Photograph by Cati Teague
When your client is 6’2” and a professional real-estate developer, you’re going to supersize some things. Along the way, Matt Teague’s ’90s-era Underwood Hills house was transformed into a modern industrial space with a “warm Southern twist,” says interior designer Gina Sims, who added wood and metal accents without being too wed to one particular style. We asked her to describe some of her clever solutions.
What kinds of things did you do to accommodate Matt’s height, remodeling-wise?
Countertops were raised to 40 inches (standard is 36 inches), and appliances were chosen to accommodate him. The refrigerator is seven feet tall, and the custom range hood is a bit higher, for example. We made the most of the nine-foot ceilings throughout, not just because it looked better but because he could reach ceiling-height storage.
Photograph by Cati Teague
Tell us about your creative wall treatments.
Matt wanted a collected, traveled look with a modern flair, so adding wall treatments that were clean and bold were part of that. We focused more on texture than on pattern. Stark white or charcoal was the backdrop in most of the rooms, but in a couple places, we wanted something special. We used paint to create a dramatic color-blocked “stripe” on the headboard, wall, and ceiling in the guest room. In his bedroom, I designed a graphic-paneled wall and had it painted a saturated green with a custom leather headboard.
Photograph by Cati Teague
What special features are in the kitchen?
We chose durable, sustainable melamine cabinetry from Dove Studio with beautiful zebrawood-look striations. We accented it with black and raw brass and iron in the shelving (made by Fred Martin Welding) and a custom hood made by St. Udio out of Athens. A vintage rug, minimalist accessories, and windows painted black give a nod to the upscale industrial feel we were going for.
Photograph by Cati Teague
How did you create the bar?
The bar area had been a blank wall that previously housed only a chest of drawers and a dog bed. We love creating uses for spaces that don’t have a purpose, and this is a prime example. This bar was inspired by a restaurant vibe, with a custom raw-iron shelving unit and wine storage. We backed it with patinaed mirror tile to give it a smoky, speakeasy vibe and added lighting from Rejuvenation and vintage accessories.
Photograph by Cati Teague
The primary bath and closet have so many great features. How did you make the most of the space with custom elements?
Matt wanted a steam shower and the industrial look of black iron doors, but because iron can rust, we opted for black-painted glass from Drexler. The floor is a gray porcelain tile called Foussana that feels amazing on your feet and has a beautiful texture. We did this same floor and cabinetry in the kitchen and loved it so much, we carried it up here. Interesting feature: We installed an anti-fog mirror in the back of the shower niche—perfect for shaving! The backsplash on the vanity wall is herringbone marble, then for contrast, the black quartz has light veining.
In the closet, we partnered with Katie the Closet Lady to design a moody, masculine space that highlights his clothes and makes him feel great to start or end his day. We removed the standard door and used a barn door to double as a full-length mirror. It’s a space saver and is a great use of the bathroom wall.
Photograph by Cati Teague
This article appears in our Winter 2021 issue of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME.
