The Georgia: Designing Within
Reimagining a Home Through Intention and Restraint
Designing The Georgia project required a careful balance of vision, restraint, and problem-solving. With a traditionally structured home and significant architectural limitations, the opportunity was not to reinvent the framework - but to thoughtfully reimagine how each space functioned within it.
Spanning the entire first floor and an upstairs primary bathroom, The Georgia is a study in clarity, cohesion, and livability, shaped by intentional design decisions and a deep understanding of how a busy family moves through their home.
Designing Within the Existing Architecture
From the beginning, the home presented firm structural boundaries. Walls that could not be removed, openings that could not be altered, and circulation paths that needed to remain intact shaped every design decision.
Rather than working against these constraints, the design leaned into them - allowing proportion, layout, and materiality to guide the transformation. The result is a home that feels intuitive and composed, despite the architectural framework remaining largely unchanged.
Reworking Spaces for Real Life
Functionality was central to the success of the project. With four energetic children and a highly active household, the goal was to refine how each space worked - not add unnecessary complexity.
Several rooms were reassigned and consolidated to better support daily life. What was once a multi-purpose mudroom housing laundry, a powder room, and a home office was refined into a dedicated mudroom and laundry space, maintaining the powder room while streamlining circulation. The former formal dining room was relocated to the morning room off the kitchen, creating a more natural and livable flow between gathering spaces.
Each decision was made with intention - ensuring every room had a clear purpose and supported how the family truly lives.
A Bright, Traditional Sensibility
The client’s vision leaned toward a bright, elegant aesthetic - traditional in spirit, yet fresh and welcoming. Inspired by a classic, coastal-adjacent sensibility, the palette embraces light neutrals layered with soft color, particularly shades of blue that bring warmth and personality throughout the home.
Materials were selected with both beauty and durability in mind. Marble surfaces anchor key spaces, chosen not only for their timeless appeal but for their ability to stand up to everyday life. Finishes and textiles were carefully balanced to feel refined without being precious, allowing the home to feel lived in from the start.
Cohesion Across a Full First Floor
This first floor was designed to feel connected rather than repetitive, with each space carrying its own identity while contributing to a cohesive whole. The renovation thoughtfully reworked the kitchen, dining and living spaces, mudroom and powder room, as well as the upstairs primary bathroom - refining how the home supports everyday life within its existing structure.
A Home Shaped by Intention
Georgia is not defined by dramatic structural change, but by intentional design - thoughtful planning, refined material choices, and a deep respect for the home’s existing framework. The result is a bright, elegant home that feels both timeless and livable, shaped to support a growing family and designed to evolve gracefully over time.
