
Alejandra Martinez Dunphy is a renowned interior designer with two decades of experience creating interiors for projects around the world. Dunphy has built a reputation for creating spaces that blend sustainability, functionality and beauty. As the founder and creative director of A+D Studio, she brings her passion for design, art and architecture to every project. Recently, one of her most exciting collaborations was the redesign of a mid-century modern home in Ansley Park in Atlanta, a project that perfectly captured what her clients wanted: authentic, timeless design with a modern, pet-friendly twist.
This 3,000-square-foot home, originally built in the 1940s, was a testament to the mid-century modern architecture that defined much of the era. As beautiful as the home’s architecture is, it had challenges, and previous renovations left it in need of an update. The clients, a couple with adult children who are entering a new chapter, had lived in the house for seven years before deciding it was time for a change. They had previously worked with Dunphy on the interior design of their spa and were so impressed with the result that they asked her to take on their interior redesign.

“I always love working with clients who have a deep connection to the architecture,” she says. “These homeowners were no exception. They loved mid-century modern design and wanted to preserve the house’s authenticity while bringing it up to date in a way that felt both modern and timeless.”
Dunphy’s design began with the acknowledgment that the home’s original architect had been ahead of his time. “The house was built in the 1940s, and the architecture is incredible,” she explains. “Whoever designed it was a true visionary.”

One of the most striking aspects of the home is the asymmetrical A-frame living room. “It’s a narrow, tall space with windows that aren’t centered,” Dunphy says. “It’s beautiful, but it presents a challenge in terms of layout.” The design solution was a delicate balance between respecting the home’s original character and making it functional for modern living.

The homeowners, who share the space with their dogs, also wanted the home to be practical and pet-friendly, which influenced every design choice, from the materials to the layout. “We had to make sure everything was durable, pet-friendly and safe for the clients and their dogs,” says Dunphy. “That meant using low-emission paints, natural wood finishes and fabrics that could stand up to the wear and tear of everyday life.” Some of the new furnishings are by Masaya, a sustainable, FSC-certified company. Several furnishings, such as stools and side tables, are original Eames from Design Within Reach.

The homeowners wanted to remain in the house during the renovation, so Dunphy and her team worked in phases, starting with the primary bathroom. “Before the redesign, the floors were yellowed oak hardwoods, the walls were painted gray, and the fireplace in the living room was so small,” she says. The designer and her team began with the spaces that would have the least disruption to the homeowners’ day-to-day life, starting with the primary bathroom, then moved on to the powder room, den and the more complex areas, such as the living room and kitchen.
The entry foyer was one of the first areas to receive a design overhaul. “We wanted to make an impact right from the start,” says Dunphy. “The clients are well traveled and have an incredible art collection; as soon as I saw their photo of Stevie Nicks, I knew the piece needed to be in the entry.” This striking photograph immediately sets the tone for the home’s eclectic, art-infused vibe.

Dunphy also chose a black window trim to create a crisp contrast against the lighter walls and added a new mid-century modern pendant light, enhancing the space’s visual appeal. To complement the art and contrast the light walls, the designer proposed a light wood stain to existing oak floors, creating a bright, inviting entry.
From the entry, moving to the living room, we can see the beautifully redesigned staircase. “We wanted to create an impactful staircase with vertical wood slats, which were used a lot in mid-century modern design,” she says.

The living room presented one of the most significant challenges due to its asymmetrical architectural elements. With its tall, angled ceiling and off-centered window, Dunphy had to carefully consider how to create a sense of balance. “The asymmetry made it a very tricky room to work with,” she says. “We didn’t want to cover up the beauty of the architecture but also needed to find ways to center the space visually.”

Dunphy also incorporated a large, organic sculpture—a tree trunk glazed in silver—to add texture and a focal point opposite the asymmetrical window. The gas fireplace, originally small and unremarkable, was reclad to draw the eye upward toward the high ceiling, creating an elegant visual anchor for the room.
Lighting was another challenge. Dunphy couldn’t add a chandelier due to the ceiling’s design, so she opted for a tall Roche Bobois floor lamp, which provides ample light and is a sculptural statement in the room. “It looks like jewelry,” she says. “It brings a sense of elegance and warmth to the space.”
In the kitchen, Dunphy blended modern materials with the home’s mid-century bones. New countertops, cladding on the cabinets and updated lighting elevated the space while maintaining its integrity. “I wanted to enhance the kitchen without overpowering it. The cabinets were red, and we reclad them with a neutral wood tone,” Dunphy says. “The goal was to keep the original feel of the space but make it more functional and aesthetically in line with the rest of the home.”

The dining room, which is semi-open to the living area, was inspired by the homeowners’ love of Belize. The designer avoided overly bold wall coverings and colors, choosing instead to focus on art. “They have some incredible pieces from their travels, and art is really important to them,” Dunphy says. The room’s focal points are large Caribbean blue artworks that incorporate mid-century patterns and textures.
The dining table, a solid wood piece the clients purchased 15 years ago, was one item they insisted on keeping. “It’s a statement piece,” Dunphy explains. “It’s heavy and has a lot of character, so we wanted to contrast it with the lighter floors and softer elements in the room.” With their bouclé fabric, the contemporary dining chairs brought a layer of texture that complemented the table’s weight. Dunphy added vegan cowhide rugs that were pet-friendly and easy to clean. The hand-hammered bronze pendant light adds an organic feel to the space, complementing the rustic yet modern design.
For the den, the clients wanted a space where they could read, watch TV and relax with their dogs. With views of the pool and outdoor kitchen, this room was designed to be a serene retreat. “We chose a deep, rich blue for the walls, which was inspired by a photo of their lake house,” says Dunphy. “It evokes the calmness of water and feels so soothing in the space.”

Comfort was key in this room, and Dunphy incorporated sheepskin chairs that are as cozy as they are stylish. To accommodate the pets, a bench was built into the space, giving the dogs a designated spot to relax while their owners unwind.
The powder room was entirely reimagined, transforming from a dark and cramped space into a bright, functional area with handmade tiles and a hand-carved stone sink. “Before, the powder room was really dark and had a closet that ate up a lot of space,” Dunphy says. “We created a nice cabinet to hide some pipes; it’s mid-century with beautiful handmade tiles. The floor is a mid-century pattern with black grout to enhance the contrast. The room combines authentic mid-century with a contemporary approach, but ultimately, it can be timeless. In 10 years, it will still work with the house.”
The upstairs primary suite was transformed into a serene sanctuary with calming features. “The clients wanted a spa-like feel but nothing too elevated. They wanted it to feel open and organic,” Dunphy says. The large, open bathroom with earthy tones and organic shapes includes a floating vanity, a large shower and a deep soaking tub. The design draws inspiration from nature, with tree trunk-shaped tiles and light fixtures that mimic water droplets.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the bathroom is the glass block window, an original feature that had not held up well over the years. “In Ansley Park, the houses are very close together,” Dunphy says. “The bathroom originally had a glass block window, but it was falling apart, and cold air was coming in. The plan was to remove the glass block, but they loved it. It lets light in and creates privacy, and it’s authentic to the house. We were able to preserve that element while making the space feel fresh and modern.”

Dunphy found she could take the ceiling higher in this room, so she carved into it and kept the pitch. As a final indulgent touch in the suite, she created a cozy beverage station in an unutilized nook.
The result of the designer’s collaboration with her clients is a home that feels curated—a place where every element has been thoughtfully selected, not just for its aesthetic appeal but also for its function and sustainability. From the pet-friendly materials to the eco-conscious design choices, every detail has been carefully considered.
“I enjoyed working with them,” Dunphy says. “I loved that it’s a recurring client. The beauty of residential and commercial design is that we have a team of talented designers who understand both. We worked with this client in both cases and are now doing their house in Belize. They absolutely love how this home turned out. And everything is pet-friendly, so they don’t have to worry about the dogs. They knew what they wanted, and they had a great eye. They know what mid-century design is; they love that era, so they spoke my language. They trusted me, and it was a true collaboration.” *
Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.