Design Advice

Jennifer Boles, native Atlantan and founder of online journal The Peak of Chic, is a welcome antidote to bloggers chasing the latest fads. Her posts take inspiration from old movies, vintage magazines, and classic design books. So when we decided to publish a list of must-reads, we knew Boles was the resident expert.

How interior-design and lifestyle blogger Jess Cathell put together her master bedroom

Tall ceilings and a modern sensibility don’t always add up to comfort, but this media room creates an inviting nook for reading—or binge-watching. “The rest of the house is bright white,” says Cara Cummins, an architect with TaC Studios, which designed the custom house in Tucker. “But the homeowners wanted this room to feel cozy.”

“We focused the design of this living room around a special commission of Marilyn Monroe by Atlanta artist Steve Penley,” says interior designer Gabriela Eisenhart. Homeowner Jessica Alexander loves the way Penley painted the movie star, as it reminds her of her mom, whom she lost as a child.

For instant glamour in a room, add a little sheen—or a lot. When interior designer William Peace of Peace Design was tasked with updating this circa-1992 condo at the Four Seasons, he layered glossy pinks and warm silver tones in the homeowner’s master bathroom for an ultra-feminine, Hollywood-style result.

No green thumb? Master gardener? There are houseplants for everyone. From bold foliage patterns to macrame hangers, the design world is inspiring us to embrace our inner gardener. Every room needs a touch of something organic—even the most minimalist spaces.

It’s no surprise that New York–based designer Miles Redd, an Atlanta native, is currently crushing on the big and the bold, the graphic and traditional, the dramatic and cinematic (after all, he was a film major). His new collection with Atlanta-based Ballard Designs is a reflection of this eclectic, fantastical vision.

Look around: Many of today’s stylish kitchens have swapped out upper cabinets for open shelving. But is it for you? We asked designer Lori May of Lori May Interiors, who’s created an open shelf or two herself, for the pros and cons of the trend.

We asked you to tell us what projects—large or small, cheap fixes or major investments—gave you joy in the midst of this chaotic year. Here are some of our favorite stories.

At this Lake Martin vacation home, a bunk room and bath accommodate extra guests. “In lake houses, a camp-style bath allows multiple people to use the bathroom at the same time,” says Atlanta architect Bryan Jones of Jones Pierce Studios.