When Cate Dunning and Lathem Gordon, partners at design firm Gordon Dunning, arrived at their clients’ new Atlanta residence, they were in for a surprise. The home, they soon discovered, once belonged to Cate’s great-great-grandfather. (There was even a photograph in the bathroom of her great-great-grandfather and her grandmother standing in front of the house!) With such a close connection to the property, Cate and Lathem were thrilled to be tasked with refreshing the space, focusing their efforts primarily on the dining room, living room, and bathroom. The homeowners, a young family of three, appreciate old homes with good bones. They wanted to stay true to the dwelling's historic feel while adding a youthful flair. The designers did just that by blending in colors, patterns, and pieces to suit their clients’ styles.
Dining Room
The dining room has a lovely traditional feel. It's fresh yet vintage, complete with new and antique furnishings, updated lighting, newly painted blue walls, and refinished hardwood flooring. The chandeliers and chairs offer a cozy, eclectic vibe, while playful patterns on the curtains and the rug add unexpected pizzazz. The client is an experienced equestrian, so Cate and Lathem utilized her equestrian trophies for a gallery wall to complete the room.
Drapery fabric: Katie Ridder. China hutches: Chairish. Chandelier: Circa Lighting with vintage shades. Dining table: Woodbridge.
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Living Room
Cate and Lathem transformed the living room, coating it in a blue that connects it visually to the neighboring dining room. Gorgeous lamps bounce light off the white tiling and shelving surrounding the fireplace. The designers preserved the home’s traditional feel through their art and decor choices, sourcing antique equestrian prints on the walls from a beloved vendor at the Scott Antique Market. The duo also commissioned the marsh scene above the fireplace to commemorate the clients’ southern coastal memories.
Painting: Jordan Mikal. Equestrian prints: Nostalgia Fine Art. Club chairs: CR Laine. Rug: Caitlin Wilson. Chandelier: Rejuvenation. Cocktail table: Chairish. Sofa: Lee Industries.
Bathroom
Cate and Lathem pictured “Winston Churchill—but with a cup of coffee instead of bourbon” when gut-renovating this bathroom. They balanced richness and freshness by combining regal green tones and gold accents against warm deep brown cabinetry. Pairing antique decor with contemporary fixtures—and an elegant new freestanding tub—gave it a warm but functional feel.
Plumbing: Kingston Brass. Lighting: Circa Lighting. Tile: Fireclay Tile. Artwork: Jane Ingols. Hardware: House of Antique Hardware. Towels: Weezie.
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