Search results for "Explains" in Home Design Ideas

One can say that the redesign job on this Atlanta-area home was just what the doctor ordered, since physician Jim Linnane chose Cantoni designer Kohl Sudnikovich to help him re-imagine his 50s ranch-style residence.
Online browsing, and a fondness for modern design, led the medical professional into our Georgia store/" title="Cantoni Modern Furniture Stores" class="crosslinking">showroom after purchasing the 50s-built home in early 2011. Since then, walls were torn down, the kitchen got a facelift, a lone loft morphed in to a music room, and the fireplace got haute while the pool became cool.
As always, step one of the design process began with Kohl visiting the home to measure and scale-out floor plans. Next, ideas were tossed around and the client fell in love with the Mondrian sectional, in red. “Jim’s selection set the color scheme for the home’s living areas,” explains Kohl, “and he loves the punchy accents we added with art, both inside and out.”
“Kohl worked closely with me, from start to finish, and guided me through the entire process,” explains Jim. “He helped me find a great contractor, and I’m particularly fond of the plan he conceived to replace the dated fireplace with a more contemporary linear gas box set in striated limestone.”
Adds Kohl, “I love how we opened the loft and staircase walls by replacing them with metal and cable railings, and how we created a sitting area (in what was the dining room) to open to the living room we enhanced with mirrors.”
A creative fix, like re-facing the cabinets, drawers and door panels in the kitchen, illustrates how something simple (and not too pricey) can make a big impact.
The project, on a whole, is also a good example of how our full-service design studio and talented staff can help re-imagine and optimize your living space while working within your budget.
“Meeting and working with Kohl was such a great experience,” says Jim, in closing. “He is so talented. He came up with great design ideas to completely change the look of my home’s interior, and I think the results are amazing.” Guess what, Jim? We think the results of your collaboration with Kohl are pretty amazing, too.

A family of three designed the ideal home to age in place and care for their adult son.
Designing a Unique Space
For years, the Bronks had a clear idea of what their master suite should look like. Their unique design even began appearing on HGTV shows, much to their amusement. The layout was essential to accommodating their schedules without disturbing each other's sleep.
The house is ingeniously split into two units. The main living area features three bedrooms—one serves as Dale's home office, another as his wife's art studio, and the third is their master suite. Connected by a wall, there's a separate 700-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment with its own laundry, kitchen, and living room.
This separate apartment is home to their unique needs adult son. "Having a place where he's connected to the family but has his own autonomous space was crucial," Dale explained. The design includes a discreet connecting door for emergencies, promoting his independence while ensuring safety.
"Having a place where he's connected to the family but has his own autonomous space was crucial," Dale explained. The design includes a discreet connecting door for emergencies, promoting his independence while ensuring safety.
Interior view of kitchen and dining room of a custom home designed by Reynard Custom Homes architecture, interior design, Cumming, GA
Collaboration with Reynard Custom Homes
With their master suite and apartment designs in place, the Bronks faced challenges with the rest of the layout. That's when Dale turned to Reynard Custom Homes. "I found Reynard through LinkedIn. We'd been in touch from a previous project, so I reached out. They were instrumental in bridging the gap between our ideas," Dale shared.
James from Reynard Custom Homes worked closely with the Bronks to refine their plans. "We had the apartment on one side and the master suite on the other. James helped us create a cohesive design that brought everything together beautifully."
Exterior view of custom home in Cumming, GA designed by Reynard Custom Homes and built in 2024 for a family of three
A Dream Realized
After two years of meticulous planning and construction, the Bronk family's dream home was finally completed in 2024. Dale expressed his gratitude, saying, "Working with Reynard Custom Homes was a fantastic experience. They helped turn our vision into reality."
As Dale and his family settled into their new home, they looked forward to many happy years ahead, enjoying the thoughtful design and personalized touches that made their house truly theirs.
The Bronk family's journey with Reynard Custom Homes is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and meticulous planning. Their new home in Cumming, GA, stands as a perfect example of how dreams can indeed become reality with the right team and a clear vision.

We relocated the entry point from the master suite to the hallway, providing early morning access to the bath without disturbing the later rising spouse. A new Marvin double-hung window added considerable light to the space fulfilling one of their key design requirements.
"As a company that prides itself on intelligent design, this particular project really shows how much thought and individual lifestyle considerations go into every remodel, regardless of how simple it may appear at the onset," explains Mann. "We spent an entire morning working on the tub faucet location for ease of use when she's in the tub, access for cleaning, and aesthetics," explains Mann.
Find the right local pro for your project

This was the second phase of an extensive remodel for this Ham Lake family, so from the outset the design team knew they needed to compliment what had been done in the lower level, bringing some of those elements to the main floor above while achieving other goals. In the lower level we had all but eliminated the influence of the honey oak, which was overwhelming the space devoted to entertainment, replacing it with an ebonized treatment of the trim and cabinetry.
“The homeowner had two concerns in this second phase, explains McKenzie Pederson, the Murphy Bros. Design Build Consultant assigned to the project. “The honey oak had to go as it did in the lower level, and a rather large wall that stopped you as you entered the home had to go too. That opened up the whole space,” explained McKenzie.
In this second phase, we created a very large custom island, refurbished the fireplace, which had failed, in a new lighter stone, added a hand-scrapped flooring throughout the entire level, updated the pantry and laundry and the powder room. The staircase was recreated in block rod iron and red oak to carry forward the scheme from the lower level.
“The homeowners were driven by a strong need to make this home their own and that meant some very specific surface selections and colors,” recalls McKenzie. She really liked earth tones and patterns with lots of movement. You can see that in the granite she chooses. It is huge (122”) was about as large a single piece as you can have and featured a custom hand-hewn 60-degree bevel. Most are 45 degrees.
“I think this remodel is a perfect example of the new “forever home” trend,” says McKenzie. People realize they can remodel to please themselves and not just for resale value. That whole return on enjoyment idea is what’s at play here.”

One can say that the redesign job on this Atlanta-area home was just what the doctor ordered, since physician Jim Linnane chose Cantoni designer Kohl Sudnikovich to help him re-imagine his 50s ranch-style residence.
Online browsing, and a fondness for modern design, led the medical professional into our Georgia store/" title="Cantoni Modern Furniture Stores" class="crosslinking">showroom after purchasing the 50s-built home in early 2011. Since then, walls were torn down, the kitchen got a facelift, a lone loft morphed in to a music room, and the fireplace got haute while the pool became cool.
As always, step one of the design process began with Kohl visiting the home to measure and scale-out floor plans. Next, ideas were tossed around and the client fell in love with the Mondrian sectional, in red. “Jim’s selection set the color scheme for the home’s living areas,” explains Kohl, “and he loves the punchy accents we added with art, both inside and out.”
“Kohl worked closely with me, from start to finish, and guided me through the entire process,” explains Jim. “He helped me find a great contractor, and I’m particularly fond of the plan he conceived to replace the dated fireplace with a more contemporary linear gas box set in striated limestone.”
Adds Kohl, “I love how we opened the loft and staircase walls by replacing them with metal and cable railings, and how we created a sitting area (in what was the dining room) to open to the living room we enhanced with mirrors.”
A creative fix, like re-facing the cabinets, drawers and door panels in the kitchen, illustrates how something simple (and not too pricey) can make a big impact.
The project, on a whole, is also a good example of how our full-service design studio and talented staff can help re-imagine and optimize your living space while working within your budget.
“Meeting and working with Kohl was such a great experience,” says Jim, in closing. “He is so talented. He came up with great design ideas to completely change the look of my home’s interior, and I think the results are amazing.” Guess what, Jim? We think the results of your collaboration with Kohl are pretty amazing, too.

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended.
“I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and
they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success.
The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes.
Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene.
Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues
to work as a professor at Emory University, and she
enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings.
“This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

Photo Credits: BML Media
Mid-sized trendy carpeted great room photo in Dublin with brown walls and no fireplace
Mid-sized trendy carpeted great room photo in Dublin with brown walls and no fireplace

Sponsored
Fredericksburg, OH
High Point Cabinets
Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner

The fact that this home is in a development called Providence now seems perfectly fitting. Chris, the owner, was merely considering the possibility of downsizing from a formal residence outside Atlanta when he happened on the small complex of luxury brownstones under construction in nearby Roswell. “I wandered into The Providence by chance and loved what I saw. The developer, his wife, and the agent were there and discussing how Cantoni was going to finish out one of the units, and so we all started talking,” Chris explains “They asked if I wanted to meet with the designer from Cantoni, and suggested I could customize the home as I saw fit, and that did it for me. I was sold.”
Cantoni was originally approached by Mike and Joy Walsh, of Lehigh Homes, to create a contemporary model home to be featured on the Roswell Woman’s Club home tour. “Since Chris bought the brownstone right after we agreed to do the design work,” Lorna Hunter recalls, “we brought him in on the meetings with the architects to help finalize the layout.” From selecting tile and counter tops, to designing the kitchen and baths, to the furniture, art and even linens—Cantoni was involved with every phase of the project. “This home really represents the complete range of design and staging services we offer at Cantoni,” says Lorna. “Rooms were reconfigured to allow for changes Chris found appealing, and every tile and doorknob was thoughtfully chosen to complete the overall look.”
Chris found an easy rapport with Lorna. “I have always been drawn to contemporary décor,” he explains, “ so Lorna and I hit it off immediately.” Among the custom design ideas the two conceived for the 2,600 sq. ft. 3/3 brownstone: creating a “wing wall” (open on both sides) to form a sitting area adjacent to the guest room
downstairs, removing the elevator to enhance a sense of openness while leaving the 3-story shaft as a unique focal point, and choosing to expand the height of windows on the third level to maximize the flow of natural light.
The Providence is ideally located near quaint shops, great restaurants, jogging trails and a scenic river—not to mention it’s just four miles from Chris’ office. The project represents the breadth and depth of Cantoni’s in-house creative resources, and proves again that GREAT DESIGN IS A WAY OF LIFE.

The fact that this home is in a development called Providence now seems perfectly fitting. Chris, the owner, was merely considering the possibility of downsizing from a formal residence outside Atlanta when he happened on the small complex of luxury brownstones under construction in nearby Roswell. “I wandered into The Providence by chance and loved what I saw. The developer, his wife, and the agent were there and discussing how Cantoni was going to finish out one of the units, and so we all started talking,” Chris explains “They asked if I wanted to meet with the designer from Cantoni, and suggested I could customize the home as I saw fit, and that did it for me. I was sold.”
Cantoni was originally approached by Mike and Joy Walsh, of Lehigh Homes, to create a contemporary model home to be featured on the Roswell Woman’s Club home tour. “Since Chris bought the brownstone right after we agreed to do the design work,” Lorna Hunter recalls, “we brought him in on the meetings with the architects to help finalize the layout.” From selecting tile and counter tops, to designing the kitchen and baths, to the furniture, art and even linens—Cantoni was involved with every phase of the project. “This home really represents the complete range of design and staging services we offer at Cantoni,” says Lorna. “Rooms were reconfigured to allow for changes Chris found appealing, and every tile and doorknob was thoughtfully chosen to complete the overall look.”
Chris found an easy rapport with Lorna. “I have always been drawn to contemporary décor,” he explains, “ so Lorna and I hit it off immediately.” Among the custom design ideas the two conceived for the 2,600 sq. ft. 3/3 brownstone: creating a “wing wall” (open on both sides) to form a sitting area adjacent to the guest room
downstairs, removing the elevator to enhance a sense of openness while leaving the 3-story shaft as a unique focal point, and choosing to expand the height of windows on the third level to maximize the flow of natural light.
The Providence is ideally located near quaint shops, great restaurants, jogging trails and a scenic river—not to mention it’s just four miles from Chris’ office. The project represents the breadth and depth of Cantoni’s in-house creative resources, and proves again that GREAT DESIGN IS A WAY OF LIFE.

The fact that this home is in a development called Providence now seems perfectly fitting. Chris, the owner, was merely considering the possibility of downsizing from a formal residence outside Atlanta when he happened on the small complex of luxury brownstones under construction in nearby Roswell. “I wandered into The Providence by chance and loved what I saw. The developer, his wife, and the agent were there and discussing how Cantoni was going to finish out one of the units, and so we all started talking,” Chris explains “They asked if I wanted to meet with the designer from Cantoni, and suggested I could customize the home as I saw fit, and that did it for me. I was sold.”
Cantoni was originally approached by Mike and Joy Walsh, of Lehigh Homes, to create a contemporary model home to be featured on the Roswell Woman’s Club home tour. “Since Chris bought the brownstone right after we agreed to do the design work,” Lorna Hunter recalls, “we brought him in on the meetings with the architects to help finalize the layout.” From selecting tile and counter tops, to designing the kitchen and baths, to the furniture, art and even linens—Cantoni was involved with every phase of the project. “This home really represents the complete range of design and staging services we offer at Cantoni,” says Lorna. “Rooms were reconfigured to allow for changes Chris found appealing, and every tile and doorknob was thoughtfully chosen to complete the overall look.”
Chris found an easy rapport with Lorna. “I have always been drawn to contemporary décor,” he explains, “ so Lorna and I hit it off immediately.” Among the custom design ideas the two conceived for the 2,600 sq. ft. 3/3 brownstone: creating a “wing wall” (open on both sides) to form a sitting area adjacent to the guest room
downstairs, removing the elevator to enhance a sense of openness while leaving the 3-story shaft as a unique focal point, and choosing to expand the height of windows on the third level to maximize the flow of natural light.
The Providence is ideally located near quaint shops, great restaurants, jogging trails and a scenic river—not to mention it’s just four miles from Chris’ office. The project represents the breadth and depth of Cantoni’s in-house creative resources, and proves again that GREAT DESIGN IS A WAY OF LIFE.

One can say that the redesign job on this Atlanta-area home was just what the doctor ordered, since physician Jim Linnane chose Cantoni designer Kohl Sudnikovich to help him re-imagine his 50s ranch-style residence.
Online browsing, and a fondness for modern design, led the medical professional into our Georgia store/" title="Cantoni Modern Furniture Stores" class="crosslinking">showroom after purchasing the 50s-built home in early 2011. Since then, walls were torn down, the kitchen got a facelift, a lone loft morphed in to a music room, and the fireplace got haute while the pool became cool.
As always, step one of the design process began with Kohl visiting the home to measure and scale-out floor plans. Next, ideas were tossed around and the client fell in love with the Mondrian sectional, in red. “Jim’s selection set the color scheme for the home’s living areas,” explains Kohl, “and he loves the punchy accents we added with art, both inside and out.”
“Kohl worked closely with me, from start to finish, and guided me through the entire process,” explains Jim. “He helped me find a great contractor, and I’m particularly fond of the plan he conceived to replace the dated fireplace with a more contemporary linear gas box set in striated limestone.”
Adds Kohl, “I love how we opened the loft and staircase walls by replacing them with metal and cable railings, and how we created a sitting area (in what was the dining room) to open to the living room we enhanced with mirrors.”
A creative fix, like re-facing the cabinets, drawers and door panels in the kitchen, illustrates how something simple (and not too pricey) can make a big impact.
The project, on a whole, is also a good example of how our full-service design studio and talented staff can help re-imagine and optimize your living space while working within your budget.
“Meeting and working with Kohl was such a great experience,” says Jim, in closing. “He is so talented. He came up with great design ideas to completely change the look of my home’s interior, and I think the results are amazing.” Guess what, Jim? We think the results of your collaboration with Kohl are pretty amazing, too.

A family of three designed the ideal home to age in place and care for their adult son.
Designing a Unique Space
For years, the Bronks had a clear idea of what their master suite should look like. Their unique design even began appearing on HGTV shows, much to their amusement. The layout was essential to accommodating their schedules without disturbing each other's sleep.
The house is ingeniously split into two units. The main living area features three bedrooms—one serves as Dale's home office, another as his wife's art studio, and the third is their master suite. Connected by a wall, there's a separate 700-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment with its own laundry, kitchen, and living room.
This separate apartment is home to their unique needs adult son. "Having a place where he's connected to the family but has his own autonomous space was crucial," Dale explained. The design includes a discreet connecting door for emergencies, promoting his independence while ensuring safety.
"Having a place where he's connected to the family but has his own autonomous space was crucial," Dale explained. The design includes a discreet connecting door for emergencies, promoting his independence while ensuring safety.
Interior view of kitchen and dining room of a custom home designed by Reynard Custom Homes architecture, interior design, Cumming, GA
Collaboration with Reynard Custom Homes
With their master suite and apartment designs in place, the Bronks faced challenges with the rest of the layout. That's when Dale turned to Reynard Custom Homes. "I found Reynard through LinkedIn. We'd been in touch from a previous project, so I reached out. They were instrumental in bridging the gap between our ideas," Dale shared.
James from Reynard Custom Homes worked closely with the Bronks to refine their plans. "We had the apartment on one side and the master suite on the other. James helped us create a cohesive design that brought everything together beautifully."
Exterior view of custom home in Cumming, GA designed by Reynard Custom Homes and built in 2024 for a family of three
A Dream Realized
After two years of meticulous planning and construction, the Bronk family's dream home was finally completed in 2024. Dale expressed his gratitude, saying, "Working with Reynard Custom Homes was a fantastic experience. They helped turn our vision into reality."
As Dale and his family settled into their new home, they looked forward to many happy years ahead, enjoying the thoughtful design and personalized touches that made their house truly theirs.
The Bronk family's journey with Reynard Custom Homes is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and meticulous planning. Their new home in Cumming, GA, stands as a perfect example of how dreams can indeed become reality with the right team and a clear vision.

The fact that this home is in a development called Providence now seems perfectly fitting. Chris, the owner, was merely considering the possibility of downsizing from a formal residence outside Atlanta when he happened on the small complex of luxury brownstones under construction in nearby Roswell. “I wandered into The Providence by chance and loved what I saw. The developer, his wife, and the agent were there and discussing how Cantoni was going to finish out one of the units, and so we all started talking,” Chris explains “They asked if I wanted to meet with the designer from Cantoni, and suggested I could customize the home as I saw fit, and that did it for me. I was sold.”
Cantoni was originally approached by Mike and Joy Walsh, of Lehigh Homes, to create a contemporary model home to be featured on the Roswell Woman’s Club home tour. “Since Chris bought the brownstone right after we agreed to do the design work,” Lorna Hunter recalls, “we brought him in on the meetings with the architects to help finalize the layout.” From selecting tile and counter tops, to designing the kitchen and baths, to the furniture, art and even linens—Cantoni was involved with every phase of the project. “This home really represents the complete range of design and staging services we offer at Cantoni,” says Lorna. “Rooms were reconfigured to allow for changes Chris found appealing, and every tile and doorknob was thoughtfully chosen to complete the overall look.”
Chris found an easy rapport with Lorna. “I have always been drawn to contemporary décor,” he explains, “ so Lorna and I hit it off immediately.” Among the custom design ideas the two conceived for the 2,600 sq. ft. 3/3 brownstone: creating a “wing wall” (open on both sides) to form a sitting area adjacent to the guest room
downstairs, removing the elevator to enhance a sense of openness while leaving the 3-story shaft as a unique focal point, and choosing to expand the height of windows on the third level to maximize the flow of natural light.
The Providence is ideally located near quaint shops, great restaurants, jogging trails and a scenic river—not to mention it’s just four miles from Chris’ office. The project represents the breadth and depth of Cantoni’s in-house creative resources, and proves again that GREAT DESIGN IS A WAY OF LIFE.

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended.
“I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and
they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success.
The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes.
Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene.
Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues
to work as a professor at Emory University, and she
enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings.
“This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended.
“I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and
they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success.
The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes.
Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene.
Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues
to work as a professor at Emory University, and she
enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings.
“This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

The fact that this home is in a development called Providence now seems perfectly fitting. Chris, the owner, was merely considering the possibility of downsizing from a formal residence outside Atlanta when he happened on the small complex of luxury brownstones under construction in nearby Roswell. “I wandered into The Providence by chance and loved what I saw. The developer, his wife, and the agent were there and discussing how Cantoni was going to finish out one of the units, and so we all started talking,” Chris explains “They asked if I wanted to meet with the designer from Cantoni, and suggested I could customize the home as I saw fit, and that did it for me. I was sold.”
Cantoni was originally approached by Mike and Joy Walsh, of Lehigh Homes, to create a contemporary model home to be featured on the Roswell Woman’s Club home tour. “Since Chris bought the brownstone right after we agreed to do the design work,” Lorna Hunter recalls, “we brought him in on the meetings with the architects to help finalize the layout.” From selecting tile and counter tops, to designing the kitchen and baths, to the furniture, art and even linens—Cantoni was involved with every phase of the project. “This home really represents the complete range of design and staging services we offer at Cantoni,” says Lorna. “Rooms were reconfigured to allow for changes Chris found appealing, and every tile and doorknob was thoughtfully chosen to complete the overall look.”
Chris found an easy rapport with Lorna. “I have always been drawn to contemporary décor,” he explains, “ so Lorna and I hit it off immediately.” Among the custom design ideas the two conceived for the 2,600 sq. ft. 3/3 brownstone: creating a “wing wall” (open on both sides) to form a sitting area adjacent to the guest room
downstairs, removing the elevator to enhance a sense of openness while leaving the 3-story shaft as a unique focal point, and choosing to expand the height of windows on the third level to maximize the flow of natural light.
The Providence is ideally located near quaint shops, great restaurants, jogging trails and a scenic river—not to mention it’s just four miles from Chris’ office. The project represents the breadth and depth of Cantoni’s in-house creative resources, and proves again that GREAT DESIGN IS A WAY OF LIFE.

One can say that the redesign job on this Atlanta-area home was just what the doctor ordered, since physician Jim Linnane chose Cantoni designer Kohl Sudnikovich to help him re-imagine his 50s ranch-style residence.
Online browsing, and a fondness for modern design, led the medical professional into our Georgia store/" title="Cantoni Modern Furniture Stores" class="crosslinking">showroom after purchasing the 50s-built home in early 2011. Since then, walls were torn down, the kitchen got a facelift, a lone loft morphed in to a music room, and the fireplace got haute while the pool became cool.
As always, step one of the design process began with Kohl visiting the home to measure and scale-out floor plans. Next, ideas were tossed around and the client fell in love with the Mondrian sectional, in red. “Jim’s selection set the color scheme for the home’s living areas,” explains Kohl, “and he loves the punchy accents we added with art, both inside and out.”
“Kohl worked closely with me, from start to finish, and guided me through the entire process,” explains Jim. “He helped me find a great contractor, and I’m particularly fond of the plan he conceived to replace the dated fireplace with a more contemporary linear gas box set in striated limestone.”
Adds Kohl, “I love how we opened the loft and staircase walls by replacing them with metal and cable railings, and how we created a sitting area (in what was the dining room) to open to the living room we enhanced with mirrors.”
A creative fix, like re-facing the cabinets, drawers and door panels in the kitchen, illustrates how something simple (and not too pricey) can make a big impact.
The project, on a whole, is also a good example of how our full-service design studio and talented staff can help re-imagine and optimize your living space while working within your budget.
“Meeting and working with Kohl was such a great experience,” says Jim, in closing. “He is so talented. He came up with great design ideas to completely change the look of my home’s interior, and I think the results are amazing.” Guess what, Jim? We think the results of your collaboration with Kohl are pretty amazing, too.

photo credits: BML Media
Mid-sized trendy open concept carpeted living room photo in Dublin with brown walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv
Mid-sized trendy open concept carpeted living room photo in Dublin with brown walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The fact that this home is in a development called Providence now seems perfectly fitting. Chris, the owner, was merely considering the possibility of downsizing from a formal residence outside Atlanta when he happened on the small complex of luxury brownstones under construction in nearby Roswell. “I wandered into The Providence by chance and loved what I saw. The developer, his wife, and the agent were there and discussing how Cantoni was going to finish out one of the units, and so we all started talking,” Chris explains “They asked if I wanted to meet with the designer from Cantoni, and suggested I could customize the home as I saw fit, and that did it for me. I was sold.”
Cantoni was originally approached by Mike and Joy Walsh, of Lehigh Homes, to create a contemporary model home to be featured on the Roswell Woman’s Club home tour. “Since Chris bought the brownstone right after we agreed to do the design work,” Lorna Hunter recalls, “we brought him in on the meetings with the architects to help finalize the layout.” From selecting tile and counter tops, to designing the kitchen and baths, to the furniture, art and even linens—Cantoni was involved with every phase of the project. “This home really represents the complete range of design and staging services we offer at Cantoni,” says Lorna. “Rooms were reconfigured to allow for changes Chris found appealing, and every tile and doorknob was thoughtfully chosen to complete the overall look.”
Chris found an easy rapport with Lorna. “I have always been drawn to contemporary décor,” he explains, “ so Lorna and I hit it off immediately.” Among the custom design ideas the two conceived for the 2,600 sq. ft. 3/3 brownstone: creating a “wing wall” (open on both sides) to form a sitting area adjacent to the guest room
downstairs, removing the elevator to enhance a sense of openness while leaving the 3-story shaft as a unique focal point, and choosing to expand the height of windows on the third level to maximize the flow of natural light.
The Providence is ideally located near quaint shops, great restaurants, jogging trails and a scenic river—not to mention it’s just four miles from Chris’ office. The project represents the breadth and depth of Cantoni’s in-house creative resources, and proves again that GREAT DESIGN IS A WAY OF LIFE.
30
