With a proliferation of McMansions and generic white boxes cluttering the housing landscape, it is growing increasingly difficult to find architects who embrace fine classical architecture. And the same can be said for interior design. Atlanta-based designer Mallory Mathison Glenn has quickly become one of my favorites due to her fresh approach to classic style (she happens to hold a post graduate certificate in Antiques and Interiors Connoisseurship from Parsons School of Design). I follow Mallory on Instagram and have been watching the progress of today’s featured home with eager anticipation… and finally it was published last week!
Joe and Fran Brannen wanted to build a home in South Georgia that could serve as a backdrop for entertaining and ultimately be passed down through generations. They turned to architect Brandon Ingram, who introduced them to landscape architect Carson McElheney and interior designer Mallory Mathison Glenn in the project’s initial stages. “They wanted a young team in place that could give them a classically rooted house that still felt very fresh,” said Ingram. “All three of us were under 35 at the time, and the Brannens really allowed us to prove ourselves by giving us full creative rein,” adds Glenn. Four and a half years after Ingram’s first meeting with the Brannens, the main house was ready to host family and friends.
Photography by Jeff Herr with captions from Sejal Bhima for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Additional unpublished photography, also by Herr, is being shared today as an exclusive to The Glam Pad!

Live oaks gracefully frame Brannville Plantation. A circular driveway allows guests to be dropped off at the front portico as rocking chairs beckon.

The entry hall provides a first impression of the home’s classically inspired but fresh interiors. Given the foyer’s neutral base, Ingram took the opportunity to step up the millwork with elaborate cornices and ornate casings and pediments over doorways.

“When you have so many rooms that are open and grand, we wanted to create a space that was a little bit compressing, says Ingram when describing the main gallery. “It saturates you visually and spatially with architectural detail and rich color.”

Ingram designed the sweeping curved stair case to serve as the architectural heart of the house.

The chest in the entry is Hickory Chair and the lamps are ancient Chinese. Glenn had the mirrors, which are from Mirror Image Home, hand painted to look like tortoise shell.

A bold mix of seating options in the spacious living room further add to the home’s collected effect. “It’s very traditionally based but never feels to formal or precious,” said Glenn.

Beauty meets comfort in the dining room with tapestry-backed velvet chairs and handmade Dennis & Leen crystal chandeliers. Glen brought freshness to the space with saturated color.

The kitchen opens directly onto the dining room and was designed to be every bit as elegant. This was accomplished through delicate fretwork details, white marble accents, and unique brass lighting. The cabinetry was designed by Ingram and fabricated by Morgan Creek Cabinet Company.

The cabinetry was designed by Ingram and fabricated by Morgan Creek Cabinet Company.

Glenn infused the master retreat with feminine flourishes such as a traditional four-poster bed, elegant valances, and a treasured collection of Rose Medallion china against a soft celadon backdrop. The drapery and wallpaper are Scalamandre, the large chest and ottoman are Hickory Chair, and the lamp is from Parc Monceau. The club chairs are by Charles Stewart, and the rug is Stark.

Delicate florals play up the sweet sophistication of the Princess Suite, designed for the Brannens’ granddaughters.

Glenn went for major impact in the Blue Room by enveloping it in an intricate Chinoiserie wallpaper by Brunschwig & Fils. She repeated the pattern on the drapery and chairs as a nod to historic English country homes.

The “Bird & Thistle” bedroom naturally features the Bird & Thistle print from Brunshwig & Fils. The bed is by Somerset and the chairs are covered in a Schumacher Velvet.

The home’s upper level offers many moments for guests to rest their heels. Wicker rockers on the back porch balcony provide a relaxing spot to soak in the exceptional views.

Guests can also sink into the upper hall’s plush club chair with a bourbon in hand from the adjacent bar.

The upstairs powder room features Lee Jofa “Jessup” wallpaper designed by Oscar de la Renta. It is the same as fabric used on chair and pillow in the upstairs sitting room. The faucet is Newport Brass.

The bar in the upstairs sitting room offers a welcome respite. It is painted Bella Blue by Benjamin Moore.

From the project’s onset, Ingram worked in tandem with Glenn, either accelerating or scaling back a room’s architectural detailing according to her design scheme. For example, pared-down spaces such as the Africa Room feature more ornate millwork. Here, the bed is recessed into an elliptical niche for added dimension.

Flora and fauna is a common theme throughout the home, a tribute to both the Brannens’ passion for hunting and the property’s natural surroundings. In the powder room, Glenn commissioned a hand-painted Gracie wallpaper that incorporates Cherokee roses, persimmon, butterflies, quails, and other critters native to South Georgia.

The home’s abundance of historical references spills out onto the back porch, where a delicate balcony rail, inspired by the classic sheaves of wheat architectural motif, tempers the porch’s powerful composition. For the planters, McElheney gathered inspiration from drawings by Atlanta architect Philip T. Schutze dating to 1929.

Furniture by Celerie Kemble graces the beautiful and classic pool house.

Custom gates designed by Carson McElheney
Every inch of this magnificent estate, destined to become a treasured ancestral home, is positively exquisite! A huge thank you to designer Mallory Mathison Glenn for the additional images. To read this article in entirety, please visit Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

I am in love with this house. I love the use of fabrics and wall coverings. The guest powder with Gracie wallpaper was outstanding. A classic and timeless detailed home. These young designers and decorators were spot on. They will be in high demand after these photos get around. I have looked at each photo twice , now I am going to study each one in detail. Thanks Glampad
It’s all perfectly wonderful. Love the colours and design choices and furnishings.
Beautiful house.. love the exterior reminds me of Graceland. The interiors are stunning and so well proportioned. Thanks for sharing.
Graceland is one of my favorite houses! That’s the most flattering compliment anyone could give me or this house!, thank you! Brandon
Thank you Glam Pad for making these dark days of coronavirus a little brighter…
Does anyone know the color of the kitchen??