There’s a sauna in Vickie Kirbo’s closet.
Los Angeles celebrity stylist, designer and friend Mark-Alan Harmon included the small sweat box, which is supposed to help people "detox" and improve their complexion, among other benefits, in the plans for her Vinings closet transformation.
“Because I am a stylist and fashion blogger, the closets were a big problem. Closets that were built in 1970 were not closets that are current or OK for today,” said Vickie, who grew up in Vinings.
The master closet redesign is one of the many changes to the 1970s Vinings home, which was torn down to the studs and now is decorated with a blend of French antiques and more modern furnishings.
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Snapshot
Residents: Tom and Vickie Kirbo, their children, Scott, 17, and Mary Cate, 12, and their dogs, Bo and Lexi. Tom works in commercial real estate; Vickie is a stylist and fashion blogger at kirbyourstyle.com.
Location: Vinings
Size: 5,000 square feet, four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths
Year built/bought: Early 1970s/2000
Architectural style: Southern traditional
Favorite architectural elements: Exterior columns
Renovations: During renovations in 2006, they added columns to the front exterior, antique French hardwood floors and calacatta marble countertops. They saved the original brick floors in the kitchen and foyer. Structural changes included knocking down a wall in between two small bedrooms to create a larger room for their daughter.
Design consultants: Brian Matura of the Loring Group (builder for the renovations), Julia Stainback of Stainback-Hess Studio (architect for the renovations), Meridy King Interiors, Mark-Alan Harmon for the closet design, Emmye Otto Designs for the kitchen design, landscape architect Pope Ozio & Associates.
Interior design style: Timeless
Favorite interior design elements: Calacatta marble, wide plank hardwood floors and blending French antiques with current contemporary furnishings.
Favorite piece of furniture: A pair of antique chairs purchased at a market in Paris, which King helped her recover. "That pair of chairs are just a special piece from Paris that reminds me of my 20th anniversary," Vickie said.
Resources: Furniture and accessories from RH, Boxwoods and Horchow; rugs from Myers Carpet.
Decor tip: "Just like an outfit, you should have one focal point," Vickie said. For example, the kitchen is designed around the calacatta marble countertops.
