As with its predecessors, the sixth annual Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Southeastern Designer Showhouse is a champion of evolving Southern design. The new construction 8,000-square-foot home is located just steps from Buckhead’s Chastain Park and boasts five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, two powder rooms, a pool, outdoor entertaining loggia, intimate gardens and a finished basement. It was completed by design-build team Benecki, SOURCE, William T. Baker Residential Design and Land Plus, and its interiors were overseen by honorary co-chairs and design greats Phoebe Howard and Melanie Turner.
Thanks to its grandeur (and its address on Tuxedo Road, of course), the residence has been dubbed Tuxedo at the Park. With its fine finishes, luxurious textures, and show-stopping details, Tuxedo at the Park is definitely dressed to the nines. Looking to sprinkle some shine on your home? Below are five showhouse takeaways you can implement, as inspired by the 2021 Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens.
Welcome to Tuxedo at the Park, the 2021 Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Southeastern Designer Showhouse.
Picture Rails
These gripping hangers might seem to be only for art museums and historical homes, but Whitney Ray’s paneled study makes what’s old seem new. Picture rails line the perimeter of her room and suspend everything from the drapery to the artwork. A stunning gilt mirror, also hung from the rails, bounces light from the home’s front windows around the moody study. Work would never seem like a chore in this room. Try picture rails for yourself by taking them as far up to your molding as you can before dropping artwork below.
If we must work from home, let us work from a room like this one designed by Whitney Ray. The biggest takeaway here is the picture rails; everything hanging in the room is suspended from those.
Warm Surfaces
Countertops and tiles in cool blues and grays have been premiering in homes for years, but the showhouse proves that warm tones can be just as impactful while also adding a pinch of coziness too. In the butler’s pantry, framed by SOURCE ironwork, Natalia Makarova of Karpaty Cabinets worked in wood tones to complement the room’s veiny backsplash. Likewise, upstairs, in Nellie Jane Ossi’s bathroom, mauve tile (not blush), is surprisingly fresh. Don’t be afraid to warm things up with your hard-surface choices!
Warm tones are IN! The butler’s pantry by Natalia Makarova of Karpaty Cabinets and featuring SOURCE ironwork, proves that simple design using warm hues can make a big impact.
The curves and edges in this year’s home are truly spectacular. Be sure to look UP in the kitchen. The curved architecture blanketed in subway tile is stunning.
Seeing PINK! The tile in Nellie Jane Ossi’s upstairs bathroom offers a warm, feminine touch.
Luscious Linens
While Tuxedo at the Park leans contemporary, it manages to maintain Southern charm through its drapery choices. And these are not simple linen panels. Think heavy window treatments in rich-hued colors and dense fabrics. The first example comes in Hannah Stefanek’s foyer, which is framed with mustard silk panels to give the family privacy from the all-glass front door.
In the bedroom designed by Amy Newell, a scalloped canopy drapes over the bed complete with tangerine tasseled tape trim. Speaking of tape trim, it’s everywhere in this house. Take a nod from the pros and use fabulous trim in various spots for that extra oomph.
One thing Southern designers do well is capitalizing on statement drapery. The entrance to the showhouse, designed by Hannah Stefanek, features stunning silk drapes.
Amy Newell masterfully plays with textures and colors in her upstairs bedroom. The chaise lounge gives us major Missoni vibes, too.
Bold Walls
Before you think this is simply another wallpaper plug, think again. While wallpaper is still having its moment in the spotlight, you can get a bold wall in more ways than one. For example, in Melanie Turner’s bar, you’ll find a hand-painted mural that brings the indoors out, not the other way around. Loggia guests will feel as though they are surrounded by trees in every direction, including from inside the home.
Beyond wallcoverings, there are also brave choices in the residence’s artwork. Substantially scaled pieces are everywhere, drawing the eye up towards the towering ceilings. When it comes to artwork, bigger is actually better. Instead of opting for a gallery wall, choose one large statement piece to capture some gravitas of your own.
The home’s dining room, designed by Phoebe Howard, features floor-to-ceiling geode-inspired grasscloth wallpaper and is a major moment on the tour. Take your eyes all the way to the ceiling to see the room’s fabulous trim details, too.
Grounded Furniture
This year’s showhouse is all about furniture that sits low for comfort from the ground up. Think mid-century chic. Chaises allow for laid-back lounging, and even the master bedroom designed by Jason Arnold features a low-lying bed. The look emphasizes a casual vibe amid the palatial setting. Just because the home is posh doesn’t mean it has to be pretentious. The furniture selections feel personal and inviting. Want to get the look for yourself? Consider adding in a low-sitting accent chair or bench to your home.
The master bedroom designed by Jason Arnold is elegant yet approachable. The striped bed is no-frills yet incredibly inviting.
The Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens is presented by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and benefits The Atlanta History Center. The showhouse is located at 4047 Tuxedo RD. NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, and runs now through May 23, 2021. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m to 4 p.m. Social distancing and masks are mandatory, and extra cleaning and hygiene measures are implemented. Admission is $40. Find more information at southeasternshowhouse.com and a complete list of designers here.
All photography by David Christensen.
