And finally, they say the homonym “Ark”
connotes a place of spirituality, faith, safety,
hope, diversity, and peace.
These sentiments were curated in every
room through thoughtful selection of art,
furnishings, and design details.
They sought art pieces created by underrepresented
artists to reflect diversity.
They repurposed trees cleared from the
property into cabinets and a table in
the game room’s bar area. They added
a serene private garden outside of their
master shower, creating a peaceful space
brimming with plants and serenaded by a
waterfall.
Color selections ranged from calming
and muted to vibrant and rich, depending
34 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | FALL 2021
on how they used each space. “Every
bedroom has its own vibe, from bright
yellow in the bunk rooms to earthy tones
in the master,” says Amanda Higgins with
Black Sheep Interiors. “They really wanted
each room to feel like you’re walking into
a different area.”
To meet the scale of the dramatic vestibule,
the Black Sheep team selected a
colorful glass art installment for the stair
tower, complemented by a large painting
below that pulls out the piece’s vibrant
colors.
The layout of the main floor was designed
with usability in mind, says Ruhl.
“I like that it’s all incredibly usable space,”
she says. “Not everyone has a pool table
and bar area on the main floor, but that’s
how this family lives. They don’t want to
be separated by floors when they entertain
and this main level opens up to the outdoor
patio with slider doors to create even
more functionality.”
They brought in the metal details that
added weight to the outdoor living spaces
and softened them for the interior with organic
metal cutouts on the cabinetry and
fireplace screen to connect both spaces.
“They wanted the home to be a diverse
and welcoming place for family and
friends,” says Don Schoenberger of Black
Sheep Interiors. “Now they have a vibrant,
cheerful place to gather and make memories
for years to come.”