David Ecton and Lance Jackson, the masterminds behind Atlanta interior design firm Parker Kennedy, call their signature look “preppy on the edge.” Yes, they are inspired by a Palm Beach, FL, aesthetic — lacquer finishes, lots of white and that winning combination of pink and green — but they give their interiors a youthful twist with modern accessories and a dose of the unexpected.

Lacquered walls the color of lime are a backdrop for green and white Quadrille drapery fabric and Quadrille fretwork wallpaper on the backs of the bookshelves.
Lacquered walls in lime are a backdrop for green and white Quadrille drapery fabric and Quadrille fretwork wallpaper on the backs of the bookshelves.
A signature part of the Parker-Kennedy look: Asian-influenced fabrics and accessories, almost always including something in bamboo.
A signature part of the Parker Kennedy look: Asian-influenced fabrics and accessories, almost always including something in bamboo.
Faux bamboo chairs from CR Laine covered with Lulu DK fabric are mixed with red Schumacher draperies in the breakfast room. Light fixure is from Worlds Away.
Faux bamboo chairs from CR Laine covered with Lulu DK fabric are mixed with red Schumacher draperies in the breakfast room. The light fixture is from Worlds Away.

For this house in Charlotte, NC, the design duo was able to incorporate all sorts of hues and happy colors from the spectrum. “Both homeowners love color, and in fact, the husband grew up in Palm Beach surrounded by a colorful house,” says David. “When we first met with the wife, she opened up a paint fan deck and picked out all the colors she wanted us to design the house around, and we started the design process around those initial colors.”

Stunning details in the master bedroom include a “Dorothy Draper”-inspired headboard (referencing the famous New York City designer), Quadrille window treatments in pink and blue, and the rich tones of symmetrical lacquered bedside chests.
Stunning details in the master bedroom include a Dorothy Draper-inspired headboard (referencing the late, famous New York City designer), Quadrille window treatments in pink and blue, and the rich tones of symmetrical lacquered bedside chests.
A mirrored top with an antiqued finish on the master bedroom chest brings in even more light.
A mirrored top with an antiqued finish on the master bedroom chest brings in even more light.
“The combination of fabrics with the solids and the prints turned out amazing – better than we had planned,” says Lance. “The hanging vintage rattan chair is my favorite.”
“The combination of fabrics with the solids and the prints turned out amazing – better than we had planned,” says Lance. “The hanging vintage rattan chair is my favorite.” (see below)
Peacock-patterned fabric livens up a bolster pillow.
Peacock-patterned fabric livens up a bolster pillow on the bed.
Wallpaper depicting bamboo brings a burst of color to the otherwise-white bathroom.
Wallpaper depicting bamboo brings a burst of color to the otherwise-white bathroom.

The house was a full renovation, involving a new kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. Once the architectural changes were in place, David and Lance went about transforming each room. Statement light fixtures are a part of their look, as well as rich colors and fabrics, so every room received a makeover from floor to ceiling.

Royal blue lacquered cabinets in the butlers pantry are given a custom touch with brass metal grates on upper cabinet doors.
Royal blue lacquered cabinets in the butler’s pantry are given a custom touch with brass metal grates on upper cabinet doors.
Laundry room cabinets wear the same vivid blue as the butlers pantry, but with muted stone floors as contrast.
Laundry room cabinets wear the same vivid blue as the butler’s pantry, but with muted stone floors as contrast.
One side of the laundry room features custom storage and a place to sit. Pillow fabric is a Parker-Kennedy favorite: Chiang Mai Dragon by Schumacher.
One side of the laundry room features custom storage and a place to sit. The pillow fabric is a Parker Kennedy favorite: Chiang Mai Dragon by Schumacher.

One of the designers’ specialties: repurposing an old piece with new color. In their Atlanta headquarters, they have the facilities to apply lacquer finishes to chairs, dressers, chandeliers and side tables, which keeps the classic lines of an older piece of furniture updated in colors such as kelly green. They also reupholster vintage furnishings or add a marble top to a mahogany sideboard to give it a new look.

Plenty of fabric patterns keep this room lively, but the designers purposefully kept some elements pure white in this bedroom—such as the lacquered chandelier and duvet.
Plenty of fabric patterns keep this room lively, but the designers purposefully kept some elements pure white in this bedroom — such as the lacquered chandelier and duvet.
An old desk was freshened up with green paint.
An old desk was freshened up with green paint.
“The long vintage Baker daybed mixed with all the colors of the pillows make this porch so eye-catching,” says David. The daybed and chairs both wear a similar black finish (done by Parker-Kennedy) to give the space continuity.
“The long vintage Baker daybed mixed with all the colors of the pillows make this porch so eye-catching,” says David. The daybed and chairs both wear a similar black finish (done by Parker Kennedy) to give the space continuity.
A repurposed chest adds a preppy pop of color to the porch, and can be used as a centerpiece for entertaining.
A repurposed chest adds a preppy pop of color to the porch, and can be used as a centerpiece for entertaining.

And lest anybody think that David and Lance have never met a color they didn’t like, they are happy to clarify. “My favorite colors are greens, blue/turquoises and pinks/corals,” says Lance. “But we never use burgundy and never put black with turquoise.”

Thank you to photographer Christina Wedge for today’s beautiful photos. See more of her work at christinawedge.com.

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Lisa Mowry