Project Hillpine: A Chic Parisian Café-Inspired Townhouse Transformation (With Minimal Renovation!)

Organic Modern Townhouse Furnishing Project, Atlanta Interior Designer

Welcome to Project Hillpine — a project so close to my heart because it proves something I LOVE showing:

• You don’t need full-scale construction to transform your home.

• Small upgrades + intentional furnishing = BIG impact.

And for my Atlanta, Marietta, and Sandy Springs families (especially all my busy families & moms), this one will feel very relatable. It’s compact and without a major renovation.

In this blog, we talk about the process, what was the ask / the brief, the selected room-by-room design ideas used, and EVEN sources & direct links - when available.

Are you ready to read all?

But first, some BEFORE vs AFTER drama here...

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The Design Brief & Behind The Scene: Minimalist Meets Parisian Café

Our clients came to us wanting something: Minimalist, Clean, Elevated, but still interesting, artsy, and full of personality. They have seen our previous work Project Viva la Vida, and they wanted to work with us to create something special for them!

And all these without a big renovation budget.

Challenge accepted

We designed two routes for them:

1. Route 1: Jardin des Tuileries – Parisian Café

2. Route 2: Slow Down Minimalist - Neutral Colors, textured look

   

   Project Hillpine - Design Concept Board: Alternative Routes by Design & Curations Interior Design Studio

And when they saw Route 1, that was it — instant YES! The Parisian-inspired route allowed us to bring in:

• Walnut warmth

• Black accents for sophistication

• Brass and iron metals (layered but subtle)

• Green accents for life and continuity

• Sculptural lighting and big art moments

• Soft textures and channeling for that chic café feel

We started from an empty space:

This project challenged us in the best way,  making a fully open-concept main level feel cohesive, artistic, and intentionally layered. As the kitchen has a balcony looking to the great room, both spaces needed to feel cohesive, though they serve different functions. 

Working with Orlando Construction for the renovation implementation.

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This project also pushed us to create a fully connected, visually cohesive experience across the entire main level — thanks to the open space between the kitchen, great room, and dining zones.

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MINIMAL RENOVATION, MAXIMUM IMPACT

Even with minimal construction, we reshaped the feel of the entire home, of course, with all new furniture and full styling by Design & Curations.

Living Room, Renovated Mantle & Shelving Unit, Designed by Design & Curations, Interior Design

LIVING ROOM: Modern Parisian Warmth

What we updated:

• Fireplace refresh with a brand-new mantle

• New shelving and painted grout for a clean, fresh look

• Window frames repainted black (probably the most underrated upgrade EVER)

• Large channeled sofa as the main statement

• Large-scale art that anchors the room

• Choose a sculptural chandelier that acts like jewelry

• Layered lighting: chandelier, art lights, floor lamp

The result? Cozy, chic, and so intentional — the perfect balance of organic warmth and European elegance.

Sources:

1. Mantle – Hazel Wood Fireplace Mantel 

2. Channeled Sofa

3. Art Light

4. Chandelier

5. Floor Lamp

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DINING AREA: Compact, Cozy, and Parisian Chic

Townhouse dining rooms can be tight, so we used a bench for easier walkway clearance. Of course, everything is performance fabric and stain quoted professionally. 

Sources 

1. Table

2. Dining Bench

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Dry Bar, Glass Custom Shelving

DRY BAR: Our Mini Paris Café Moment

This dry bar gave me the SAME feeling as stepping into a cozy French wine bar.

What we changed:

• Kept the warm Taj Mahal stone

• Added antique mirror mosaic tile (MAJOR transformation moment)

• Installed custom brass + glass café shelving

• Added a fluted vent detail that echoes the fireplace

Sources 

1. Shelving – https://ironabode.com/riviera-shelving-unit/ 

2. Mirror Mosaic – Bellas Artes Antique Mirror @ Floor & Decor

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Breakfast Table, Designed by Design & Curations, Interior Design

BREAKFAST AREA: Small, Warm, and Perfectly Curated

This area is now soft, inviting, and full of quiet charm — without taking up visual space.

• 42” round table (the perfect townhouse size!)

• Cane-back chairs for softness

• Artistic pendant over the table — yes, it looks like a floating sculpture

Sources

• Pendant Light

• Table

• Chairs

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WHY THIS PROJECT IS SO SPECIAL

Project Hillpine showcases exactly what I believe as a designer:

• You don’t need a massive renovation to LOVE your home.

• Cohesion comes from thoughtful repetition — not just replacing everything.

• Small-format spaces can be incredibly intentional and beautiful.

• Every home, no matter the size, deserves layered warmth and personality.

This project also pushed us to create a fully connected, visually cohesive experience across the entire main level — thanks to the open space between the kitchen, great room, and dining zones.

And honestly? It turned into one of the chicest, coziest, most charming Parisian-inspired townhomes I’ve ever seen.

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Thank you for following along this transformation — this project truly represents the heart of what we do at Design & Curations.

We design homes that feel: intentional, cozy, artful, and completely tailored to YOU!

If Hillpine inspires you, or if you’re dreaming of refreshing your home with simple, powerful updates… I’d love to help.

📸 See the full gallery here → Project Hillpine

Interior Design & Styling by us, Design & Curations Atlanta-based Interior Design Studio

Photo Credit: Evren Suda

xo,

BurJu

*This blog post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from me, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.