Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Holidays
  • Gardening
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Shop
  • Rooms
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Family
  • Pets
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 19 Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas That Are Giving Us Major Holiday Nostalgia

      Read More Next
    • 23 of Our Test Kitchen's Best Cookie Recipes of All Time

      We reach for them after school and after dinner. They're essential to holidays and casual gatherings. Homemade cookies are always a welcome treat. Whether it's a tried-and-true 1940s BH&G cookie recipe or a unique twist on sugar cookies, our Test Kitchen's compiled a lot of favorite cookie recipes over the years. Grab a glass of milk because we're about to dunk peanut butter cookies, oatmeal-raisin cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, and many more of our all-time favorite cookie recipes. Read More Next
    • Conquer Holiday Cooking with This Meat Roasting Guide

      All the times and temperatures you need to know to roast turkey, chicken, beef, and pork for your feast. Read More Next
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See all Holidays

    The CDC Just Updated Its Thanksgiving Safety Guidelines—Here's What You Need To Know

    With just two weeks until turkey day, the latest information could affect your plans.
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Halloween
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See all Gardening

    5 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

    Depending on what's growing in your garden, there's a lot you can do to get your ornamental plants ready for the colder months. We've got the low-down on how to make sure everything from your perennials to your roses are ready when the snow flies.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See all Recipes and Cooking

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflĆ© dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here!
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See all Decorating

    9 Ways to Decorate Your Front Door for the Holidays

    This winter front door display is layered with holiday cheer. See how you can personalize your home's entrance with holiday front door decorations, including evergreen wreaths, garlands, pinecones, and pops of plaid.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See all Home Improvement Ideas

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See all Cleaning and Organizing

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Shop
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See all Rooms

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • News
  • Beauty & Style

    Beauty & Style

    See all Beauty & Style

    Call Your Stylist: These Hair Colors Will Be Everywhere This Spring

    Deep brunettes, sandy blondes, and bold reds are in this year.
    • Anti-Aging
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Style
    • Nails
  • Health & Family

    Health & Family

    See all Health & Family

    7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now

    Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day.
    • Family Activities
    • Reunions
    • Conditions
    • Parenting Skills
  • Pets

    Pets

    See all Pets

    Luna Is the Most Popular Female Cat Name for the Second Year in a Row

    Plus, check out the other top options that owners are calling their pandemic pets.
    • Dogs and Puppies
    • Cats
    • Caring for Your Pet
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Decorating
  3. Home Makeovers
  4. Before & After
  5. An Elegant Redesign Took This Atlanta Home From Dated to Desirable

An Elegant Redesign Took This Atlanta Home From Dated to Desirable

By Sally Finder Weepie
May 14, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

Designer Suzanne Kasler gives an Atlanta dad and his Buckhead home a fresh start with a redesign rooted in tradition yet young enough for three girls.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Country French-Style Exterior

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

Moving day jitters stood no chance of getting in Steve Fallon's head, let alone taking up residence. Yes, the Atlanta entrepreneur had just bought a 12-year-old Buckhead house that was a bit dated, a bit dark, not quite the place that teen and twentysomething daughters Darby, Ellie, and Grayson might consider prime real estate. But Steve wasn't worried. He had a couple of trusted friends (designer Suzanne Kasler and architect Rick Spitzmiller) along for the journey.

Gracious new dormers and a slate roof imbue the house with the Country French style that Steve loves.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Open Floor Plan

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

"The house had great bones, but it needed to be rethought for the Fallons' tastes and the way they live," Spitzmiller says. That meant a more open, sociable floor plan, along with architectural upgrades such as coffered and beamed ceilings, paneled walls, and character-rich moldings.Ā 

2 of 20

3 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Welcoming Entryway

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

"In doing a renovation, we look for the weak points," Spitzmiller says. "The entry, for instance, didn't have visual cues to give it architectural scale or make it welcoming." New moldings now match the sophistication of a grand curved staircase and set the stage for Kasler, famed for her elegant interiors, to ply her considerable talents.Ā 

"My design is all about the architecture," she says. "I simplified the whole-house palette to make it more architectural."

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Soft Neutral Color Scheme

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

As a foundation, she coated many of the home's walls in Benjamin Moore's "Linen White." "I went with a soft white to blend with the architecture and provide a really pretty background," Kasler says. "I love a neutral background with accents of color."Ā 

A big skirted table is Kasler's trick to bring pretty fabric into a room that has French doors and no draperies.

4 of 20

5 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chic But Comfortable Living Room

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

That's evident in the living room, where a calm canvas allows the details of the coffered ceiling and expansive arched window to shine. "There was no way to drape the window and no need to drape it," Kasler says. "I like it as a feature in the room." She had the wood muntins painted black to look like steel, giving the classic space a contemporary edge.Ā 

To complement the size of the room, the designer scaled up furnishings as she catered to comfort. "I wanted the casual elegance appropriate for a city house," she says. "It's loungy and comfortable, a great room to hang out in."

The primarily new pieces mingle with Steve's antiques, all dark-stained wood furniture that grounds rooms without defining them. "We wanted a foundation of traditional, but lighter and younger, not overdecorated," Kasler says.

"The goal was a beautiful home for a young family: chic-looking but easy to live in," Kasler says. In this hangout spot, a TV hides in the antique armoire, and a traditional chandelier contrasts with contemporary art by Heidi Berrin Shonkoff.Ā 

5 of 20

6 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Artfully Arranged

Credit: artful decorations on mantle

In tune with that fresh vibe, she layered in subtle color with pillows, throws, and art. "It's the perfect way to get color while keeping a room tailored and low-key," she says.Ā 

Above the mantel of the living room fireplace, the branch motif of a convex mirror by Paul Ferrante nods to views of nature just outside.

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Touches of Color

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

Color crescendoes in the dining room, where Kasler sheathed walls in a sage hue that shows off the fluted crown molding and mirror-front china cabinets Spitzmiller designed. "Together with Suzanne's touch of color, they make the room sparkle," the architect says.

A stained-wood Regency table, its curves echoed by svelte armless chairs, puts classicism at the center of the formal dining space. Walls in Farrow & Ball "Blue Gray" mesh with silk taffeta draperies in Schumacher fabric.Ā 

7 of 20

8 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Adding Interest to Kitchen Cabinetry

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

He also designed both mirrored and glass-front cabinetry for the kitchen, which serves as the hub of the home. "It's where we love to gather," Steve says.

A mix of styles on cabinet fronts dials up the interest.

8 of 20

9 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spacious and Functional Kitchen

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

To provide plenty of room for family, friends, and moments of shared culinary creativity, Spitzmiller annexed adjacent square footage to nearly double the size of the original kitchen. "Now it's wider, more functional, and a whole lot prettier," he says.

Activity in the airy, casual space revolves around a center island with comfortable bar stool seating. Calacatta marble tops counters in the U-shape work zone and also serves as a luxe backsplash. Classic cabinetry pairs with rustic beams and hammered-metal pendants by Edgar-Reeves.Ā 

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cozy Breakfast Area

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

A fireplace warms the breakfast room where a cottage table and Windsor chairs invite casual dining.

10 of 20

11 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Family Hangout Spot

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

The kitchen opens to the family's other go-to spot, the pool den. "It was a storage space with no windows. But I saw it as the best real estate in town," says Spitzmiller, who installed a NanaWall, glass doors that open the entire wall to the patio, pool, and beautiful view beyond. "It's a spectacular change," Spitzmiller says.Ā 

Steve agrees. "It's so fun. We love to hang out there and watch college football in the fall or just be around the pool. The light and view are wonderful."

Pecky cypress, seen on beams in the kitchen, is used here in a coffered ceiling treatment. A wall of glass bifold doors makes it easy to blend indoors and out.

11 of 20

12 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Classic Library Space

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

The wood paneled walls of the library are a departure from the linen white used throughout the rest of the house. Drapery panels from Cowtan & Tout pull together all the colors of the cozy, classic space.

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Elegant Master Suite

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

When Steve's ready for some quiet time, the reimagined master suite, a neutral cocoon that shows off his carved antique bed and new freestanding tub, beckons. Beautiful blue linen draperies add a splash of classic color.Ā 

13 of 20

14 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Antique Meets New

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

An antique four-poster mingles with new seating area furniture by Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair.Ā 

14 of 20

15 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Master Bath

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

Set against a backdrop of elegant Calacatta Gold marble, a Waterworks tub steals the show in Steve's bath space.Ā 

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Double the Elegance

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

A custom double vanity continues the elegance.

16 of 20

17 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Children's Bedrooms

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

Each Fallon girl also has her own bed-and-bath space. Colorful, playful patterns are used judiciously against plenty of airy white. "It gives them a great backdrop to personalize their spaces the way they want," Kasler says.Ā 

17 of 20

18 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Youthful Patterns

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

"I like how Grayson, who's an equestrian, displays her ribbons on a pair of dress forms. It's fun and young, and it makes this a place the girls want to come to. It's wonderful to create a family house that truly resonates with the entire family."

Steve concurs. "We love it," he says. "It's more than a beautiful house. It's something incredibly special created just for us."Ā 

Youthful patterns, colors, and attitude put some pop in this cozy sitting area.Ā 

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Teenage Dream

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

What teenage girl wouldn't love a pristine white bathroom with a chic cheetah-pattern shower curtain?

19 of 20

20 of 20

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Fallon Family

Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

Homeowner Steve Fallon is pictured here with daughters Grayson, Darby, and Ellie.

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Sally Finder Weepie

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 20 Country French-Style Exterior
2 of 20 Open Floor Plan
3 of 20 Welcoming Entryway
4 of 20 Soft Neutral Color Scheme
5 of 20 Chic But Comfortable Living Room
6 of 20 Artfully Arranged
7 of 20 Touches of Color
8 of 20 Adding Interest to Kitchen Cabinetry
9 of 20 Spacious and Functional Kitchen
10 of 20 Cozy Breakfast Area
11 of 20 Family Hangout Spot
12 of 20 Classic Library Space
13 of 20 Elegant Master Suite
14 of 20 Antique Meets New
15 of 20 Master Bath
16 of 20 Double the Elegance
17 of 20 Children's Bedrooms
18 of 20 Youthful Patterns
19 of 20 Teenage Dream
20 of 20 The Fallon Family

Share options

Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Shop | Better Homes & Gardens

  • Textured Throw Pillows
  • Round Mirrors
  • Kitchen Rugs
  • Hallway Runners
  • Tufted Area Rugs
  • Kitchen Island Pendants
  • Wall Sconces
  • Bedside Lamps
  • Throw Pillows
  • Vases
  • Shop More Next

Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
Better Homes & Gardens

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
  • Help
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

View image

An Elegant Redesign Took This Atlanta Home From Dated to Desirable
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.