How One Atlanta New Build Became a Showcase of Personal Style

For years, Naomi and Demetrius Symonds lived in rentals where the most they could do was put a few small nails in the wall, so they couldn’t wait to let their style loose when they bought this new-construction house in Atlanta. There was just one problem: “I could finally do whatever I wanted, only to realize I had no idea what to do!” says Naomi, an HR manager (Demetrius is a paralegal). Enter local designer Amber Guyton, who’s known for layering bold colors and adding big personality to her rooms.

“They wanted it to feel like Atlanta, but other than that, they let me color inside and outside the lines,” says Amber. She livened things up with lots of pretty paint, patterned wallpaper and meaningful art. And when the couple later welcomed their children (June, 2, and Virginia, 7 months), they called Amber back to design special spaces for them, including a chic playroom. “This project has been such a labor of love,” says Naomi. “Amber is part of the family now.”

The Lovesac sofas were originally one large sectional, but after the kids were born, the couple reconfigured it into two sofas that face each other. “That middle zone is where we play every day,” says Naomi. The brass bookcases (from CB2) flank the fireplace and drive home the symmetrical layout. The rug is from Jaipur Living, and the marble coffee table is from Crate & Barrel.

One of the ways Amber brought personality to every space was through meaningful art and bold colors. The most striking piece in the living room is this large giclée canvas by Maelani Blue. It's from Leftbank Art. The rich wall color is Really Teal by Sherwin-Williams.

Naomi and Demetrius didn’t want to replace perfectly good cabinets in the new house, so they kept them as is and added personality with a multicolor abstract Milton & King wallpaper that continues into the living room. The counter stools are from Rove Concepts, and the portrait of the family’s cockapoo, Oliver, was a gift.

The builders intended for this to be a dining room, but Naomi asked Amber to create a pink lounge instead, and with that, “the rosé room was born,” says Naomi. The fuchsia wall color came first (Juneberry by Sherwin-Williams), then Amber paired it with a sage green credenza from Anthropologie and a golden yellow armchair from Soho Home. The portrait by Bella Lane is from Leftbank Art. “This is where the ladies hang out when we have parties,” Naomi says.

“We are not naturally early risers. That life has been forced onto us by having kids!” says Naomi. Amber created a haven for sleeping with deep blue walls (painted In the Navy by Sherwin-Williams) and soft touches like a velvet bench from Wayfair and rug from Jaipur Living. “I layered in colors reminiscent of a sunset, and it all just works,” says Amber. The portrait is by Jafeth Moiane.

This is the bathroom the couple’s young daughters will share someday, and Naomi wanted to make it look exciting. The wallpaper, from Amber’s collection with Mitchell Black, grabs everyone’s attention. “It’s like statement art,” she says.

“When Amber showed me this mustard yellow for the walls (Tassel by Sherwin-Williams), I said, ‘Girl, I don’t know,’” says Naomi. But Amber knew what the stark space needed to cozy it up, and Naomi trusted her. Once the furniture started arriving, she was in love. The green velvet bed is from Poly & Bark, the rug is from West Elm and the print by Viktoryia Zhuleha is from Saatchi Art.