Tour an Atlanta Show House With a Glam Farmhouse Vibe

This earthy-but-glam Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles show house celebrates biophilic woodland living. You’ve never seen life on the farm quite like this.

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By: Lauren Oster

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Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

The Future of Farmhouse Style Is Glam

Nestled in Serenbe, this show home is situated in a planned community in bucolic Chattahoochee Hills just outside of Atlanta, where eco-conscious amenities include a 25-acre organic farm, a seasonal greenmarket, nature trails and edible landscaping. This five-bedroom, Western-inflected farmhouse adds a serious shot of style to any previous ideas of American farmhouse style. It's "a throwback to Serenbe’s roots,” explains Patrick Sharp, who, with his wife, Megan, of Atlanta’s Mister + Mrs Sharp, served as this year’s lead designer for the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles show house.

The Sharps chose finishes that carry throughout the home’s 5,000 square feet of living spaces and beautifully highlight the work of 14 design teams that collaborated with them. The relaxed-yet-elegant porch pictured here — a vignette Shane Evans and Deena Levine of Ansley Interiors brought to life — is an excellent place to begin.

Traditionally Inspired Kitchen Architecture Feels Historic

The Sharps counterbalanced the contemporary feel of the open layout of the kitchen, dining and great room with a stately exposed-beam-and-limestone frame reminiscent of a classic farmhouse hearth for the rear wall. “We added the limestone ‘cave’ around the range for a sense of gravitas and permanence,” Patrick says. “It’s a new house, but it feels like it could have been here forever.”

Pet Station Finishes Echo the Kitchen’s Amenities for Humans

The Sharps outfitted the gorgeous fluted island niche with the same graphically veined quartzite found on its countertops and backsplash. The polished brass pot filler in the doggie food and drink niche matches the one on the luxurious stove. That cohesion is both empirically attractive and a lovely way of saying that this design reflects every member of the family.

Brass Floating Shelves Elevate This Kitchen

“The cabinetry, including the fluted custom kitchen island, is by Bell Cabinetry, and the brass hardware throughout the kitchen is from Matthew Quinn Collection,” Patrick says.

The floating shelves’ rich metallic tone is an unexpected and lovely choice against the pale limestone behind the sink. The floating shelves echo the lower cabinets and suggest etageres or curio hutches. A Jenni Kayne sea grass pitcher and highball glasses add an organic note on the counter.

Strong Metallic Accents Counterbalance Dark Wood in the Pantry

A gleaming, urchin-shaped flush mount Kelly Wearstler fixture in the scullery extends the home’s glam/organic theme and offsets the serene, smooth surfaces of the storage and panel-ready appliances against the wall. Matthew Quinn Collection hardware featuring brass cubes and leather straps, in turn, bring a bit of masculine edge to the space.

Crystal and Antlers Epitomize Farmhouse Glam

If this home had a thesis statement, it might well be the 345-pound, triple-tier Ralph Lauren chandelier framed with exposed beams in the foyer space between the dining and living rooms. Scaled down, a design moment like this one is possible in any space. The concept on view here is that rustic and refined elements can not only coexist but harmonize.

High and Low, Crystal and Concrete Share Space in the Powder Room

Walls featuring floor-to-ceiling Cosentino Dekton Nilium solid surface along with a faceted wall sconce give this small bathroom a decadent, industrial-meets-luxurious attitude. Both practical and polished, the brass console beneath the sink marries the two looks.

Circular Sitting Area Gives Living Room Conversational Scale

“We wanted the seating group within the living room to be very grounded and comfortable within this big volume, so we came up with this idea of this circular layout,” says interior designer Lorraine Enwright of Intuitive Dwellings. “We wanted people to be able to sit and converse with each other in a very comfortable format. These are custom sofas, and to create that circular feel they have a performance fabric on them from Schumacher — so for an active family with pets [that does] a lot of entertaining, they’d be very wearable and cleanable.”

The tables’ geometry contributes to that gathering-space graciousness as well. “The centerpiece of this area, really the star of this furniture layout, are these gorgeous brass tables from R Hughes at ADAC [Atlanta Decorative Arts Center].”

Repurposed Sculptures Create a One-of-a-Kind Desk

A vignette in the living room demonstrates the glorious versatility of architectural-salvage pieces. “At the window you’ll see a beautiful live-edge desktop, which was created for us custom by Peg Leg Studio,” Enwright says. “And that’s from an oak slab; we cut and created this special top on the concrete horses that create the base, which come from the homeowner’s own collection. We used some animal and horse themes throughout the room, which you’ll see throughout the house.”

A Wallpapered Ceiling Adds Whimsy to the Laundry Room

“We love a layered, classic look with pops of unexpected flair and funk, so we were inspired to use color in a soft but impactful way in our utilitarian spaces,” explains Courtney Shearer of The Designery. She transformed the ceiling of this laundry room with a blush floral wallpaper by Kelly Ventura, then crowned it with “a bold chartreuse light fixture with the coolest shade from Urban Electric.” In a hard-working room like this one, going all out overhead is an excellent strategic move.

“It’s hard to pick a favorite piece, but if we had to, I think the light fixture really worked to bring the space together. And as far as trends go, we think creating a fun atmosphere in the hardworking areas of the home is on-trend and such a fun way to get you excited about even doing laundry!”

Deep, Neutral Paint Accentuates Pale Stone and Verdant Views

“A limestone entrance draws you into this room that is at once a library, museum, gathering space and escape,” designer Kristan Moore of Kristan & Co. explains. “The limestone walls, marble mantel and patterned oak floors created a heavy space that pulled people into the sitting area.” She balanced that textural stone by enveloping the walls and ceiling with a luxurious, velvety greige. That tone — Sherwin-Williams’ Gauntlet Grey — both cultivates intimacy and beautifully frames the landscape beyond the sofa.

Large-Scale Art Layered Against Window Treatments Adds Dimension to Design

Why should a curtain rod have just one job? Delicate chains support a massive artwork featuring avian silhouettes in acrylic and gold leaf on paper, courtesy of a Serenbe artist in residence. “The sofa was custom-made for the space and, with the drapes behind it, softens the limestone walls,” Moore says. “But my favorite piece is the custom painting hanging on the drapery behind the sofa by the artist Tom Swanston. The [birds] help lighten the room and the neutral tones pull from the rest of the room. I have loved Tom’s work for a long time and was honored that he created this piece for this space.”

Salon-Style Arrangement of Art Lends an Air of Cozy Elegance

This versatile space extends up into a nook with soaring ceilings and a sophisticated art collection. “With its higher ceiling area, the daybed nook pulled the eyes up. I wanted visitors to see the entire room and feel free to use it all,” Moore says. “The pictures on the ‘museum wall’ create a focal point that pulls people toward the nook, the books and a relaxing ‘getaway’ from the larger sitting area.”

Savvy Storage and Custom Lampshades Create a Bespoke Bedroom

Hope Austin of Hope Austin Interiors anchored the primary bedroom with a decadent, fawn-colored mohair canopy bed dressed with creamy linens from Peacock Alley. “We layered in an array of wonderful textures with Roman shams, bolster pillows and a mohair blanket,” she says. “Bedside tables from Stock & Trade balance out the symmetry of the space and provide additional storage. Designer tip: Always have doors or drawers on bedside tables so you can tuck books and charging cables out of sight. Another designer tip: By adding custom blue pleated silk shades to the lamps, we’ve made them unique to the space and introduced a perfect dash of added color to the bedside.” Finally, “to ground the space we added a gorgeous Tibetan rug from Moattar,” she says. “I love the rich color and design to add that final finishing touch.”

Bedroom Bar Area Offers a Place to Unwind

“The comfy Saatva swivel chair is an ideal place to take off your shoes and pour yourself a little beverage after a long day,” Austin says. She chose a cascading willow-branch fabric for the suite’s exterior doors to help bring the home’s surroundings in.

Austin leapt at the opportunity to add art to the bedroom. “Personally, I feel like no room is complete without good art. Gregg Irby Gallery graciously loaned all of the beautiful art you see; I love how the mix of framed and unframed [pieces] on the light plaster walls creates a museum-like gallery. While my style skews traditional, I also love modern design. These paintings and drawings lend a bit of organic edginess to the softer and more classical design elements in the rest of the room.”

This Tone-on-Tone Hallway Creates Calm

Ashley Miller of Ashley Miller Design focused on serene, natural blues and greens as she approached the home’s principal bath suite. “Instead of letting the intrigue of the bathroom pull you towards the view, I wanted to have a moment of pause, so I decided to cover both the walls and ceiling in a dark blue-green grasscloth from Cowtan & Tout,” she says. “I wanted this moment of surprise to fully engage you and slow the speed at which you walk through, allowing you to reflect on the beautiful artwork that adorns the walls. I chose a similar trim color to blend with the wallpaper, so as to not offer any distractions.”

Layered Vanity Design Oozes Eclectic Glamour

“The vanity stool is custom-designed and covered in a beautiful light green velvet that contrasts nicely against the window treatments,” Miller explains. “You’ll also notice throughout the space I layered and mixed artwork and accessories that are both modern as well as vintage — a play on finishes and textures, but nature-inspired.” That thoughtful combination gives the space a sense of sophistication that no matchy-matchy bath suite could. “You’ll see mirrors covered in oyster shells and a collection of black seashells, and a vintage mirror on the vanity" that dates back to the 1800s. "It’s so heavily oxidized that it stands out against the modern white sculpture and artwork,” says Miller.

Long, Opulent Wood Drapes Bring Luxury to Tub Area

Stacked-marble panels create a textural, geometric backdrop for the magnificent stone soaking tub in a bed of creamy white pebbles. “I chose a dark blue-green color for the drapes, which also complements the hallway grasscloth paper,” Miller says. “The drapes — which are nearly 12 feet in length — are a solid wool fabric from the Cowtan & Tout showroom.” Wool may seem like a counterintuitive choice for a bath suite, but it suited Miller’s needs perfectly. “I chose a solid wool fabric because of its texture and warmth — but also, notice how beautifully the fabric drapes, almost effortlessly. And the smooth texture contrasts so nicely against the rough stone of the wall and the stone tub.”

'Statement' Staircase Introduces a Theme That Carries Throughout the Home

The lozenge-shaped, almost Art Deco-inspired forms on the staircase’s custom banister pair beautifully with dramatically veined Dekton steps that seem to be hewn from a single, massive piece of marble. Steve Dray — who, with his wife, Cecelia Winston, helms Planning & Design at Serenbe and designed the home’s spectacular architecture — counts this moment as a special one in the project. “One of my favorite features inside is the open staircase that connects all floor levels very well,” he says. “The team did a fantastic job with the details.”

Layered Blues Put a New Spin on Black-and-White Bedroom Palette

Loren Taylor of Loren Taylor Design took cues for this bedroom from the use of blackened wood and pale limestone on the home’s exterior. “We wanted to create a sense of repetition but wanted to introduce something that would be a little bit exciting — so the special sauce, I would say, would be an introduction of French blue and navy juxtaposed with the off-white and black,” she says.

She gave the room a sense of place, in turn, with accessories. “The first time I visited the home I noticed streaks of blue and amethyst in the sky as the sun was setting, and I have a Kathryn McCoy amethyst geode lamp that you see here in the room that I knew would be perfect.”

Rich Blue Upholstery and Window Treatments Tell a Compelling Color Story

If pressed for a favorite piece in the room, “I definitely have to say the vintage Mattaliano Frank #5 slipper chair we had reupholstered in this buttery, yummy leather in a cerulean blue,” Taylor says. “But then again, the draperies! The Brisby pleat [a modern, more casual take on traditional pinch pleats] is just my favorite go-to pleat, regardless of the level of formality, and it frames that window seat and just helps show the view off.”

Natural Stone and Floral Silhouettes Ground an Opulent Bathroom

Taylor created continuity between the bedroom and its bath suite by repeating her floral-accessory motif with a pair of Julie Neill sconces. Larger versions of those sconces flank the window seat, and a two-tiered chandelier featuring the same gold-leafed buds hangs from the vaulted ceiling.

She also chose marble tile with a floral motif and a fluted mirror reminiscent of a clam’s shell to call back to the home’s organic character. “After the lengthy pandemic, many of us are craving biophilic features in our spaces, and the use of cotton, linen, leather, silks, geodes and different things that are derived from natural things really spoke to me, and it just spoke to the built environment and things that are derived from the Earth. I thought it was very, very important to use those things.”

Plush, Curtained Lounging Nook Doubles as a Guest Space

Angela Means and Danielle Carney of Means & Carney Interiors gave this room the flexibility to function as an office and as a lounge and spare sleeping space for guests. “We positioned two twin extra-long mattresses by Saatva end to end, forming an oversized day bed along the front wall,” Means says. “We designed a fun custom headboard for the piece and added details such as the powder-coated, honeycomb-perforated sliding doors on the front to house books and other things that the homeowner may want to display or store.” A profusion of patterned pillows and a pair of gleaming sconces with blue shirred-silk shades contribute to the bedroom-ish feel.

Bee Wallpaper and Fern Fabric Anchor an Elegant Work Space in Nature

The homeowner’s grandmother, Beebe, was a touchstone for the room, and this hand-painted Fromental wallpaper was the first design element the team selected for it. Then, “we floated that beautiful Alex desk by Aronson Woodworks so one can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors even while working away at home,” Means says. Kerry Joyce’s Fern Fusion fabric both frames the day bed with curtains and ornaments the custom cornice board above the desk.

Rustic Lavender Creates an Organic Effect Against Marble Tile

“In the bathroom, we created this lavender wall treatment that serves double duty as a room refresher as well as a lovely art display,” Means says. Arched-herringbone marble tile forms a luxurious basketweave surface behind the herbs. “The adorable bear artwork is by Jennifer Keim,” she adds. A warm brass sconce illuminates the space and the shower curtain features gleaming passementerie, “adding just the right amount of bling for our glamorous farmhouse.”

Dramatic Black Grasscloth Makes Bold Patterns Pop

Designer Joy Williams, the creative force behind Joyful Designs Studio, chose a deep Phillip Jeffries grasscloth as the background for this energetic arrangement of patterns. “Using black as a base layer makes the black and white accents more dramatic,” she explains. Don’t rely on a white sofa to make impact. Mix it up. I purposely used a patterned fabric on the sofa. Solid colors for the largest piece in the space would have created a visual valley.” She also suggests heightening drama with brighter and darker hues: “Don’t be afraid to use varying shades of white and tan to make the black and white focal points more emphatic.”

Graphic Credenza Provides Elegant Storage

The shapely, versatile black-on-white credenza that grounds this vignette in the bunk room is part of Williams’ emerging Joy Made Home furniture and decor line. “We named it Djenne after the city in Mali,” she explains. “I am a fan of its architecture and history.” She also created a custom table for the center of the space: “We imagined that the room would be used as a hangout spot, study and creative space for the owners’ daughters and guests, so we wanted to make sure there was a table for crafts, snacks and homework.” Who says hangout spaces can’t be as stunning as living and dining rooms?

Subway Tile Goes Glam in Carrara Marble

Williams chose a delicate floral pattern for the Roman shade in this serene bath, where beveled marble runs from floor to ceiling around a black soaking tub and another floral pattern in marble adds interest to the floor. Circa Lighting’s showstopping Cynara chandelier — named for its artichoke shape — finishes the space like statement jewelry.

Butterfly Pendant and Wallpaper Create a Design Moment

“We loved this Gracie wallpaper immediately,” Williams says. “The homeowner has mentioned that she loves butterflies, and she had chosen a flush mount butterfly light already. We wanted to add a bit more drama, though — we were thinking that it could be a photo op for her daughters and their friends — so we opted for a hanging chandelier with butterflies instead, just to get a bit of gold twinkle to contrast with the bronze foil paper.” She then framed the wall with black trim to create continuity with the bedroom suite beyond this space.

Transitional Upholstery Strikes a Balance Between Sophistication and Warmth

Christopher Rankin and Barbara Williams of Stock & Trade Design Co. let the property itself inspire their design choices in the guest suite, a detached apartment that sits above the home's three-car garage. “There’s a warm, casual elegance to the home,” Rankin says. “Natural elements like wood, stone and multiple metal finishes can be found throughout the residence. And every room is filled with natural light and views of the outdoor spaces surrounding the home. We wanted to create a comfortable living space that complemented all of those elements.”

Rankin and Williams aimed to create a livable design that was casual, warm and comfortable. “The upholstery definitely helps create that feeling,” Rankin says. “The large sofa chaise in the living room and the plush slipcovered swivel chairs on the porch are all by Atelier Home. They’re very comfortable pieces, and their clean lines give them a transitional style that fits most any space."

Elevated, Eclectic Accessories Complement Suite’s Interior Architecture

“The white hide chairs in the living room are definitely a favorite design element for me,” Rankin says. “I love the mix of white hide on the dark metal frames. The design of the chairs gives them an architectural feel.” Layered frames, horn vessels and unglazed pottery on the kitchenette’s floating shelf extend the suite’s mix of materials, and a pair of massive abstract canvases on the wall add warmth and balance to the room.

Nine-Piece Art Installation Emphasizes In-Law Suite Bedroom’s Ceiling Height

“I knew we wanted to do something special on that large wall adjacent to the bed,” Rankin says. “With the light, airy feeling in the room created by the neutral fabrics and natural light pouring in from the windows and French doors, the butterfly artwork just seemed like the perfect addition to the space. I planned a grouping of nine that fill the wall. I love how they turned out, and the surprising ‘wow’ factor they create when you walk into the space and turn to see that wall.”

Elemental Sitting Area Prioritizes Woodland Vista

“We saw the private porch as the opportunity to create a quiet, serene place to relax and have your morning coffee, read a book and enjoy the view,” Rankin says. “We wanted the space to feel like a comfortable outdoor room. To achieve that, we anchored the space with an outdoor rug that looks like natural fiber jute. We added four comfortable outdoor slipcovered swivel chairs that would be equally at home in any indoor living space.” The minimalistic palette lets the eye flow outward to the porch’s panoramic view — which, one might argue, is the home’s most glamorous feature of all.

Strong Lines and Natural Materials Feel Both Contemporary and Timeless

The home’s bold, monochromatic exterior color story celebrates the characteristics of the wood and stone itself. “We chose to build this house because of what Serenbe means to us and what this home means to the neighborhood,” says Andrew Kelly, principal partner of custom Atlanta builders 10/23 Construction. “The amount of specialty stone work truly transformed both the interior and exterior of the show house. The shou sugi ban wood [produced with a traditional Japanese technique in which it is burned to both weatherproof and enhance its natural grains] as an added element of exterior siding and the hand-tumbled limestone are beautiful, natural materials that represent what Serenbe is all about — building with nature rather than against it.”

Whimsical Art Refines an Outdoor Room

“The outdoor seating under the pergola features a design adapted from a 1960s Hans Wegner original with woven rope back and solid teak frame,” says designer Deena Levine. She and designer Shane Evans, the duo behind Ansley Interiors, brought the screened and back porches and pool area to life.

“We finished off our design with original pieces from various artists from across the South, including local Serenbe artist Rachel Garceau, who created the three-dimensional installations placed throughout the outdoor spaces,” she adds. “The set of handcrafted porcelain umbrellas hanging in the pergola is artfully staged to protect the elements below.”

Crisp, Black-and-White Dining Suite Complements Natural Stone and Wood

The white pedestal dining table, black-and-whitewashed woven chairs, black dishware and cowhide Levine and Evans brought together in the outdoor kitchen and dining space focus and sharpen the tones of the home’s exterior architecture.

Dramatic Seating and a Playful Table Create an Outdoor Foyer

“The modern farmhouse trend has been around for a while now, but the sophisticated aspects of this project mixed with the rough elements of the stone and charred wood are what inspired our designs for the outdoor spaces,” Levine says. “Some of our favorite furniture pieces are the artful footed tables by Sutherland Furniture. They add just the right amount of whimsy to this fun backyard oasis.” Here, black balloon chairs with white upholstery suit them perfectly.

Swimming and Sunning Spot Doubles As a Reflecting Pool

Mini-installations of artwork around the property reward casual strolls. Around every corner, artist Rachel Garceau’s pieces hint at the way other creatures move through this space, too. “Her study of avian architecture paired with the homeowner’s love of birds led her to create an interesting nest installation in the back corner of the lawn,” Levine says. “Each individual piece is made from handcrafted porcelain and is assembled on site. Rachel’s “stepping stones in the pool reflect her interpretation of a visual pathway,” Levine explains. One could imagine dappled light from the moon creating shapes like these after the sun sets.

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