For his space in the Traditional Home showhouse, Atlanta designer Robert Brown created what he calls “more of an evening kind of house.” Colors are muted and “moody,” and fabrics are warm and inviting. “We don’t have a lot of bright colors; everything is very subtle,” he says.

Brown worked with Traditional Home editors and award-winning Atlanta builder Pam Sessions of Hedgewood Properties to create a townhouse for a young professional couple with no children. The residence was one of three townhouses in the Traditional Home Built for Women III Showhouse at Woodstock Downtown, an eco-sensitive and pedestrian-friendly community in the historic town of Woodstock, north of Atlanta. The 32-acre development includes townhomes, flats above commercial space, single-family homes, parks and trails, and retail and office space.

An antique wool rug on the chocolate-stained oak floors defines the sitting area of the living room, which is furnished with a mix of relaxed armchairs, a sofa, and an ottoman. “The living room is not overly formal,” Brown says. “We used feel-good fabrics with a little texture.” To keep a casual attitude, he avoided arranging objects in pairs. “The only pair we have is a pair of lamps.” To make it more inviting, “We wanted to break things up with different pieces of furniture.”

Interior design: Robert Brown, Robert Brown Interior Design, 349 Peachtree Hills Ave. N.E., Suite A5B, Atlanta, GA 30305; 404/917-1333, robertbrowninteriordesign.com.
Architect: Lew Oliver, Lew Oliver Inc. Whole Town Solutions, 100 Founders MI, Roswell GA 30075; 770/643-3938.
Kitchen design: Linda Pittam, ASID, Pittam Assoc. Inc., 1295 N. Decatur Rd. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306; 404/373-7375.
Builder: Hedgewood Properties, Inc., 5920 Odell St., Cumming, GA 30040; 770/889-3667, hedgewoodhomes.com.

Photography: Colleen Duffley
Produced by Robert Young

Sources:
Sofa (“High Back Shelter’’ #820-97, finish: American Walnut, Barbara Barry Collection in Baker fabric #93-508): Baker.
Table to right of sofa (“Station Chest’’ #4009); table to left of sofa (“Sabre Center Table’’ #4079), Bill Sofield Collection): Baker.
Table lamps (“Zun’’): McGuire.
Art over sofa: (Our Demons of our Own Making: Self Portrait as a Golem, by Michael David): Bill Lowe Gallery.
Fabric on sofa accent pillows (“Linissimo’’ #21033-577 and 21033-336): Hodsoll McKenzie through Zimmer + Rohde.
Ottoman: PierceMartin.
Fabric on ottoman; club chair and pillows on wing chair (“Simpliciano-02’’): Sheila Coombes through Zoffany.
Club chair (by Michael Taylor); coffee table (“Antique Thai Low Table’’ #T303-22/1805/10): Pierce Martin.
Wood-backed chair to left of sofa (“Ceres” #335-01): Ironies through Ainsworth-Noah.
Fabric on “Ceres’’ chair (“Islandia’’/ Bark): Beacon Hill.
Wing chair (“Tule’’ chair #366, finish: Desert): Ironies through Ainsworth-Noah.
Fabric on “Tule’’ chair (“Peruzzi’’ #NCF3790-03): Osborne & Little.
Drapery fabric (“Elcot’’/Putty): Beacon Hill.
Pharmacy lamp (“Casello”): through Ernest Gaspard & Associates.
Jade discs, antique jewelry: Ainsworth-Noah.
Calligraphy brushes: Mimi Williams.
Bowl by Thomas Pheasant, grasshopper: Baker, through Ainsworth-Noah.
Mirror: Fred Reed.
Rug (Antique Bajar #31792): Moattar.
Books: designer’s collection. 

An open staircase to the third level is the architectural centerpiece of the living room, sweeping gracefully along a curved wall lined with tall transomed windows. To exaggerate the windows, putty-colored draperies fall from the ceiling to the floor, where hems are allowed to gently crumple. “I like draperies to break on the floor a bit, so these are a couple of inches longer than floor length,” Brown says. “It makes the room a little more casual—not too stuffy, not too serious.”

A round table nestles into the curve of the staircase, offering a place for keys and mail, and a side chair is covered in a tone-on-tone woven fabric depicting cherry blossom branches.

Sources:
Round table (Laura Kirar collection #722, finish: Dark Walnut): McGuire Furniture.
Chair (“Bel Air’’ #337, finish: Willow): Ironies through Ainsworth-Noah.
Fabric on “Bel Air’’ chair (“Kairdo” #F1390-06): Osborne & Little.
Leather piping on “Bel Air’’ chair (#973-34243-2172/Pale Tundra): Samuel & Sons.
Throw pillow (“Simpliciano-02’’): Sheila Coombes through Zoffany.
Three vases: Roy Hampton through Jerry Pair.
Calligraphy book on table: Mimi Williams.
Art behind table (Methods Deployed Against That Which Remains Invisible, by Suk ja Kang-Engles); art on stairs (White Fields, by Udo Noger): Bill Lowe Gallery.

A wood cabinet from Hickory Chair was painted red for an Asian flair. The top drawer pulls out and folds down for use as a bar and serving surface.

Sources:
Server (“Morgan” #287740, finish: Weathered Vermillion, base finish: Sable): Hickory Chair.
Art on server (triptych): Bennett Street Gallery.
Lamp (“Plateau Lamp’’ #ML-1061, by Robert Kuo): McGuire.
Wall-and-trim paint (“Bleeker Beige’’ #HC-80); lower stairway wood panels (“Alexandria Beige’’ #HC-77): Aura by Benjamin Moore.
Chair (“Ceres” #335-01): Ironies through Ainsworth-Noah.
Fabric on “Ceres’’ chair (“Islandia’’/ Bark): Beacon Hill.
Ottoman: PierceMartin.

Because this couple would be at work most days, Brown and his design associate, Lanah Barkley, focused on creating soothing surroundings that would offer refuge in the evenings. “We felt the colors should be restful,” he says. “The walls are pretty much a neutral backdrop for collections of art and interesting shapes in the furniture.”

Brown carried the neutral color palette into the combination family room/kitchen/breakfast room, but he livened things up with a zigzag geometric fabric on a chair and ottoman. “Lanah found this fabric, and it just knocked our socks off,” Brown says. “We’re seeing a lot of geometrics in the marketplace now. The fabric really inspired the whole space.”

Sources:
Lounge chair (“High Back Shelter” #820-34, finish: American Walnut, Barbara Barry Collection); ottoman (#820-11, finish: American Walnut, Barbara Barry Collection): Baker.
Fabric on lounge chair and ottoman (“Kanto’’/Taupe 1): Pierre Frey.
Sectionals (corner chairs #857-38, armless chair #857-36, ottoman #857-11, finish: American Walnut, Barbara Barry Collection): Baker.
Fabric on sectionals (“Islandia’’/ Bark): Beacon Hill.
Accent pillow fabric on sectional (“Shangri La Trumpet Vine’’ /Gold #10093-03): Donghia.
Woven pillows on sectional (“Alto’’/Birch): Mokum Textiles through Jerry Pair.
Drapery fabric (“Linen Weave’’ /Linen): Beacon Hill.
Surround and hearth (quartz surface in Mocha #2370): CaesarStone.
Screen: Bradley Hughes.
Quartz: Jerry Pair.
Antique rug: Moattar.
Table in front of sectional (“Colin’’ #2282-40/ chocolate): Hickory Chair.
Table beside chair and ottoman (“Stump Table’’ #790): McGuire Furniture.
Bowl and throw: designer’s collection.
Paint (“Bleeker Beige’’ #HC-80): Aura by Benjamin Moore.

The chair and ottoman fabric’s colors—taupe, gold, copper, and chocolate brown—are repeated on furnishings, wood finishes, tiles, and accessories, and the zigzag pattern announces a geometric design theme. “There are geometric designs in the paintings, in the upholstery, and in the horizontal planks on the wall. The room is really a nice study in geometry,” Brown explains. The fireplace was simplified with a sleek quartz stone surround and no mantel. “It’s more clean-looking,” he says.

The LCD-TV from Samsung sits on an adjustable bracket so it can be viewed from multiple areas.

Sources:
Lounge chair (“High Back Shelter” #820-34, finish: American Walnut, Barbara Barry Collection); ottoman (#820-11, finish: American Walnut, Barbara Barry Collection): Baker.
Fabric on lounge chair and ottoman (“Kanto”/ Taupe 1): Pierre Frey.
Throw fabrics (front “Loup Original’’ #F2082-001: Pierre Frey) and (back “Linen Sheen’’/ Pewter): Beacon Hill.
Floor lamp: Dessin Fournir through Grizzel & Mann.
Television (40” LCD with 1080p resolution #LN-T4061F): Samsung Electronics.
Surround and hearth (quartz surface in Mocha #2370): CaesarStone. 
Screen: Bradley Hughes.
Drapery fabric (“Linen Weave’’/Linen): Beacon Hill.
Art over fireplace (Utah, Suite 2, by John O’Connell): Bill Lowe Gallery. 

Mocha-colored quartz stone tops a large island that separates the family room from the kitchen’s work zone. A blend of mosaic tiles in warm earth tones adds muted color and pattern to the backsplash wall. Distinctive pendant lights were Brown’s creation: An electrician drilled holes in the bases of inexpensive glass vases and wired them to hold decorative bulbs.

Quartersawn red-oak Plain & Fancy cabinets in two different finishes—natural with black glaze and ebony—give the kitchen a traditional artisan look, while the top row of cabinets with frosted glass doors in aluminum frames lightens the mood. The glass-front cabinets have interior lights on dimmers, so they can be illuminated at various intensities.

A pro-style Thermador range anchors the cooking wall, and a warming drawer and combination convection-microwave oven are set into one of the tall pantry cabinets. A pull-out faucet and deep sink are centered on the island, and Ann Sacks backsplash tiles unify the color scheme. Lutron’s wireless and programmable AuroRa system adjusts light intensities throughout the house to suit different activities, creating ambience and saving energy.

Sources:
Range (Professional Series 36” Pro Harmony,’’ #PRG366EH, all-gas range with 6 burners, finish: Stainless Steel); accessories (3” island trim piece #GP36IT and “Pro Harmony’’ #KNOBBLKHC);  range hood (Professional Series 36”  “Pro Harmony’’ hood #PHH36DS, finish: Stainless Steel); microwave convection oven (with 27” trim kit #MCDS / MCT27DS, finish: Stainless Steel); warming drawer (27” #WD27BP, finish: Stainless Steel); freezer (30”, Freedom Collection #T30IF70NSP, internal ice maker, and custom panel); refrigerator (30”, Freedom Collection, Fresh Food Refrigerator #T30IR70NSP, custom panel); dishwasher (9-program dishwasher with Pro Handle, #DWHD94EP, finish: Stainless Steel): Thermador.
Cabinetry door styles: (“Cloister’’ door in quarter sewn red oak and aluminum door with frosted glass; finish on island and taller cabinets on hood wall: Ebony; finish on upper and lower cabinets on hood wall and refrigerator wall: Natural with black glaze): Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinets.
Range backsplash (“Mist’’ #AS9117-03, square, straight mosaic, color: #V2878 Mist, Gray, Topo Azul Random Blend/Honed): Ann Sacks.
Countertops (Color: Mocha #2370): CaesarStone. 
Bar stools (#8064): PierceMartin.
Fabric on stools (“Linen Weave’’/Linen): Beacon Hill.
Pendant lights (designed by Robert Brown): Bradley Hughes.
Dog statue: Catherine Kelleghan.

Asian and geometric motifs continue on the third level, where the master bedroom showcases a brown-and-cream fretwork fabric on windows. Walnut furnishings, embroidered bed linens, and ivory-colored walls repeat the color theme and keep the mood relaxed. “This room is very bright. It almost feels like you’re in a tree house,” Brown says.

To create a focal point, he arranged six Chinese etchings in oversized mats and dark brown frames above the sleigh bed. A sea-grass rug underfoot adds texture. “I didn’t want the room to be overly formal,” he says.

Sources:
Bedside tables (J. Alexander); table lamps:  Smith & Grubbs.
Mattress and box spring: Perfect Day by Serta.
Fabric coverlet (“Linen Herringbone’’/Terra Earth): Beacon Hill.
Throw pillows (“Islandia’’/Oro): Beacon Hill.
Throw on wing chair; Chinese etchings; rug: designer’s collection.
Altar table: Robert Kuo through Baker.
Lamp on altar table: Ainsworth-Noah.
Wing chair and ottoman (#A-90 and #AO-90, finish: Dark Tobacco, Barbara Barry Collection): McGuire Furniture.
Fabric on wing chair and ottoman (“Melton’’/White #227-09): Niermann Weeks through Holland and Sherry.
Paint (“Gentle Cream’’ #OC-96): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co.
Window treatment and wall covering (“Fretwork’’/Chocolate, #101-5B): Michael Devine through Jerry Pair.
Trim (#P-535-05): Place Vendome through Ernest Gaspard & Associates.
Armchair (“Biscuit Tufted’’ #B8004-27-121 in Dark Walnut, Barbara Barry Collection): Henredon.
Chair fabric (“Melton’’/White #H-227-09) Niermann Weeks through Holland and Sherry.

The master bath also has a tree-house feel, with multiple windows and views of the town. “You’re up high enough that you can bathe in privacy while looking out over downtown Woodstock,” notes Brown. But to ensure modesty and warmth, windows are covered in Roman shades in the same fretwork fabric as that used in the bedroom. Walls were also upholstered in the fabric, creating an enveloping sense of comfort.

Sources:
Tub surround (oak): custom.
Tub (“Escale’’ bubble massage drop-in bath with chromatherapy, #K-11343-GCR-96, finish: Biscuit); tub faucet (“Margaux’’ #K-T16237-4-BN, finish: Vibrant Brushed Nickel); sinks (“Antilla‘‘ glass wading-pool lavatory #K-2369-B11, finish: Ice); sink faucets (“Margaux‘‘ #K-16231-4-BN, finish: Vibrant Brushed Nickel): Kohler.
Paint (“Gentle Cream’’ #HC-96): Aura by Benjamin Moore.
Fabric for shades and wall covering (“Fretwork’’/Chocolate, #101-5B): Michael Devine through Jerry Pair.
Trim on shades (#P-535-05): Place Vendome through Ernest Gaspard & Assoc.

A McGuire dressing table and slipcovered chair by Lee Industries offer a well-lighted grooming station in the master bath. Ann Sacks floor tiles are warmed by an in-floor radiant heat system.

Sources:
Fabric for shades and wall covering (“Fretwork’’/Chocolate, #101-5B): Michael Devine through Jerry Pair.
Trim on shades (#P-535-05): Place Vendome through Ernest Gaspard & Assoc.
Floor (“Amativo’’ #AS10046-02 in #V3113, Amativo Brushed): Ann Sacks.
Desk (#826 in Dark Tobacco, Barbara Barry Collection): McGuire.
Slipcovered chair (“Hatteras’’/Natural #5204): Lee Industries.
Art (Meditation 42, by Elaine Connors): Bill Lowe Gallery.
Lamps: Spitzmiller through Grizzel & Mann.
Pedestals: PierceMartin

Flexibility was built into the house’s design, with several rooms serving multiple purposes. A daybed in the guest room could be used for overnight visitors or as a cozy spot for the homeowners to read or watch TV. The room’s design echoes that of the master bedroom, with nailheads on the end of the daybed repeating the geometric shapes of the fretwork fabric. A hand-painted cherry blossom wall covering, an Indonesian basket lamp, and other furnishings reflect the Asian inspiration seen in much of the townhouse.

The daybed and side chair are upholstered in Beacon Hill fabrics. A soft cream-toned Shaw rug warms the room, while an antique runner unifies the palette.

Sources:
Wall covering (“Chinese Sparrow’’ #F003-02  in custom colorway): Fromental.
Trim paint (“Gentle Cream’’ #OC-96): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co.
Window shades (“Provenance Woven Wood,’’ in “Mali’’ fabric #WWMA393i, color: Bark, material: reed; Classic style): Hunter Douglas.
Drapery fabric (“Lattice Linen’’ /Parchment) Beacon Hill.
Armchair (“Danube’’ #M231, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy collection, rattan inTobacco): McGuire.
Fabric on armchair (“Drawn Stripe’’/Tuscan Red): Beacon Hill.
Daybed: designer’s collection.
Fabric on bolster and coverlet (“Lattice Linen’’/Parchment): Beacon Hill.
Fabric on accent pillows (gold with flowers #1984-02): Bergamo Fabrics.
Pillow fabric (“Numa-41’’) Création Baumann.
Mattress and box spring: Perfect Day by Serta.
Table (“Bijou” #9785-10 in Chocolate): Hickory Chair.
Mirror: Bradley Hughes.
Floor lamp: Baker.
Carpet (“Orchard Walk’’ (B), #HG994-00111/Ecru): Shaw.
Runner (antique Oushak): Moattar.

An artisan-painted wall covering from Fromental that depicts cherry blossom branches adorns the guest room.

Sources:
Wall covering (“Chinese Sparrow’’ #F003-02  in custom colorway): Fromental.
Trim paint (“Gentle Cream’’ #OC-96): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co.
Altar table, red lamp: Pierce Martin.
Art: Bill Lowe Gallery.
Acrylic easel: Baker.

Designed for flexibility, a room on the ground level can be used as a home office or as a staging area for buffets and outdoor entertaining. Two sets of French doors open to a patio.  

A sophisticated wireless lighting system allows the tech-savvy homeowners to adjust light levels throughout the house via remote controls. The system can be programmed so that a touch of one button can dim or brighten lights in one or more rooms to suit a particular situation—from cocktail parties to a quiet dinner for two. Control plates are color-coordinated to blend inconspicuously into the walls.

Sources:
Altar table, book cabinets, trunk, floor lamp, pottery; vases: PierceMartin.
Oval table (“Iron Wood Stump Table’’ #785, natural finish): McGuire.
Chair (“High Back Shelter’’ #439, Barbara Barry Collection), leather upholstery (#DL1393): Baker.
Wall paint (“Bleeker Beige’’ #HC-80), trim paint (“Alexandria Beige’’ #HC-77): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co.
Drapery fabric (“Tiny Leaf’’/Charcoal, #SC8394), flange (“Solie’’/Charcoal #SC8194): SeaCloth

The second-level balcony is sheltered by a graceful awning of Sunbrella fabric wrapped on a metal frame.

The residence shares a courtyard with several other townhouses, an arrangement that fosters friendships, Brown says. “This couple might not do a lot of formal entertaining, but I can see friends and neighbors coming over to have a glass of wine. You could open the French doors and sit out in the courtyard every evening. It really is a fabulous community.”

Sources:
Awning fabric (Taupe #4648-0000): Sunbrella.
Trim paint (“Southern Vine’’ #2138-10; “Texas Leather’’ #AC-3); paint on metal railings and beams (“Black Bean Soup’’ #2130-10): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co.
Outdoor furniture (Venetian Collection in Onyx, armchairs (#2250-2000): by Brown Jordan through Kolo Collection.
Fabric on cushions (“Heather Beige’’ #5476-0000): Sunbrella.

Robert Brown's fresh take on traditional

"I love taking classical traditional elements and updating them to make them feel more modern," says Atlanta interior designer Robert Brown. One way he does that is by incorporating contemporary paintings, sculpture, and other art into room settings. "Bob loves contemporary art, especially as a foil for more traditional or transitional settings," says Lanah Barkley, a designer who works with Brown. Art plays such a key role in his projects that he frequently chooses palettes and room arrangements based on a client's collections. In the Traditional Home Built for Women III Showhouse, Brown used paintings as focal points or to add warmth and texture against neutral colors in several rooms. The designer's use of calming backgrounds, edited accessories, and colorful original art makes for rooms that are classic, clean-lined, and invitingly casual.