After hectic days of running from music lessons to soccer practices, home is a precious haven for families with children. And while furnishings that stand up to the rumble-tumble of kids’ activities are a given, it is equally important to create calming and comforting surroundings, says Atlanta interior designer Barbara Westbrook. “A home should be a retreat from our very, very busy lives,” she says, “a place where a family can relax together, hang out, and play.”

Natural fabrics, a soothing color palette, and kid-scaled furniture are some of the features Westbrook incorporated into a townhouse she designed for the Traditional Home Built for Women III Showhouse in Woodstock, Georgia. Westbrook is one of three Atlanta interior designers who joined with award-winning Atlanta builder Pam Sessions of Hedgewood Properties and Traditional Home to build and decorate three adjacent townhouses in the community 20 miles north of Atlanta.

A neutral cream-and-white palette runs through the main level, with subtle gradations accented by pops of color that enliven the different areas. In the living room, cream-colored walls and draperies are accented by a pair of deep plum-colored upholstered chairs. Pillows made from antique wool quilts “bring the whole scheme together,” Westbrook says. “I like a neutral palette, but I do like to introduce splashes of color, whether in art, accessories, or throw pillows.”

Linen draperies in cream are hemmed with a wide band of brown and accented by buttons. Flirty skirt-like lampshades  are also fashion-inspired. “They bring softness and dressmaker details into the room,” the designer says.

Design:
Interior designer: Barbara Westbrook, Westbrook Interiors, 425 Peachtree Hills Ave., Suite 9, Atlanta, GA 30305; 404/355-9430; westbrookinteriors.com.
Builder: Hedgewood Properties, Inc., 5920 Odell St., Cumming, GA 30040; 770/889-3667, hedgewoodhomes.com.

Photographs by Bruce Buck
Text by Amy Elbert
Produced by Robert Young

Sources:
Art above fireplace (Rail mixed media by Dennis Campay): Mason Murer, 404/879-1500.
Fossilized shell (on bench): Love Train Antiques, 404/271-8630, lovetrainantiques.com, trade only.
Mill basket (antique): Macrae, 404/816-4448, trade only.
Orchid: Lush Life Flowers, 404/271-8630.
Rug under sofa (sisal in chocolate): Designer Carpets, 404/262-1720, trade only.
Fireplace screen, tapestry, patchwork pillows, books, shells, bowl, throw: Westbrook Interiors, 404/355-9430; westbrookinteriors.com.
Gas fireplace with remote (Liberty Series #L900, direct vent): Regency Fireplace Products, 866/867-4328, regency-fire.com.
Armless chairs (#4800-01, finish: Black Walnut, nailhead trim in Jumbo Antique): Lee Industries Inc., 800/892-7150, leeindustries.com.
Fabric on chairs (“Lennick” in Plum #9650): Pindler & Pindler Inc., 805/531-9090, pindler.com, trade only.
Sofa (95” sofa); sofa fabric (“Charlotte” linen in Oyster): Verellen Home Collection, 336/889-7379, verellenhc.com, trade only, through South of Market, southofmarket.biz.
Bench, crisscross coffee table: Westbrook Interiors.
Stone (on coffee table): Holloway Tile & Stone.
Floor lamps (French wrought iron): Robuck & Company.
Shades (bone paper with linen overlays): Edgar-Reeves, 404/237-1137, edgar-reeves.com.
Hanging light: Westbrook Interiors.
Wall and trim paint (“Grant Beige’’ #HC-83); ceiling paint (“Gray Mist’’ #OC-30): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Drapery fabric (white linen #23684-101): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com, trade only.
Contrasting drapery linen: Pindler & Pindler.
Buttons (“Horn” on draperies and Roman Shades): As Cute as a Button, ascuteasabutton.com.
Wall and trim paint (“Grant Beige’’ #HC-83): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co.