November 29, 2019

Instead of building a new home on a nearly four-acre forested lot in Sandy Springs, Ga., architectural designer Frank Heery of Atlanta-based Harrison Design set out to revitalize the existing 1950s-era saltbox-style home. With construction done by White Oak Fine Homes and interiors done by multiple local designers, the home is featured as Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles’ annual Home for the Holidays Showhouse and recently opened to visitors.

The nearly 5,500-sq.-ft., five-bedroom home includes several new additions, each built with limestone foundations and clad with wood lap siding. The additions – such as the expansive great room and the several new hearths throughout – give the house a sense of history and narrative. One of the most innovative additions on the home is the master bathroom, which is cantilevered over the verdant grounds like a floating glass box.

KBB had a chance to speak with Tish Mills Kirk of Atlanta-based Tish Mills Interiors, who designed this unique master bathroom.

KBB: What was your goal with this design?
Mills: “This master bath makes you feel like you are floating in the middle of the woods. The cantilever design with glass on three sides makes it the ultimate indoor/outdoor bathroom. My goal was to build off of the overall environment to create a Zen-like, relaxing space.”

KBB: What were you challenged by?
Mills: “The collaboration among me, the architects, builder and developer needed to be perfect to create the balance cantilever, scale, wow factor and functionality. The closer we worked, the more the bathroom looks and feels effortless, focusing on every detail together.”

KBB: What materials did you use?
Mills: “Careful consideration went into choosing the right mix of wood to stone. The floors were kept quiet with black iris marble to balance and emphasize the highly organic terrazzo in the shower. The wood-enclosed entry, storage wall and vanity create just enough contrast to the stone to bring both to life. The asymmetrical tub is a subtle nod to the stones in the terrazzo and create just enough conflict with the symmetry in the room to make it stand out. And of course, the waterfall-like ceiling tub filler finish off the Zen experience.”

KBB: What was your favorite part of this space?
Mills: “This is a really hard one. There is so much of my heart in this space that it is like picking a favorite pet. The thing I really love is that the whole team was willing to take a risk with this space. When you break it down, there are so many details – none of which are safe routes. For example, we installed a 700-lb. vanity onto a glass wall, and beams needed to be created to look aesthetically pleasing and strong enough to hold the weight. Even down to the morning of we were making suggestions, like filling the tub from the ceiling. The whole team was immediately on board. That’s a dream project. One where each member is all in for the good of the whole.”