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Q&A with Whitney Ray of Wyeth Ray Interiors
By Amy Wenk
Interior designer Whitney Ray will
admit she likes a bit of drama.
“You can count on my selections
centering around modern-leaning pieces
with some antiques peppered in for
character,” said the principal of Buckhead-
based design firm Wyeth Ray Interiors,
Whitney Ray, principal of Buckhead-
based design firm Wyeth Ray Interiors.
(Special/CatMax Photography)
located on East Paces Ferry Road. “I like a
little bit of edge and what I call the ‘good
sense of drama.’”
Ray was a senior designer for Atlanta
firms including Beth Webb and Wolf
Designs before launching her own firm
alongside architect Joel Kelly in 2017.
Reporter Newspapers caught up with
Ray to hear what home trends are popular
this summer and how she approaches good
design.
What are the home trends you are
seeing this year, especially coming out of
the pandemic?
That would have to be the deep,
saturated colors! I will never part from my
love of neutrals, but I’m having fun with the
bold colors my clients are requesting. Who
wouldn’t want an emerald green, lacquered
bar to brighten up their home after
spending so much time in quarantine?
If your design style was a zodiac sign,
what would it be?
Gemini. I love contrasts. I will always
mix antiques with more streamline, tailored
pieces. I personally prefer a slightly more
masculine palette in black, white, and
family of browns offset with custom pillows
in a variety of textures and dressmaker
detailing. I like pretty things but will always
edit out fussiness so that you can appreciate
the juxtaposition of the selections and how
they interplay in that setting.
What are some of your recent projects?
A weekend mountain home on Lake
Toxaway. A modern masterpiece in Chastain
Park designed by the talented Plexus R&D.
And a Brookhaven home for the owner of
CaseMate and his family that sits atop a
viewing garage for his rare car collection.
What are some simple things people
can do to modernize their decor?
Edit. Edit. Edit. I find that even in my
own home, I can refresh a space simply by
taking some things away. Try using larger
statement pieces rather than a lot of small
objects. It makes a big difference! QH
REAL
ESTATE
Ibriefs
A The Atlanta City Council voted in
July to apply for a $ 1 million federal
grant to fund an implementation study
for The Stitch, a long-simmering plan
to cap part of the Downtown Connector
to reconnect the Downtown area while
creating new buildable and park space. The
funding would come from the recently
announced $ 1 billion Rebuilding American
Infrastructure with Sustainability and
Equity (RAISE) program from the U.S.
Department ofTransportation. The city
will work with the Atlanta Downtown
Improvement District and Central Atlanta
Progress to complete the application.
HOME Real Estate has teamed up with
Meals On Wheels Atlanta to create The
HOME Fund, which supports seniors
struggling with food insecurity. Every agent
has committed
to donate a
portion of each
commission
from closing in
the 1st and 2nd
quarter of 2021.
Proceeds will be
used to purchase
items of needs
for seniors and
their pets and pay
for unexpected
emergencies and
home repairs. For
more information
visit homegeorgia.com and mowatl.org.
PadSplit, an affordable housing
marketplace that helps lower-
income individuals achieve financial
independence, and Partners for HOME,
a nonprofit created by the City of Atlanta
to lead a coordinated response to ending
homelessness in the city, have housed 88
individuals through their partnership.
“The past year has been an extremely hard
one for the underhoused and those who
experience homelessness,” said Cathryn
Marchman, Partners for HOME chief
executive officer. “We have moved as
quickly as possible to secure housing
for our clients, to keep them safe and
help stem the spread of COVID-19
amongst the community.
Time and again, we have
called on PadSplit to assist
with our efforts — sometimes
on a moment’s notice — and
they have stepped up to the
challenge to help those when
they need it most.” Visit
padsplit.com for more details.
Greystar’s 29-story Ascent
Peachtree, built atop an
existing parking garage at
161 Peachtree Center Ave.,
is now leasing its 345 units. Rents
begin at $1,550 for a studio, while
large two-level townhomes are available
for $5,000 to $6,510 per month. The
property amenities include a co-working
space, yoga studio, bike repair area, and
concierge services. On the 12th floor,
the Spectator will have entertaining space
and an outdoor terrace with pool. On the
29th floor, the Eleve terrace will feature
more outdoor space, a wine room and
lounge.
T Atlanta-based nonprofit MicroLife
Institute held a ribbon cutting in July for
Cottages on Vaughan. The new pocket
neighborhood, situated on a half-acre lot
a block away from downtown Clarkston,
includes eight tiny homes, a common green
space for gathering, and climate-conscious
development features such as solar panels
and edible, regenerative landscaping. “This
project is a proof of concept for us.” Will
Johnston, Founder and CEO of MicroLife
Institute, said. “When people see these
homes, they are shocked, they can’t believe
the cottages are under 500 square feet, and
that’s exactly the reaction we want. Every
inch of this space was intentionally built
to challenge our perception of space and
make us reflect on how we can better utilize
it.” Following the project groundbreaking
in late 2019, the cottages had already
developed an interest list of more than
1,500 people from around the country. QH
38 AUGUST 2021 | DU
AtlantalntownPaper.com