In this Sandy Springs home, an empty bay window was transformed into a custom banquette—a cozy place for a family of five to enjoy meals or do homework.
Savvy space-planning
Interior designer Whitney Durham designed this banquette to tuck into a window’s existing angles. As a bonus, there’s now more room in the kitchen to move about. Also, three drawers underneath the cushion provide additional storage.
Faux sure
The built-in seating is upholstered in imitation leather—easy to wipe off and durable for homeowners Michael and Mary Beth Thrasher’s three young children.
Pillow talk
To complement the cheery blue cushion, Durham amassed an assortment of brightly patterned pillows, one made with Hunt Slonem’s iconic “Bunny Hutch” fabric for Lee Jofa Groundworks.
Easy on the budget
Rather than a large statement light fixture, Durham went low-key with this smaller rattan pendant from World Market, which added texture at a reasonable price point. Going without window treatments keeps the look unfussy, as well.
What’s old is new again
Armchairs passed down in the family were covered in geometric fabric from Lewis and Sheron Textiles. “I love to mix modern and traditional, so the mod table paired with vintage dining chairs were a perfect combination in my book,” says Durham.
Designer tip: A pedestal-style table makes seating easier, since guests and family members can slide around the top without running into table legs, says Durham. This metal-and-wood oval table from LexMod is also chip resistant.
This article appears in our July 2021 issue.
