A three-story brownstone in Smyrna gave the Home Depot designer Sarah Fishburne a fresh start in decorating.
She incorporated a new color palette, tackling one room at a time. She started with the living room in pale aqua, cream, white and dusty blue, then went all out with a vivid hue in the dining room.
The townhome offered a classic exterior, but an updated and modern interior boasting an open layout.
“I had a much bigger canvas to work with,” said Fishburne, who moved from a Buckhead condo.
Snapshot
Resident: Sarah Fishburne, director of trend and design for the Home Depot
Location: Smyrna
Size: Just under 3,000 square feet, three bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths
Year built: 2008
Year bought: 2011
Architectural style: Classic brownstone
Favorite architectural features: The 10-foot ceilings, which accommodate 9-foot doors, windows that span 96 inches from the ground and cove molding.
Interior design style: Classic, with a twist. For example, Fishburne used Lucite bar stools and a Lucite ghost chair to bring a more youthful look into the traditional kitchen, which has cherry cabinets and bead board on the island. The pendants over the island are among the products she helped design for the Home Depot.
Favorite interior design feature: The deep navy walls (Behr Premium Plus "Vintage Velvet," PPU15-18) in the dining room are dramatic and visible from the foyer. The navy is drawn out from the acrylic by Eileen Powers and Madeline Weinrib rug. The 10-foot ceilings and tall windows enabled Fishburne to use navy without making the space too dark. "I have never had anything that bold or vivid," she said.
Custom touches: Fishburne purchased an eight-light chandelier from the Home Depot for about $200, then customized it by adding linen aqua shades. For the bedroom drapes, she hemmed burlap and added decorative tape from Lewis and Sheron Textiles in Atlanta down the sides.
Favorite outdoor feature: The upstairs deck, which has space for two lounge chairs and a table. It's a "private oasis" where Fishburne said she can eat dinner, drink coffee or read.
Resources: Furnishings, fabrics and fixtures from stores such as Ballard Designs, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Arhaus, CB2, Peridot West, Worlds Away, Nadeau, Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings, Lewis and Sheron Textiles, Boxwoods and the Home Depot.
Design tip: Invest in original art. A mentor encouraged her to collect artwork and to find pieces with a story. Her collection includes watercolors and acrylics by emerging Southeast painters such as Sally Powell, Erin McIntosh, Eileen Power and Lulie Wallace, from Gregg Irby Fine Art in Buckhead.
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