Knollwood (Part 2)...May is Decorator Showhouse Month

Come with me now that we have climbed up the stairs at Knollwood and we
 will head in to the very deep blue sanctuary of the master bedroom. Barbara
Westbrook has created a room that is tasteful, tactile, timeless and simply elegant.
But very dark and hard to photograph.

Matthew Quinn and his team of designers at Design Galleria Kitchen & Bath

Studio used rich materials that are timeless, elegant and loaded with

modern technology.

The lady of the house not only has a dressing area and separate bath,

but it includes a wonderful sitting area for her gentleman to join her

for reading or television viewing.

The television can be placed where the picture is over the mantle.

Attention to detail and a mix of antique and transitional make the guest

retreat, designed by Christy Dillard Kratzer, Allied ASID and Heidi Pierce, 

the perfect place to escape.

The lounge that Jimmy Stanton of Stanton Home Furnishings shows a history

of personal travel experiences, beautiful antiques and a comfortable

updated look.

Baby, Baby Sweet Baby! The Musso Design Group has a very contemporary
nursery for you! From the Art Deco to Biedermeir furnishings, this room
can continue to grow along with you!

Anyone would love the fabric drapery that surrounds the custom headboard

and bed. Designer Courtney Giles Decker used this as the focal point for the room that houses that special guest!

Up another set of stairs, we find more fun rooms! Barbara Heath and Tim Green

of The Mercantile (love their store) used a sports theme for the third floor

sitting room. A space that is elegant and understated.

A masculine retreat filled with unique vintage pieces a stunning billiard table and

lots of leather, antlers and horns! Kellie Griffin, IIDA and Paula Griffin have put

a classy spin on the term "man cave!"

Once we came back down to earth, we strolled past the beautiful pool area

and followed the stepping stones out to the Gazebo. Dressed out in reclaimed

wood, linens and a understated elegance this restful spot was designed by the

team from B. D. Jeffries. (Another one of my favorite Atlanta shopping spots)

This concludes our tour of Knollwood. As to be expected, the Atlanta Symphony

Decorator Showhouse committee and designers have done it again...can't wait

to see what they will have for us next year!

Knollwood (Part 1) ...May is Decorator Showhouse Month

So many showhouses and tours, so little time! April and May are always a whirlwind with hard choices to make on what showhouses to see. But the #1  in the South is the Atlanta Decorator Showhouse. The 2012 house was a beautiful Phillip Shutze designed home called Knollwood to continue to read about the history of the house.

This house is huge! I have a large number of pictures to share with you, so I will be breaking this down into two post.

So come join me as we walk through the front door and start our tour!

We enter into the foyer. This space was designed by Melanie Turner, ASID. I love her blue and white porcelains and even the two feather benches. But I am not to sure about the ostrich!

This house has so many beautiful details! If you would like to know more about the architecture of Knollwood continue reading here

The Library, designed by William S. Murphy, ASID was our next stop. Can you say understated elegance?

Would you have thought of salt and pepper shakers for design inspiration? That is where John Oetgen went for his color idea for the Solarium! As one of the design tourist stated "it just says old money!"

Stan Topal is not one to follow style trends. He strives for the very best and it certainly shows in the Living Room at Knollwood.

The homeowners clearly enjoy one of the south's favorite activities (and mine) fine dining. Carole Weaks, Allied ASID used two round tables with a mix of seating in the Formal Dining Room.

   

This wonderful pillow out of Schumacher fabric was the color inspiration for the Family Dining Room. It was designed by the mother/daughter firm of Cheryl Womack and Allison Womack Jowers. I LOVE this fabric! Their space had "attention to detail" everywhere!

It is one thing  to design a beautiful kitchen, but to create one that also is functional you need the design team from Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio. The family dining room and kitchen flowed together, so the same soft color palette continues in this space.

James T Farmer along with Maggie Griffin set the Butler's Pantry up for another dining space. It was a tight squeeze for a table and chairs. I am sure for practical purposes, this would be removed. But it certainly gave a wonderful place for James Farmer to show off his own personal china pattern and serving pieces. What a wonderful collection!

Now it is time to climb the back stairs! What will we find at the top?

Tish Mills, ASID is all about transitional design. Here we find the perfect place to stop and take a break in the ladies parlor. Maybe she will let us sit and have a libation?

source: The Peak of Chic, Whitehaven, Design Indulgence, Atlanta Decorator Showhouse

Turtle Rock Estate...May is Decorators' Showhouse Time!

I didn't find my friends;
the good God gave them to me.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

My husband and I had a wonderful time with our friends in Birmingham this past weekend. They are truly the best host and hostesses. No treatment at a five star resort, could compare to all the gracious things they did to make us feel pampered and welcomed! One of our weekend highlights was our trip to the Decorators' Showhouse. The house this year was in Vestavia Hills and is know as Turtle Rock Estate. (for more information)

The Showhouse is in support of the Alabama Symphonic Association. The home was built in 1993 and sits a top a hill surrounded by trees and natural rock formations. The two acre estate has waterfalls and European style gardens.

The estate takes its name from a large turtle shaped rock on the left side of the house.  The exterior of the home looks like a historical Spanish villa with a barrel tile roof and blends of tumbled brick, stone, tongue and groove cedar, stucco and copper gutters and chimney caps.

The house represents a feeling of serenity and one of the main places where you get this sense of relaxation is in the Master Bath. The oversized tub overlooks Double Oak Mountain. There is a double headed shower and a dry sauna too also help you escape!

The master bedroom and sitting area is a place to relax and recharge. With beautiful tree top views, accents of nature and comfortable spots to lounge, the homeowners can sleep read and connect.

This lovely bedroom treatment creates a perfect Home Away from Home. The entire room wraps you in comfort.

A hanging boat bed would immediately attracted any young boy. Burlap window treatments, a light fixture made out of a globe, old Hardy Boys’ books on the shelf and framed fish prints carry out the outdoor theme.

The heart of the home includes a kitchen with a dining room, den and great room. The floors in the kitchen and dining area are slate, and in the great room they are sugar pine wide plank.The kitchen has granite countertops with stainless steel GE Monogram appliances. The large island has a 4-inch-thick walnut butcher block countertop. Natural finishes in these areas showcase comfort, elegance and convenience.

I can really imagine myself curled up with a good book on this sleeping porch! With a sitting area at the other end, this space is ideal for one or several!

On the lower level is a complete in law suite designed all in classical blue and white.

Behind this comfy outdoor seating spot is the 35 foot rock that has a waterfall made into it. The house fits right into the natural elements that surround it!

The house at the top of the hill is a magical place "...where the clouds go drifting by, and each lovely flower in the garden lifts its smiling face to the sky."

source: The Birmingham News, Over the Mountain Journal, Birmingham Home and Garden