A Sneak Peak & Design Ideas From The ASO Decorators’ Show House

Have you ever wanted to take a peak inside a grand estate?  Your opportunity has just arrived – The Atlanta Symphony Associates’ 45th Decorators’ Show House & Gardens Tour is here and believe me it is one not to miss.

ASO Show House retreat by Pineapple House Interiors

This years show house tour is at “Château Soleil”, a 14,000 square-foot European-style grand estate surrounded by beautifully manicured grounds in an exclusive Atlanta neighborhood.

Some people believe you have to go to NYC or LA to find great designers but events like the ASO Show House prove the south and Atlanta in particular has awesome design talent.

About 30 interior design groups have made magical transformations of this grand estate.  I attended a show house preview and spoke with many of the designers about their design inspiration and challenges as well as the constraints they faced in perfecting their spaces.  If you visit take a look at some of the room before pictures.  You’ll appreciate even more the amazing transformations.

The ASO Decorators’ Show House is full of fabulous design and ideas room after room.  Here’s my Top 5 Design Ideas from the Show House you can use in your home.

1.  Design constraint – Transform using existing wallpaper.

The bedroom designer Melanie Turner of Melanie Turner Interiors created had a traditional blue & white wallpaper pattern that was staying.  She completely changed the look of the room and gave it a modern attitude with her design choices.

• She created a calm space by using strong, supple fabrics and neutrals.  Everything in the room is solid except the wallpaper and the floor rug. This makes the room timeless and elegant.

2.  Design constraint – Marry a Traditional Space with Contemporary Style

The architecture in this estate is traditional like many southern estates, but the desire was to have a modern contemporary feel in the living room.  Michel Boyd of SmithBoyd Interiors designed a masterful mix of the two styles using fashion forward, thoughtful choices that blend old and new to perfection.  His living room was symphony of placement, shape, texture that delighted and made contemporary warm and approachable.

3. Design Idea – Fall in love with a pattern, then exploit it.

It’s obvious designer Stuart Pliner of Stuart Pliner Design has an affinity for the peacock wallpaper he used in the show house.  The butler’s pantry and dining hallway area was a washed in deep turquoise peacocks with golden accents that almost dance on the walls.  It’s a delightful fun space.

• He improved the function at the pantry by installing glass over the wallpaper making it waterproof.

• He had a custom floorcloth created with hand painted peacocks that carry the design over the top.  I loved it!

4.  Design Idea – Fake it with Faux Paint

Designer Robin LaMonte of Rooms Revamped created a joyful kitchen full of color that’s meant to be the heart of the home.  Perched over the gourmet stove at the center of the kitchen is a gorgeous copper hood.  To my surprise I learned the hood was faux painted at a fraction of the cost  of real copper to imitate the look.

• You imitate the look of expensive materials like copper and marble with faux painting techniques.

5.  Design Idea – For a luxe look extend the windows floor to ceiling.

I had the opportunity to speak with designer Vern Yip of Vern Yip Designs who served as honorary chair of this year’s show house.  Vern designed the great room and casual dining space using fabrics from his new collection and lighting line. I fondly remember Vern Yip from Trading Spaces and it was nice to feel as well as see his designs live.

His great room was a fusion of pattern and color contrast with Asian influences including some stellar bamboo furniture.

You could create the look of his window treatments doing the following:

• Hang the drapery rods as close to the ceiling as possible.
• To create a two-toned fabric look try a 2/3 top to 1/3 bottom or a 3/4 top to 1/4 bottom ratio.

• Add a trim to the drapery edge to unify the two fabrics and finish the drapes.

If you love beautiful homes and live in or are visiting Atlanta do yourself a favor and experience the fabulously decked out ASO Decorators’ Show House – “Château Soleil” before it closes in May.

All proceeds from the showhouse tour support the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and its community outreach and education programs.  Ready to go? Tour info for “Château Soleil”here.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my sneak peak and design ideas from the ASO Decorators’ Show House.  There is so much more to delight in so go see it for yourself.

You can get more design ideas and support a worthwhile fundraiser.

 

Until next time …