Private Quarters: Color, art, glass —- collectors put faves on view

Sherry and Ike Habif’s home is an explosion of color from the front steps to the master bedroom ceiling.

The Habifs love color —- and not neutral, mousy color. Purple is Ike Habif’s favorite shade.

The couple built their four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home in Sandy Springs in 1991. The colorful stained-glass front door and nearby window are clues to the surprises inside.

“It sets the tone to let you know, hopefully, you will come into a fun house,” Sherry Habif said.

They find inspiration in their large, colorful collection of artwork and glass sculptures.

“I have schlepped around the world for the last 17 years. I just enjoy colorful fun things,” said Sherry Habif, a wedding and social event planner who spent 35 years as a caterer.

The couple amassed art and glass from Italy, Jerusalem, Prague, Warsaw and Paris as part of a tour of nine countries. She had the local street art expertly framed.

“With art, the frame makes the difference,” she said. “I reframed 55 [pieces] … now you can really see the art.”

Decorating style: Habif calls her look contemporary, eclectic, colorful and fun.

“I think it’s coordinated,” she said.

Habif loves the look of faux painting. The faux paint pattern on her armoire in the great room is copied from her sofa. In fact, most rooms are painted in the faux technique.

The powder room has an unusual treatment of spackle and paint, giving it a plaster look. And the master bedroom is a study in purple, with a colorful tissue paper treatment on the ceiling.

“My husband calls it ‘the forest’ because of the ceiling,” Habif said. “I wanted it to pop. Like I tell my bridesmaids when they walk down the aisle, each person has to make their own statement.”

Her glass collection is the main star throughout the home. She has works from Arkansas glass artist Ed Pennebaker, whose pieces are similar to Dale Chihuly. Her collection also boasts Frabel and Murano glass.

A variety of decorative plates are shown off in the Habifs’ kitchen. A realistic glass mixer sits on her island.

Habif also has an extensive glass shoe collection —- more than 20 —- from the tiniest footwear to elaborate decorative boots.

Heart of the home: The kitchen is the hub of activity. The Habifs entertain a lot, and their guests often end up congregating in the kitchen.

Past project: Habif recently remodeled her master bathroom, bringing in a faux painter to complement the stained-glass window. She says the look reminds her of an Italian villa.

Coolest feature: She treasures the stained-glass front door and window.

“People always say, ‘You’re the one with the colored windows.’”

Tips for good living:

Invest in unique serving pieces and utensils.

“You don’t have to have the most expensive thing. … Today’s entertaining is more casual, so when you do entertain you want to make it easy. It’s all in the presentation.”

Habif also says it’s fun to build a theme around your food and table.

What makes your house a home? “The use of color, interesting artwork, a fabulous glass collection, fun kitchen and a wonderful husband who puts up with all my whims,” Habif said.

“My house is a replica of a fun event. I like planning fun events. My house is similar to my business.”