Atlanta hums with history, its streets lined with crape myrtles and stories of reinvention. On one of those streets stands the Morningside Project — a home that was recently completely reimagined following a disaster. At 3,680 square feet, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms, it could easily be described in numbers. But that wouldn’t capture the full picture.
Looking at the home’s Tudor-style exterior, you might never guess it was struck by lightning and ravaged by fire in 2022. For Olivia Westbrooks of Olivia Westbrooks Interiors, this project was a journey to restore not only a home but also the spirit of a family who suffered a devastating loss.
In the fall of 2022, Olivia Westbrooks received a call from a friend at Dove Studio (which later provided cabinetry for the home), who shared the news that the Snyder family had returned from vacation to find most of their belongings lost to a fire.
“Upon hearing this story and meeting with the Snyders, I immediately knew I wanted to help the family rebuild their home and alleviate the burden so they could focus on piecing their lives back together,” Olivia tells us. “As the project unfolded, so did a sense of hope and renewal. My goal was to infuse the home with love and intention, crafting a space that not only functioned seamlessly but also gave them a sense of comfort and belonging.”
“I was grateful that they trusted me to help them through this process,” adds Olivia. “We were intentional with every design element, aiming to evoke feelings of warmth, sophistication, and optimism. Our goal was to help the clients look forward, transforming this devastating event into something positive.”
The home’s entryway, previously painted white, lacked the grandeur its vaulted ceiling deserved. To highlight its impressive height, Olivia added a nickel gap design that transformed the space into a true focal point. A statement chandelier from Currey & Company draws the eye upward, while grasscloth wallpaper from Innovations USA makes the space feel intimate and layered.
A studded chest from Lexington serves as a dramatic yet functional piece, anchoring the space and providing a stylish drop zone for the family’s essentials. Throughout the home, rich hues of blue, sourced from a Fabricut drapery, lamps, and a Westside Market rug, became a recurring design motif, evoking a sense of calm and continuity.
“When you enter the home, you feel an immediate sense of warmth and comfort combined with elevated luxury,” says Olivia. “Our inspiration was the Snyder’s love for family and cultivating a space that brought joy after going through such an intense time with the fire.”
The most significant transformation came in the kitchen, which became the soul of the home. “The Snyder’s oldest daughter was getting ready to leave for college, so it was important they have an open kitchen and a lot of entertaining space to host family and friends before she left and when she returned to visit,” Olivia explains.
The previous layout felt constrained, with a column awkwardly positioned through the island and an underutilized built-in desk. To create a more open and welcoming space, Olivia removed the column and introduced a beautifully stained white oak beam to conceal the new support structure.
A custom two-tone range hood by CK Metal Craft, featuring brass and stainless steel, now takes center stage over the Sub-Zero range. The island, custom-crafted from alder wood with a quartzite countertop, along with paneled appliances and brass hardware, elevate the kitchen’s elegance. The warm wood accents provide an organic balance to the lighter elements, adding depth and richness to the space.
One of the most beloved additions was the breakfast nook. What was once an overlooked built-in desk area was reimagined as a cozy yet sophisticated corner. Featuring a banquette with channeled upholstery, cane-back chairs, a marble-top pedestal table, and mirrored cabinetry, the nook became the homeowner’s perfect morning retreat.
“The overall goal with the kitchen was to create different zones in the space to capitalize on multiple seating options,” Olivia tells us. “[The homeowner] requested an area for her morning routine where she could have her cup of tea, read the paper, and start answering emails.”
Throughout the home, Olivia ensured that every design choice reflected the family’s story. The dining room features a striking art piece by the homeowner’s brother, JB Snyder. Miraculously, the artwork survived the fire and was restored and reframed. The room also boasts a custom blue bar, a Zephyr panel-ready wine cooler, and a stunning chandelier from Regina Andrew.
“We also incorporated a wood-burning fireplace, which they didn’t have in their original house but reminded them of their previous home in Chicago,” says Olivia. “These elements gave the home a new level of sophistication.”
Aside from the kitchen, the den is the most frequently used space in the home. Here, the family gathers for movie nights, the kids entertain friends, and overnight guests find comfort. To enhance the natural light, Olivia chose a deep teal blue for the walls, contrasted beautifully with gold drapery and an ottoman. Mixing patterns and art, the room strikes a balance between sophistication and fun.
“Our clients love the color blue and we weaved that throughout the house,” says Olivia. “However, we didn’t want the same color blue in every room. We wanted this room to feel vibrant and fun. We used a deep gold in the drapery and ottoman, which pops beautifully against the deep teal blue, and we mixed some fun patterns and art pieces to give it a chic yet playful vibe.”
For the Snyder’s youngest son, a sophomore in high school with a passion for music, fashion, and pop culture, Olivia designed a bedroom that truly captured his essence. Vibrant artwork, bold colors, and an art wall featuring his favorite musicians made his space a personal retreat. To balance the energy, she incorporated softer hues of lavender and gray on the walls and furniture, ensuring a harmonious yet lively environment.
“We love designing teenage bedrooms because we can have fun and really make a statement on the walls and with the decor,” says Olivia. “The Snyders’ son sent us photos of his favorite musicians, magazines, and movies, so we used that as inspiration for a big statement art wall above his bed.”
In the office, bookshelves became a curated reflection of the family’s life. “We customized the office to our clients’ needs by incorporating a large desk space, built-in bookshelves, and added storage for office essentials,” Olivia tells us. “This included framed portraits of saints portrayed as modern-day people, a framed menu of a Michelin star restaurant that held special meaning for the family, along with a framed Adele poster, which [the homeowner] received from a concert,” she shares.
Affectionately called the “treehouse,” the primary bedroom sits at the highest point in the neighborhood, offering picturesque views. Olivia transformed the space by raising the ceiling and incorporating warm-stained oak beams against a backdrop of white tongue-and-groove paneling. Layers of soft, neutral textures, including wool, linen, and woven throws, evoke a tranquil retreat. The interplay of white, flax, and steel blue tones brings an air of quiet luxury.
“The room has a cozy feel, achieved through the layering of textures,” she says. “We started this coziness at the ceiling and continued it down to the floor, where we even layered rugs on top of each other. Soft, neutral colors were chosen to evoke peace and calm. For added texture, we incorporated materials like wool and linen, along with chunky woven throws. On the walls, we used different shades of white, flax, and various grays, accented by a lovely steel blue color.”
It’s clear the Morningside Project left an indelible impression. “Interior design is more than just creating pretty rooms,” says Olivia. “With this client, in particular, it was about restoring a sense of hope. The human story and connecting with my clients are always at the heart of all my projects. Bringing peace of mind and a place where our clients feel a sense of belonging is the greatest gift that we, as designers, can give.”
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