Alejandra Dunphy takes a traditional home

Art Deco Influences Sugarloaf Country Club Home Redesign

Lauren Finney Harden

Alejandra Dunphy takes a traditional home and outfits it in a modern, eclectic style.

Art deco influences abound in this home designed by Alejandra Dunphy—especially in the kitchen, where accents like Brizo Litze matte black and luxe gold faucets shine.

Atlanta is known for its stately historic manors with sweeping lawns and Georgian terraces; but for some, traditional just won’t cut it for their lifestyles. That was the case when Alejandra Dunphy of Alejandra Dunphy Studio was called in to “revitalize a heavily traditional house into a refreshing modern-transitional style home,” she says. A complete renovation over two levels was in order for the living spaces and bedrooms and bathrooms, which took three months of planning and close to a year of renovations.

Custom built-in shelving with sliding linear panels, a minimalist fireplace, and Charles Eames lounge chairs and ottomans give the meditation room, formerly the office, a midcentury vibe.

The house had heavy trim work, including interior faux columns and detailed traditional millwork on the fireplaces, that needed to go. “We commissioned a great carpenter to assist with the new concept of decluttering and bringing clean lines and profiles to the home,” she adds, although it wasn’t necessarily smooth sailing: “It took some convincing of the client to remove this look, as they recalled it was a costly addition when they originally purchased the house. We were able to simplify and modernize the design, yet were still able to provide the original functionality of having some storage and areas to display sculptures and frames.” The addition of hidden doors on either side of the fireplace in the family room also helped with storage.

Hints of art deco and midcentury influences can be seen throughout, including custom details at door frames, fireplaces and even the use of a brass inlay on the foyer floor for a unique touch. “We wanted to bring in a level of sophistication by using unique textures such as handhammered metal, brass inlays and a monotone gray palette as a base, with accent colors such as soft blues, rust and pale mauves in pillows and artwork,” she says.

One of the home’s most striking details comes in the form of a brass inlay on the foyer floor.

Artwork is always one of the most personal pieces of a home, and there was no exception in this abode. “We tried to figure out the best artwork for a large wall in one of the living rooms,” says Dunphy. “The solution was to integrate the family’s collection of art from their adventures around the globe. ... They had so many interesting pictures of their excursions, from a safari picnic in Africa to the Amal Coast. I love this story because now this wall talks and reminds the homeowners about these experiences.”

Dunphy was especially chuffed when the client “mentioned they wanted to transform the current traditional office into a meditation room,” she says. “A place where they can read, practice yoga, pray and meditate. I knew we had to create a tranquil space that allowed for adaptability and flexibility.” The final design in that room includes a “meditation niche, custom built-in shelving with sliding linear panels, a minimalist fireplace, and two Charles Eames lounge chairs and ottomans.” Sounds like a lovely place to do just about anything, indeed.

In the family room, hidden doors on either side of the sleek, modern fireplace offer extra storage.