Non-Traditional Home Design Inspiration

Open floor plans are phasing out in favor of charming, cozy interiors. But that doesn’t mean the options for how to style each space are walled in. From a dining table next to the living room’s fireplace or heirlooms in the laundry, an unconventional approach to a room’s use can make the most of your square footage—and also uniquely tailor your home to you.

So Fresh, So Clean

Laundry is a chore, and laundry rooms can be a bore. Usually, these utilitarian hubs are an afterthought, tucked away in poorly lit basements or storage closets. But why not turn the workroom into a work of art?

That’s exactly what the team at Savannah, Georgia-based Leah Bailey Interiors did in a client’s Palmetto Bluff residence in Bluffton, South Carolina. Sleek, white appliances and cabinets appear as crisp and clean as a freshly ironed shirt, while checkerboard marble, whimsical light fixtures and elegant fabric window panels above a farmhouse-style sink elevate the room.

To introduce some personality, try displaying a collection of treasured heirlooms—such as the blue-and-white ginger jars—on hard-to-reach upper shelves.
The result is a laundry room that blends fashion and function, making wash-day chores much, much more pleasant.

Resources:
Designer: Leah Bailey Interiors, leahbaileyinteriors.com
Contractor: CS Thomas Construction
Sconce and Chandelier: Visual Comfort & Co.
Roman Shades: Scalamandre
Appliances: Livingoods
Cabinets: Wilson Cabinetry
Flooring: Garden State Tile
Countertops: Precision Granite & Marble

Left of Center

To pay homage to the historic nature of a turn-of-the-century Spanish Revival home, the team at the boutique Atlanta design firm, Studio Wellington, brought in an antique fireplace mantel that is true to the period, replacing the one from a previous ’90s renovation. 

An alternative approach to symmetrical design instincts, Studio Wellington makes a strong case for reconsidering conventional wisdom. To the right of the fireplace, the team sourced a marble-top dining table surrounded by antique chairs and plush banquette seating built into the recess of the wall. “For the banquette seating, we worked with the cabinetry vendor to bring in motifs true to the Spanish Revival style,” said principal designers Stephanie Abernathy and Ashley Malone. Together, the dark wood and lighter milk chocolate-colored cushion on the banquette, along with a vintage rug and chaise lounge covered in woven fabric, amplify the cozy feel. A sculptural black chandelier above the table helps further distinguish and define the dining nook.

To achieve this well-layered, lived-in look, try juxtaposing antiques and vintage elements with contemporary lighting fixtures and accessories.

Resources:
Designer: Studio Wellington, studiowellington.com
Lighting: Visual Comfort & Co.
Table: Williams Sonoma
Banquette: Morgan Creek Cabinets
Chaise: Four Hands

Lofty Ambition

When it comes to lofts, out of sight can often mean out of mind—and lots of messy clutter. It’s easy to treat the bonus space as a hideaway to stash away odds, ends and old boxes, then forget about them. 

At one Marietta residence, however, Esther Ellard, the principal designer and owner of the Ringgold-based interiors studio Effortless Designs, turned the loft into a serene kids’ play area while also helping the family stay organized. For the entire home, her charge “was focused on functional storage solutions, and this loft area was no exception,” Ellard said. An oversized ottoman pulls double duty as a catch-all for toys, games and blankets, while the trays on top can be used as a table. 

Modern loungers covered in faux leather offer the laid-back feel of bean bags, but with a more sophisticated look that little ones can grow into. “The seating was designed to be flexible enough to be moved, but comfy enough to encourage lounging and relaxation,” she added.

Resources:
Designer: Effortless Designs, effortlessdesigns.org
Builder: Heatherland Homes
Storage Table: Four Hands
Area Rug: Surya
Throw Pillows: Woven Nook
Window Coverings: Two Pages Curtains

Time to Reflect

When a homeowner asked interior designer, artist and HGTV personality Olivia Westbrooks of Atlanta-based Olivia Westbrooks Interiors for help with her kitchen, there was just one requirement: a spot to enjoy a cup of tea, read the paper and answer emails. With the criterion top of mind, the designer filled a window-lined alcove with a cafe-like breakfast nook that is now a favorite seat in her client’s home.

The trick to this stunning corner? The antique mirrored cabinetry, which houses a coffee and tea station, microwave and everyday dishes on the inside and reflects the morning sunlight on the outside.

To complete the nook, Westbrook integrated mid-century modern elements with layered texture, such as the banquette, cane back chairs, pedestal table with marble top, and warm wood tones.
Bonus: the banquette’s channeled upholstery is pet-friendly, meaning pups can join for tea time. “The family has three dogs, so we used durable performance fabrics, which are meant to take some wear and tear,” Westbrooks said. 

Resources:
Designer: Olivia Westbrooks Interiors, oliviawestbrooksinteriors.com
Banquette, chairs and antique mirrors/cabinetry: Four Hands
Pedestal Table: Noir
Lighting Sconces: Regina Andrew