ENGLISH HERITAGE

This modern home in Atlanta adopted the richly layered look you often see on our shores, resulting in interiors full of personality

- RACHEL LEEDHAM

When American interior designer Sally Wilkinson relocated to the UK several years ago, she already had a strong foundation in classical design principles. However, it has been her time working in London – first with Salvesen Graham, then at the helm of her own US studio – that truly shaped her aesthetic. 'There can be a tendency in the US to favour schematic, structured schemes,' she says. 'Here, I learnt that embracing a slight sense of imbalance makes for more interesting, dynamic design. There's no fun in everything looking perfect.'

That philosophy shaped her transformation of this home in Atlanta, a 1990s property close to one of the city’s parks. The house was a study in contrasts: 'There was heavy stone, brick and various types of wooden beams, as well as an intricate iron staircase;' says Sally. Her clients, a retired couple, sought a home that would function effortlessly, both as an elegant yet intimate space for their daily lives and an expansive retreat for their family and guests. 'It was vital that every room had a clear purpose so the entire house was used. We wanted it to feel cohesive rather than cavernous;' she explains.

Sally began by softening the architectural features to improve the sense of flow. The pine floors were stripped to achieve a paler, more natural finish, while in the kitchen and breakfast room, a white slurry wash helped to harmonise previously discordant stone and brickwork. In the adjoining sitting room, new iron- framed glass doors flood the space with light and create a seamless connection with the pool and garden.