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Houzz Tour: Casual Glam Home for a Family of 8
Chic, comfortable and effortlessly adaptable, this traditional Atlanta home serves up style and practicality for a couple and their 6 kids
The first thing interior designer Melanie Turner did to Susie Stern's house in Atlanta was paint the walls white and stain the oak floors a brown-black color. The new neutral canvas set the stage for layering in pattern and color. "Susie previously color coded the rooms," says Turner. "Her art supplies were like little trails that led to different projects throughout the house. None of the rooms had a specific, clearly defined function."
Although Turner let Susie's artistic side and her blended family of eight determine much of the design choices, she didn't lose touch of her main objective: to create a serene space for Susie so that the mom-artist could tackle the day's challenges from a calm and centered home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Susie Stern, husband Clark Davis and their 6 kids
Location: Atlanta
Size: 3,000 square feet
That's interesting: Susie and Clark have a blended family; they came to the marriage with 3 kids each after their own kids introduced them to each other on the soccer field.
Although Turner let Susie's artistic side and her blended family of eight determine much of the design choices, she didn't lose touch of her main objective: to create a serene space for Susie so that the mom-artist could tackle the day's challenges from a calm and centered home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Susie Stern, husband Clark Davis and their 6 kids
Location: Atlanta
Size: 3,000 square feet
That's interesting: Susie and Clark have a blended family; they came to the marriage with 3 kids each after their own kids introduced them to each other on the soccer field.
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Grass cloth wallpaper and a sisal rug add a touch of modern, organic simplicity to this traditional living room, creating what Turner calls a casual glamorous feel.
A collection of calligraphy brushes hints at Susie's artistic spirit.
A collection of calligraphy brushes hints at Susie's artistic spirit.
| The media room is Clark's "man den." Oversize chaises give plenty of cuddling room. Turner used the negative space from the recessed walls to store logs, lending the space a cozy, rustic sensibility. |
"They're a modern Brady Bunch, this family. I designed the common areas to be flexible, giving different options for furniture arrangement. The space is sophisticated and elegant, but you never once forget that a family lives here," says Turner.
The concrete-top kitchen table is surrounded by sloped, slipcovered chairs. Upholstered benches give flexible seating options and can be moved around.
In the entry, a Versailles dome chair with blanched wood trim and kelly green upholstery clearly sets the color tone for the rest of the house.
This chest and sunburst mirror add interest to what used to be a closet space. Turner removed the closet doors in front of this area to create this glamorous, high-shine corner.
High-backed, slipcovered and slightly oversize dining chairs match the drama of the big light shade.
Turner transformed the sunroom into Susie's art studio by painting white an old kitchen table, a flea market light pendant and vintage chairs. The kids use the surrounding West Elm tables in apple green as their homework desks, and comfy armchairs upholstered in luxe Schumacher fabric serve as their reading chairs.
"A huge chunk of our budget for this project went to the furniture upholstery and wall treatment fabrics. A foundation of white paint, stained floors and a shuffling of existing furniture to different parts of the house helped us stay within budget," says Turner.
"A huge chunk of our budget for this project went to the furniture upholstery and wall treatment fabrics. A foundation of white paint, stained floors and a shuffling of existing furniture to different parts of the house helped us stay within budget," says Turner.
The designer gave the staircase a punch of color by painting on a runner — a vibrant, budget-friendly alternative to a carpet runner.
"For our big design reveal, my associate and I sent Susie and Clark away for dinner, and when they returned, she just started bawling. I'm so happy that I could give her a calm, stabilizing home that felt truly hers," says Turner.
The guest bath upstairs has a cooling palette of blue and white, breaking from the kelly green motif downstairs.
Turner enjoyed the way this family approached their home's redesign. "They're a real family with a real budget, so they went about things piecemeal. They could only afford to redo the bottom floor and a bit of the second floor — and only now are they ready to work on the master bedroom, bath and an additional bedroom," says Turner.
More:
Colorful, Luxe Designs for the Traditional Home
Turner enjoyed the way this family approached their home's redesign. "They're a real family with a real budget, so they went about things piecemeal. They could only afford to redo the bottom floor and a bit of the second floor — and only now are they ready to work on the master bedroom, bath and an additional bedroom," says Turner.
More:
Colorful, Luxe Designs for the Traditional Home
Ideabook published on Aug. 20, 2012.
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We're definitely looking to wider angles for this home's second Houzz Tour, which we hope will include the newly designed areas as well as updated photos of the communal spaces. Stay tuned!
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AB