Comfort, manliness top priorities in Buckhead condo

Solitude, convenience and ease lured real estate developer James Crawford to buy a condo in Buckhead.

The 32-year-old bought a unit two years ago in the 12-story Borghese and immediately gutted it to fit his personality. Crawford, who moved from a Buckhead townhome, values the Borghese because it is quiet and has easy access to freeways.

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Sean Drakes/Special

Real estate developer James Crawford 3,000-square-foot home in the Borghese is quiet and convenient to freeways.

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Sean Drakes/Special

Designer Keisha Gilchrist decorated the guest room with chocolate and cream for a calm, yet contemporary, feel.

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Sean Drakes/Special

The home uses a color palette of rust, brown and cream tones with earthy touches.

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He moved in less than a year ago and says he’s happy with the results.

Decorating style: Crawford’s designer, Keisha Gilchrist, calls the style of the condo transitional.

“When he purchased the home there was gold everywhere — Old World style. He gutted the whole place, floors, cabinets, everything,” she says.

The 3,000-square-foot home has three bedrooms, three baths and a powder room.

Crawford gave Gilchrist carte blanche to design the condo. His only requirements were a comfortable sectional and a “manly” look.

Since Gilchrist disliked sectionals, she found one with style. The one she chose, by Swaim, uses ostrich accents in the leather.

The home is a study in rust, brown and cream tones with earthy touches such a wooden vase and other expertly placed accessories. The artwork, furnishings and rugs flow seamlessly, leading the eye to high-style vignettes throughout the condo.

Gilchrist also used mirrors in the dining room and kitchen to give the space depth. The dining room’s coffered ceiling has a multi-layered faux finish with chocolate highlights. In the guest room, she decorated with chocolate and cream for a calm, yet contemporary, feel.

Continuing the earth-tones theme, the powder room walls feature a brown snakeskin faux finish treatment that warms up the space.

In Crawford’s office, Gilchrist created a clean, spare space that focuses attention on work. An area rug made of men’s ties is the centerpiece.

The master bedroom provides a retreat for Crawford with a comfortable sitting area boasting a view of the private balcony. The colors are various shades of browns and champagne.

In the master bathroom, Gilchrist chose a unique faucet-sink combination. The spout comes out of the mirror, and water pours into the sink below.

Coolest feature: Crawford likes the textured limestone wall in his living room. “It’s different. I’ve never seen it,” he says.

Most cherished item: “I like the sofa. It’s comfortable and looks nice.”

Future project: Crawford plans to spiff up the patios with a concrete stain, furnishings and accessories.

Tips for good living

• “Be comfortable. That was one of the things I stressed with me being 6-foot-3, 230 [pounds],” Crawford says. “I want to be comfortable. I have deeper sofas and chairs. The bed is longer than a California king.

• It’s important to surround yourself with mild, soothing colors, he says. Colors in the home are rust, gold, orange and brown.

• Technology to run all the house systems is a necessity for Crawford.

Heart of the home: Crawford calls his bedroom the heart.

“I think rest is very important,” he says. “The sofa in my bedroom is so comfortable. I often sit on that sofa to watch TV.”