A Warm Welcome

A Birmingham native finds herself at home in Atlanta  thanks to her easy mix of heirloom pieces with stylish finds. Written  by elizabeth reh    Photographed by erica george dines produced by clinton ross smith

When Elizabeth goings was transferred to Atlanta from Birmingham two years ago, she knew she wanted to find a house in a neighborhood similar to the one she had just left-one within walking distance of parks, convenient to the city's cultural center, but removed just enough from the main thoroughfares to make it a safe place to jog and walk her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Logan. Narrowing her search to Peachtree Hills, Garden Hills and Collier Hills, she soon stumbled upon her perfect match-a three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage that had just been reduced in price. Ever decisive, Goings immediately made an offer.

 
Eager to move out of her corporate housing in Virginia-Highland, Goings began planning the décor of her new interiors, using the golden yellow-colored draperies in the living room, which once held court in her grandmother's house in the '30s, as the springboard for her new home's color scheme. "I wanted to invoke a welcoming feeling with this house," says Goings. To that end, she called on her mother, a former Oriental rug dealer with a penchant for decorating, and Birmingham decorator and family friend Lynn Chapelle. The color now serves as a beautiful backdrop for complementary colors and dark woods, allowing the abundance of natural light to make the rooms glow.

Easy Elegance
Known for her ability to pull together a dinner party-casual or sit down, last minute or well in advance, Goings says, "I wanted a home that would be comfortable and relaxing but also a good space for having guests over."

Family Traditions
The golden-hued draperies in the living room, handed down by her grandmother, served as the inspiration for the home's color scheme. In this room, it serves as the perfect contrast to strong woods. The landscape painting above the mantel was painted by her grandmother, while a set of photographs, to the right of the mantel, was taken by her grandfather when he was stationed in China as a naval doctor.

Welcome Home
The front entryway welcomes visitors with a casual mix of antiques with unique finds. The glass-backed, wrought-iron piece was formerly a window in an apartment building her grandfather owned.

Take a Seat
In the breakfast area, contemporary furnishings and pottery by Birmingham artist Tina Payne easily mix with inherited silver and a marble-topped, wrought-iron table. Chairs, Pottery Barn, Lenox Square, (404) 812-9726. Table, Crate & Barrel, Lenox Square, (404) 239-0008. Chandelier, Scott Antique Market.

Joyful Living
"I find cooking to be therapeutic," says Goings, who maximized the space in her kitchen with minimal cabinetry. She covered the walls in textured wallpaper and added sconces she found at Scott Antique Market. Granite, tile and faucet, Home Depot, homedepot.com.

A Restful Retreat
Goings is drawn to French antiques. "The bed was my first major purchase after college," she says of the 19th-century piece she bought from an antiques store in Montgomery, Alabama. A sisal rug serves as the light-hearted anchor for mahogany antiques.