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Houzz Tour: Amalfi Coast Inspires an Easy, Breezy, Colorful Home
A designer makes his own home feel like a relaxing vacation on the Italian coast
Interior designer Perry Walter and his partner, James Ramsay, were searching for their first home together when they came across a new development in an old Atlanta neighborhood that appealed to them. “It was a mix of townhouses and single-family houses that were close together. It felt quaint and tight-knit in the city, which felt very European to us,” Walter says. The community is a quick walk to all the conveniences the city has to offer.
Europe, specifically Italy’s Amalfi Coast, influenced the interiors as well. “We wanted our home to make us feel like we were on vacation,” Walter says. “Some of our favorite spots include Capri, Positano, Ravello and other places along the Amalfi Coast. The water is so amazingly clear and turquoise. And during the summer the greenery makes it feel tropical.” A mix of beautiful blues and greens recalls those Italian seaside spots, while colorful artwork from favorite Southern U.S. artists adds flavor from closer to home.
Europe, specifically Italy’s Amalfi Coast, influenced the interiors as well. “We wanted our home to make us feel like we were on vacation,” Walter says. “Some of our favorite spots include Capri, Positano, Ravello and other places along the Amalfi Coast. The water is so amazingly clear and turquoise. And during the summer the greenery makes it feel tropical.” A mix of beautiful blues and greens recalls those Italian seaside spots, while colorful artwork from favorite Southern U.S. artists adds flavor from closer to home.
Deep marine blues remind the couple of their favorite trips to Italy. The overdyed vintage rug anchors the room in the color, and long drapes throughout the open floor plan take the hue up the walls.
The painting of the skateboarders is by Signe and Genna Grushovenko, artists the couple have met at Atlanta art festivals. The teak root coffee table and the plants add tropical touches.
Teak root coffee table: Noir Trading
The painting of the skateboarders is by Signe and Genna Grushovenko, artists the couple have met at Atlanta art festivals. The teak root coffee table and the plants add tropical touches.
Teak root coffee table: Noir Trading
Walter brought the marine tones into the dining area through the fabric he chose for the vintage chairs. The white table has Italian flair. “I was drawn to the way the tiers of the chandelier are reversed from small to large as it goes up,” Walter says. “And the round bulbs make it more modern.”
The landscape painting is by Athens, Georgia, artist Winston Wiant and the rendering of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture is by Atlanta artist Craig Alan.
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The landscape painting is by Athens, Georgia, artist Winston Wiant and the rendering of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture is by Atlanta artist Craig Alan.
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“I like a white kitchen where I can add and change up color with things like art, furniture and accessories,” Walter says. He brought in bold green-and-chrome counter stools to add a large dollop of color in here. He also used wooden bowls and cutting boards as well as woven bamboo shades for natural touches. The oversize lantern pendants have a vintage look. “Choosing white made them more modern,” Walter says.
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The couple added a fieldstone patio off the front door after moving in. They enlisted Ambient Design to help with the landscape design, which includes hydrangea and strawberry plants. Walter added new chairs that are a fresh take on vintage outdoor furniture he remembered his grandparents having when he was growing up.
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In the powder room, cork wallpaper by Thibaut adds texture and contrasts with the marble-topped white vanity. The portrait of Jackie Kennedy was crafted from felt by Charleston, South Carolina, artist Sam Sidney. “She started creating felt portraits as a craft project with her daughter during the pandemic,” Walter says.
Upstairs, a row of windows in the couple’s bedroom looked out toward a busy street, and the way the windows were composed didn’t allow for the bed to be centered on the wall. So Walter added striped green draperies across the entire wall.
Natural elements come through in the wood-and-brass lamps, found at local store City Issue, and on the grasscloth-wrapped nightstands. The owl is vintage. “I like to add an animal in every room of the house,” Walter says. “I lean toward vintage — it adds something unique and unexpected.” Ramsay’s nightstand has a bull on it.
Natural elements come through in the wood-and-brass lamps, found at local store City Issue, and on the grasscloth-wrapped nightstands. The owl is vintage. “I like to add an animal in every room of the house,” Walter says. “I lean toward vintage — it adds something unique and unexpected.” Ramsay’s nightstand has a bull on it.
Walter took this photo on the roof of Antoni Gaudí ’s Casa Batlló in Barcelona. The midcentury-style dresser adds a large dose of walnut to the room.
The upstairs hallway is a gallery full of pieces that have meaning for the couple. They include photos of their families, art pieces they made in high school, prints they’ve collected over the years and architectural salvage. The wood panel is from a church that Walter’s parents attended.
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New to home remodeling? Click here to learn the basics
In the primary bathroom, Walter specified a large mirror. “It makes it brighter and makes this room feel larger,” he says. He mounted sconces on the mirror to boost their light output.
Walter went for a Carrara marble look in the shower, using digitally printed porcelain tiles on the surround.
A vintage Italian ceramic horse by Bitossi is the animal in Walter’s office. A cheery green Saarinen Executive chair sits at his desk. Just out of view is a white Saarinen Tulip table in the center of the room, where Walter can lay out project samples and drawings.
Carlo table lamp: Visual Comfort
Carlo table lamp: Visual Comfort
The guest room is an ode to Capri, complete with lemon trees on the Schumacher throw pillows and a photo of the coast taken during one of the couple’s trips to the island.
They commissioned the 36-by-36-inch painting from Nashville artist Gina Julian to match the colors in the room. “The cool thing about her paintings is that you can turn them 90 degrees or upside down,” Walter says. Oriented this way, the geometry of the piece has a nice relationship with the shape of the headboard Walter designed.
They commissioned the 36-by-36-inch painting from Nashville artist Gina Julian to match the colors in the room. “The cool thing about her paintings is that you can turn them 90 degrees or upside down,” Walter says. Oriented this way, the geometry of the piece has a nice relationship with the shape of the headboard Walter designed.
The guest bathroom completes the ode to Italy. “The marbleized wallpaper reminds me of that turquoise water along the Amalfi Coast,” Walter says. He designed the wood-framed mirror to bring in a natural touch. The countertop is Carrara marble.
Marbelized wallpaper: Thibaut
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Marbelized wallpaper: Thibaut
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Perry Walter and his partner, James Ramsay
Location: Atlanta
Size: 1,850 square feet (172 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Designer: Perry Walter of Walter Studio Interior Design
Builder: Hedgewood Homes
When the couple purchased the home, construction wasn’t yet complete, so they were able to choose finishes like flooring, cabinetry and countertops. “We kept it light throughout, with white walls and light-colored floors,” Walter says. That allowed him to layer the marine blues, aquas, teals and a range of rich greens through furnishings and artwork.
“I like my artwork to stand out, so I use white frames that disappear into the walls,” Walter says. He discovered Nashville artist Blaire Wheeler through a client and commissioned this Birds & Butterflies piece from her to fit the space. Two ottomans introduce pleasing greens, while a cork lamp brings in natural contrast.
Wall paint throughout the house: Pure White, Sherwin-Williams
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