A black-and-white palette keeps the look classy in this Atlanta townhouse

“I really think it feels like a Manhattan townhouse," says interior designer Sherry Hart

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Sherry Hart townhouse
he light-filled dining area showcases a table from Four Hands, a light fixture by Arteriors, and faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale–style chairs from Ballard Designs. As evidence of trust between client and designer, Sherry called Melissa one day to convince her to buy the classic black dining chairs and finally admitted that she’d already bought them and loaded them all into her SUV.

Photograph by Anthony-Masterson

Interior designer Sherry Hart is a believer in two guiding principles when it comes to houses: Location is everything, and you can’t go wrong with black and white. When her friend Melissa Morrow was waffling about whether to rent or buy a home after a divorce, Sherry swooped in. “I’m picking you up at noon tomorrow, and we’ve got an appointment to look in Manchester,” she announced.

Sherry Hart townhouse
Melissa Morrow, left, with friend and designer Sherry Hart, who helped create her chic, new, downsized home at Manchester in Buckhead.

Photograph by Rustic White

Sherry Hart townhouse
The living room is high contrast with its dark and light furnishings but warmed up with touches of wood and texture-rich furnishings such as an animal-hide pouf, furry pillow, and shagreen-style coffee table. The sofa is from Lee Industries, and the coffee table is by Gabby.

Photograph by Anthony-Masterson

Manchester, a new townhouse community by design-savvy developer Pam Sessions of Hedgewood Homes, sits at the lively intersection of Midtown, Morningside, and Buckhead in a former industrial area. Sherry saw a townhome there as ideal for an investment—and for Melissa’s new single life. As luck would have it, Melissa snagged the only lot left with a yard, perfect for her two small dogs.

Sherry tweaked the existing plans, switching the living and dining rooms and upgrading the pantry. The open floor concept on the main level lent itself well to Sherry’s love of black and white, with a few surprises here and there. “I love a dark wall for the TV to sort of disappear on, so we added a brown grass-cloth wall,” says Sherry. “It helps define the space in the living room.”

Sherry Hart townhouse
“I always feel like a black-and-white kitchen is timeless,” says interior designer Sherry Hart, who chose black leathered granite for perimeter countertops but a dark island with marble countertop for contrast. Roman shades in Schumacher fabric add pattern and texture.

Photograph by Anthony-Masterson

Sherry Hart townhouse
The open pantry is an elegant extension of the kitchen, featuring white wooden shelves against black walls. “We decided to use it more for glasses, dishes, and serving pieces and as a place for the microwave,” says Sherry. Melissa hides the less-attractive pantry items in a cabinet.

Photograph by Anthony-Masterson

Sherry Hart townhouse
An abstract wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler in a powder room off the kitchen fits the black-and-white scheme. The sleek sconces are from Circa Lighting, with a mirror by Four Hands.

Photograph by Anthony-Masterson

Melissa’s decorating requests: a navy sofa to anchor the living room, a few midcentury pieces, and some light fixtures with personality. While the townhome was being built, the two shopped for furniture to fit the space, sometimes going custom, other times lucking out with a retail score.

Sherry Hart townhouse
The master bedroom has a more feminine look, says Sherry, with cloud-like wallpaper from Bradley USA on an accent wall. A bed from Bernhardt and linens by Lili Alessandra are luxe additions. Vintage-looking lamps are bargain finds from Home Goods.

Photograph by Anthony-Masterson

Sherry Hart townhouse
A white Pottery Barn dresser provides more storage in the master bedroom, and a watercolor-style pillow from West Elm accents a side chair.

Photograph by Anthony-Masterson

Sherry Hart townhouse
Melissa’s intown neighborhood with a European vibe features semidetached homes and low-maintenance landscaping.

Photograph by Rustic White

Sherry Hart townhouse
Sherry helped outfit the courtyard garden with wood fencing for privacy, large concrete pavers to break up the pea gravel, and a variety of potted plants.

Photograph by Rustic White

Sherry Hart townhouse
Melissa hired friend and graffiti artist Nick Mantia to jazz up her garage. The second bay she converted into her home gym.

Photograph by Rustic White

Sherry added in conversation pieces, such as the sleek shagreen-style coffee table and artsy wallpaper. The result is a collected look, enhanced by the plentiful windows and natural light of a corner unit. Says Sherry: “I really think it feels like a Manhattan townhouse.”

RESOURCES | Interior Designer: Sherry Hart, sherryhartdesigns.com Builder: Hedgewood Homes, hedgewoodhomes.com Living room Sofa and leather chair: Lee Industries, leeindustries.com. Upholstered chairs: Bernhardt, bernhardt.com. Console under TV: Noir Furniture, noirfurniturela.com. Large painting: Scott Kerr, scottkerrart.com. Patterned rug: Moattar, moattar.com. Hide pouf: West Elm, westelm.com. Circular tables: Swoox, 404-869-0042. Kitchen Window treatments: Schumacher, fschumacher.com. Powder room Wallpaper: Kravet, kravet.com. Sconces: Circa Lighting, circalighting.com. Mirror: Four Hands, fourhands.com. Dining room Table and bar cart: Four Hands. Chairs: Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com. Light fixture: Arteriors, arteriors.com. Master bedroom Wallpaper: Bradley, bradleyusa.com. Bed: Bernhardt. Bedside tables and dresser: Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com. Lamps: HomeGoods, homegoods.com. Bedding: Lili Alessandra, lilialessandra.com. Watercolor pillow: West Elm. Backyard Furniture: Target, target.com.

This article appears in our Winter 2019 issue of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME.

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