
Photograph by Brian Bieder
Laura Beth and Drew Gandy were first drawn to the gray-shingled facade of this Ansley Park beauty, with its classical features and well-manicured front yard. “We lived in Boston for three years, and it reminded me of something you’d see in New England,” says Laura Beth. “Even the flow inside feels like a row house there.”

Photograph by Brian Bieder

Photograph by Brian Bieder

Photograph by Brian Bieder
Set among the Midtown skyscrapers, the circa-1913 house actually started as a Sears catalog floorplan, similar to the other Craftsman-style houses still along the street. A previous owner, interior designer Mimi Williams, remodeled the house and enclosed the front porch to create more space inside, reimagining the exterior in American Federal style. (The renovation was featured in several magazines, including this one in 2007.)
Inside, elegant touches such as coffered ceilings in the 11-foot-high living and dining rooms and generous molding around doorways fit the historic architecture. The Gandys added a large back deck for relaxing and entertaining.

Photograph by Brian Bieder

Photograph by Brian Bieder

Photograph by Brian Bieder
Laura Beth admits that she’s a traditionalist, so her collaboration with interior designer Maggie Griffin included a deft use of blue and white, colorful fabrics, vintage china, and Oriental rugs. The furnishings are child friendly to accommodate the Gandys’ five-year-old son, James, but suit the scale and tone of the sophisticated house. In the foyer, for instance, Griffin paired framed fabric panels with upholstered stools that serve as an ideal spot for dropping bags, kids’ stuff, and other everyday items. Wallcoverings in many rooms add a layer of interest, sometimes subtle, sometimes not. A blue-velvet ottoman in the living room serves as a chic focal point, but it’s also a “stage” where James likes to dance, showing that an old house can be full of modern life. “We loved the formality of the original moldings and trim work,” says Griffin. “But we wanted this house to be a bit more playful for the young family.”

Photograph by Brian Bieder

Photograph by Brian Bieder

Photograph by Brian Bieder

Photograph by Brian Bieder
RESOURCES | Interior designer Maggie Griffin, maggiegriffindesign.com Entryway Wall paint color: “Kendall Charcoal” by Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com. Ceiling color: “Half Moon Crest” by Benjamin Moore. Framed panels: Schumacher fabric with framing by Purple House Gallery, fschumacher.com, purplehousegallery.com. Stools: Gabby Home, gabbyhome.com. Rugs: Looms and Lighting through Maggie Griffin Design Studio, loomsandlighting.com. Dining room Grasscloth wallcovering: Schumacher. Window treatment fabric: Thibaut Design, thibautdesign.com. Table: Bliss Studio from Martin Furniture and Design in Gainesville, martinfurnitureanddesign.com. Console: Le Chateau European Interiors, Scott Antique Markets, scottantiquemarket.com. Light fixture: Houzz, houzz.com. Rug: Myers Carpet, myerscarpet.com. Art: Allison James through the Maggie Griffin Design Studio. Sconce: Circa Lighting, circalighting.com. Living room Sofa, ottoman, and blue check chairs: Lewis and Sheron, lsfabrics.com. Art over sofa: Renee Bouchon, reneebouchon.com. Leather chair: Wesley Hall, wesleyhall.com. Daybed: Bliss Studio recovered in Lee Jofa fabric, leejofa.com. Daybed pillows and cushions: Lacefield Designs mixed with Jim Thompson fabrics, lacefielddesigns.com, jimthompsonfabrics.com. Lamps: Maggie Griffin Design Studio. Wall color: “China White” by Benjamin Moore. Kitchen Window treatments: Schumacher. Banquette: Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com. Master bedroom Bed: Williams-Sonoma Home, williamssonomahome.com. Bedding: Annie Selke, annieselke.com. Mirrors: Mirror Image Home, mirrorimagehome.com. Pillows: Custom, Kravet with Samuel and Sons trim, Schumacher. Coffee table: Serena and Lily, serenaandlily.com. Sofa and chairs: Custom, Ballard Designs. Powder room Wallpaper: Schumacher. Sink basin: Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com. Mirror, sconces, and ceiling light: Shades of Light, shadesoflight.com. Family room Sofa: Wesley Hall through Lewis and Sheron. Chair: Wesley Hall through Lewis and Sheron in a Thibaut plaid. Grass cloth: Thibaut. James’s room Natural rug: Ballard Designs. Antique rug: Scott Antique Markets. Cushion fabric, drapery fabric: Lacefield Designs. Mirror: Pottery Barn. Lamps: Wayfair, wayfair.com.
This article appears in our Winter 2019 issue of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME.