A Sophisticated Southern Sanctuary

With central mailboxes, shared greenspaces, and front porches as far as the eye can see, the award-winning urban village of Serenbe, about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta, is meant to connect residents to nature as well as to each other. Those same goals guided Patrick and Meghan Sharp, the husband and wife co-owners of the Chattahoochee Hills–based studio Mister + Mrs. Sharp, as they helped dream up a four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath model home in conjunction with the quarterly design magazine RUE.

“We set out to create beautiful spaces to gather with friends and cozy spaces to rest. We saw this house as a sophisticated, warm, modern home for a stylish family to live and play,” says Patrick. “Serenbe is a vibrant community with active neighbors who enjoy a full social calendar. This house allows adults and children alike to enjoy indoor and outdoor activities in beauty.” Built by Longo Custom Builders, the luxury residence features an open-concept living area and a gourmet kitchen as well as top-of-the-line finishes, fixtures, and materials throughout—including Ann Sacks tile and stone in 11 separate spaces. We asked Patrick to walk us through each one.

Entryway

The idea to use tile in the entry came from the unique architectural decision to have the home’s main entrance on the terrace level, says Patrick. “We didn’t want anyone to feel like they were entering into a basement, so we needed a bold choice for the flooring to greet every guest with a big dose of design right from the start. The Mod Moda fit the bill perfectly.”

Kitchen

“There are many options within the stone category, the warmest of which is Calacatta marble,” says Patrick. “When we saw the images of the Ann Sacks slabs, we knew we had found the perfect countertops.”

Powder Bath

“We love a bold powder room, so the Arabescato Corchia slab, with its dramatic and high-contrast veining, was an easy choice,” says Patrick. He and Meghan paired it with dark high-gloss paint and art panels from local artist Thomas Swanston.

Primary Bath

“The primary bath is one of our favorite spaces, and it actually all started with the tile,” says Patrick. “We were in the Ann Sacks New York showroom and fell in love with the Terazzo Renata Fluted tile. Once we noticed the tub niche in this generous primary bath, we knew that we found the spot. The curves of the Renata tile give us that texture that we crave to add warmth."

"We wanted a full spa experience, so we clad all of the walls and floors in a Carrara Bianca. The Carrara is a perfect match with the Renata, so we carried the Renata in the shower as well. The Renata also comes in a mosaic that worked perfectly for our shower floor.”

Terrace Bathroom

Patrick compares this bathroom to a Southern California high-end spa. “The natural tones of all the stone and tile work together for peaceful experience,” he says.

Downstairs Bar

The Sharps imagined this bar as a fun place to serve drinks and snacks without having to head upstairs to the kitchen. “We’ve always loved the Savoy Circles, and we knew that if we stacked them from countertop to ceiling, it would become the star of the room,” says Patrick. “That wall has such depth and texture, it becomes the visual feature of the room. And layering the brass shelving in front of the tile creates a little magic.”

Upstairs Bars

In the dry bar, the Bar-On Studio tiles differentiate the space—a space for small appliances and kitchen storage—from the rest of the kitchen without stealing focus. “The color blends beautifully with the other surfaces in the kitchen, and its rough-hewn characteristics add character,” says Patrick.

Directly adjacent to the living room, the wet bar "feels like it belongs in a midcentury California home where the brat pack would hang out,” says Patrick. “The Savoy [Large] Stack mosaic has a really small repeat and creates massive amounts of texture.”

Guest Bath No. 1

“We wanted one white bathroom as a palate cleanser from the bolder choices throughout the house,” says Patrick. “The texture of the Savoy Ribbed spoke to us, and it was complemented by the Rochelle flooring. The Arabescato vanity slab keeps the room from being too subtle.”

Guest Bath No. 2

In a room without a window or natural light, sometimes the best option is to lean into the darkness, says Patrick. Here, the Lisboa Diamante covers every inch of all of the dry walls, almost like wallpaper. “It’s a showstopper,” says Patrick. “When someone walks into that room, they do not miss a window, they enjoy the drama.”

Laundry

“We love a clean-lined, modern home, but we want to make sure that we bring warmth to the party. Several decisions help with bringing warmth—including using natural elements like stone,” says Patrick.