Our pair of contemporary showhouses in the Old Fourth Ward showcases the city’s top designers—plus the best of intown living.
402 Ashley Avenue
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
402 ASHLEY AVENUE
Modern and contemporary design is exploding in Atlanta. For proof of that, look no further than the BeltLine-adjacent Old Fourth Ward, where stunning, cutting-edge new builds are cropping up on every block. This movement spurred Atlanta Magazine’s HOME to get in on the ground level of two side-by-side contemporary showhouses in the hip, walkable neighborhood for a weeks-long showcase in June dubbed Modern Style.
The houses, designed by architect Jordache Avery of Xmetrical and constructed by Joseph Brown and Greg Evans of Intown Builders, created an inspiring frame for the 11 talented design teams that dreamed up the showstopping, innovative spaces inside.
At 402 Ashley Avenue, which meets in a sharp, cantilevered point, Kate Hayes of Kate Hayes Design imagined a quirky entryway with custom wall panels and a loungey parlor. The small powder room left a big impression, thanks to James Wheeler of J. Wheeler Designs and his bold line of tile for Stonelluxe. On the second floor, Meghan and Patrick Sharp of Mister + Mrs. Sharp created a glamorous living room in a clean, fresh palette that abuts the cool blue kitchen by Ann Wisniewski of AJW Interior Design and Bell Cabinetry & Design. The chic bedroom suite by Beth Kooby of Beth Kooby Design is anything but fussy (don’t miss the surprising piece in the shower!). On the third floor, Julie Witzel of J. Witzel Design devised a quiet, luxurious master suite, plus a roofdeck with high-style outdoor furniture from Bjork Studio and Kolo Collection. The emerald green office by Justin Williams of Trademark Design Co. injects a dose of glam into a workspace with furnishings from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
Landscape Design Brendan Butler
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
“Flock Together” by local artist Sally King Benedict anchors the modern hearth and sitting area.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Living Room by Mister + Mrs. Sharp. Husband-and-wife design team Meghan and Patrick Sharp prefer a calm, neutral palette. The pair was inspired by the glamour of the Mad Men era for the living room, selecting iconic midcentury pieces from Design Within Reach. The blush velvet drapes are by Schumacher, and the sconces are from R Hughes. The painting is by James Smith from Mason Fine Art.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Parlor & Entryway by Kate Hayes Design. “I love the ’70s lounge vibe of the Jonathan Adler Aspen sofa,” says Kate Hayes of Kate Hayes Design. “The lines of the open back and floating frame feel chic and weightless.” The custom cocktail table and bar are by EAVE Studio.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Kate designed the entryway panels by Collet & Bit. The runner is from Azra Oriental Rugs.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Powder Room by J. Wheeler Designs. James Wheeler of J. Wheeler Designs showcased his new, Palm Springs–inspired black-and-white wave tile design in partnership with Stonelluxe. “This collection was inspired by midcentury modern architecture and design,” he says. “That folds in well with this contemporary property.”
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Main Floor Bedroom Suite by Beth Kooby Design. Kooby designed the bed with RogersHardesty Design Woodworking. The custom perforated metal screen is by Mike Sluder. The bed linens—embroidered with “Let’s Move Intown, Dahling”— are from Peacock Alley.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Beth Kooby Design dreamed up this bathroom oasis with groovy wall tile from Walker Zanger, hanging plants from Lush Life, and a quirky ceramic llama.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
This glam office by Justin Q. Williams of Trademark Design Co. is decked out in Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams furnishings. “A large chandelier in a small space has a huge impact,” says the designer. The drapes are by West Elm.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Third Floor Master Suite by J. Witzel Interior Design. The serene master bedroom by Julie Witzel of J. Witzel Interior Design is defined by the azure rug from Delinah Simmons, the chairs from Roche Bobois, and art from DK Contemporary Gallery. The florals are by Zeb Grant.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Showpieces in the bathroom include the unconventional clock from Switch Modern and encaustic artwork by Kim Chesney.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Witzel worked with Bjork Studio and Kolo Collection on the all-weather patio with a skyline view. It featured Dedon Ahnda chairs with custom cushions and an ottoman from Bjork Studio.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
715 Ralph McGill Boulevard
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
715 RALPH MCGILL BLVD
Next door at 715 Ralph McGill, designers created a home for real estate agents Sara Lee Parker and her partner, Melissa Graybeal, of Sara Lee Parker & Associates with Keller Williams Intown Atlanta. The sister houses share common features—floating staircases, large windows, generous rooftop decks with skyline views—but each evolved a unique look. This house doesn’t feature the dramatic angles of 402 Ashley Avenue, but its open floorplan allowed for big design.
Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos of Mark Williams Design Associates transformed the entryway and main floor into a sophisticated space filled with spectacular, oversized art, like brilliant paintings by America Martin. The kitchen, designed with Kingdom Woodworks, featured surprises like back-painted glass cabinetry and a Wolf coffee bar. Botanical pieces of art by garden designer Cameron Watkins of C. Watkins Garden Co. abound. On the second floor patio, greenery climbs hanging walls and gives a secret-garden vibe. The downstairs bedroom by Jenna Buck Gross of Colordrunk Designs is a wild and bright wonderland, with patterns on patterns and statement fixtures, like the Kate Spade chandelier from Circa Lighting. On the third floor, Michel Boyd of SmithBoyd Interiors created a bold master suite with sumptuous textures and eye-popping colors. Sliding doors open to a rooftop hideaway by Room & Board, where intown views provide as good an argument as any for modern, intown living.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Entry & Main Floor by Mark Williams Design Associates. Mark Williams and partner Niki Papadopoulos created a show-stopping living room anchored by a Flexform sofa from Switch Modern; its name, “Guscio,” means “shell” in Italian, and it gives a feeling of wrapping the entire space. Art by America Martin (right) from Timothy Tew Galleries, Keiko Gonzalez (over the fireplace) from Mason Fine Art, and a sculpture by Corbin Bronze from Jerry Pair punctuate the space.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Mark and Niki worked with Kingdom Woodworks to create a cool, sophisticated kitchen with back-painted glass cabinets, custom-designed brass hardware, and a Neolith countertop. The integrated refrigerator is Sub-Zero.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
“The large light fixture from Lindsey Adelman is meant to evoke the feeling of a tree canopy,” Mark says.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Third-Floor Master Suite by Smithboyd Interiors. In the master bedroom by Michel Boyd of SmithBoyd Interiors, “Jasper” by Sherwin-Williams sets the backdrop for bright textiles from Pierre Frey and Jim Thompson. The Whittman bed and Poliform chair are from Switch Modern, the chandelier is from Circa Lighting, and the drapes are by the Shade Store.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
In Boyd’s spa-like bathroom, a shower feature wall by Alex Turco creates a bold focal point. The botanical wall sculpture is by Cameron Watkins.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
First Floor Bedroom Suite & Laundry Room by Colordrunk Designs. In the first floor bedroom, Jenna Buck Gross of Colordrunk Designs pairs wild colors and whimsical patterns with an expert eye. Custom bedding and draperies by Lee Jofa and Brunschwig Fils and Kravet play happily with the Thibault wallpaper and art by Wyanne Thompson from DK Contemporary Gallery.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
The Kate Spade chandelier and lamps (top) from Circa Lighting add glam.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Gross says “Jimi” by James Martin from Art Gallery Seven “caught people’s attention and set the mood for the entire room.” The ebony chest is Bunny Williams Home.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Plants & Garden Design by C. Watkins Garden Co.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Room & Board’s Julie Dewald and Sandra Pawliger created a relaxing rooftop retreat.
Photograph by Lauren Rubinstein
Room & Board’s Oasis collection looks fit for a living room, but is made to stand up to the elements. The umbrella and pillows are made with Sunbrella canvas, and the Emmet lounge chairs are made with recycled plastic.
