In the heart of Buckhead lies a stunning 4,800-square-foot home that has undergone a remarkable transformation. Owned by a young professional couple who share an equal love for entertaining, traveling and family time, the house needed a redesign to reflect their tastes and suit their evolving lifestyle. They enlisted the expertise of interior designer Kit Castaldo.
Castaldo is an innovative interior designer known for her ability to blend modern aesthetics with timeless elegance. With a keen eye for color and texture, she creates spaces that reflect her clients’ personalities and enhance their daily lives. “It’s important to me that the space represents the client and our collaboration,” she says. “I don’t design the same space over and over; a home should tell a unique story.”
Castaldo’s design philosophy centers around the idea that a well-designed space can transform moods and experiences, making every corner of a home both livable and beautiful. Over the years, the designer has built a diverse portfolio that includes chic residences around the country, each one showcasing her sophisticated signature style.
These homeowners approached Castaldo with a clear vision: They wanted a space that was stylish, young and conducive to frequent entertaining. “It was an existing home but new to them. They wanted it to feel updated, modern and elegant,” Castaldo says. “Our primary goal was to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere while maintaining a refined and sophisticated feel. Their lifestyle revolves around entertaining friends and family, so every room had to be functional and comfortable while still having a unique character, all carefully curated to maintain a cohesive design narrative.”
The clients wanted to keep a few pieces of existing furniture, including a table, bed, sofa and rug, so the designer worked around them. Otherwise, she had the best tools a designer can have: a blank slate, creative freedom and her client’s trust.
The furniture plan was thoughtfully devised to incorporate simple yet shapely tables, chairs and case pieces. Art and custom furniture were essential to the client, as they wanted to start a collection that told their story. “We worked closely with them to understand their unique style and desires, curating a selection of furniture, art, lighting and objects that reflect their personal taste,” Castaldo says. “They were newly married and about to start a family, so we needed furnishings and family-friendly finishes that would stand the test of time. We also wanted our client to use every piece of furniture throughout the house, as furnishings are most beautiful when used, lived with and well-loved.”
Castaldo has degrees in fashion merchandising and textiles as well as interior design. She believes each room should make a statement, which she achieves by blending the comfort of traditional styles and classic elements with clean lines and sleek elegance. She is known for using neutral color palettes anchored by dark accents, warm materials, natural elements and layers of organic textures. “We like to fill each room with the perfect array of textures, fabrics and timeless finishes in order to keep the design fresh for many years to come,” she says.
When Castaldo starts a project, she sees the home as one composition instead of individual rooms. “I’m always thinking about how everything in each space relates to the others,” she says. “I’m very methodical in my process to ensure the whole house has symmetry, balance and rhythm.”
The designer and her team work with clients for new construction projects as well as redesigns and remodels all over the country. Castaldo says her 17 years in a corporate job taught her to think with the end in mind, which is a considerable asset in design projects. “I think of the process holistically,” she says. “I’m always thinking about how to elevate the space but still make it approachable.”
Though all of Castaldo’s designs feel indulgent, ultimately, the designer is practical, a nature lover and grounded in everything humans are hardwired to appreciate about classical design. “I want spaces to be timeless, refined yet extremely comfortable. I love Mother Nature and her materials, and I truly believe when you use the right textures and materials, less is more,” she says.
Stepping into the foyer, visitors are greeted by curated sophistication. A large abstract canvas by William McLure hangs over a sleek black iron bench, while a geometric sculpture perched on a tall Lucite pedestal introduces an element of verticality to the horizontal lines of the bench and artwork. Underfoot, a vintage Oushak rug adds warmth and a touch of history, an essential component of all Castaldo’s projects. “Because I tend to design with neutral palettes, I add texture and hints of color through accents and artwork,” she explains. “For example, the bench has clean lines, and a hammered texture adds an organic touch.” This elegant foyer sets the tone for the rest of the house, where every piece is carefully selected to contribute to a cohesive aesthetic.
Just off the foyer, the homeowner’s office is the perfect blend of comfort and utility, crucial for remote work. Castaldo designed a custom solid wood fluted desk in a dark finish, giving it a masculine, refined style. “He works from home often, so it was important this room be comfortable,” she says. “We incorporated dark elements to connect the office with the dining area across the hall. We added hints of dark elements throughout the entire house, so every room relates to each other. I really like to use dark colors to ground a space, so there’s often some form of blue or black in my designs. When you use dark elements with lighter things, it creates an unexpected contrast.”
At first glance, Castaldo’s designs seem contemporary; look closely though, and you’ll recognize the influence of her classic education and global sense of style. “I grew up in the South but also traveled during the summer. My dad lived in Egypt,” she says. “That is ingrained in my style and is what made me open to many different design styles. I love traditional elements. I think it’s important to have something old-world or antique that’s a nod to tradition, like the Oushak rug in the foyer. Everything shouldn’t be brand-new. I’m not a contemporary designer; I like to take traditional elements and clean them up so they feel fresh while keeping the classic aspects we’re hardwired to love.”
Castaldo is an expert on textiles, so it’s no surprise they’re a focus of her designs. For the office, she chose wool sateen with a tailored look that resembles a man’s suit. “Texture, scale and light are important, and I always add just the right amount of color,” she says. “In this room, we used camel accents, including camel-colored velvet on the chairs, which are very masculine. We wanted this room to be completely true to his style so it would be a space he enjoyed working in.”
The couple wanted to keep the striking Élitis wallpaper in the dining room, which Castaldo skillfully complemented with a generous, custom black wood dining table that comfortably seats eight. Rounded dining chairs adorned with a black, white and charcoal abstract print from Paul+ Atlanta create a playful juxtaposition.
Overhead, a streamlined, gold-toned chandelier from Visual Comfort provides a warm glow for evening gatherings. A dark wood sideboard sits in a niche, topped by a custom mirror. Four custom intaglio prints hang in a gold-framed grid on the adjacent wall. “The house is traditional, but we wanted to add modern touches and make it more updated,” Castaldo says. “We started the design plan in this room and carried the elements throughout.”
The living room is a hardworking everyday space that accommodates cocktail parties and quiet family nights watching TV. The clients kept their existing sofa and rug, so the designer added a complementary artistic focal point. “I love blue, so using blue accents in this room was a no-brainer for me,” Castaldo says. “We commissioned a piece of art from Kristen Giorgi, and it’s the main focus in this room. She’s an Atlanta artist, and her work is absolutely beautiful. From the soft, organic hues to the texture of the linen canvas, it represents everything I love.” The designer added custom chairs with textured Romo fabric and a substantial custom marble coffee table made from natural stone slabs from Ciot. Textured drapery is custom in a fabric from Paul+ Atlanta.
In the kitchen, Castaldo added new barstools with a soft performance fabric, new hardware and new lighting from Visual Comfort. The clients kept an existing table to use in the breakfast area, and the designer added woven black leather chairs to continue the thread of dark elements that run through the home. Over the table, a large conical light from Visual Comfort adds a youthful aesthetic to the more traditional kitchen design. Large windows are wrapped in sheer drapery to filter light and add softness during the day.
Just off the sitting area, the powder room showcases Castaldo’s attention to detail. The walls are enveloped in Mark Alexander grasscloth, providing a textured backdrop for two original artworks by Atlanta artist Windell Dobson. The black-and-white works contrast beautifully with the vertical pattern of the wallpaper.
The designer wanted the client’s bedroom to be sophisticated and stylish yet exude tranquility. The room features a neutral palette of cream, oatmeal and black with a touch of a green jewel tone. Castaldo incorporated their existing bed and added linens from Peacock Alley and a custom bolster in Kelly Wearstler’s “Channels” fabric. Swivel chairs from Highland House and a cherished fiddleleaf fig create a reading nook, while custom drapes in black glazed linen add an elegant touch. “The glazing on the linen drapes gives them a bit of a sheen, which makes them a touch dressier,” she says. “The wraparound drapery is moody but softens the corners. The light fixture adds visual interest. Together, these elements illustrate a compelling story of beauty and warmth.”
Castaldo emphasizes the transformative impact of original art in creating a home that resonates with its owners. “This home shows the power of original art,” she says. “We discussed original art from the beginning because it makes such a difference in the final project. I’m so glad they were willing to let us commission original art and work directly with the artists to bring the rooms together. All of the art came after we had established the fabric palettes. Through the art, we tied the spaces together to tell the story. It’s a true collaboration with the designer, artists and homeowners; they put their trust in us, and the final design reflects the charm and personality of our clients.” *
Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.
