Wallpaper and drapery: Romo; Bed: Duxiana; Bespoke blown glass pendant: The Drawing Room ATL; Nightstands: Christie, Shepel Furniture (London), Painting: Montgomery artist Barbara Gallagher.
A new home is more than just a fresh start for its owners — it’s a chance for the house itself to be reimagined, to gain new life and character. When a new owner moved into the historic Adair Estate in Atlanta’s Druid Hills, she wanted to do just that: breathe fresh energy into the home while honoring its storied past. Enter Seth van den Bergh, the creative mind behind The Drawing Room ATL, who was the perfect partner for this transformation.
Mantel: MASSALIA, Francois & Co.; Porcelain wall sculpture: Atlanta/Spain artist Sara Santamaria; Bench: Gerard Bench, Century Furniture; Cocktail table: Gothic folding table, Dennis and Leen; Sofa: bespoke, The Drawing Room ATL; Rothko-inspired area rug: bespoke, The Drawing Room ATL.
Originally belonging to Atlanta civic leader Forrest Adair Sr., the 4000-square-foot Tudor townhouse has stood the test of time. When van den Bergh first visited, the home was dark and heavy, with rich woods dominating the space. He envisioned its future as something more vibrant, layered, and truly reflective of the new owner’s creative spirit.
Custom cabinet: bespoke, The Drawing Room ATL; Chandelier: Estiluz; Pleated folding screen: bespoke, The Drawing Room ATL; Dining table: Tureng, Randolph & Hein; Dining chairs: Ella, Ralph Pucci.
The owner, herself an artist, has an eye for collecting art and was looking to push boundaries, while staying true to her Southern roots. The designer embraced the challenge, blending bold, modern elements with the home’s classic Tudor architecture. Among the home’s unique features is the revival of bold interior trim inspired by traditional Tudor profiles, that is complemented by custom walnut millwork and X-ray feather wallpaper. In the dining room, van den Bergh created a custom-built walnut cabinet, that is complemented by Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, a Randolph Hein Tureng dining table, and Ralph Pucci Ella chairs. Throughout the home, the blending of time periods creates a dialogue between past and present, grounding the space in historic elements while embracing forward-looking, modern ideas.
(Powder Room) Wallpaper: Flight, Phillip Jeffries; Pendant: Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort; Painting: Atlanta artist Gary Hart; Snail: Tiffany Studios. (Breakfast Area) Chandelier: Jonathan Adler; Dining chairs: Cassina; Area rug: Nani Marquina.
With van den Bergh’s design philosophy — centering on “the new, the now, and the novel” — as a guiding force, the completed home manages to reflect the owner’s eclectic tastes and global experiences, all while staying true to the essence of Atlanta. Each piece has a story; there are no fillers here. It’s a home that speaks to a life well-lived, full of exploration and creativity.
Photography by Garey Gomez.
For more from The Drawing Room ATL, be sure to check out this traditionally inspired-townhouse.
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