Private Quarters: Buckhead townhome of Clinton Rice, Michael Mock

Home and Garden

Private Quarters: Handsome Buckhead townhome exudes formal air

Homeowners Clinton Rice and Michael Mock introduced a formal flair to their townhome with ornate framed artwork, traditional furnishings and blue-and-white patterned Japanese and Chinese porcelain. The furniture was reupholstered by Pineapple House Interior Design in Atlanta to create a vibrant mix of patterns.

The two-story Buckhead townhome, built in 1974, has 2,500 square feet, two bedrooms and two-and-a half baths. Rice and Mock bought the townhome in 2014 with their French bulldogs, Rose and Buck.

Step inside the door to this tasteful home and you'll see a fretwork lattice-back chair Rice found at an estate sale. Now it's one of his favorite pieces of furniture. Rice purchases most of his furniture, accessories and artwork at estate and antique sales.

The barrel ceiling, one of Rice's favorite architectural elements, is striking and unexpected. Next to it is framed artwork depicting animals and pastoral scenes. These represent the traditional Southern decorating style Rice prefers.

The ornate frames add depth and elegance to the walls, sitting beside an archway reminiscent of the Buckhead home's barrel ceiling hall in the foyer.

A corner in the foyer features an antique table with old books and a Asian-style lamp. Rice recommends visiting estate sales for unique decor pieces such as these to decorate your home.

The curved staircase is one of Rice's favorite architectural elements. It was one of the things that sold him and Mock on the Buckhead townhome.

A circular gallery wall features traditionally Southern paintings. Most of the artwork in the home came from Atlanta Decorative Arts Center or estate sales in Georgia. Rice says these hunting scenes add a masculine touch to the decor.

Going along with the traditional Southern flavor is a collection of framed scenes depicting hunting dogs. The ornate pendant light above them came with the home when they bought it.

The blend of Southern and Asian styles extends into the master bedroom with a large four-poster bed and Eastern artwork.

One of the homeowners' French bulldogs, Buck, peaks out of the window in the master bedroom of the townhome, which backs up to a nature preserve.

The nightstands are Baker furniture from an estate sale. Don't be afraid to mix up nightstands, says Rice, who enjoys doing interior design. The Chinese architecture artwork above the bed is from ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center).

The master bedroom, which includes a stylish workspace, is painted in Sherwin-Williams Open Air. The screen above the dresser brings an additional Asian element into the decor.

The four-poster spindle bed and nightstands in the guest room of Rice and Mock's Atlanta home is a heirloom from Mock's grandmother.

In the marble master bathroom, the cabinet is the perfect fit to display linens and helps dress up the area.

Hand-stamped wallpaper gives the powder room a glamorous touch. Rice's decorations here include blue-and-white Chinese porcelain pieces, including the "happiness jars."

Rice says he has about 40 "happiness jars" made of Chinese porcelain, which he displays in his Buckhead townhome and lake house. "I've started collecting and every time I go somewhere, I see one and feel I have to buy it, " Rice said, laughing.

The combination of Chinese porcelain and leather-bound books lends to the mantel's finished look.

Rice's talent for finding unique pieces manifests strongly by the fireplace. Look closely and you'll see the stool has legs in the look of deer hooves. It is from England. The dog statues, fitting with the animal motif throughout the home, are from an estate sale.

Many pieces on the coffee table are from past trips Rice and Mock have taken. Other decor is from B.D. Jeffries or Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts in Atlanta. "My obsession with coffee table books stretches throughout the entire home," Rice said.

Rice had the painting in the breakfast nook commissioned for partner Michael Mock for his birthday in 2015. The scene depicts a view of the marsh from Mock's father's house in Savannah. It's their favorite piece of artwork.

To maximize space in the kitchen, an island from Scott Antique Market in Atlanta can be expanded and moved as needed when preparing meals or entertaining. Rice's collection of blue-and-white porcelain stands out among the black granite countertops and white cabinets.

Rice says his favorite piece of furniture is the Maitland-Smith dining table from Mathews' Furniture. He likes the Old World, yet Southern traditional look the table gives the dining room. "It's got a beautiful inlay around the perimeter of the table," Rice said.

Stepping outdoors, the couple spruced up their brick-walled courtyard with outdoor seating from Frontgate. Containers with hydrangeas and ferns add a punch of pastels and greenery.

Much of the decor in the courtyard, like the water feature and trellis, existed when Rice and Mock bought the house.

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Homeowners Clinton Rice and Michael Mock introduced a formal flair to their townhome with ornate framed artwork, traditional furnishings and blue-and-white patterned Japanese and Chinese porcelain. The furniture was reupholstered by Pineapple House Interior Design in Atlanta to create a vibrant mix of patterns.

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