Designers Show Off Their Best Design Tips in This Woodsy Showhouse

The 2021 Serenbe Designer Showhouse is located in the Serenbe community south of Atlanta. With four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms and at 3,500 square feet, the home is defined by a contemporary exterior that coordinates with the open, airy design inside including over 14-feet high ceilings.

Mixed materials and a color palette for the exterior that blends into the landscape was essential in blending this home seamlessly with its woodsy landscape, says architect Steve Dray. "One of my favorite features inside is the open staircase that connects all floor levels very well," says Dray.

The elevation of the Serenbe Designer Showhouse, presented by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine, gives it a real connection to the tree canopy outside, and the use of soft, earthy neutrals inside connects beautifully with those outdoor elements.

"A clean, symmetrical path extends to the front entry," says Lucinda Bray of Floralis Garden Design of the exterior landscape plan that blends built and natural elements. Natural boulders found on site were used to terrace the front hillside of the home. Grasses and groundcover were introduced to soften hard elements in the design, Lucinda says.

The lack of walls in this great room posed a challenge for architect and designer Jeffrey Bruce Baker, who envisioned this room as "a modern sculpture garden." Strong design pieces were critical in giving the room a unified look, says Jeffrey. Large contemporary artworks and contemporary furniture pieces — such as the red sofa from Ligne Roset — were key to the modern feel.

Lorraine Enwright of Intuitive Dwellings designed this open plan kitchen that takes maximum advantage of the many windows and a beautiful glimpse of the forest landscape outside.

Designer Lorraine Enwright of Intuitive Dwellings, which favors sensory and naturalistic, biophilic design elements, blended what she calls "modern forms and earthy textures" to bring elements of the home's exterior into the interior space.

A mix of circular and square forms from designer Lorraine Enwright, combined with contemporary art and the modern rectangular window, makes this breakfast room unique.

The husband and wife design team of Mr. + Mrs. Sharp created this geometric library lounge space that mixes the couple's love of modern and comfortable. The cozy-meets-chic window seat was finished with custom cushions and Schumacher pillows, harmonizing in its black and white mix with the large black stripe on the room's floor and ceiling.

"Modern spaces that are warm and approachable," is how Patrick Sharp describes the spaces he and his partner Meghan Sharp create. A wall covering by Schumacher coordinates nicely with the geometric round table and the retro-mod pendant light by Thomas O'Brien for Circa Lighting.

"We hope you enjoy our version of a library," says Patrick Sharp, half of the husband-and-wife design team with Meghan Sharp. Cut branches lend just the right element of architectural cool to this chic space.

The striking olive wall color in designer Jessica Davis's bedroom offers a lovely contrast to the geometric lines and black and white hues of the Mr. + Mrs. Sharp upstairs lounge. Jessica wanted to create a "cocoon effect" with the rich wall color, she says.

A designer with offices in Atlanta and New York, Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis says this bedroom is "very much inspired by all of the natural surroundings outside, from the color palette to the patterns." A custom upholstered headboard continues the feeling of being surrounded in comfort.

Jennifer Carter and Stephanie Andrews of Balance Design tried to echo the clean, modern lines of the house itself in their bathroom design. Stephanie describes this space as "a private Zen oasis using stone, water and wood."

Atlanta design firm Kit Castaldo Design created this soothing bedroom, where lavish curtains block out natural light when drawn, and neutral shades promise a satisfying night's sleep.

A custom bed is flanked by artwork from Atlanta artist Gregor Turk. Original artwork, says designer Beth Kooby, "creates a unique and personal space for my clients." The rug is made from nettles fiber, a sustainable product.

Designer Beth Kooby used a neon sign to break up the very high ceilings in this laundry room. The sign is a nod to a song by Atlanta hip hop duo Outkast. The wallpaper is from Area Environments, which take artists' pieces and turn them into wallpaper. More works from Gregor Turk are placed on the right wall.

The concept for this home "was to take advantage of the hillside and create an open floor plan for tree-top views," says architect Steve Dray of Serenbe Planning and Design.