Scotch and coffee. That's what Jim and Lori Kilberg had in mind when they hired designer Melanie Millner to revamp this 3,500-square-foot, historic co-op in Atlanta’s bustling Buckhead neighborhood. “They wanted to be able to come in, plop down on the sofa, put their feet up, and relax,” says Millner, founder and principal of The Design Atelier.
The couple, who has another home in coastal South Carolina, envisioned an elegant but comfortable pied-à-terre for getaways to the city. Keeping in mind their preferred beverages, Millner embarked on a three-year renovation that involved adding marble floors to the entryway, applying custom millwork to the ceiling, and (of course) working both a coffee station and a wet bar into the scheme. “We did a lot of moving things around,” Millner recalls—chiefly the kitchen, which was relocated from the back of the apartment to a more prominent and sunlight-filled spot off the living room.
Discreet sliding doors, which have lithographs by Egon Schiele on them to mimic the look of ordinary walls, close off the kitchen during catered parties. Says Millner: “They wanted a Parisian feel.” This also meant showcasing their collection of art and French posters throughout the home; a Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec piece even inspired the color scheme in the foyer. Custom millwork created a space for everything from the couple’s crystal and china collection to treats.
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One particularly surprising built-in? A hidden freezer in the bar, which Lori says they use “to store our ice cream stash.”
Foyer
The sumptuous entrance to this Atlanta apartment by designer Melanie Millner is decked out in black-and-white marble tile. A custom cabinet with cremone bolts, right, made by Kingdom Woodworks and painted in Benjamin Moore Heritage Red, houses the owner’s Kutani Crane by Wedgwood fine china.
Paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore. Bench: Jasper by Michael S. Smith. Drawers: Robuck.
Salon
One living room mainstay: the Brunschwig & Fils coffee table. “It has lived in many rooms throughout many homes,” Lori reveals.
Drapes: custom, Douglass Workroom, in Jim Thompson silk. Cane chair: Minton-Spidell, in Pierre Frey fabric. Swivel chairs: Lee Industries, in Calvin Fabrics upholstery. Rug: custom, Moattar. Chandelier: Robuck.
Kitchen
“I love the kitchen—it suits their personality: cool and sophisticated,” Millner says. Range hood, cabinetry, and island: custom, Kingdom Woodworks. Paint: Sea Serpent, Sherwin-Williams. Stools: Hellman-Chang. Roman shade fabric: Stroheim. Chandelier: Jonathan Browning Studios.
Hallway
A lithograph of May Belfort by Henri de Toulouse- Lautrec hangs above a 19th-century French Louis XVI–style commode from1stDibs. Paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore.
Primary Bedroom
“It’s our sanctuary,” Lori says.
Wallcovering: Phillip Jeffries. Bed: custom, Douglass Workroom. Built-ins: custom, The Berndsen Company. Chair: 1960s Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi. Carpeting: Stanton.
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