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Dear friends, today’s design story takes us to Atlanta, Georgia, for a visit with interior designer Katie Wolf, founder of Wolf Interiors. Through a series of photographs by Jeff Herr, we’ll get a detailed tour of Katie’s stunning home in the Brookwood Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, and we’ll get to hear all about the thoughtful design choices she and her husband, Tyler, made during the renovation of their 1920s house.
Keen on preserving the architectural character of their home, the Wolfs assembled a team of architects, contractors and landscapers that would oversee the project and bring their vision to life: D. Stanley Dixon Architect, Wright Marshall with Revival Construction, and Charlie Sears with Land Plus Associates. The interior decoration was done by Katie and blends the home’s traditional architecture with classic and layered interiors.
On the first floor, Katie maintained the feel and flow she fell in love with when she first viewed the home. The most notable updates are found in the kitchen, breakfast room, powder room, and study. Architect Stanley Dixon redesigned the second floor, reworking a series of prior additions and creating two distinct wings. The master suite features his and her closets, and a sun-filled master bathroom. On the other side, a hallway connects both daughters’ bedrooms (each with its own charming reading nook) to a media room/playroom. Out back, the team transformed the existing garage into a guest retreat that doubles as a home office (and even served as lodging for the family of four during the last eight weeks of the renovation).
Revival Construction brought Dixon’s plans to life, maintaining a period-appropriate feel to all updates. Every design decision was guided by the motto that this would be a home to grow up (and old) in. Each space needed to blend elegance, comfort and livability. An autumnal color palette pervades the first floor where a mix of antiques, new furnishings, and a thoughtful selection of lighting, fixtures, and finishes creates a comfortable space to both lounge and entertain. The art throughout the home is an eclectic mix of media and subject matters. The large geometric piece in the dining room is one of Katie’s favorites. The large statement piece in the dining room is the work of local artist Hayley Sheldon and represents a focal point in the home’s first floor. Hayley works with wood frames and yarn to create 3D pieces with a translucent effect. The piece is a nice modern foil to the traditional elements throughout the room.
I hope you enjoyed this peek inside Katie Wolf’s stunning Atlanta residence. In preparation for today’s post, Katie graciously agreed to answer some of our questions regarding her love of interiors, her start in the design industry, and her go-to tips and tricks for creating layered, timeless rooms. I found myself taking notes, inspired by her words and her humble demeanor, and I know you will, too! Enjoy!
Hello Katie! Thank you so much for joining us! Please tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get interested in interior design?
Hi Eva! Thanks for having me! I live in Atlanta with my husband and two young daughters and our Lagotto Romagnolo pup. I founded Wolf Interiors back in 2020 — a little before we embarked on the year and a half renovation of our 1925 home.
I have been interested in design since I can remember. I, like many designers, constantly rearranged my bedroom and schemed up new paint colors and fabric options. Some of my fondest memories are getting to design my own room from start to finish in middle school (and again in high school). College, where I lived in a different room each of my four years, brought more opportunities to decorate my own space.
My path to interior design, however, was not a straight one. I majored in American History, attended law school, and practiced business litigation for a few years. I found so much joy in interiors but for some reason didn’t see it as a career option for me. I am so grateful that I had the time off from law (when my girls were babies) to recalibrate and pursue my true passion.
How would you describe your decorating style?
Classic with a twist. I adore antiques and upholstery with traditional lines and shy away from anything that is “of the moment” or trendy. However, I like to shake things up with lighting and art (and perhaps the occasional modern textile or geometric rug). Edgy photography or a cool chandelier can take a living room from stuffy to chic.
Where do you find inspiration for your projects?
Travel is a huge source of inspiration. I am a total sponge for my surroundings and soak it all in when I am traveling. From the gorgeous layering of textiles I’ve seen throughout England, to the vibrant colors in Mexico, to the plaids and wools in Colorado — inspiration is everywhere.
I also find inspiration in books. I am always reading or at least paging through one. Recent favorites include Home, The Residential Architecture of D. Stanley Dixon and At Home in the Cotswolds: Secrets of English Country House Style. Lately I’ve been working on a lot of dining rooms, and you can’t think about dining rooms without Jane Scott Hodges’ Leontine Linens book. It is filled with dreamy linens and creative china pairings.
And I can’t resist a magazine subscription — doesn’t every mailbox need a little more joy? I subscribe to all of the fabulous shelter magazines published in the US but also House & Garden out of the UK.
What is the starting point of a typical design project?
I start every design project with getting to know the client. Do they have children? Pets? Do they entertain? Do they love stripes? Hate plaid? Where do they like to travel? What is their favorite restaurant? What three words would they like people to use to describe their home? I use this knowledge to come up with a framework to guide all of our decisions going forward.
After I’ve met with the client, I start with crafting a floor plan. Once that is established, I typically work on the shell (wall color or paper, floor or floor covering, and lighting) before turning to the really fun part — sourcing the fabrics, furniture, and accessories. I usually start with a hero fabric — one that influences all of the fabric and trim selections throughout the space — and go from there.
Do you have a go-to color palette?
I can’t dream of a palette without some green. I grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and the vibrant shades of green (particularly chartreuse) seen in the marsh grass always find their way into my schemes. From there, I bring in warm whites (Farrow & Ball’s “Pointing” is a perennial favorite). I almost always use antique wood furniture — so browns are ever-present in my palettes and help ground everything.
What colors make it in next depends on my client. I am fortunate to have clients who love color! In one project, we’ve worked in some sophisticated blush tones along with lilac, French blue, coral, chartreuse, and emerald green. In another, we are working in a lot of olive green along with yellow, pale purple, and eggplant. I am always careful to work with similar tones but no color is off limits!
Do you have some decorating tips that you can share with our readers?
The three main ingredients of a successful room are (1) proper lighting (2) proper scale and (3) a variety of textiles. For lighting, I recommend at least three sources (ex: a pair of sconces and a table lamp). Dimmers are a must and decorative shades always improve a lamp or fixture! For scale, it is important to make sure the furniture isn’t too large (or too small) for the space. Additionally, I tend to keep the height of upholstery on the low side. High backs make occupants feel unsettled! When it comes to textiles, it is nice to have a balance of textures and patterns. I generally avoid large-scale patterns, but a medium-scale, small scale, and solid always find their way into my spaces. Along with that, I like to have a floral (or two), a stripe, some solids with decorative trim, and perhaps a geometric.
Once those ingredients are there, the seasoning comes in by adding something to make it all a little “off.” This wabi-sabi (the idea that beauty is in the imperfections) is what makes a house a home. Whether it is a piece of art that is a little too small for the space or hung off-center, or simply that first scratch in the table, imperfection makes it all more palatable.
Favorite room to decorate and why?
That is a toss-up between a living room and a primary bedroom.
Living rooms are often the largest and offer the opportunity to get creative with furniture layouts. If space allows, I aim to create two or more seating areas within a living room along with a game table or a desk. I also love textiles, and a living room affords me the opportunity to incorporate a lot of different ones.
The primary bedroom is often an under-looked space that I love to decorate. Your home should be your sanctuary, and your bedroom should be of the utmost importance within the sanctuary. A bedroom doesn’t need a lot to feel complete. I often wallpaper a bedroom to envelop the occupants with an extra layer of cozy luxury. A touch of velvet (especially on the headboard) or a little silk never hurts. And fabulous linens seal the deal.
Favorite home decor accessory
I have candles in every room of my home! I mix unscented with scented candles throughout. Buying unscented candles of various sizes (from votives to pillars to tapers) in bulk ensures that you will always be able to set a nice vibe (or survive a power outage). I prefer the warm glow of an ivory candle. For scented candles, I adore Baobab and Diptyque. I particularly love “Oyedo” and “Santal.” And, just when I thought I couldn’t light a scented candle in the kitchen, Diptyque came out with “La droguerie” — a delicious basil scent that neutralizes even the strongest of garlic,
Favorite vacation spot
Mexico! My family and I spend a lot of time in Cuernavaca — a beautiful city in the mountains about an hour drive from Mexico City. We also make a point to stop by the gorgeous Las Mananitas for a drink and to check out the peacocks.
Favorite color for painting a bedroom
Farrow and Ball’s “Cabbage White” is a beautiful blue that plays well with a variety of colors. In my oldest daughter’s room, we’ve brought in chartreuse and lilac. It looks great with navy and red for a boy’s room. It can also be sophisticated for a primary or guest bedroom.
Favorite hostess gift
A pretty snack-sized bowl with a tin of your favorite munchies. I love these Zafferano bowls. They are available in so many gorgeous colors. The amethyst and apple green are my favorites. A beautiful bottle of olive oil is also a great alternative to wine. If you really know your host, a gorgeous coffee table book tailored to his/her interests is always appreciated.
Favorite place to shop for home decor
Locally, I love Odd Mclean for home decor. They also have a website for those who don’t live in Atlanta. Mrs. Alice is also a fantastic resource.
You can follow Katie on Instagram @kwolfinteriors.
Love her home and her aesthetic! And no gray anywhere–love the colors!
So beautiful! Katie achieves a timeless, beautiful home that feels warm and welcoming. Always a treat to see what you write about, Eva. Love following along. Cafe Design is a joy!