Search results for "Explains" in Home Design Ideas
Tile Doctor LtdA client with a high-rise apartment in Manchester city centre contacted us in relation to the look of their bathroom tiles. The grout had become grubby and black with mould and it was clear from their message that they were considering have the grout replaced in order to freshen up the bathroom.
We discussed the problem over the telephone, and they emailed a picture of the bathroom across so I could get a better idea of what needed doing. It turns out that the apartment had been rented out previously and they needed the bathroom renovating so they could start letting it again. Clearly, they were keen to have the work completed as soon as possible. Fortunately, we are sometimes able to come out on short notice, especially for small jobs like this and so were able to do the work the following week
Re-grouting is a lot of work and very time consuming so I explained the benefits of Grout Colouring which is much quicker and results in a more practical finish as I will explain. There was a small issue with parking as one would expect from the city centre, but we were able to use one of the parking spaces of a neighbour in the basement of the building.
My first task was to get the grout as clean as possible before applying the colourant and given the amount of mould I decided to apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean which is a Tile Cleaner/Mould Remover and ideal for use on ceramic tile and grout. The product was sprayed onto the tiles and grout and then scrubbed in by hand to get the grout as clean as possible. I also used a powerful steam cleaner to get the grout as clean as possible before rinsing the soil off with water. This process went well, and the grout looked much cleaner afterwards but was now a little patchy in places due to deep staining.
It’s worth noting that mould thrives in damp warm conditions and can easily be controlled by ensuring the bathroom has adequate ventilation. Some modern showers have a function that cool the bathroom down after use by running the shower on a cold setting. Improving cross-ventilation by leaving the bathroom door and a window open can also improve the situation and of course you can always apply Tile Doctor Duo-Clean on a regular basis.
Once the grout was dry and as clean as it could be, I applied a White Tile Doctor Grout Colourant along the grout lines with a small brush taking care to wipe off any excess from the tiles as I went. Only one bottle of colourant was needed, and I have found baby wipes work well when wiping off the excess.
The last step in the bathroom renovation was to strip out all the old mouldy silicone between the bath and the tiles and replace with new mould resistant silicone.
The cleaning and grout colour completely transformed the look of the bathroom leaving it looking fresh. The grout which was previously dark and patchy was now a consistent white colour giving the impression it had only been recently tiled. The colourant also forms an epoxy barrier over the grout that will prevent dirt from becoming ingrained in the grouts surface going forward, it’s also much easier to clean.
The customer was most impressed with the result and has informed us since that they will back in touch about renovating the grout in their own home! They left the following comment on the Tile Doctor website.
“Kamila made a wonderful job cleaning my grout and silicone. The bathroom looks like new. She was also easy to deal, very friendly and professional. Thank you!”
Alex Logozny
Greater Manchester Tile Doctor
Cantoni AtlantaThe 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.
Cantoni AtlantaThe 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.
Find the right local pro for your project
Cantoni AtlantaThe 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.
Reynard Architectural DesignsA 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.
Black Fox InteriorsPhoto Credits: BML Media
Example of a small trendy built-in desk carpeted study room design in Dublin with white walls
Example of a small trendy built-in desk carpeted study room design in Dublin with white walls
Cantoni AtlantaWith 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.”
Sponsored
Fredericksburg, OH
High Point Cabinets
Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner
Cantoni AtlantaOne 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.
Cantoni AtlantaWith 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.”
King QuarryFieldstone Boulder Wall
Photo of a mid-sized transitional partial sun front yard concrete paver retaining wall landscape in Other for summer.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional partial sun front yard concrete paver retaining wall landscape in Other for summer.
INSPIRED KITCHEN DESIGNHe explains: “Our home was constructed in 1915 and the last remodel was done in the late 1960s. We were looking to update the design and make the kitchen more function and modern. We needed more counterspace, more storage space, and better placement of appliances to make the kitchen easier to use” he says. “Before the remodel, most of our pots and pans were in an unlit blind corner cabinet, which meant that it was almost impossible to find the pot we needed!”
To remedy this, William chose IKEA BODBYN doors and drawer fronts in off-white — including some glass fronts —to fit with IKEA’s SEKTION cabinetry framework.
Notably, he installed the cabinets and did the rest of the kitchen work himself. However, he wasn’t entirely without design assistance.
That is where IKD’s design team came in.
He explains: “My wife and I knew the basics of what IKEA styles we wanted for our kitchen, but also knew that we wanted to reconfigure our kitchen to make it more functional. IKD offered us a simple way to get a professional design that we could use for our kitchen, without having to pay an in-person designer (and likely get stuck with a contractor). Plus, I was pleased by some of the other kitchens that I saw that IKD had designed.”
To that end, the kitchen is complemented by an array of IKEA appliances as well, including the IKEA NUTID French Door Refrigerator (Freezer Bottom) with Dispenser; the IKEA NUTID Self-Cleaning Convection Oven; the IKEA NUTID Built-In Microwave; IKEA FRAMTID five-burner stovetop, as well as a Whirlpool dishwasher.
And it was all achieved within a budget of $15k-$18k, he adds.
William concludes: “With the new kitchen, pots and pans are stored directly below the cooktop, spices next to the cooking area, storage bins next to the fridge, dinnerware above the dishwasher and sink. Everything is now near the places where it is used and the IKEA drawers make access much easier.”
Let’s see how William’s kitchen came together!
Cantoni AtlantaWith 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.”
INSPIRED KITCHEN DESIGNTo that end, the space features IKEA SEKTION cabinetry framework and light gray custom fronts from Semihandmade along the perimeter base and upper cabinetry. This provides ample storage options and also complements the Carrara marble countertops.
“I had a custom piece of glass put on top of the marble, because I knew our boys would be using the table to draw and I thought it would get trashed!” she adds. This look is enhanced even more by engineered wood flooring as well as a custom vent hood that features subway tile to give the impression of brick.
And, she adds, this was all accomplished for a budget around $10,000.
However, the project wasn’t without its design challenges; namely, designing around the unique footprint of the space and storage concerns as the family keeps kosher.
“We were confined to the amount of square footage, so the layout had to remain long and narrow. We couldn’t make the space any wider, for instance. But we were able to fit everything that we wanted,” she says. In fact, they also added a custom pantry pullout from Rev-A-Shelf.
“I really wanted this kitchen to be beautiful because it was the center of our home. It’s on the main floor when you walk in, right between the family room and the dining room. I can imagine lots of family gatherings,” she concludes.
Although Elisia researched examples of kitchen designs on HOUZZ and Pinterest she was also a first-time remodeler and — admittedly — a bit overwhelmed by IKEA’s Home Planner.
She explains: “We had never done this before but I had read lots of blogs and seen some amazing kitchens that looked custom using IKEA. But I also found the IKEA software a bit daunting. I wanted help to make it easier and to make sure I got it right in terms of measurements and what we needed.”
Enter IKD’s design team, which guided her through the design process and product selection, and also honored that the family keeps kosher.
“Storage was a big concern. We keep kosher so we have two sets of dishes – for milk and meat – and we wanted to make sure we had lots of storage. Previously we had been living in small NYC apartments and storage was limited,” she notes.
She adds: “I actually had a custom cabinet maker come see our raw space and told him what I wanted to do and the quote he gave me was 10 times more than I ended up paying with IKEA — so it was a no-brainer.”
Specifically, the kitchen features a variety of high-end appliances, including a built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator; a Bertazzoni six-burner range with an oven and griddle; a KitchenAid panel-ready dishwasher, and a Sharp microwave drawer.
“We chose custom Semihandmade doors because it was a panel-ready fridge and it turned out really beautifully. The Sharp microwave drawer is hidden in the island because I wanted to preserve the traditional Brownstone feel.The microwave is hidden in the drawer to the right of the sink and we had pull-out trash bins to the right of the sink as well. We also incorporated a custom table at the end of the island, which was basically a marble slab that could seat up to five people,” she explains.Adding to the look are Thomas O’Brien Hicks Bronze pendant lights with antique brass as well as IKEA’s cabinet lighting system — and plenty of natural lighting too.
Cantoni AtlantaWith 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.”
Cantoni AtlantaThe 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.
Cantoni AtlantaOne 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.
Reynard Architectural DesignsA 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.
Mo Stone, Inc.Large format tile countertops installed with a mitered edge and zero radius sink. Color is Calcutta Marble. Photos by Mo Stone, Inc.
Kitchen - large contemporary kitchen idea in Other with tile countertops
Kitchen - large contemporary kitchen idea in Other with tile countertops
Cantoni AtlantaOne 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.
32