Houzz Tour: Soft Organic Touches Add Character to a New Build
Crisp black and white is softened with natural materials and gentle texture in this forever home
These homeowners, parents of three daughters, made a move towards their retirement years when they bought this forever home outside Atlanta in the US. Design-wise, they were starting from scratch, so friends recommended Meriwether Design Group. After checking out the designers’ work on Houzz, the couple called the firm to help them make their new build their own. Designer Meriwether McAdams had a hand in every inch of the renovation, including the cabinetry, finishes, lighting, furniture and architectural details such as beams, panelling and a new fireplace surround.
“They were getting close to having an empty nest, and this house is within walking distance of Marietta Square,” Meriwether says. The square is a popular draw in Marietta, as it’s full of independent shops and restaurants. The couple knew they wanted neutrals, particularly contrasting black and white. Meriwether worked closely with them to add comforting organic and soft touches that keep the monochrome from feeling too stark.
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“They were getting close to having an empty nest, and this house is within walking distance of Marietta Square,” Meriwether says. The square is a popular draw in Marietta, as it’s full of independent shops and restaurants. The couple knew they wanted neutrals, particularly contrasting black and white. Meriwether worked closely with them to add comforting organic and soft touches that keep the monochrome from feeling too stark.
To see more great projects where the homeowner found their professional via Houzz, take a look at our Born on Houzz series.
“My clients had seen a black-and-white kitchen they loved that really sparked the whole design,” Meriwether says. From the hallway, there’s a view of almost all the public spaces. This presented a bit of a challenge.
“The view goes through to a pretty dynamic kitchen, so I wanted to draw the eye with a wow factor in the dining area,” Meriwether says. “This light fixture is very woodsy and striking.” It also helps to anchor the dining area within the open-plan room.
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“The view goes through to a pretty dynamic kitchen, so I wanted to draw the eye with a wow factor in the dining area,” Meriwether says. “This light fixture is very woodsy and striking.” It also helps to anchor the dining area within the open-plan room.
Find reviewed architects and interior designers in your area on Houzz.
With lots of strong, straight lines and black-and-white contrast, Meriwether knew it was important to add soft and organic touches.
“I’m always working for ways to soften things,” she says. “The chandelier has a softening and natural effect. The banquette seating and [curtains] also add softness.” She dressed the dining area’s windows with a faux Roman blind in a tawny tan colour and gauzy lined sheers.
The couple also like midcentury modern style. “We got bits of it into the house here and there,” Meriwether says. The new faceted sideboard has a tinge of midcentury spirit, as does the abstract painting above it. The curved arms and upholstery on the dining chairs are a fresh take on midcentury style.
“I’m always working for ways to soften things,” she says. “The chandelier has a softening and natural effect. The banquette seating and [curtains] also add softness.” She dressed the dining area’s windows with a faux Roman blind in a tawny tan colour and gauzy lined sheers.
The couple also like midcentury modern style. “We got bits of it into the house here and there,” Meriwether says. The new faceted sideboard has a tinge of midcentury spirit, as does the abstract painting above it. The curved arms and upholstery on the dining chairs are a fresh take on midcentury style.
On the other side of the space is the main living room. “The husband wanted ceiling beams, so we added these, which are stained white oak,” Meriwether says. “Also, the fireplace was a problem. He didn’t like the way it looked.”
Her fireplace redesign had two important parts. One, preventing the TV from dominating by using 30cm x 60cm black tiles on the surround behind it. Two, embracing the wall’s asymmetry and enhancing it with stained white oak boards that match the ceiling beams. “I told them we should offset it, that we could make it asymmetrical and make it a feature,” Meriwether says.
The pair of metal coffee tables draw the eye and also emphasise the asymmetrical feel. They are two different sizes, they have two different finishes and their angles are askew. “These two dynamic pieces set the stage; they are the yin and yang of the room,” Meriwether says.
Her fireplace redesign had two important parts. One, preventing the TV from dominating by using 30cm x 60cm black tiles on the surround behind it. Two, embracing the wall’s asymmetry and enhancing it with stained white oak boards that match the ceiling beams. “I told them we should offset it, that we could make it asymmetrical and make it a feature,” Meriwether says.
The pair of metal coffee tables draw the eye and also emphasise the asymmetrical feel. They are two different sizes, they have two different finishes and their angles are askew. “These two dynamic pieces set the stage; they are the yin and yang of the room,” Meriwether says.
Meriwether knew she’d have to add significant elements in the kitchen to stand up to the 3m-high ceiling. The large wood cooker hood creates a focal point. The designer wrapped it in a white oak band to add an organic touch and tie it to the ceiling beams.
Next, she added two large cabinets on the worktop that match the tall proportions of the kitchen and the scale of the cooker hood. “I love that these give [the couple] both display space and the practicality of appliance garages,” Meriwether says.
Next, she added two large cabinets on the worktop that match the tall proportions of the kitchen and the scale of the cooker hood. “I love that these give [the couple] both display space and the practicality of appliance garages,” Meriwether says.
The black paint inside the display cabinets makes the white accessories stand out. The wall sconces add some curves to the kitchen and some black accents to the cooker wall.
The splashback is elongated metro tiles laid in a herringbone pattern, accentuated by grey grout.
The splashback is elongated metro tiles laid in a herringbone pattern, accentuated by grey grout.
There’s a large pantry just off the left side of the kitchen, so there’s plenty of storage. Meriwether used as many drawers on the lower cabinets as possible.
“I’m a stickler for adding as many drawers as I can,” she says. “They are more efficient and better for aging in place than cabinet doors.”
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“I’m a stickler for adding as many drawers as I can,” she says. “They are more efficient and better for aging in place than cabinet doors.”
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
This screened-in porch is off the living room. The brick on the fireplace wall is painted the same colour as the exterior of the home. “Our goal for the porch was to make it as comfortable and practical as possible,” Meriwether says. “Because it’s not very big, I knew we could fit something bigger and cushier on one side, but needed something light on the other.”
The open profiles of the sling chairs keep the porch from feeling too full of furniture. The wood side table, root ball, plants and wood ceiling add natural touches. Beyond the neutral tones, green was the only accent colour Meriwether used throughout the first floor.
The fully finished lower level is walk-out. There’s another outdoor room underneath this porch.
The open profiles of the sling chairs keep the porch from feeling too full of furniture. The wood side table, root ball, plants and wood ceiling add natural touches. Beyond the neutral tones, green was the only accent colour Meriwether used throughout the first floor.
The fully finished lower level is walk-out. There’s another outdoor room underneath this porch.
Meriwether wanted to keep things simple in the cloakroom yet still do something interesting. “When you walk into this room, you face the black wall,” she says. The strips are simple boards painted black. “This is an inexpensive thing to do that says something,” Meriwether says.
The counter and high splashback on the vanity unit play off the panelling, while the wall-mounted matt black tap blends right in. The splashback has a ledge on top for placing a candle or flowers.
The mirror is backlit, removing the need for wall lighting. The limited colour palette in the room makes the diamond-pane window and the beautiful wood of the vanity unit stand out.
The counter and high splashback on the vanity unit play off the panelling, while the wall-mounted matt black tap blends right in. The splashback has a ledge on top for placing a candle or flowers.
The mirror is backlit, removing the need for wall lighting. The limited colour palette in the room makes the diamond-pane window and the beautiful wood of the vanity unit stand out.
“This couple, they are really ‘people’ people. They love to have friends over and have a lot of fun,” Meriwether says.
In the basement, the husband had a vision for the curved bar and circular shelving unit. Meriwether and her cabinet-maker put it all together and made it work. The bar has metal strips inlaid in horizontal lines that elevate the look.
“I also didn’t want the TV to be centre stage,” Meriwether says. She extended a board across the stone veneer wall and placed the TV on it.
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In the basement, the husband had a vision for the curved bar and circular shelving unit. Meriwether and her cabinet-maker put it all together and made it work. The bar has metal strips inlaid in horizontal lines that elevate the look.
“I also didn’t want the TV to be centre stage,” Meriwether says. She extended a board across the stone veneer wall and placed the TV on it.
Find reviewed carpenters and joiners in your area on Houzz.
Photo by Meriwether McAdams.
“In [the couple’s] bedroom, we went with a blue-and-white palette and a large upholstered headboard,” Meriwether says. The colours are soothing. The accent wall behind the headboard is a calming blue-grey, and the rest of the walls are a soft cream.
On the accent wall, Meriwether added angled strips to make it the main feature of the room.
“In [the couple’s] bedroom, we went with a blue-and-white palette and a large upholstered headboard,” Meriwether says. The colours are soothing. The accent wall behind the headboard is a calming blue-grey, and the rest of the walls are a soft cream.
On the accent wall, Meriwether added angled strips to make it the main feature of the room.
Photo by Meriwether McAdams.
The high wingback shape of the headboard creates a cosy moment in a room with a high vaulted ceiling. The bedside tables and lamps continue the faceted and angled themes seen on the dining room sideboard and the living room cocktail tables.
The high wingback shape of the headboard creates a cosy moment in a room with a high vaulted ceiling. The bedside tables and lamps continue the faceted and angled themes seen on the dining room sideboard and the living room cocktail tables.
Meriwether repeated the blue and white in the primary bathroom. There’s a freestanding tub and a separate shower.
Rather than adding a small niche, Meriwether designed an alcove in the shower. It can also serve as a seat or a shaving ledge. The alcove gave her a chance to bring in a significant amount of accent tiling. The geometric pattern within this blue mosaic draws the eye.
Also notice how Meriwether orientated the white picket tiles horizontally inside the shower and vertically on the wall to the right. “This was a chance to mix things up a bit,” she says.
The couple love their new home, which embraces them as they prepare to launch into their next phase of life. “What was so pleasurable about working on this project is that they really relied on me as a designer,” Meriwether says. “I really took that to heart.”
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Also notice how Meriwether orientated the white picket tiles horizontally inside the shower and vertically on the wall to the right. “This was a chance to mix things up a bit,” she says.
The couple love their new home, which embraces them as they prepare to launch into their next phase of life. “What was so pleasurable about working on this project is that they really relied on me as a designer,” Meriwether says. “I really took that to heart.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this new build home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A couple and their three daughters
Location Marietta, Georgia, USA
Size Four bedrooms and four bathrooms
Designer Meriwether McAdams of Meriwether Design Group
Photos by Jeff Herr Photography unless otherwise noted
The hall, which has been refreshed with ‘distressed’ touches, sets the style tone for the house. “The exposed brick wall was [the couple’s] idea,” Meriwether says. “The husband was especially into the aesthetics during this project. He even faux-painted the bricks himself.”
The chest of drawers is one of the only pieces of furniture the couple brought with them from their previous home. “They had done their decorating in the 1990s and things have changed a lot,” Meriwether says. “We started from scratch, except for this chest and some of the girls’ bedroom furniture.”