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 was her time working in London – first with Salvesen Graham, then at the helm of her own U.S. studio – that truly shaped her aesthetic.
‘There can be a tendency in the U.S. to favor schematic, structured schemes,’ she says. ‘Here, I learned that embracing a slight sense of imbalance makes for more interesting, dynamic design. There’s no fun in everything looking perfect.’
That philosophy guided her transformation of this home in Atlanta, a 1990s property close to one of the city’s parks. The house design 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 harmonize 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 to the pool and garden.
Sally and her clients took a detailed approach to defining each room’s purpose. A pantry was turned into an elegant study for the wife, while one of the reception rooms became a snug designed as the couple’s private retreat.
While the sitting room adjoining the kitchen was envisioned for breezy, alfresco-inspired entertaining, the front-facing sitting room has a richer, cozier feel that lends itself to cooler months. Here, tobacco-hued raffia walls add depth and warmth, offering a textural backdrop to art and ceramics. ‘I factored in benches and stools that would double as seating,’ says Sally.
Sally was intentional in decorating with antiques to anchor the design. ‘The owners wanted to start fresh here, so antiques were essential in bringing a sense of history and soul,’ she says. The resulting collection spans continents and eras: a 19th-century French enfilade in the snug provides storage for games; a Dutch vitrine cabinet in the sitting room displays family objects; and Italian and English pieces lend patina throughout, suggesting a home that has evolved naturally over time.
Equally important to the design is the art, which serves as a defining feature of the interiors. In the entrance hall, a series of botanical prints by Kate Friend set the tone for the colors used in the adjacent rooms.
‘Art was a starting point rather than an afterthought,’ says Sally, who also helped source pieces for the bathrooms and kitchen, where a bold oil painting subtly elevates an otherwise relaxed, organic aesthetic. ‘I like the balance of the vibrancy of the painting and the earthiness of the étagère we hung on the other side of the window.’
Landscape designer Alec Michaelides beautifully interpreted the clients’ vision for the garden, while Sally’s interiors echo the surroundings with touches such as vintage botanical fabrics, antique Turkish rugs, and richly tactile finishes. Her instinct for contrast is evident throughout: in the dining room, teal-hued doors create a striking dialogue with toffee linen slipcovered chairs, while in a bedroom, canary yellow corduroy headboards pop against slightly acidic green walls.
Shop the look
Gingham throw pillows mix with dainty florals in the living room and breakfast room, a classic combo that's both charming and chic.
So many surfaces in this house are home to a terracotta or rustic ceramic vase. They are such an easy way to add character to a kitchen countertop or dining table, and you don't need to always fill them with flowers. In this kitchen, you'll see them used to hold utensils or left empty as part of a display.
Chik, or bamboo blinds, feature throughout this home. They have seen a resurgence in the last few years, but they are always a timeless look, adding softness and texture to any room you hang them in. And they layer so well with drapes for privacy and filtering out light.
For Sally, the greatest reward has been experiencing the home as her clients intended. ‘They are incredibly generous, gracious hosts,’ she says. ‘Being invited to their gatherings and seeing the house full of life is the best testament to the design – it’s being used, enjoyed, and lived in exactly as we envisioned.’
