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Decorating With What You Love
A mismatched aesthetic that replaces chaos with harmony
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Despite the fact she "loved, loved, loved" some mismatched antique French doors, interior designer Lori Tippins knew that wasn't reason enough to bring them home. That's when the text messages started flying between Lori and her architectural designer, Holly Johnson. "I was doing construction drawings and Lori texted me: Hey, I found some awesome doors," Johnson recalls. "I noodled through some things and texted her back: OK, I got them in. Go get them."
This back-and-forth collaboration and mutual enthusiasm for design forged a friendship between the two women and built a new Atlanta home for Lori and her husband, Clay, and their two children. But "new" was not the look Lori wanted.
She and Johnson share a love for designs by late 19th- and early 20th-century British architect Edwin Lutyens, who leaned toward symmetrical massing, Tudor influences, and loads of charm. "The house needed to look and feel like it had been here forever," Lori says. "I didn't want it to look like the new house on the block."
That put Lori on the search for antiques and age-appropriate furnishings. There's a circa 1700s French cupboard bought when the kitchen was barely a pencil sketch. An antique limestone fireplace- had a similar love-at-first-sight story. Lori snapped up the surround and asked the store owner to toss it out back to "age" for a year until the new family room was ready for the installation.
"I am an intuitive designer, but I don't buy impulsively," Lori says. "When I saw that vaisselier [French breakfront], there was no way I was walking out without it. If you truly love something, you can find a place for it." Particularly if you have a design soul mate. "Most of the time, I gave Lori the parameters she had to work with, and she figured out the interiors," Johnson says. "But there were a few times she said, I love this, I love this; we need to get it to work. We usually found a way."
Johnson captured Lori's vision, with a Lutyens-inspired painted brick home with symmetrical gables and three dormers centered above the front door. The floor plan is classically inspired as well, with formal rooms at the front of the home. French doors in the living and dining rooms provide a pleasing symmetry from the exterior and fill the interiors with natural light.
In the living room, Lori kept the palette light, with white velvet sofas facing off in front of an old marble fireplace. A round pedestal table is centered on the fireplace beneath an Italian chandelier. "It's a very simple table but I like having a higher coffee table," Lori says. "I like to vary heights so your eye moves up and down. You need to tease the eye all around a room, and higher tables do that."
An antique French trumeau above the mantel is another "love-it, have-to-have-it" buy. The original green paint on the mirror's frame inspired the color of the living room walls, "a gray that leans a touch toward green," Lori says. A sea grass rug on the floor has cream and gold tones with shots of gray. "I like grays, but I'm not afraid to combine them with warm colors," she says. Walls throughout the main level are subtle variations on a gray-white theme. She adds that she "wanted to vary color from room to room but also have it seem virtually seamless." Trim throughout the house is painted with the same color of white. She sampled dozens of whites before finding one that complemented wall and fabric colors in all the rooms and had the proper sense of age.
While the words classic and elegant dominate Lori's design vocabulary, so does family comfort. "We have two kids and two dogs and friends coming and going all the time," she points out. The back of the house is all about family, with a large kitchen and keeping room that opens to a porch. "I wanted an old-fashioned European eat-in kitchen, with a table smack-dab in the middle." That's a decision she's never regretted. "We live there. It's a happy kitchen."
A 6x3-foot antique walnut kitchen table that extends to nearly 10 feet can seat a crowd-and often does. "Anytime you come in my kitchen, there will probably be somebody sitting at my table." Antique French chairs are covered in white vinyl for easy cleanups, but it's the bench on the opposite side that the kids love. "That bench is where everyone gathers. They're like birds on a wire," she says.
Even the dressier living room welcomes kids and dogs. A blanket is generally draped over the back of one sofa because that's where one of the Tippins' Vizslas prefers to hang out. "I've given up that good fight," Lori admits. "Before company comes, we just get out the lint roller."
The back porch and two pergola-covered walkways (one on the front and one on the back) shield the house from the hot Atlanta sun and offer more family play areas. A two-sided fireplace makes for cozy gatherings in both the keeping room and back porch. "We have a TV out on the porch, and in the fall we light a fire and watch football games."
Neither Lori nor Johnson wanted a multi-car attached garage detracting from the period look of the house, so Johnson designed a porte cochere with three car bays. Although it's attached to the house for easy access, the structure's peaked roof makes it seem like a separate pavilion. A vaulted white-painted board ceiling and brick paving give the interior space a finished look, perfect for outdoor entertaining. "It's almost like a big open party area that doubles as a garage," says Johnson.
In addition to a common understanding of design, Lori and Johnson are both mothers of 4- and 7-year-olds. Maybe that's why this project speaks so strongly to Johnson. "I've always loved that house," Johnson says. "I tease Lori, telling her, this should be my house, right?" Maybe not, but Lori is happy to share the credit.
Interior design: Lori Tippins, Lori Tippins Interiors, 3038 Arden Rd., Atlanta, GA 30305; 404/441-6668, loritippinsinteriors.com.
Architectural consultant: Holly Mizelle Johnson, HMJ Designs, LLC, 840 Independence Court, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
Landscape architect: Chris Threadgill, Threadgill & Assoc., 508 N. Lakeshore Dr., Carrollton, GA 30117; 770/834-1137.Photography: Emily Followill
Produced by Lisa MowrySofas: custom.
Sofa fabric (linen velvet): Clarence House, 800/803-2850, clarencehouse.com.
Large pillow on sofa (silk); small pillow (embroidered silk, discontinued): Koplavitch & Zimmer, 214/742-0500.
Oval table (antique, French); round gold end table (gilded iron with mirrored glass top): owner's collection.
Floor lamps (antique Spansh candlesticks, gilded iron, converted to lamps); candle sconces (antique): Illuminati Antiques, 404/519-0186, illuminatiantiques.com.
Drapery: Belgian linen.
Drapery trim: discontinued.
Mantel (Louis XV): original to house.
Mirror (antique trumeau):Willow Creek Gallery, 865/525-1925, willowcreekgallery.com.
Chandelier (antique, Italian); birds on mantel: owner's collection.
Wall paint ("Appaloosa" #33-28); ceiling and trim paint ("Silver Lining" #32-32): Pratt & Lambert, 800/289-7728, prattandlambert.com.Tags: -
Lori Tippins nicknamed her antique French farmhouse table the "swayback mare" because of its sagging top.
Console (antique French farmhouse table): owner's collection.
Wooden lamps (custom): Lou Treadaway, 770/214-1633. Architectural sketches: antique.
Framing: Brooks & Black Fine Framing Inc., 404/365-0067, brooksandblack.com. Accessories: owner's collection.
Chairs flanking console (antique Belgian): Holland & Co., 800/446-5526, hollandandcompany.com.
Flooring oak planks laid in herringbone pattern.Tags: -
The lamps were made by Lori's mother, Lou Treadaway, who custom-fabricates lamps and accessories.
Wooden lamps (custom): Lou Treadaway, 770/214-1633.
Framing: Brooks & Black Fine Framing Inc., 404/365-0067, brooksandblack.com.Tags: -
Three sets of French doors are draped floor to ceiling with elegant charcoal silk taffeta lined with white silk satin from Koplavitch & Zimmer.
Table underskirt (by Travers, discontinued); table overskirt (Belgian linen, by Travers): Zimmer & Rohde, 866/627-6899, zimmer-rohde.com.
Chairs (antique, Louis XV): Parc Monceau, 404/467-8107, parcmonceauatl.com.
Chair-seat cover (silk faille): Clarence House, 800/ 803-2850, clarencehouse.com.
Chandelier (antique): Jacqueline Adams Antiques, 404/869-6790, jacquelineadamsantiques.com.
Sideboard; mirror: owner's collection.
Candelabra: Willow Creek Gallery, 865/525-1925, willowcreekgallery.com.
Drapery (charcoal taffeta silk); trim (white silk satin): Koplavitch & Zimmer, 214/742-0500.
Paint ("Silver Lining" #32-32): Pratt & Lambert, 800/289-7728, prattandlambert.com. Flooring: oak planks.
Dinnerware (antique): Scott Antique Market, 404/361-2000.
Glassware: Waterford, 877/900-9973, na.wwrd.com.Tags: -
When she couldn't find light fixtures to her liking, Lori designed and had made gilded metal lanterns. Wood floors, laid in a herringbone pattern, and beamed ceilings give the new home a sense of age.
Cabinetry (custom): Lawson Cabinet Shop, 770/889-3520. Cabinetry finish ("China White"): Benjamin Moore, 888/236-6667, benjamin moore.com.
Hardware (round glass knobs): Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com. Paint ("Manchester Tan" HC-81, half-strength): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Countertops: Crema Delicato marble. Range: Thermador, 800/735-4328, thermador.com. Backsplash (hand-pressed and glazed terra-cotta tiles): Renaissance Tile & Bath, 404/231-9203, renaissancetileandbath.com.
Dishwasher: Bosch, 800/866-2022, boschappliances.com. Refrigerator: GE Monogram, monogram.com.
Faucets (by Perrin & Rowe); pot filler (by Perrin &Rowe): Rohl, 800/777-9762, rohlhome.com.
Hanging lights over island (designed by Lori Tippins, gold leaf over iron): Lori Tippins Interiors, 404/441-6668, loritippinsinteriors.com.
Bar stools (antique French): owner's collection.
Table: Moulin Rouge Antiques, 404/352-0939.
Chairs (antique, Os de Mouton chairs): Illuminati Antiques, 404/519-0186, illuminatiantiques.com.
Chair fabric (vinyl): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Bench (antique): Anne Flaire Antiques, 404/352-1960, anneflaireantiques.com.
Flooring: oak planks laid in herringbone pattern.
Drapery (linen): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Trim (discontinued): Scalamandré, 800/932-4361, scalamandre.com.
Pillow on chair ("Falk Manor House"/Shrimp on Ivory #26690-001): Scalamanadré, 800/932-4361, scalamandre.com.Tags: -
The floor plan and kitchen cabinets were designed around one of Lori's favorite purchases-an antique French breakfront.
Breakfront cabinet (antique French Vaisselier): owner's collection.
Table: Moulin Rouge Antiques, 404/352-0939.
Chairs (antique, Os de Mouton chairs): Illuminati Antiques, 404/519-0186, illuminatiantiques.com. Chair fabric (vinyl): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Bench (antique): Anne Flaire Antiques, 404/352-1960, anneflaireantiques.com.Tags: -
Leather chairs by Wesley Hall flank the salvaged fireplace surround. Reclaimed French doors were made into a cabinet that hides the TV above the fireplace.
Sofa: custom.
Sofa fabric: mohair.
Leather lounge chairs: Wesley Hall, 828/324-7466, wesleyhall.com.
Mantel: Architectural Accents, 404/266-8700, architecturalaccents.com.
Bench in front of mantel: Illuminati Antiques, 404/519-0186, illuminatiantiques.com.
Cabinet over mantel (French doors cut down and installed to cover flat-panel TV): Willow Creek Gallery, 865/525-1925, willowcreekgallery.com.
Coffee table (antique French): Anne Flaire Antiques, 404/352-1960, anneflaireantiques.com.
Child's rocker (antique French); large cabinet (antique Belgian bookcase): owner's collection.
Sconces flanking cabinet (custom): Lori Tippins Interiors, 404/441-6668, loritippinsinteriors.com.
Area rug (antique Oushak): Moattar, 404/237-5100, moattar.com.
Chandelier (antique Italian): owner's collection.
Drapery (linen): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Drapery trim (discontinued): Scalamandré, 800/932-4361, scalamandre.com.
Paint ("Manchester Tan" HC-81, half-strength): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Console (antique French farmhouse table): owner's collection.
Wooden lamps (custom): Lou Treadaway, 770/214-1633.
Accessories: owner's collection.
Chairs flanking console (antique Belgian): Holland & Co., 800/446-5526, hollandandcompany.com
Flooring: oak planks laid in herringbone pattern.Tags: -
Walls in the guest bedroom are Farrow & Ball "Light Blue"-Lori's go-to color. The headboard is upholstered in a Kravet raffia and dressed with a canopy and bed curtains in a bird-themed Ainsworth-Noah linen.
Headboard (custom): Lori Tippins Interiors, 404/441-6668, loritippinsinteriors.com.
Headboard and bench fabric (raffia): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com. Bed linen: through Susan Shepherd Interiors, 904/241-5900.
Canopy exterior and table skirt ("Bird and Basket"/Faded on Beige Linen): Bennison, 212/223-0373, bennisonfabrics.com.
Canopy interior and bed skirt ("Baldwin Ticking"/Eggshell #1074394): Lewis & Sheron Textiles, 800/835-4833, lsfabrics.com.
Canopy trim (Passimenterie): Travis & Co., 404/237-5079, travisandcompany.com.
Drapery trim: Samuel & Sons, 212/704-8000, samuelandsons.com.
Bench: owner's collection.
Bedside table (antique): Scott Antique Market, 404/361-2000.
Table lamps ("Saxon"): Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Lampshades: custom.
Chair: owner's collection.
Pillow on chair: Galbraith & Paul, 215/508-0800, galbraithandpaul.com.
Area rug (antique Oushak): Moattar, 404/237-5100, moattar.com.
Wall paint ("Light Blue" #22): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com.
Ceiling and trim paint ("Silver Lining" #32-32): Pratt & Lambert, 800/289-7728, prattandlambert.com.Tags: -
The same Farrow & Ball blue is paired with white marble floor tiles and countertops in the master bath. A Kravet embroidered linen Roman shade adds softness and provides privacy.
Tub fixtures (by Perrin & Rowe): Rohl, 800/777-9762, rohlhome.com.
Mirror by tub: antique.
Window treatment (embroidered linen): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Chair (antique French): owner's collection.
Chair fabric: Belgian linen.
Flooring (2-inch hexagonal white marble): Renaissance Tile & Bath, 404/231-9203, renaissancetileandbath.com.
Vanity: custom.
Vanity finish ("China White"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com. Vanity countertop: Crema Delicato marble.
Vanity hardware (round glass knobs): Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Sconces: Circa Lighting, 877/762-2323, circalighting.com.
Sink: Kohler, 800/456-4537, kohler.com.
Wall paint ("Light Blue" #22): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com.
Ceiling and trim paint ("Silver Lining" #32-32): Pratt & Lambert, 800/289-7728, prattandlambert.com.Tags: -
The Tippin family often dine on their back portch on a recycled marble slab set on vintage pedestals.
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Wood-molded bricks were used rather than standard extruded masonry to give the new house an aged look.
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Lori and Clay Tippin and their children Henley, 7, and 4-year-old William Jr. (nicknamed "Tip").
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The Sidecar, price available upon request from Moore & Giles [1-800-737-0169]
This beautifully crafted bar cart, The Sidecar by Moore and Giles, is a great way to store liquor, glassware, bar tools, and anything else needed to complete your own miniature bar. The cart, made of Virginia black walnut, birch, leather, aluminum, and brass, is wheeled to make sure the party can travel with you. Perfect for drink-lovers without the space for a full bar.