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W is for WOW

DESIGN GURU THOM FILICIA LENT HIS STYLISH TOUCH TO ATLANTA'S NEWEST W HOTEL.

THOM FILICIA, host of Style Network's "Dress My Nest" and author of Thom Filicia Style, has done it again at the brand new W Atlanta-Buckhead (www.whotels.com; 678-500-3100). Mixing simple lines and muted hues with bold splashes of color-rich textures, the hotel is country club chic at its finest. Here, Filicia explains his approach:

How would you define your design style?

"It's very personality driven, classic and timeless with an unexpected modern twist."

Describe your overall vision for the W Atlanta-Buckhead?

"We wanted it to be very modern, fresh and fun because it's the W and it's the new kid on the block. I wanted it to feel young and hip, but also have elements that you would typically see in more timeless environments… like wing chairs and lanterns. Buckhead has a classic sense about it; people tend to be more tailored, so we wanted it to connect with that aesthetic. But we really pushed the unexpected modern twist part."

Did you approach the common areas and guestrooms differently?

"In lobbies and hallways, you can push the envelope a little bit. Those are areas where you can make decisions people would normally shy away from. However, you want the actual rooms to feel a bit calmer and serene because, at the end of the day, you want there to be a certain level of tranquility [even if] the hotel has great energy."

Why is hotel design so important?

"People are going to hotels for shorter periods of time, and it's interesting for them to have a fantasy experience. In their homes, they're living there day in and day out. In hotels, you can push the boundaries because people are there for a few days, and they want to be intrigued. Hotels have become more than just destinations for sleeping, but also dining and socializing, and I think people are looking for something a little more dynamic."

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