TISH MILLS CONVERTS A CHASTAIN PARK SPEC HOUSE INTO A COMFORTABLE, CUSTOM HOME.
It’s not how a project starts but how it evolves that matters, and this held true for a spec home in Chastain Park that designer Tish Mills pulled together quickly for the homeowners. “We made an instant connection and began working that very day,” says Mills. “The synergy between designer and client is so important to the process. The [previous] house the clients were living in was not a reflection of who they wanted to be,” so Mills—on a very truncated timeline to account for baby No. 3—created their dream home.
For her active clients—a family of five—designer Tish Mills opted for custom pieces that would stand the test of time, including the living room sofa that was covered in a performance fabric.
Accents of deep blue, like this Hickory Chair breakfast banquette, mingle with gray hues and creamy neutrals throughout the home.
Despite coming into the spec house during its final stages, Mills worked quickly with architect William Harrison of Harrison Design and builder George Cooke of White Oak Fine Homes to add details such as tile, cabinetry and a range hood in the kitchen that fit her clients’ aesthetic.
Pulling from Mills’ previous work, the clients were able to articulate that they wanted something sophisticated and tailored. “They especially loved all the gray, but we wanted to balance it against other neutrals because gray isn’t going to be a thing forever,” explains Mills. “It’s a great neutral, but one of the things we started with was asking, ‘How do we balance the color choices so that moving forward, as trends change, it’s easy to freshen up?’ It’s one of the first things I love to do because you’re not looking at a huge investment every time you want to freshen up your house.”
A custom Azul wood dining table by Robert James Collection and chairs by Bernhardt bring sophistication to the dining room.
“The home was well into construction and the finished stage when the home was purchased by the client,” Mills explains. “However, there was still time to make changes to customize [the home] to match the homeowners’ tastes and aesthetic.” Mills worked with architect William Harrison of Harrison Design and builder George Cooke of White Oak Fine Homes to add tile, cabinetry as needed, a kitchen hood, architectural details such as fireplaces from François & Co., lighting, flooring and more to create a shell for the interiors. “Andrea and Bill had done a good job picking things that were as neutral as could be, setting the stage so we could really tailor it for the family,” she says. “From there, we did a master plan for all the furniture, including the nursery for the latest arrival who came during construction. It was a sprint from day one. While the baby came before the house was done, they were able to move into a comfortable space rather than a construction site,” says Mills.
In the sitting room, A. Rudin lounge chairs paired with Noir drink tables and a Robert James Collection coffee table balance comfort with refined style.
A brisk six months later, the project was completed. “It’s a true reflection of the homeowners and their effortlessly elegant style and personality,” she says. “The home is sophisticated yet retained. The base is peaceful and quiet, with the details and artwork adding perfect accents to bring the home to life.” Mills emphasizes balance, though: “This was going to be a home with an active family of five. ... The goal was to create a timeless space that would grow with the family and stand the test of time.” Custom pieces such as the living room sofa and Baker chairs are covered in performance fabrics that marry together the clients’ elegance and need for true living—the family actually watches TV in their living room, with sophisticated touches such as a glove leather ottoman from Berman Rosetti. The dining room table was custom from Robert James Collection, and the brand ended up liking Mills’ modifications so much they included it in the line.
Lovely and light-filled, the master bath is a serene spot.
Additional neutrals such as taupe, cream and beige provide cohesiveness, with accents of “deep, rich blue,” says Mills, such as the breakfast banquette by Hickory Chair. “The selection of artwork picks up the colors and finishes off the different spaces. The homeowners had impeccable taste not only in furniture and fabrics, but also in artwork. They made decisions quickly, which really helped moved the process along,” she says. A mix of brands such as Currey & Company, Bungalow Classic, John-Richard and Herman Miller help create the lived-in, refined look.
Indoor-outdoor living is a breeze thanks to the home’s covered porch that features casually elegant furniture from brands including Homecrest, RH and Summer Classics.
Says Mills, “I’m really proud of this project because it was a different way of working,” she says about coming into a spec house partway through. “I love the juxtaposition of how casual the house is, but how elegant it is. There is nothing like the smile from such sweet homeowners when they walk into their home all set up and ready for them to start living. It is one of the reasons I do what I do!”
DESIGN DETAILS
RESIDENCE
Single-family home
NEIGHBORHOOD
Chastain Park
INTERIOR DESIGN
Tish Mills Interiors
DEVELOPER
Andrea Bain
The Donnelly Group
ARCHITECTURE
William Harrison, Harrison Design
BUILDER
George Cooke, White Oak Fine Homes
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chris Little
SELECT VENDORS
BJORK STUDIO
Master bedroom bed and bench
IFI FABRICS
Master bathroom fabric
SUMMER CLASSICS
Patio chairs and loungers
MOATTAR
Select rugs throughout
BERMAN ROSETTI
Living room coffee table
ROBERT JAMES COLLECTION
Custom dining room table and buffet
MOSS HOME
Kitchen bar stools
