When Jeffrey Dungan talks about his clients, he sometimes sounds more like a psychologist than an architect. That’s because, in addition to thinking about his clients’ lifestyles, he thinks about their personalities. So when describing client Charlie Israel, he says, “Charlie is a man’s man kind of guy with a bit of a cowboy, all-American attitude. I wanted the house to reflect that, so we chose stone and reclaimed wood for the exteriors to create a more masculine appeal. Charlie is also a big-hearted guy, so I wanted the whole place to be warm and inviting throughout.”
Inside the house, however, there’s a subtle shift to a feminine perspective in the midst of the stone pavers, stucco, and stained pecky cypress. It appears in the chamfered openings, the sinuous staircase, and the fluting details on the front door and bar cabinetry.
“I was thinking of Linda [Israel] when you first step inside, but I still wanted the interiors to relate to the façade and the outdoor rooms,” says Jeffrey. “Indoor/outdoor living is a strong presence in the design.
As empty nesters, the Israels downsized significantly, but the house still lives large.”
Jeffrey and Atlanta interior designer Beth Webb have worked on many projects together, and they speak the same language when it comes to beautiful bespoke finishes and details. “Jeffrey is incredible at creating the perfect canvas, which makes anything we do look good,” says Beth. But the interior designer is adept at making it look easy as well, as evidenced by the seamless flow throughout the open floorplan.
In her choices, she listened to Linda’s desires “to go in a new direction in this house, which is significantly smaller than her former traditional one,” says Beth. “She wanted a fresher, more fashion-forward palette and a more eclectic mix of furnishings.” The design includes two seating areas that can morph for larger gatherings and a dining table that expands. “While they are now living in a smaller house, the Israels still have a lot of family in town,” Beth says. “We needed to account for that in our selections.”
Above all, the house exudes comfort, which is the linchpin of good design for Beth. “If it’s not comfortable, it’s not enjoyable,” she says. That’s certainly in keeping with Jeffrey’s philosophy. “I wanted to create a home that’s like a great-fitting pair of blue jeans that only gets better with time,” he says.
Buffy’s Brushstrokes
In keeping with the muted interiors, floral designer Buffy Hargett Miller employed varying shades of green punctuated with fruit, white flowers, and ribbons for a festive winter wonderland.
RESOURCES
Architecture Jeffrey Dungan, 205.322.2057, jeffreydungan.com Interior Design Beth Webb, 404.869.6367, bethwebb.com Floral Design Buffy Hargett Miller, Buffy Hargett Flowers, 205.533.3328, buffyhargettflowers.com
