From channeling 1920s Hollywood glam to moody infusions of color, ornate wallpaper, and even a nod to graffiti art, this nearly 10,000-square-foot Buckhead home in Atlanta is like no other you’ve seen. Just wait until you see these photos!
Designed by Ryan Austin Hagood, principal designer of r.a.d. Interiors in Atlanta, this Kingswood neighborhood project in Buckhead (fondly referred to as Castlegate) is one for the ages.
Set on just over an acre, the two-floor, six-bedroom, ranch-style estate also boasts seven full bathrooms and two half baths. As if that weren’t memorable enough, the ravishing interior design really wows.
“Built in the 1950s, the home had undergone a renovation in the 1980s,” explains Ryan, noting that it was originally decorated with bold, primary colors that were dark and heavy — a style that didn’t resonate with the homeowner’s preference for a tranquil atmosphere.
“To align with the owner’s personality and desire for a calmer environment, we introduced a foundation of soft textures into the spaces, effectively breathing new life into the home,” he shares.
Every room oozes texture and glam, brimming with vintage furnishings, velvet fabrics, and eye-catching elements around every corner. The dining room alone is a wonderland of wall “forestry” with a mural and elegant fixtures that transport you to another place.
“In the living room, we designed a custom 13-foot Chesterfield sofa in a rich hue, inspired by Tom Ford’s signature layered textures,” Ryan tells us.
And though the sofa is the largest piece in the room, it’s not the only attention-grabbing one. The rest of the space offers dazzling details, too, including a vintage brass fireplace screen, an ochre velvet chair, and an array of landscape paintings.
The room-to-room transitions may blend seamlessly now, but that wasn’t always the case.
“When we first started the project, we were faced with a tight timeline — just two weeks for design and six weeks for the procurement and installation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment,” explains Ryan. “Initially, we replaced a checkerboard floor at the front of the house with wood, painted from top to bottom, and introduced some very playful wallpapers.”
But by the spring of that year, the home’s functionality wasn’t quite what the homeowners had in mind. “The client and her family had lived in the home for nine months,” Ryan says. “The functionality of the floor plan and the bold finishes began to feel less suitable.”
Going back to the proverbial drawing board, Ryan revisited the vision with some restructuring and redesigning. And boy, was it worth it.
“My design aesthetic is rooted in creating timeless spaces that feel authentic to both the architecture and the client,” Ryan tells us of his artistic approach. “I’m inspired by classic palettes, natural textures, and creating environments that offer both comfort and elegance.”
This particular renovation allowed him to update most of the house and its bathrooms, adding significant square footage in the process.
“We adopted a classic palette that honored the home’s original 1950s architecture, giving it an authentic and timeless feel,” he says. “The home had a solid architectural foundation but needed a fresh design approach to bring it up to modern standards while honoring its original character.”
That original character includes a family room, where modern lighting and contemporary art merge with a patchwork rug and wall paneling. There’s also a deceivingly heavy side table with a rather amusing backstory.
“The quartz side table in the family room weighed approximately 3,000 pounds,” says Ryan, “so when it came off the truck during install, the team of ten guys had to slowly roll the table in on dowels like the Egyptians built the pyramids. When we finally fitted the custom patchwork rug in its place and serged edges in place, the rock was reinforced from below. I don’t think any of it is going anywhere!”
“The kitchen was lightly renovated with new brass hardware and shiplap panels for the refrigerator, adding both function and style,” Ryan tells us. We’re especially fond of the floor runner, which adds warmth amid the white cabinetry.
We could call out numerous standout features of this home (and we have), but perhaps the most unexpected element is the “graffiti bathroom.”
“The update of the Castlegate graffiti bathroom began with painting the space in a Tiffany blue, a color theme that carried over throughout the house during the first round of renovations,” Ryan tells us.
He adds, “After the client had settled into the home for six months, we revisited this space as part of broader renovations. Recognizing the need for this bathroom to stand out, we approached its design with a focus on creating a unique and special area. The renovation process evolved organically, integrating this room’s redesign with the other updates happening around the home.”
Perhaps surprisingly, the decision to implement graffiti wallpaper wasn’t made until the end of the project, after Ryan and his client had finalized finishes and considered several other wallpaper options.
“There was a slight challenge with the wallpaper falling short of the baseboard,” he tells us, “which we resolved by adding a quarter-inch trim six inches above the baseboard, painted matte black to cleanly terminate the pattern. The inclusion of the client’s vintage lighting tied all elements together, perfectly encapsulating the desired aesthetic.”
“The primary bedroom was designed to epitomize calm, layered textures reminiscent of a luxurious hotel suite,” Ryan shares. “We opted for soft neutrals and installed blackout drapery across four windows to enhance the tranquil atmosphere. We then incorporated fun elements such as a shag bench and a coconut shell pendant, blending comfort with playful touches.”
An idle outdoor area prompted Ryan and his team to enlarge the living space by installing a roof over an enclosed screened loggia. “One of the unique aspects of the Castlegate project was the creative use of ancillary spaces and how they were transformed into functional yet stylish areas,” he tells us.
“For example,” he adds, “a previously underutilized screened porch was transformed into the 1,200-square-foot loggia, providing the family with a space to enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from the elements. This loggia includes a cozy fireplace and retractable screens, making it one of the family’s favorite spaces for dining and relaxing.”
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