Florida Oranges orange.

That's the signature color of Justin Smolev's Brookhaven townhome.

Louie Favorite / AJC (ENLARGE)

Justin Smolev's Brookhaven townhome had to be comfortable for his dog, Finley.

Louie Favorite / AJC (ENLARGE)

Restaurateur Justin Smolev wanted to add his own flair to his Brookhaven townhome.

Louie Favorite / AJC (ENLARGE)

The kitchen has Smolev's favorite color: orange.

"My espresso machine was my first orange piece," Smolev said.

The chef and local restaurateur recently moved from Midtown to a grassy, tree-filled neighborhood in Brookhaven. Why? For Finley.

Finley is Smolev's Italian Spinone dog who loves lounging on his guest bed and taking walks through the neighborhood. He and the other residents have access to a zen garden in the back of the development with a bridge.

When Smolev bought the new townhome, it was bare bones so he could add his own flair. "I'd like to redo the kitchen with a central island, stainless steel [appliances] and of course orange," he said. He describes his style as "contemporary but not over the top."

The dining room chandelier is from C Lighting, which also did the lighting for his restaurant, Dressed: Salads with Style in Midtown. Decorating the dining room wall posed a challenge because of the curve, so Smolev placed small "bull's eye" mirrors from Yes Home to give the space life. He bought a number of vases and accessories from Yes Home, a furniture and home accent store in Midtown.

Much of his furniture came from Domus International, where Smolev selected the woods and fabrics for every piece. "The last place I had a designer, and I had it extremely decorated," Smolev said, adding that his personal design is more understated.

In the living room, Smolev displays his grandfather's art. Bronze sculptures of the female form dance along the fireplace mantle.

Throughout the three-story home, Smolev has placed antique wooden cogs he collects. "They were used in factories at the turn of the century," he said.

The townhome lends itself to his aesthetic with exposed steel and wood beams. "I like the loft look. At the restaurant we did not want the ceilings closed off either," he said.

Smolev has placed a Lisa Jordan photograph of an orchid in his entry. He also has Jordan's photography at his Midtown restaurant. "I dig her work," he said.

Smolev worked as a chef for many years before jumping into restaurant ownership. Now he plans to take his restaurant concept global with investors planning locations in Hong Kong.

"They feel there is really a wide open need for it in Hong Kong," he said.

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