Atlanta Magazine's HOME Archives

Great Kitchens: Four Spectacular Spaces Where Meals and Memories are Made

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August 24, 2026

Great Kitchens: Four Spectacular Spaces Where Meals and Memories are Made

Elevated Style

The owners of this Sandy Springs home—a couple with two young children—longed for a functional yet beautiful kitchen where they could prepare everyday meals with ease and entertain in style. Mother-daughter design team Jane and Hillary Hollman created a welcoming and elegant space that features a large island for food prep and quick meals, a cozy banquette for dining, and plenty of room for gathering with friends and family. The cabinetry, which is chock-full of organizational features, is designed to keep everything neat and out of sight. An arched bar area, framed in walnut, showcases the husband’s whiskey collection. Herringbone floors, a coffered ceiling, quartzite countertops, and state-of-the-art appliances add to the kitchen’s elevated, high-end look. The stunning cabinet color—a custom mix from Kingdom Woodworks—and wallpaper from Cowtan & Tout tie everything together. “This renovation required a lot of collaboration, but it was well worth the effort,” Hillary says.

Jane & Hillary’s Best Advice
“First, identify your style. Also, determine what’s important to you, from appliances to storage. Finally, and most importantly, hire a great team. A skilled design team can plan the space and work through the many details required to make a kitchen functional and beautiful. They can also pull in the best vendors and resources to ensure a successful outcome. Between the design team and the build team, magic happens.”

Kitchen Designers: Jane Hollman and Hillary Hollman, Studio Entourage
Builder: Castle Painting & Remodeling
Photographer: Rustic White

Featured Resources
Appliances: Sub-Zero, Wolf
Cabinetry & Decorative Hardware: Kingdom Woodworks
Countertops: Taj Mahal Leathered Quartzite, sourced from AGM
Fixtures/faucets: Brizo, sourced from Ferguson Home
Lighting: Visual Comfort
Flooring: Castle Painting & Remodeling

Designed for Entertaining

Paul and Mary Kathryn Timoney are intimately familiar with construction and design: He’s a general contractor, and she’s a kitchen and bath designer (as well as an avid cook). So when it came time to build their own home in Atlanta’s Peachtree Park neighborhood, the couple knew exactly what they wanted. Their goal was to create an inviting space that allowed for entertaining groups of all sizes. They installed an 18-foot folding glass wall at one end of the adjacent living room that doubles the circulation area by incorporating a covered patio. The kitchen also features some of the finest appliances on the market, including a 48-inch dual fuel range, convection steam oven, built-in coffee system, warming drawer, and state-of-the-art refrigeration. Brass accents are repeated in lighting, counter stools, and fixtures. Other design elements include quartzite countertops, custom mirrored cabinets, and a cozy dining table at the end of the island.

Mary Kathryn’s Best Advice
“Go big or go home. People often make expensive kitchen upgrades like painting the cabinet fronts and replacing appliances, countertops, and tile, but they’re still left with inadequate function and layout. At this point, they are about 60 percent into the cost of a complete renovation. Don’t settle for a facelift when a complete makeover is needed.”

Kitchen Designer: Mary Kathryn Timoney, Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio
Architect: Brandon Ingram, C. Brandon Ingram Design
Builder: Paul Timoney, Timoney Construction
Photographer: Tomas Espinoza

Featured Resources
Appliances: Sub-Zero and Wolf, sourced through Distinctive Appliances
Cabinetry: Downsview Kitchens
Countertops: Bottega Surfaces
Decorative Hardware: Matthew Quinn Collection
Lighting: Pendants, Visual Comfort; Sconces, Hudson Valley Lighting Group

Cheerful Lake House

This Lake Tobesofkee project, part of a whole house renovation, involved turning the former galley kitchen into a scullery and opening up the living area to incorporate a new and improved space. The team at Joy Street Design expanded the window line to let in natural light and create a visual connection to the stunning waterfront view. Custom honey-toned cabinetry and flooring were then installed to complement the neutral palette and allow the surroundings to shine. Aubergine-veined marble countertops

and backsplash and six vermilion bar stools inject color and energy into the space. The renovation also added room for a generous dining area overlooking the lake. The designer’s favorite features include the offset pot-filler (“doesn’t compete with the backsplash”) and the open shelving next to the stove (“keeps oils and spices within easy reach”). The new kitchen, completed last year, not only reflects the homeowners’ playful approach to cooking and entertaining but also allows guests to easily move from indoors to outside.

Kelly’s Best Advice
“Take your time when planning a new kitchen. There are many decisions to make but also many opportunities to create something fabulous. You don’t want to regret not having that drawer insert simply because you didn’t think about it in advance.”

Kitchen Designer: Kelly Finley, Joy Street Design
Photographer: Marc Mauldin

Featured Resources
Appliances: Monogram
Countertops: Lilac marble, sourced from Walker Zanger
Decorative Hardware: CB2
Flooring: White Oak, sourced from Georgia Oak Floor Distributors
Lighting: Visual Comfort
Plumbing Fixtures: Kohler

Heart of the Home

The founders of Escape to Blue Ridge, a vacation rental company in North Georgia, moved to Old Toccoa Farm Resort in Mineral Bluff to be closer to their business. With their children grown, the couple envisioned a residence that would serve as a sophisticated retreat for their new chapter of empty-nest living. Passionate about cooking and entertaining, they wanted a kitchen that could accommodate everything from casual daily meals to hosting family and friends. Cartersville interior designer Beverly Baribault reconfigured the layout to open the space and create a flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas. She also replaced unnecessary doors with expansive windows, strengthening the home’s connection to the outdoors and flooding the interior with natural light. An integrated bar provides an ideal space for serving guests, while custom cabinetry blends function with style. Completed in February, the welcoming space has become the heart of the home and is equally suited for intimate dinners or large gatherings.

Beverly’s Best Advice
“Consider how you want your kitchen to function before selecting finishes. Determine which appliances suit your lifestyle. Decide whether you want gas, electric, or induction for your cooktop or range. Also, think about how you’ll use the space every day so that the layout and features are tailored to the way you live.”

Interior Designer: Beverly Baribault, Beverly Baribault Design Group
Builder: Kasteel Enterprises
Photographer: David Cannon

Featured Resources
Appliances: Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, sourced from Sewell Appliance
Cabinetry: Imperial Woodworking and Windsor Pine
Countertops: MC Granite Countertops
Decorative Hardware: West Elm
Lighting: Visual Comfort

A top-to-bottom renovation turns a problematic spec house into a couple’s dream home

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August 23, 2026

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It takes lemons to make lemonade, and a three-year-old spec house in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward had plenty of the former when homeowners Eric and Elizabeth Breier called Nest Planning & Construction for help. “There were massive water infiltration concerns, and the whole house was rotting from the outside in,” says Frank Wickstead, a licensed general contractor and a partner along with wife Lauren in the Atlanta design-build firm. He is also an adjunct professor at Georgia Tech’s School of Building Construction.

Although the challenges were many, the Breiers decided to overhaul the home rather than move from their “dream location” near Atlanta’s Beltline and Ponce City Market. The year-long project, overseen by Nest Project Manager Michelle Treacy, was divided into two phases: demolition and construction. “Demolition was exploratory, just to see how much we were going to have to take off in order to build back,” Frank says of the gut renovation.

Many of the home’s original issues stemmed from its flat roof design, a feature that requires special strategies to prevent water incursion. So, Frank started with what he calls the “unsexy” details that make a big difference in how a house holds up over time. “I’ve always had a sustainability slant, which means water mitigation, wall assembly, insulation, and HVAC,” he says. “That’s where we start, and then we work on [making it] beautiful.”

On the home’s exterior, the Nest team used a liquid house wrap because of its best-in-class performance on moisture mitigation. A capillary break was then added on top. “It’s basically a spacer between the sheathing and the siding, where any water that gets behind the siding runs down that liquid house wrap and exits once it gets to the ground,” he explains. “That way, you don’t have water just sitting there and soaking into the nail holes.” Next, the team installed Pella windows with thin rails to achieve a steel-like appearance while maintaining structural integrity and weather resistance.

Once the structure was sound, it was time to make the home a showstopper. The flat roof, situated four floors above street level, became an expansive outdoor living area featuring a bar, a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen, and stunning views of the city. Nest then tapped Shades of Green Permaculture in Avondale Estates to create a lush landscape of native plants. “When you look up at the home you see this massive rooftop deck that you’d almost expect at a hotel rather than at a single-family home,” Lauren says.

The interior is equally distinctive and includes a basement gym with a sauna, hidden Murphy door bookcases, and specialized office spaces on multiple levels. Most of the interior design choices—from graphic wallpaper and sculptural light fixtures to plush floor coverings and a California-cool neutral palette—were made by Eric Breier. “This is a deeply personal house,” Lauren says, “especially given what this couple went through to get back into it.”

For the Breiers, the destination was worth the journey. “They were put in a bad situation, but they now have their dream house,” Frank says. “The theme of this entire project was lemonade from lemons, and it certainly proved true. We took this house from spec to custom, and the result is spectacular.”

On the Market: Actor Josh Brolin’s former home now up for sale in Sandy Springs

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August 19, 2026

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Inside actor Josh Brolin’s former home now up for sale in Sandy Springs — Actor Josh Brolin’s former family home in Sandy Springs at 5000 Long Island Drive NW is now up for sale.

Not far from Chastain Park, a charming Sandy Springs estate at 5000 Long Island Drive NW, built in 2003, occupies 1.48 wooded acres. Gated and cloaked in trees so that the road disappears from view, the property offers roughly 10,000 square feet, with seven bedrooms, eight full baths and four half ones, spread between the main residence and an unexpected bonus: a detached two‑story guest house containing dual apartments.

Actor Josh Brolin and his wife, Kathryn, have owned the property since 2020. It’s now up for sale.

As a Georgia native and UGA graduate, Kathryn’s family ties in Atlanta figured prominently into the couple’s decision to put down roots in her home state. The Brolins had genuine plans to make the property a forever home for themselves and their two children. Though work later pulled them west, for a time they returned for holidays and short stays.

With the long view initially in mind, they hired Los Angeles-based Pierce & Ward—an AD100 firm—to reimagine the home’s interiors. The design scheme layers patterned wallpapers, mineral-hued colors, contemporary art, and antiques throughout.

“I love the rich colors and maximalist touches,” says listing agent Jacob Bean of Studio Housing Atlanta.

Despite its large size, the house doesn’t feel cavernous; discrete rooms provide intimacy without sacrificing openness. That variable scale is evident in the contrast between the front den, where the family enjoyed reading by the fireplace, and the vaulted, two-story living room.

The soaring main-floor primary suite pairs Pierce & Ward’s palette and a triangle-peaked upholstered headboard with a fireside lounge and two boutique-style closets.

Upstairs, additional bedrooms join a children’s play space wrapped in map-printed wallpaper that inspires curiosity and encourages learning. The lower level also includes an in-law suite with a private exterior entrance, adding another option for multigenerational living.

Ancillary spaces include a wood-paneled screened rotunda with a fireplace and grill, a gym with a sauna and cold plunge, and a terrace-level home cinema where Bean says the Brolins often gathered for movie nights. Outdoors, natural stones encircle a heated pool with two waterfalls and a hot tub giving way to a hidden park tucked behind bamboo.

The guest house apartments offer flexibility for long-term visitors or on-site staff, with an adjoining pea-gravel motor court for extra parking or alfresco affairs.

The Brolins are open to selling most of the home’s furnishings—excluding certain artworks and sentimental pieces—allowing the next owner to preserve the coveted Pierce & Ward design.

This Sandy Springs estate is on the market for $4,750,000. For more information, contact Jacob Bean of Studio Housing Atlanta at 701-480-9698 or jacobcurtisbean@gmail.com.

Double Vision: Michel Smith Boyd delivers design to private clients and television viewers

Home & Garden

Shelby Wisdom

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August 13, 2026

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Double Vision: Michel Smith Boyd delivers design to private clients and television viewers

Atlanta-based interior designer Michel Smith Boyd muses that he sometimes feels like the “bridge between two worlds.” On the one hand, he works with private clients, transforming their homes into customized reflections of their personalities. On the other, he’s a television host and designer who inspires broad audiences to rethink their living environments. And he welcomes the chance to do both.

“My heart is in connecting with clients and making a difference in their daily lives through how they experience their homes, but I can only see a limited number of them,” he says. “With television, I can reach so many more people. In both cases, I want it to be clear that everyone deserves good design.”

That has been Michel’s philosophy since he discovered interior design in the early 2000s and the foundation of his interior design firm, SmithBoyd Interiors, which he started in 2006 while still a junior at the Art Institute of Atlanta.

The Louisiana native had moved from Atlanta to New York City to pursue opportunities in the fashion world when a trip to the famed D&D (Decoration & Design) Building—with more than 100 showrooms of textiles, furniture, lighting, and more—altered his path. “I had no idea that world existed,” he says, adding that he considered attending the New York School of Interior Design. But he still had a home in Atlanta and landed instead at the Art Institute.

Soon after, at a birthday party he threw for a friend, Michel met an executive from The Coca-Cola Company who was impressed with his talent and asked him to plan a party for her. She also became his first interior design client, giving him four spaces in her home to revamp. “I started building a network of C-suite clients in Atlanta before I graduated from design school,” he recalls, adding that for the next five years, all of his projects came from that one connection. “I’m still discovering what a blessing that was.”

Michel is recognized for his ability to tell his clients’ stories through their home spaces and for his signature layering of fabrics, textiles, prints, and color. Over the years, his process has evolved to focus on mood within a space. “The power to establish mood is underrated,” he says. “Your environment has the greatest influence on you outside of your health, and design can make such a positive impact on your life. The mood is the foundation, so everything for me begins and ends with that.”

Because of his high-end clientele, it wasn’t long before network executives took notice of Michel’s design prowess. Yet, when HGTV asked him to participate in Design Star, he turned them down. “I was operating out of fear,” he says, noting that Bravo fortunately came calling with an offer to appear on Buying it Blind, a home renovation show that aired in 2018. When HGTV came back to the table, Michel signed on this time—for Luxe for Less in 2022, followed by Rock the Block. In 2023, he appeared on the network’s Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge. “Television allows me to think with a different part of my design brain, and it has been a privilege to operate in that space,” he says, adding that he recently signed on for another soon-to-be-revealed HGTV show.

That joy also extends to the corporate partnerships he has developed with brands like Z Gallerie, Crate & Barrel, and Neiman Marcus. His product lines include collections of rugs and licensed paintings, many of which are inspired by African art and a Parisian aesthetic. He plans to expand his offerings to furnishings, lighting, and wallpaper.

“Your house should be an environment that edifies you and propels you forward,” he says. “If we work one-on-one, I’ll create it for you. If you meet me through television, I’ll inspire you to do it for yourself. I want to show the power of design and how each of us holds it in our hands.”

This article appears in the Summer 2026 issue of GEORGIA DESIGN.

On the Market: This century-old Marietta house comes with a pool, guest quarters, and layers of thoughtful details

Shelby Wisdom

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July 30, 2026

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On the Market: This century-old Marietta house comes with a pool, guest quarters, and layers of thoughtful details

Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes

In the heart of historic Marietta stands a stately 109-year-old home that has benefited from an owner as special as the house itself. The five-bedroom Colonial Revival at 421 Church Street, located within walking distance of the downtown square, blends classical symmetry and fine craftsmanship with updated, functional living spaces. And as Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty listing advisor Molly Holton points out, the gracious 5,800-square-foot abode can accommodate everything from family living to elaborate entertaining.

The seller, a devoted antiques enthusiast who assumed ownership of the house in the early aughts, had spent years clipping inspiration images from magazines, amassing architectural fragments, and envisioning the home he desired. He approached the residence as a playground for high-concept interventions, embarking on a renovation that took the structure mostly down to the studs and included the installation of new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

Drawing on the historic houses found in Atlanta’s Druid Hills and Inman Park neighborhoods, the owner imported or commissioned intricate moldings, paneled walls, and architectural details that honor the home’s original era and style. Although roughly 90 percent of the interior detailing is new, it was crafted to early-20th-century standards, giving it an authentically aged character.

The grand front door, imported from Versailles, opens onto a foyer with a bespoke mural. Other doors also came from France, namely an arched pair salvaged from a decommissioned church. The fireplace mantels were sourced from the U.K., including one from Wales and another from England. Numerous stained-glass windows, which Molly calls museum-caliber, create focal points throughout the home. Powder room paneling was recovered from a ship, while a massive antique ledger cabinet from a courthouse serves as the kitchen’s built-in pantry, paired with Sub-Zero refrigeration and a Thermador range.

The owner expanded the home’s footprint—enlarging the dining room, enclosing a former porch, adding a generous primary suite, and building a detached garage complete with guest quarters. The backyard, which includes layered landscaping and multiple water features, supports indoor-outdoor living. “No detail in this home was overlooked,” Molly says, whether it’s the restored heart pine floors, the brick poolside pavers, or the matching light switches installed throughout the house (even in the garage). “You wouldn’t know what’s old and what’s new, what’s original and what’s recreated.”

This Marietta home is on the market for $2,900,000. For more information, contact Molly Holton of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 850-980-0664; or mollyholton@atlantafinehomes.com.

Lowcountry Love

Lisa Mowry

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July 17, 2026

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A welcoming mahogany door and lighting from The Copper Smith help define this home’s Lowcountry style. Photography: Kelli Boyd

For Leah Bailey, the beauty of Lowcountry style begins with architecture and building materials. “To me, a typical Lowcountry home has a big front porch, lanterns, is usually white, and inside has reclaimed hardwood floors and inset cabinets,” says the Savannah interior designer, tasked with a custom second home for clients in nearby Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina. The goal was twofold: maintain the relaxed feeling of “Lowcountry casual” but mix in a bit of elegance and a few formal elements. And as always in this scenic part of the world, Leah sought inspiration for the color palette from the surrounding environment.

Working with architect Pearce Scott, Leah and her team first chose finishes for flooring, lighting, plumbing, and other hard details, to make sure the 6,000-square-foot house had the consistency and livability required for this family of five. “From there, we moved from one room to another to develop the personality of each space,” says Leah, who gave each room its own distinctions. The dining room includes built-in cabinets and a banquette, for instance, while a scullery is enveloped in shades of blue, a color that appears throughout the house.

The designer mixed soothing shades of blue with neutrals for an understated look in the great room. Furnishings by traditional brands such as Hickory Chair, Highland House, and Chaddock are classic yet comfortable for family gatherings. Photography: Kelli Boyd

The dining room is bright and airy with its blue-and- white theme. Custom cabinetry and a banquette anchor one wall, joined by a Hickory White oval table and chairs covered in checked fabric from Chaddock and floral by Schumacher. Photography: Kelli Boyd

For the designer and the homeowners, blue offers an instant connection to nature, bringing a sense of the outdoors into interior spaces and injecting a soothing element into every room. “It was important to me for the main areas to have blue mixed with neutral tones,” Leah says, adding that bedrooms and bathrooms in the house wear deeper versions of the color. “Blue can play a supporting role and still make a statement,” such as an antique chair covered in blue velvet the wife chose for her office, or kitchen barstools upholstered in blue fabrics. “We combined texture, printed fabrics, florals, and embroideries to get a mix, but we didn’t use too much of anything.”

As a handy resource, the designer can show her clients home furnishings and accessories from her Leah Bailey Interiors shops, with locations in Savannah and Bluffton, as options for a project. “It was especially helpful for the wife to see things in person, since she’s so visual,” says Leah, citing the office antique chair as one on-the-spot decision.

Leah designed the hanging bed on the front porch, comfortably filled with an array of blue and white pillows. Photography: Kelli Boyd

Saturated tones of blue in the back kitchen include Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore on custom cabinets, leathered Maldives countertops, and a lively backsplash pattern from Garden State Tile in Savannah. Photography: Kelli Boyd

She made sure that vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces were mixed in with the custom and retail furnishings. “I layered in antiques so that everything doesn’t feel too new,” Leah says. “We don’t want it to look like everything was ordered on the same day; plus, it’s the mix of history that defines this area.” The primary bedroom, for example, is a tranquil space with an antique mirror and bench complementing newer furnishings. The foyer and primary bathroom also stand out, thanks to vintage rugs, artwork, and accessories.

With her love of the area’s past and coastal setting, Leah is particularly fond of designing Lowcountry projects in Savannah, Palmetto Bluff, and Charleston. “This is where the environment shapes the way a home should feel,” she says. “I’m constantly inspired by the quiet marsh colors, the softness of the light, and the mix of old and new that define this region.”

Focal-point barstools in the kitchen sport the home’s signature blue: Chaddock stools covered with light blue leather and a Madeaux Fabric pattern on the back. Photography: Kelli Boyd

A soft palette in the primary bedroom includes an Eve and Staron rug in powder blue and an antique bench covered in a Cowtan & Tout fabric. Photography: Kelli Boyd

The Alberto lantern by Visual Comfort and checked floor tiles from Garden State Tile elevate the charming laundry room. Photography: Kelli Boyd

She also loves the opportunity to create second homes that families can enjoy for generations to come. For this family, with three grown children and their friends coming to visit, the new home is a place for entertaining and celebrations as well as quiet weekends. To Leah, successful second home design comes from rooms that are effortless to live in, easy to maintain, and layered with pieces that reflect the area’s character as much as the homeowner’s personality. “My goal is to design a retreat where families gather and friends return year after year,” says the designer. “The beauty of the surroundings becomes part of the home’s story.”

This article appears in the Spring 2026 issue of GEORGIA DESIGN.

Poolside Perfection: Jade Joyner creates a contemporary oasis in an Athens backyard

Shelby Wisdom

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June 30, 2026

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Poolside Perfection: Jade Joyner creates a contemporary oasis in an Athens backyard

Behind a 5,029-square-foot Athens house hides a palatial outdoor area. With its deep blue pool and sparkling outdoor kitchen, you would never know the backyard was once disjointed. The homeowners, a couple with four young children, longed for an outdoor space they could enjoy. “They called and said, ‘We want to have pool parties and make our backyard the focus,” says Jade Joyner, the cofounder and principal designer at Metal + Petal. The result was a renovation that was more than cosmetic; it was functional too.

The house, which previously belonged to the wife’s father, was in desperate need of some TLC for the outdoor areas. The pool was oddly shaped and broken down, so the transformation began with its complete overhaul. With a new classic rectangular shape and dusky blue waterline tiles, it was no longer disconnected from the rest of yard and became the centerpiece.

Jade carved out several intimate pockets for the family of six to gather around the pool, including an unused area beneath the home that was once a screened-in porch. She removed the screen, added a fan, and then anchored the space with a round coffee table surrounded by four club chairs from Four Hands. On the other side of the pool, two sleek chaise lounges—also from Four Hands—offer a place to relax by the water. The choice of the lounge chairs was more than aesthetic. “Although I love the look of a cushioned outdoor chaise, it requires putting the cushions on and taking the cushions off,” the designer says, adding that maintenance and upkeep are practical issues addressed during her design process. She notes that the chaises invite plenty of lounging, even without cushions.

The clients also wanted an outdoor kitchen with a dining area and a firepit. “They love being outside and roasting marshmallows with the kids and having friends over,” Jade says. She created a functional and stylish space that incorporates a grill, a beverage fridge, and a prep spot. The dining area is sheltered under a pergola. A round table softens the surrounding hard surfaces. “Concrete tends to feel cold, so I wanted the furniture selections to have a good, warm feeling,” she says.

That warmth is also felt through the landscaping, which was designed by Jenneke Summerville of Grandiflora Athens. “Jenneke doesn’t like anything too traditional, so she used a lot of grasses,” Jade says. Climbing roses add a touch of color, but the overall look is soft and informal.

The designer opted for a cool and contemporary palette, predominantly white, to create a contrast with the home’s warmer interior. That contemporary sensibility carries throughout the yard, from the concrete firepit to the concrete bench. “Neutrals can create a really timeless look, and you never get tired of it,” she says. “I wanted everything to be seamless.”

Ultimately, the outdoor area feels like an extension of the interior. “The lines of the furniture are quite similar to the lines of the furnishings inside. It’s all connected,” says Jade. And while some backyards are meant to be admired from afar, this one clearly invites participation. “I hope everyone feels like it’s an inviting, warm space to enjoy,” she says. “It’s a total oasis.”

This article appears in the Spring 2026 issue of GEORGIA DESIGN.

Jenna Gross of Colordrunk Designs talks decorating with big, bold color

Shelby Wisdom

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June 15, 2026

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Jenna Gross of Colordrunk Designs talks decorating with big, bold color

Jenna Gross is the founder and principal designer at Colordrunk Designs, an Atlanta-based interior design firm known for creating vibrant, bespoke spaces. While a career in design came naturally to the Columbus, Georgia, native, who grew up around her family’s antiques and upholstery shops, she actually got her start in the fashion industry. After earning a degree at the University of Georgia, she embarked on a career in New York City with Marc Jacobs, a clothing and accessories designer of bold prints and fun colors.

Although those years were filled with interesting opportunities and fascinating people, she missed the South and decided to return to Georgia. It was while shopping for a home with her husband that she first discovered her flair for interior design. When they couldn’t find exactly what they wanted, they purchased an older home with plans to remodel. Soon, Jenna was pushing the boundaries of design with everything from furnishings and fabric to hardware and moldings. Her imaginative renovation, which was filled with big, bold color, landed her a coveted spot on a TLC design series. The show introduced her to a host of potential clients, and in 2013, she formed Colordrunk Designs, naming the company to reflect her color-forward style. She now works with high-end residential and boutique commercial clients around the country and collaborates with Loom & Co, Oh My Mahjong, and Tela Mercantile. Her line of fabrics and wallcoverings, Tipsi, is a natural extension of the Colordrunk aesthetic.

We recently talked with Jenna about her design philosophy and process, how she injects color into every room, and her best color tip.

GEORGIA DESIGN: So, make the case for color. What exactly does it bring to interior design?

JENNA GROSS: Color sets the mood in interior design and directly influences how people feel. It defines the personality of a room and invites a level of creativity and detail that makes each space feel distinct. Color ensures that no two rooms are ever mistaken for one another.

GEORGIA DESIGN: How do you typically begin the “decorating with color” process?

JENNA: When I begin an interior design project with color, I usually start by anchoring the space with a multicolored fabric or a piece of art—whether newly sourced or something the client already owns. I also like to take a peek inside the client’s closet, which often offers the most honest insight into their personal style. I always say that people should have as much fun with color in their homes as they do with color in their wardrobes.

GEORGIA DESIGN: Which rooms are best suited to colorful design?

JENNA: I believe every room should include color, but the palette should be chosen with purpose and intent. For example, in the bedroom, you may want to use softer, more serene hues that promote rest and relaxation. Family rooms, on the other hand, can handle bolder, brighter colors that encourage energy, conversation, and a sense of play.

GEORGIA DESIGN: If a client is afraid of bold color, is there a way to ease into it?

JENNA: If a client is intimidated by color, I usually begin with solid blocks of it, like a green sofa or a bold grass cloth wallcovering. I’ll then add pattern and additional color with accessories, fabrics, or art.

GEORGIA DESIGN: Is there a rule for the number of colors to use in a space?

JENNA: There’s no limit to the amount of color you can use in one space, but it’s important to be intentional. Select colors that are complementary or that are anchored with a single, multicolored fabric, wallpaper, or piece of art.

GEORGIA DESIGN: What is your all-time best color tip?

JENNA: Choose the color you love the most and use it in small doses in every room to create an easy flow throughout your home. And remember that color can be sophisticated. People often think that only neutrals meet that standard, but it’s not true. Sophistication comes from context, combination, and the mood that a color evokes.

This article appears in the Spring 2026 issue of GEORGIA DESIGN.

This thoughtfully renovated home adds modern livability while retaining historical integrity

Shelby Wisdom

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June 9, 2026

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This thoughtfully renovated home adds modern livability while retaining historical integrity

The lifespan of any historic home depends on the fidelity of each owner’s vision, and Kim Noland understood her role in preserving her circa 1905 house in Athens’s prominent Five Points neighborhood. Renovated with the expertise of custom builder Craig Moore and interior designer Tami Ramsay, the 4,500-square-foot abode offers modern livability while retaining historical integrity.

After moving into the house post-divorce with her three children, Kim decided she wanted a fresh start—not only in life but also in her living spaces. Gone was any inclination for moody colors or furnishings as she imagined a softer, more feminine aesthetic. While spacious in footprint, the home needed a few tweaks, namely to the renovations and additions made in the mid-20th century. Tami, a partner in Ramsay Nye, an interior design firm with offices in Athens and Ann Arbor, Michigan, noted that those changes had compromised function, flow, and natural light.

The kitchen was crowded by a cramped laundry room and a covered window that blocked the natural sunlight. Off the kitchen at the rear of the home was an addition with a bay window and “a really bad deck.” Finally, the upstairs of the home had been converted into apartments—common for the neighborhood—accessed by way of a rickety exterior staircase. Yet, despite the work it needed, Tami immediately saw why her client loved the property. “The bones were so solid and so good,” she says.

Interior changes included removing the laundry room; uncovering the window and adding a second one to create a kitchen focal point; removing the back deck and porch to create an interior mud room and garden room; exchanging the bay window for a fireplace and sliding glass doors; and enhancing the rear addition with an expanded primary suite complete with its own sitting room. Finally, the four bedrooms upstairs were transformed into three bedrooms, allowing each one to have its own bathroom and a spacious closet.

Color is key for the harmony of a home, and Kim’s preference for subtle, softer hues guided paint choices and decorative accents. On the main floor, rooms flow with the help of shared wall and trim colors, Farrow & Ball’s Dimpse and Inchyra Blue, respectively. Even with neutral paint, the spaces are far from boring, thanks to well thought-out accents such as fabric pendants, wallpaper selections, and bathroom tiles in pink and lavender.

“We’re known for color, but you can have a colorful home that’s more subtle,” says Tami, who kept things understated from a paint standpoint but added fun touches. “And we amped things up with texture, so each room has a fullness to it.”

Meanwhile, in the recently added garden room, Farrow & Ball’s Yeabridge Green is trimmed in the brand’s Calke Green for a “color explosion,” she says. Terracotta floor tiles are both eye-catching and practical. Because the house lacked sufficient storage for the family, transforming the former deck and back porch into a mudroom and garden room made sense. Kim is an avid gardener who craved a space to indulge her green thumb, while the three children needed a spot to drop their coats, backpacks, and shoes.

“We didn’t want to make the garden room just another room of cabinets, so we used cafe curtains to cover the open shelving,” Tami says. “We wanted wood countertops, open shelves, and a bit of an old-world look. It was a way to take advantage of square footage and make it interior. And we added custom reproduction windows, which resulted in a nice continuation.”

On the front of the home, the original porch is unchanged but enhanced by stately columns to restore its earlier appearance. Because the house is part of the historic Five Points neighborhood, each segment of the renovation required the approval of the Athens Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission had a photo of the home from its early days, including the flanking columns, which had been replaced by lesser versions during previous
renovations.

“Replacing the columns is all we changed, and since it’s a lovely, huge porch, we added a swinging bed on the left side and a seating area on the right,” Tami says. “Long story short, the changes were an easy argument.”

A 1930’s primary bath receives a much-needed makeover

Design Advice

Myrydd Wells Walljasper

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May 14, 2026

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A 1930’s primary bath receives a much-needed makeover

A friend sought the advice of interior designer Gabriela Eisenhart because she thought her shower was rotting. “Sure enough, I told her she was about to fall through the floor,” says Gabriela, founder of Silo Studio Design, who was hired on the spot to revamp the dated 150-square-foot primary bath in Atlanta’s Lenox Park neighborhood.

Likely last renovated more than two decades ago, the bathroom was overdue for a major refresh to bring it into the modern era. The look and feel of the house is traditional in keeping with the 1930’s Tudor influences on both the exterior and interior, so Gabriela used those influences to drive the new design. “This house has substantial architectural details, and we weren’t going to demo those out,” she says, noting that she kept the original wainscoting, which adds timeless character to the space. “We wanted a classic bath with a heritage feel that fit in with the home’s overall style.”

Because of the room’s existing windows, Gabriela had to keep the layout the same. So, she worked her magic through careful material selection and intentional touches that boosted wearability while retaining the bathroom’s vintage charm. A durable porcelain checkered floor tile by Edward Martin replaced the previous basketweave marble floor, and white porcelain subway tile by Bedrosians added lightness and brightness to the shower walls. A full glassed-in shower enclosure eliminated a half-wall that blocked visibility and made the room look smaller. And hard-working quartz was used for the countertops and shower bench.

Gabriela likes to incorporate vanities that look like furniture—it’s one of her signature touches—and for this project she designed two solid oak ones to replace the heavy and outdated models that no longer suited the space. The new vanities, which feature fluted fronts, playful ball feet, and generous storage, sit on either side of a sleek volcanic limestone tub by Victoria + Albert. Articulating mirrors by Four Hands and oil-rubbed bronze lighting by Mullin replaced clunky medicine cabinets and sconces. Brushed brass hardware and plumbing fixtures injected warmth into the room, and soft neutral paint added a spa-like feel.

Gabriela’s clients love the finished space, and the bathroom is now fully functional as well as beautiful. “The homeowners are happy,” she says, “but more importantly, no one is falling through the shower.”

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