Interior design company BHDM Design updated the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead with inspiration from the region’s natural greenery, including local dogwood festivals. The design melds neoclassical details with flora-inspired motifs.
Starting in Peacock Alley, guests arrive in a classically appointed Robert A.M. Stern-designed lobby. The BHDM team outfitted the space with modern, curved sofas and chairs suitable for both lounging and dining. New, custom sconces and furnishings set the floor plan, with a custom hand-painted mural by Dean Barger depicting a silvery dappled forest overhead. Artwork in the space is a rotating partnership with Bill Lowe Gallery.
Through an opening, guests can see the Brassica restaurant and its bar beyond. Conceived as an intimate mixology space, the modern brasserie has deco touches inspired by the original Waldorf Astoria. Custom, cerused oak walls, white oak floors and saddle-leather banquettes are warmed by custom pendant lights while geometric gold-leafed Philip Jeffries wall-covered insets create an inviting backdrop.
The main dining room for Brassica carries the bar’s materials and motifs but in a lighter and brighter way. A custom, pearlized hand-painted wallcovering by Vahallan meets millwork window casings, while warm wool and cashmere drapery capitalize on the room's height and meet the ground with a custom 12-inch fringe. Sconces by Holly Hunt and a custom dogwood-inspired chandelier by Yellow Goat create a dappled light effect.
Beyond Brassica is the Solarium—previously an open-air patio. Maintaining the original architecture, BHDM enclosed the space and kept the original exterior aggregate of the building exposed. Imagined to reflect its previous use, the Solarium has custom, uplit trellises, overhead lanterns and furniture that evokes an indoor-outdoor feel. Twelve-foot drapery in a velvet faux bois provides depth and texture to contrast the original exterior.
Upstairs, the nature-inspired motif continues in the guestrooms. Corridors were updated with new paint, custom dogwood-inspired carpet by Jamie Stern and new artwork from Soho Myriad. Custom cream-colored "sofettes" are juxtaposed with dark walnut and bronze round tables, suitable for both dining and working. New custom swing arm wall sconces with over-scaled shades were implemented to incorporate a touch of residential warmth. Windows are dressed with BHDM-designed custom tone-on-tone panels, developed and printed with Schumacher Hospitality in an ombre flowering branch pattern. Underfoot, the new carpet in soft, warm gray and pearl tones was inspired by a Chanel tweed. Rounding out the design, custom artwork throughout adds understated modernity to the rooms and was created by local Atlanta artists.