Any designer will tell you, wrapping an install and getting your clients settled into their new home in time for the holidays is the Holy Grail of project goals. And "home for the holidays" couldn't have been a more fitting ending to the story for the incredible clients who first laid eyes on this slice of bluff property heaven on Christmas Eve 2021. After 3 years of land purchase and prepping, floorplan finalizing, design detailing, and constructing, it was finally time to welcome this family home. Three years of dreaming is quite an exercise in patience; it's a tale about seeing big leaps forward one month and then tiny progress the following four while you trust the big picture. But a house of this magnitude comes together carefully one puzzle piece at a time, and we're proud to finally share the fruits of that process with you all.
The Wakefield Wonder family practiced what we are always preaching- they sought a design team early in the "dream phase" in order to lay proper groundwork that would bring the vision to life as efficiently and thoughtfully as possible. We fell for them immediately - the kind of fun, easy going clients you cross your fingers will still want to hang out long after move-in day is done. Plus, we deeply understood their vision and aesthetic goals. Dream clients, a project ripe with the kind of creative challenges we crave... "the pinch me" moments abounded. At nearly 12,000 sq ft, this would be the largest puzzle Wilhouse had ever crafted, but we were inspired and eager to get started.
From the onset, we knew this project would be a study in scale. Three tremendous floors, each with their own unique function for the family, needed to speak to one another in order create one cohesive design story. Soaring ceilings and that much living space became a lesson in the thoughtful selection of architectural and finish details that would ensure spaces still felt balanced and livable. We were acutely aware that the finer details would be key, so a discussion on scale was ever-present with each new decision, from furniture arrangements, to the lighting choices, to the pattern sizes in the wallcoverings. As we share a little behind the scenes from room to room, this proportion theme is sure to pop up often. Now as we are known to do here at Wilhouse, we often set about to tell the full "story" of a project, and realize that the photos more than speak for themselves (especially with our beloved "Photographer Frank" at the helm). Sure, we could unpack what a client recently referred to as the "design grind", those gritty details we handle to ensure a smooth and joyful process for our home owners. But we've really tried not to match word count to square footage on this one, because isn't it more fun to simply unveil the end result and hit our favorite highlights? So without further ado, meet Wakefield Wonder.
You can't mention this home without starting at the awe-inspiring views of Jones Valley that stretch for miles. Every jobsite visit was padded with some extra time to simply stand and take it in; we've now experienced it in every season and every time of the day, and it will never stop being a "wow" moment. Many of the exterior selections, from the glass barriers around the pool, to the barely- there metal balcony railings, were chosen with one thing in mind- to maximize, rather then impede, the view. The pool deck and patio are outfitted for entertaining, while the porch just off the kitchen is catered to quiet evenings around the fire, but no matter where you land, there isn't a bad seat in the house.
As we move into the interior, we simply have to begin with the kitchen. Our client wanted an uncluttered approach, with clean lines and a sense of calm. The range hood is plastered and outfitted with a solid marble backsplash, so it makes a statement without shouting it. A pantry tucked beside it features a historic door from local favorite the Preservation Company. We added touches of her favorite deep olive green (and echoed them in other design moments throughout the house) but otherwise kept the palette neutral. The light fixtures were chosen before any other element in the space, and in fact any other light in the house. The refined lines and antiqued finish captured our hearts on a trip to the Atlanta market and we loved the idea of a pair adorning the island and counter-height breakfast table.
While the kitchen features standard 10 foot ceilings, the great room soars over two stories high. To transition between the two open-concept spaces, we adore the layering of the white plank ceilings and large beam cased opening. Nowhere else is the concept of scale better on display than in the great room. Constructed so that the view could be on prominent display,
the substantial ceiling height challenged us to balance furnishings and light fixtures to give our clients a space that still felt approachable and cozy. We knew we wanted to utilize a grouping of three pendants to adorn the space, a nod to the geometry of the grand windows. And just as it did in the kitchen, the selection of these fabulous light fixtures early in the process really solidified the creative direction for the rest of the room. We opted to keep the furniture selections a bit more formal in this room and went with a classic mirrored symmetry of double seating arrangements. From there, the name of the game was rich textures and layered neutrals, with the only patterns being the large woven rug and a few beautiful Schumacher throw pillows. It's hard to convey in a photo just how comfy those yummy chocolate velvet couches are, and we're thrilled with how their deep tone served to ground the arrangement. From there, architectural details shine in this space. Built-in glass cabinets flank a grand limestone fireplace on one wall, while the other is open to a tremendous staircase to both the basement and second level.
The dining room rates high on our list of favorites. There's just something about this beauty. We were smitten during the construction phase as we watched the cross beams and picture molding take shape, and then during install we fell harder as the furniture was placed and curtains were hung. As the sun set and the sconces glowed, we could picture all the holiday meals to come and it just felt magical. Located just off the foyer, the dining room gives the first impression, and we wanted it to speak volumes on the rest of the home's aesthetic. From the stunning blues and greens in the Turkish style rug, to the custom pinched- pleat drapes and the stately 10 foot table, we're quite pleased with the statement we made!
Across the hall from the dining room, behind metal doors, rests a spot with our first wallpaper and first pop of bold color, two things we love here at Wilhouse! The study features green built-in cabinets, grasscloth accent paper, and modern brass lighting. It's one of the smallest rooms in the entire home, but it brings all the personality.
And speaking of wallpaper, we really went for it in the powder bath, as we are often known to do! There's simply no better space to make an impact with a large scale pattern, and this Thibaut print checked all the boxes. The color scheme is soothing, and the organic pattern envelopes you. We played up the botanical aspects with complimentary floral sconces and pendant lighting, and find them to be so striking against the floating vanity.
The final Main Floor area to peruse is the Primary Suite. Tucked behind double doors at the end of the hallway, you're first greeted by the large soaker tub and sparkling chandelier. Marble herringbone floors, blue silk drapes, and plenty of vanity space...it's an ensuite we'd never want to leave! But the true retreat awaits in the bedroom itself, where an expansive ceiling, 4 poster bed, and multiple lounging zones are the epitome of relaxation.
Similar shades of blue and neutral organic patterns weave their way throughout the space, echoing the style of the rest of the house. Here again, we address the scale of the room through furniture selection and arrangement, as well as light and ceiling finish choice. The fabric is decadent, the seating is tailored yet comfy, and we love the way each detail carries your eye around the entire space. Another favorite feature to note- that special wallcovering and wood beam combo that sets the seating nook apart from the rest of the bedroom.
Before we travel to the basement to round out the tour, there's another VIP bedroom to cover. This suite was a fun collaboration with our clients' college- bound daughter. Punches of blue, a bold wallpaper in the private bath, and a moody art find from our most recent Market trip came together perfectly. Add to that the fact that her balcony has one of the most stunning views in the entire house, and we don't think it'll be hard to get her to come back for visits often!
And finally, we move into the basement level of the home. An area that switches gears just a bit in both function and tone. We approached this floor with a hospitality mindset. This was to be the entertaining and fitness hub, with space for not just a sizable gym and sauna, but also a golf simulator, pool table, movie projector, and bar. With multiple slider doors for pool and patio access, we were careful to protect egress points and really think about how the indoor and outdoor spaces married. While the first floor leans more light and airy, a moodier, more masculine color palette was employed throughout the basement. The objective was to create zones for cocktails, games, and chatting that felt elevated, yet not stuffy. We wanted guests to walk down the stairs and straight into their favorite local pub. Once again, key lighting choices intermingled with very intentional decisions on scale. A long center bar island with waterfall counter feels appropriately substantial against the counter-to-ceiling tile backsplash and glass bar shelves. The main bar space is the first thing visitors see, a starting point for this "entertainer's paradise" before you head to the man cave on one end to catch a football game on the massive screen, or the gym membership-worthy fitness room on the opposite end. Wood finishes, hints of rich black, and leather carry the scheme throughout. We love the chance to create hospitality spaces like this with their own unique brand and vibe, it's a thrilling design challenge all it's own. We can only imagine all the "life" that will happen on this floor!
In a blog ripe with photos and verbiage, it's still difficult to fully encapsulate what this project meant to the Wilhouse team. We are ecstatic with how this new build turned out; it was quite the puzzle to put together, but it was a rewarding process with the greatest clients! Welcoming this beautiful family home the day before Thanksgiving was truly moving. And so we end it like we begin, with so many pinch-me moments as we pour over pictures and contemplate the journey. We're passionate about what we do, and it's never lost on us that we are walking with our clients through one of the most important seasons of their lives. Being chosen to bring their dreams to reality (while helping to lighten the stress load and make it a fun and exciting process) is a humbling opportunity. Wakefield Wonder was truly a dream every step of the way!
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