Yesterday we visited theHome for the Holidays Designer Showhouse sponsored by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. The house, named Millwood Manor, is 15,000 sq. ft. of stunning architectural and interior design combined with holiday cheer. The house (which is actually brand new) was designed by architects William Harrison, Franky Heery and Steve Markey and built by Sheehan Built Homes to resemble Scotland's Stonefield Castle. 

So many gorgeous rooms to share with you.  Here are just a few of my favorites starting with the dining room designed by Oetgen Design Inc. I swear, if it's pink I will love it!

What I love about showhouses is that they make you stop and ponder why the designer did what they did. Hopefully it's a look, or a layout, or a mixture of furniture styles that you might not have ever considered before so besides being beautiful to look at, the space becomes a mini tutorial (at least for me!)

I stood in the music room designed by Barbara Westbrook and just took it all in for quite a while.

Equally as stately and beautiful was the master bedroom and bath designed by Carole Weaks. 

The bathroom was to die for. 

I seriously gasped when I walked into the bedroom designed by Melanie Millner. Joann was in another room and I was calling to her like I had fallen on the floor and couldn't get up. Haha. 

That is some serious ingenuity mixed with brilliant design if you ask me. (BTW I pulled hard on that floating loft and it is sturdy as a rock). 

Throughout the house, there was very simple but elegant wallpaper and tile. I like a showhouse that is relatable and not so over the top that the ideas within it are unattainable unless you have a massive budget.

We've seen galleries like this one in the last several showhouses we've been to.  I loved this one by Mallory Mathison.  It definitely takes talent and a good eye to put together a gallery like this one. 

Here's a different kind of gallery designed by Heather Roberts. Literally floor to ceiling, it was not overdone at all and made an incredible impression. 

I'm not a holiday decorator so I'm always amazed at the variety of Christmas trees and holiday decor like this tree designed by our friend Steve McKenzie. His design of the upstairs rear hallway showed how to make an awkward space very usable.

With the mild weather we've been having  in Atlanta this Fall, I could have enjoyed the covered terrace designed by James Wheeler all day!

There are three things that good designers possess that is always evident to me in a showhouse.  They have 1) an innate understanding of "scale" 2) resources for unusual and interesting products and 3) the guts to use those products.  

The Home for the Holidays showhouse will be open until December 13th.  The address is 1150 West Garmon Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. Daily admission is $30 at the door. Hours are Thursday-Sunday from 10am-4pm and Sundays from 1pm-4pm. 

For all the details, go to AtlantaHolidayHome.com

Enjoy and Be Merry!

Kelly