, where he took note of the simplicity of Belgian design. As a result, his spaces are calm and serene, with texture rather than color taking center stage. In the adjoining bath, he continued the same esthetic, with plaster-like walls and minimal accessories.
CLOSET - UPSTAIRS BEDROOM #1: Leah M. Meyer Perez | Leah May Interior Design
Leah M. Meyer Perez, Principal Designer at Leah May Interior Design, created a peaceful meditation retreat in the closet of Upstairs Bedroom #1. The room exemplifies the firm's belief that self-care is an important, integral approach to designing a space. Her design inspiration is culled from the ancient ideology called Kintsugi, the Eastern philosophy that when life experiences cause a broken state, we emerge with wisdom and a new perspective. This outlook is represented in the room by Kintsugi pottery itself, as well as a more abstract interpretation by the designer.
UPSTAIRS BEDROOM #2: Loren Audrey Taylor & Carolyn Abrams Taylor I Loren Taylor Interior Design
Daughter-and-mother design team Loren Audrey Taylor and Carolyn Abrams Taylor envisioned the home’s fifth bedroom as a landing pad of sorts — a quiet retreat where homeowners and guests alike might rest and recharge. The designers artfully blended traditional and contemporary elements throughout the room, mixing classic blue and white porcelain with modern black and white furnishings with hints of burnished brass and rock crystal.
TERRACE ROOM: Michelle Workman l Michelle Workman Interiors
The terrace room, located adjacent to the bar and lounge area, is an expansive space with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the home’s pool and back yard. So, Chattanooga designer Michelle Workman found her inspiration in nature. An overscaled floral-and-vine wallcovering, part of a collection the designer is developing, is a strong element in the space. Vibrant colors are used throughout the room, both on upholstered pieces and in accessories. A textured wool rug in dark blue and white features an abstract pattern inspired by musical notes.
GAME ROOM + POOL BATH: Jill Mansfield & Bryan Kirkland l FiftyEight Interiors
In the game room, Jill Mansfield and Bryan Kirkland, partners at FiftyEight Interiors, created an arresting space with graphic elements and an organic feel. The room features a custom color-blocked rug by Atlanta designer Michel Smith Boyd. An elegant seating area near the fireplace includes a sofa in cream linen, two matching chairs in caramel leather and a third chair in black-and-cream cotton. A second grouping features a gently curved sofa in cobalt blue velvet and a unique crystal chair embedded with twigs and leaves.
DOWNSTAIRS LOUNGE + POWDER ROOM: Michael Habachy l Habachy Designs
For Atlanta designer Michael Habachy, whose ADAC showroom carries many of the world’s top modern luxury brands, inspiration for the lounge and bar area came from the Japanese Wabi-Sabi movement, which honors rustic simplicity and beauty in imperfection. Organic and earthy elements include a rough-textured stone bar and a hand-sewn fur rug. In the adjacent powder room, the designer continued the organic theme with burlap and mica-flecked wallcovering, a smoked mirror, and rose-gold fixtures.
DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM + BATH: Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson l Terracotta Design Build
Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson, founder and manager of Terracotta Design Build in Atlanta took a decidedly different approach to the design of the first floor guest suite. She divided her staff into groups and tasked them with producing a room concept based on certain parameters, resulting in a sophisticated guest retreat that feels cohesive and also represents the firm. The bedroom, which features a moody color palette, has expansive windows and glass doors that open to the pool. In the adjoining bath, accessories are minimal so as not to compete with the bold and graphic tile.
MUSIC ROOM: Lisa Turner & Wallace Bryan l Trinity Mercantile & Design
Atlanta design duo Lisa Turner and Wallace Bryan, owners of Trinity Mercantile & Design, found inspiration for the home’s music room in Queen’s iconic song "Bohemian Rhapsody." The room’s color palette runs the gamut from moody blues to soft corals. A gently curving sofa beckons visitors to sit awhile, perhaps to enjoy a tune on the grand piano. An especially interesting touch is a photo grouping of contemporary musicians, including Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conductors Robert Shaw and Robert Spano.
POOL DECK: Willem Stear | Tonic Design Studio
Atlanta designer Willem Stear, owner of Tonic Design Studio, found inspiration for the pool deck in the lines and angles of the house. Three rooms open onto the pool deck, so Stear designed three distinct spaces, each of which serves as an extension of the interior. He kept the design clean and minimal, selecting pieces with sculptural features and interesting lines. He also kept the furniture low, so that it blends with the surroundings and doesn’t detract from the house or the landscape.
BOTANICALS: Jennifer Rust | Jennifer Rust Botanicals
Jennifer Rust is a small garden designer specializing in seasonal and perennial containers for interiors and outdoor landscapes. Working with interior designers, as well as commercial and residential clients, she uses containers that complement rather than clutter a space. While Jennifer loves flowers and their blooms, she prefers using plants because they lend a sustainable organic texture to their environment. Having said that, creating gardens that provide an extended season of cut flowers is something she tries to incorporate in any outdoor garden.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse Program
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About The Beneficiary
Proceeds from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Showhouse will benefit the Orchestra’s education and community engagement programs. Each year, the ASO shares the beauty of orchestral music with thousands of young people through our Concerts for Young People, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Talent Development Program, Student Ticket Program and the Family Concert Series. It is thanks to the generosity of the community, that we are able to engage and delight the next generation of classical music lovers.
