To launch the makeover of her living room, our general manager, Wendy Binns, decided to replace her old faded red sofa – scratched and frayed by Larry the cat – with a new white one from a discount outlet in Buckhead. Instantly the front room in her Poncey-Highlands bungalow brightened up.
Then we invited decorator Diane Barry to “outfit” the room three ways – contemporary, traditional and Lowcountry, all with a little urban edge. We pointed her in some directions, steering her toward mostly independent, Intown retailers.
On a sunny Friday in April, Diane, her daughter Clarke and her son Hilton showed up in two SUVs filled with rugs, lamps, pillows, knick- knacks, a table or two and even fresh daisies. Prices ranged from $5 to almost $700, but the point is really to show how transplanting your own possessions and adding a few new things can transform an entire room.
Photographer Laura Negri captured the before, during and after shots of each finished product.
An Urban Lowcountry flavor was created by Diane incorporating more wood accents, throws and baskets.
The silver mirror over the fireplace and other accents give the room an Urban Traditional look, also highlighted by the trunk used as a coffee table, delicate porcelain bowls on the hutch and recycling the red pillows from Wendy's ratty old sofa.
For more room images and details on where to purchase items used in these makeovers, pick up a copy of the May edition of Atlanta INtown now!
