2023 Serenbe Designer Showhouse Presented by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
From the first Cotswolds Cottage showhouse to last year’s Glam Farmhouse, Serenbe and AtlantaHomes & Lifestyles know how to put on a beautiful designer showhouse both inside and out. Much of Serenbe’s architecture is inspired by Englishvillages and Scandinavia, and each of the past nine showhouses hosted in the community have taken on distinct architectural personalities. This year’s 10th anniversary Serenbe Designer Showhouse features two attached cottages on Lupo Loop with exteriors influenced by Southern Europe.
“We were inspired by Italian hillside architecture for the pleasing use of scale and massing, and also for the warmth of authentic materials such as natural wood, stacked stone, and stucco masonry,” said Steve Dray of Serenbe Planning & Design.
Built by South Haven Builders, the 2023 Serenbe Designer Showhouse celebrates the work of 15 of Atlanta’s top interior designers, whose talents transform nearly 5,000 square feet of interior space to reflect that natural warmth of the exterior surroundings. Visitors can tour two large kitchens with bespoke cabinetry, quartz countertops, and elevated finishes chosen by lead designer Pamela Stakemann of South Haven. They’ll also see six bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple living spaces, and a gorgeous and unique garden room, plus incredible hilltop views from four covered porches off the back of the Showhouse.
The front of the home is equally warm and welcoming with a dramatic entryway foyer featuring 19-foot vaulting ceilings.In fact, soaring ceilings can be found throughout. “By securing all of the bedrooms to one side, we had the advantage of creating dramatic spaces in the main living rooms with varying ceiling heights to enhance the open floor plan,”said Steve Dray. “The concept was to maximize the use of space on a modest-sized footprint while taking full advantage of the incredible rear views afforded by the steep topography on Lupo Loop.”
Hope Austin plans to take full advantage of that open floor plan for the Living and Dining Room in House 2. “I’m drawn to the idea of not being locked into the typical,” said Hope. “The plan incorporates a comfortable banquette in the dining room with stools that can easily make their way to the living room for extra seating.” This seating will join a grouping of four swivel chairs that can be directed toward the lively back porch to take in the views through floor-to-ceiling windows that open beyond the dining and living spaces and face west, allowing for a plethora of sunlight and a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the Mado treetops.
“The moment I walked into the Showhouse, I was captured by the abundance of natural light,” said Emily Dunn, who is designing the Living Room in House 1. “I envisioned creating a tranquil space that seamlessly connects with nature and captures the essence of minimalism bringing the outdoors in.”
Lanada Chanel Duncan, who is excited for this to be her first showhouse, has plans to make the Terrace Porch another perfect spot to take in those incredible views with a “holistic biophilic design”aesthetic. Upstairs on the main level porch June Chamberlain wants to take a natural approach to her first Serenbe showhouse space, with plans to “use materials like plants, pottery, and wood species that are indigenous to the area.”
The primary bedroom of each home is located at the back of the house on the main level, which means owners will get to wake up to the same amazing light and views. Buffy Ferguson, who has worked on three Serenbe Designer Showhouses before this year and will design the primary suite in House 1, already has a vision to take advantage of that feature. “With the natural light and unique millwork detail, immediately I’m dreaming of creating an environment that feels serene and inviting.”
Steve McKenzie, another returning Serenbe Showhouse designer, also has serenity in mind for the bedroom and bath on the terrace level of House 1. His plan for a “masculine, comforting, escape” will“acknowledge the beauty of nature…and bring those colors and shapes into the bedroom.” Speaking of shapes, that bedroom will open up to the terrace level living room designed by Ashley Miller, who is excited by the trend of curves and arches in architectural elements that “bring a softer, organic, and overall lightness to a space.”
Overall that seems to be the theme for this year’s designers. Incorporating light and natural elements that evoke the same sense of serenity one will feel as they take in the hilltop views from the Serenbe Designer Showhouse.
TOUR THE 2023 SERENBE SHOWHOUSE
Tours of the Serenbe Designer Showhouse are available four days a week, September 29-October 22, Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Tickets, $35, are available online at serenbeshowhouse.com, or will be available at the door to purchase with credit card only. Private group tours for 10+ guests are also available Mondays-Wednesdays when booked in advance. Email showhouse@serenbe.com
Proceeds for the 10th Annual Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Serenbe Designer Showhouse benefit the Decorative Arts Fellowship, awarded by Art Farm at Serenbe’s Special Projects Council. This year’s recipient is Thomas Jackson, environmental artist and photographer, who installed multiple pieces in the woods that he photographed while in residency at the Art Farm cottages.Represented by Jackson Fine Arts, his artworks will be featured in the house, at Art Over Dinner and a gallery show during the showhouse run and are for sale with 10% of proceeds going to support the Art Farm.
House 1Designers
Ashley Miller, Ashley Miller Design - TerraceLiving + Playroom
Buffy Ferguson - Elizabeth Ferguson Design -Primary Suite
Emily Dunn, Emily Dunn Designs - Living Room
June Chamberlain, Chamberlain Interiors -Covered Porch
Lanada Chanel Duncan, b.e.decors - TerracePorch
Loren Taylor - Bedroom & Bathroom 2 +Utility
Marlee Vlasiss & Melody Richardson,Balance Design - Kitchen, Dining & Garden Room
Steve McKenzie, McKenzie Design - Bedroom& Bathroom 3
House 2Designers
Beth Kooby, Beth Kooby Design - Bedroom &Bathroom 3 + Terrace Porch
Beverly Baribault, Beverly Baribault Design -Covered Porch
Calvin Watt, The C’VION Company - PrimaryBedroom & Bathroom
Chaz Easterly, Linen and Flax - Bedroom &Bathroom 2 + Utility
Hope Austin, Hope Austin Interiors - Living& Dining
Pamela Stakemann, South Haven Builders -Kitchen + Powder
Lucinda Bray, Floralis - Landscape Design
South Haven Builders
Serenbe Planning & Design