A quietly elegant Atlanta house by the classical architect Stan Dixon
Inspiration can come in many forms. In this case, it was a tiny two-inch image of historic stone and stucco farm buildings in Europe that my client brought to our first meeting for a new build in Atlanta. She had held onto this magazine clipping for years, waiting for the right time, and when she showed it to me I found myself equally drawn to it. There was strength in the simple forms and edited architecture. Nothing in the image was superfluous. We both loved the pure gabled roof geometry and the unique exterior spaces that developed as these structures sat among themselves. This single image jump-started our creative conversation for the house we built together, a downsize from the much larger and more formal French-style home where they had raised their children. Although they loved that home, the clients were looking for something simpler, both in aesthetic and function.
Restraint is something we often employ in our work to create harmony, and for this house a disciplined approach informed every decision—from the size of the house and the rooms within, to the materials we used. Even the decor is highly edited. Yet, while we took a less- is-more route, the house is still imbued with a warmth and soul that emanates from materials like stucco, plas- ter, antique French limestone, and rough-hewn timbers. Almost every room has access to the outdoors, including intimate, informal courtyards that act as extensions of the interior spaces. Although absent of any ornamentation, the proportions remain true to classical design, awarding timelessness to the architecture.
The clients didn’t want the house to be too large; they only wanted to build rooms that would be used regularly, with no wasted space. The house is organized with the living room and an exterior courtyard as the symmetrical central core. The residence has few hallways, so these two central spaces are critical to the flow of the house. The rooms we pass through are often the rooms that we use the most. After progressing through the central hub, the bedroom and kitchen wings emerge—asymmetrical and more organic—giving way to function and relaxation. Axial views from one room to the next connect the spaces, gradually easing into more casual and flexible pathways in the house’s more informal spaces.
One of the home’s most purposeful features is the presence of sunlight from multiple directions in almost every room, resulting in a house that evolves throughout the day. You don’t get high contrast of either wholly dark or light spaces because the light approaches from several angles at all times. We purposefully designed the living space only one room deep, with tall windows on both sides, for just this reason.
Inside and out, with its ever-changing shadows, the quiet, neutral palette projects a sense of peace and calm, allowing all of the elements to sit quietly in accord.
After moving in and living in the home some time, my client called me on the telephone to tell me how happy she was, and she gave me one of my favorite compliments: “It’s so relaxing—I feel like I am on vacation every day!” In this moment, I knew we had achieved our goal. We had evoked the simplistic serenity of the old-world countryside in the picture.
Eric Piasecki/Otto1/14Most of the house is fitted with elegant glass-and-steel windows and doors painted in a soft French gray.
Eric Piasecki/Otto2/14French oak paneling creates a snug space that serves as a sitting room, TV room, and library.
Eric Piasecki/Otto3/14
Eric Piasecki/Otto4/14Because of the extra-wide opening into the kitchen, we knew that we had to create something special for the clients to cast their gaze upon. A paneled island crafted from Carrara marble anchors the space in a monumental way. Not one to forgo form over function, we tucked counter seating at each end, so there is also space for dining, yet the backs of the stools are not the focal point when peering into the room.
Eric Piasecki/Otto5/14The kitchen fireplace, a favourite of the clients, features an elevated hearth and storage underneath.
Eric Piasecki/Otto6/14
Eric Piasecki/Otto7/14The primary bedroom features a bed that is sculptural, architectural, and graceful. It was created by designer Carolyn Malone and artist Raymond Goins.
Eric Piasecki/Otto8/14Whether the doors are closed or open, the room offers a direct view onto the rear terrace.
Eric Piasecki/Otto9/14
Eric Piasecki/Otto10/14
Eric Piasecki/Otto11/14The house features a graduated Vermont slate roof in shades of tan, green-gray, and a hint of lavender.
Eric Piasecki/Otto12/14An avid gardener, the wife was instrumental in designing the planting schemes, both with the front public-facing spaces and the surrounding private courtyards.
Eric Piasecki/Otto13/14
14/14HOME: Residential Architecture of D. Stanley Dixon is published by Rizzoli.
