Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Atkins.
Hi Leah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Tennessee, but Atlanta has truly become home. After graduating from college in 2013 with a degree in interior design, my husband and I made the move to Atlanta to begin our next chapter together. Just a year later, in 2014, I took the plunge and started my own design firm. From the beginning, Atlanta embraced me in a way I will always be grateful for. This city welcomed my creativity and allowed my business to grow in ways I had always dreamed of.
Design has been part of my story for as long as I can remember. I’ve been saying I wanted to be an interior designer since the second grade. While most childhood dreams change over time, that one never did for me. I was fortunate enough to start pursuing it early, even taking interior design classes in high school. The classes confirmed that I was on the right path. That passion carried me through college and into the career I had always envisioned.
Like many people, life has brought both beautiful moments and unexpected challenges. During the midst of COVID, we adopted two incredible babies and began building our family. Becoming a mom has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Not long after, however, my personal life took a difficult turn and my marriage ended in divorce. Navigating that season required me to shift my focus to my family and healing, and my business naturally took a step back for a time.
But if there’s one thing my journey in design has taught me, it’s that rebuilding, whether it’s a home or a life, is always possible.
Today, I’m stepping back into my business with renewed passion and purpose. I’m working hard to grow again, to create beautiful spaces for my clients, and to continue doing the work I’ve loved since I was a little girl.
Atlanta believed in me once before, and I truly believe this city still has my back. I’m more excited than ever for what’s ahead.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but in many ways those challenges have shaped both who I am and how I run my business today. Like many entrepreneurs, building a design firm from the ground up came with its share of uncertainty. There were moments early on where I was figuring everything out at once – growing a client base, learning the business side of design, and finding my voice creatively.
The most difficult season, however, came more recently on a personal level. During COVID, I was navigating the incredible joy of adopting two babies and becoming a mother while also facing the end of my marriage. It was an emotional and life-changing time, and naturally my focus shifted to my family and finding stability again. My business had to take a bit of a back seat while I worked through that chapter.
But those experiences have also given me a deeper perspective. They’ve strengthened my resilience and reminded me why I love what I do. Creating a home isn’t just about how a space looks. It’s about how it supports people through every season of life. Having gone through my own period of rebuilding, I approach my work now with even more empathy and intention.
While the road hasn’t always been easy, every challenge has ultimately helped shape the designer, and the person, I am today. And I truly believe the best chapters are still ahead.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the heart of my work is the belief that a home should reflect the people who live in it, not the designer. I’m known for designing around my clients’ personal style and their daily lifestyle, rather than imposing my own aesthetic. Every family lives differently, and I believe great design should support the way they actually move through their home each day.
Because of that approach, the relationships I build with my clients are incredibly important. By the time a project is complete, it’s not unusual for me to feel like part of the family. You get to know your designer very closely throughout the process, and that trust allows me to truly understand what matters most to each client. That connection helps me design spaces that feel deeply personal and thoughtfully tailored to them.
From a design perspective, I’m known for incorporating architectural character and bold details that make a home feel unique. I love highlighting arched windows with paint, layering in beautiful wallpaper, and occasionally encouraging clients to step just slightly outside their comfort zone. Those moments often lead to the most memorable and meaningful spaces.
I specialize in high-end residential design, working primarily with luxury homes. What I’m most passionate about is making those homes feel warm, livable, and inviting. Luxury doesn’t have to feel formal or untouchable; it should feel comfortable, personal, and truly like home.
What sets me apart is the balance between elevated design and genuine livability, along with the relationships I build along the way. I’m incredibly proud of the trust my clients place in me and the fact that many of those relationships continue long after the project is finished. For me, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a very curious and creative kid. I loved being active and spent a lot of my time playing sports, but I also had a strong creative side that showed up early on.
I was constantly redecorating my room, moving things around, and coming up with new ideas for how the space could feel different. My mom was incredibly patient and always humored my ideas, even when it meant another round of rearranging furniture or yet another coat of paint. Looking back, those little projects were probably some of my earliest experiences with design.
I also spent hours scrapbooking – carefully putting together photos, memories, and little decorative details on each page. I’ve always been a very sentimental person, and I loved the idea of preserving meaningful moments in a thoughtful and beautiful way. In many ways, that mindset still influences my work today. I believe our homes should hold our memories and reflect the stories of the people who live in them.
More than anything, I always wanted to help people when I had the chance. That instinct has stayed with me over the years and naturally carried into my career. Designing homes is ultimately about creating spaces where people can live their lives, celebrate milestones, and feel comfortable and supported every day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahatkinsdesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahatkinsdesign
Image Credits
Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn (interior photos)
Kristen Beardsley (family photo)
