Architecture
Decorating Guides
City View: Atlanta's Design Style Warms to Many Tastes
Outdoor living and hospitality? Of course. But Atlanta's architecture and interior designs express much more than just traditional notions
Disclaimer: I have lived in Atlanta since 2002 and may be biased, but I do declare that home design in the hip-hop capital of the world is Gone with the Wind fabulous. No, this does not mean we're all living in Tara or a home appointed by Sugarbaker Designs. Atlantans are embracing traditional and modern design and everything in between, from the spectacular stock of Victorian and Arts and Crafts homes built after the whole city burned to the more recent construction of contemporary energy-efficient homes.
I've reached out to Atlanta design professionals to get their opinions on what's distinctive about design in Atlanta, to find out what's hot in the ATL — and for their help in correcting common misconceptions about design in our city. Here's what they have to share.
I've reached out to Atlanta design professionals to get their opinions on what's distinctive about design in Atlanta, to find out what's hot in the ATL — and for their help in correcting common misconceptions about design in our city. Here's what they have to share.
Interior designer Michael Habachy concurs: "A misconception about Atlanta is that because Atlanta is part of the South, the designs need to be conservative and more traditional in style."
From sassy Southern sitcom sisters to Real Housewives, pop culture hasn't done the city's design rep any favors. "People often think of the television show Designing Women when they think of Atlanta design," says Rodolfo Castro of Castro Design Studio.
"However, while there are many beautiful examples of timeless design in Atlanta, there are also a great number of people who are doing great modern and contemporary work," he says. "Modern houses seem to be popping up everywhere, and people really seem to be embracing the style."
Bonus: Designing Women fans, this one's for you.
"However, while there are many beautiful examples of timeless design in Atlanta, there are also a great number of people who are doing great modern and contemporary work," he says. "Modern houses seem to be popping up everywhere, and people really seem to be embracing the style."
Bonus: Designing Women fans, this one's for you.
According to architect Daniel Betsill of Summerour Archtiects, modern style doesn't mean a house has to be the oddball in a traditional Atlanta neighborhood.
"This home in Buckhead shows a house that no one would hesitate to call modern ... the distillation of these forms and the detailing of them creates the clean edges that clients with modern sensibilities seek, but when studied it shows all the basic elements of a traditional house form," he describes. "The presence of roof eaves, symmetry, regularity of window and door openings, and familiar materials lay a foundation of form that is recognizable and blends with neighboring homes."
"This home in Buckhead shows a house that no one would hesitate to call modern ... the distillation of these forms and the detailing of them creates the clean edges that clients with modern sensibilities seek, but when studied it shows all the basic elements of a traditional house form," he describes. "The presence of roof eaves, symmetry, regularity of window and door openings, and familiar materials lay a foundation of form that is recognizable and blends with neighboring homes."
Atlantans Are Interested in Sustainable Design
"We have found that our clients are not only interested in living in a beautiful home, but it also needs to be functional and energy efficient," Tavel says. "We spend a lot of time with the clients to determine how they live and play."
"We have found that our clients are not only interested in living in a beautiful home, but it also needs to be functional and energy efficient," Tavel says. "We spend a lot of time with the clients to determine how they live and play."
Earthcraft Certified signs are becoming a big real estate draw around the city. This certification pays particular attention to energy efficiency in the Southeast's climate.
Atlanta's Architecture Makes the Most of the Fantastic Weather
"Because of our location, we are an outdoor-living city," Betsill says. "Every house in Atlanta should capitalize on this with a flexible, three-season space with shade control to enjoy our temperate climate at different times of day and different times of year."
"Because of our location, we are an outdoor-living city," Betsill says. "Every house in Atlanta should capitalize on this with a flexible, three-season space with shade control to enjoy our temperate climate at different times of day and different times of year."
"Outdoor spaces around Atlanta expand living environments and take advantage of the wonderful spring and fall weather," Tavel agrees.
In form and function, porches have always been popular in the city. "Nothing makes me think of our city more than a well-proportioned and elegant porch," Castro says. "In Atlanta we are lucky enough to have at least six great months of porch weather. Porches are often used as family rooms, dining rooms and kitchens."
Many Atlantans enjoy their outdoor spaces throughout most of the mild winters as well. Interior designer Brian Patterson makes good use of porches, creating space for living and entertaining nearly year-round. "This screened-in porch features a rustic stone fireplace, making it cozy in fall and winter for both living and dining," he says.
Eclecticism Mixes Old and New All Over the ATL
Atlanta loves a good neighborhood art festival and takes its shopping very seriously. From once-a-month treasure hunting at Scott's Antique Market to checking out Lee Kleinhelter's well-curated finds at Pieces, from the booths at Paris on Ponce to the high-end French flea market style of South of Market, it's very easy to shop for unique furniture, home accents and art all over the city.
"Atlanta design is becoming more and more eclectic … my clients love to blend a mix of classic and modern styles for a much more personal look and feel," Habachy says.
Atlanta loves a good neighborhood art festival and takes its shopping very seriously. From once-a-month treasure hunting at Scott's Antique Market to checking out Lee Kleinhelter's well-curated finds at Pieces, from the booths at Paris on Ponce to the high-end French flea market style of South of Market, it's very easy to shop for unique furniture, home accents and art all over the city.
"Atlanta design is becoming more and more eclectic … my clients love to blend a mix of classic and modern styles for a much more personal look and feel," Habachy says.
The world's busiest airport, major sports events, large corporations' headquarters and a slew of movies and TV shows being shot in Atlanta have been bringing a lot of new folks to town. "What we should remember is that Atlanta has a lot of transplants from cities all over the world," Patterson says. "It is becoming more and more of a melting pot of cultures, and Atlantans want a more metropolitan, eclectic style in their homes."
One of today's most popular eclectic items is inspired by the surrounding countryside, but with a modern twist. "Lately inside and out, it seems all of my clients want a sliding barn door," says architect Frances Zook of Clark & Zook Architects.
Clean lines and a few coats of Rhumba Orange paint make this agricultural element suit modern style. Zook recommends sourcing the hardware at a tractor supply store to save money.
Clean lines and a few coats of Rhumba Orange paint make this agricultural element suit modern style. Zook recommends sourcing the hardware at a tractor supply store to save money.
Warm Neutrals Soothe Atlantans Indoors
Interior designer Joel Kelly notes that simpler color palettes and more calming patterns are a popular request from clients these days.
Interior designer Joel Kelly notes that simpler color palettes and more calming patterns are a popular request from clients these days.
Cozy Libraries Are Trending
Castro is finding that libraries are popular among his clients these days. “Since many houses have become very open, it is great to have the option of getting away and enjoying a good book or conversation,” he says. “I also find that parents are encouraging their children to read more, and libraries give them the chance to have a serene environment away from the television.”
Many of the libraries Castro designs have other functions; in this one, a Murphy bed built into the paneling and an adjacent wheelchair-accessible bathroom are universal design features.
Castro is finding that libraries are popular among his clients these days. “Since many houses have become very open, it is great to have the option of getting away and enjoying a good book or conversation,” he says. “I also find that parents are encouraging their children to read more, and libraries give them the chance to have a serene environment away from the television.”
Many of the libraries Castro designs have other functions; in this one, a Murphy bed built into the paneling and an adjacent wheelchair-accessible bathroom are universal design features.
Atlantans Work With What They've Got Instead of Moving
The city of Atlanta is full of diverse and walkable neighborhoods, each with its own unique flavor, and it's easy to become attached. In order to stay, and also, more recently, to avoid losing money in what had been a down market in the past few years, many clients are choosing remodeling over moving, Patterson says
"A house is connected to memories, to caring neighbors, to favorite places nearby, to ideal schools and educators — to everything that has grown to be so very important," he says. His clients prefer to stay put and alter their homes to suit their changing needs.
Should You Remodel or Just Move?
The city of Atlanta is full of diverse and walkable neighborhoods, each with its own unique flavor, and it's easy to become attached. In order to stay, and also, more recently, to avoid losing money in what had been a down market in the past few years, many clients are choosing remodeling over moving, Patterson says
"A house is connected to memories, to caring neighbors, to favorite places nearby, to ideal schools and educators — to everything that has grown to be so very important," he says. His clients prefer to stay put and alter their homes to suit their changing needs.
Should You Remodel or Just Move?
In recent renovation designs for new empty nesters, Patterson has payed special attention to how kitchens will function for his clients' changing lifestyles.
"This empty-nester kitchen features a large, open plan with a central island and plenty of circulation space for family get-togethers," he says. "It also offers intimate dining space for two."
"This empty-nester kitchen features a large, open plan with a central island and plenty of circulation space for family get-togethers," he says. "It also offers intimate dining space for two."
Zook is finding that a lot of her clients are sprucing up the city's common ranch houses to fit their needs. This includes adding master suites, front porches, family rooms and even second floors. "They are really comfortable and have great spaces to work with," she says. "I live in one myself!"
Southern Hospitality and Pride Are Alive and Well
Don't let reality TV make you think it's a city of ostentatious show-offs.
"Atlanta is so diverse, I think it's incredibly hard to pinpoint something distinct about it other than we have an exceptional pride regarding our homes," says architect and interior designer Joel Kelly. "We entertain a lot, and we love making people feel welcome. Design in this city seems to be more about expressing hospitality than displaying your wealth."
Don't let reality TV make you think it's a city of ostentatious show-offs.
"Atlanta is so diverse, I think it's incredibly hard to pinpoint something distinct about it other than we have an exceptional pride regarding our homes," says architect and interior designer Joel Kelly. "We entertain a lot, and we love making people feel welcome. Design in this city seems to be more about expressing hospitality than displaying your wealth."
"Hoop skirts went out with Scarlett and so did the bravado. We're far more tailored here than people give us credit for," Kelly says.
When I think about Scarlett's most famous fashion moment, I envision today's Atlanta woman creating a chic Calvin Klein–esque minimalist gown made of the drapes shown here. It would be fitting for the city's style.
When I think about Scarlett's most famous fashion moment, I envision today's Atlanta woman creating a chic Calvin Klein–esque minimalist gown made of the drapes shown here. It would be fitting for the city's style.
A misconception architect Jose Tavel of TaC studios and architects hears around Atlanta is "one should build only traditional because only traditional sells." His firm and many others don't follow that advice. "We have worked hard to prove many bankers and real estate agents wrong," he says.