Modern dining room with a black table, gray chairs, and a glass vase of flowers. Open design with visible kitchen featuring wooden cabinets and a staircase. Large sliding glass doors lead to another room, allowing natural light in.
Modern living room with white sofa, armchairs, wooden beams, black chandelier, large arched windows, and fireplace.

THE DOMICILIO STORY

The story of Domicilio Interiors begins with the word itself: 'Domicilio.' It speaks of home, of belonging. But our story infuses that word with a sense of immediacy and purpose, shaped by a journey that ultimately circled back to a core passion for how spaces make us feel.

My own love for design started young but took a scenic route through different life chapters before powerfully calling me back to study interior architecture. Along that path, particularly through the lens of recent global shifts and a focused move towards residential design, a fundamental truth became incredibly clear: our homes have an immense impact on our happiness and peace, today. Waiting for 'perfect' conditions or a 'future' time to create a space that truly supports us means missing out on vital well-being right now.

And so, Domicilio Interiors was founded here in Atlanta – not just as another design firm, but as an advocate for living fully and comfortably in your space today. We believe challenging the 'wait for someday' mindset is essential. Our story is woven with the conviction that your home should be your immediate source of joy, comfort, and positive energy, perfectly aligned with who you are right now. We're here to help you write the next chapter of your home's story – one where it beautifully supports the life you're living today.

Sure, beauty matters in design, but it's truly just the beginning! What really makes a difference is how a space supports your life and well-being right now. Does it flow easily? Does it work for you? Does it give you that essential feeling of comfort and emotional connection? That’s our focus: designing homes where beauty and function come together to genuinely nurture your spirit and spark joy, day in and day out, starting today.

Who we are

JOHN BALLENTINE

Principal | DESIGNER

Man in black suit standing beside a classic car at night with trees in the background.

Welcome! I'm John ballentine of Domicilio Interiors in Atlanta.

My love for design started early, sketching floor plans at 13. Though life took me on a winding path – through corporate roles and non-profits after a reality check about architecture – that initial spark never faded. A mid-life 'aha!' led me back to school for interior architecture, eager to finally pursue my passion.

Experience in commercial design followed, but after co-founding a residential firm during the upheaval of 2020, my conviction deepened: our personal spaces are incredibly important for our immediate well-being. Too often, we delay feeling truly happy and peaceful at home. I wanted to help change that.

Returning to my hometown of Atlanta to launch Domicilio Interiors felt like the right next step, driven by a simple philosophy: your home and surroundings should support your happiness and comfort today. It's fundamental. My approach is collaborative and deeply personal, focused on understanding you and creating spaces that feel authentically aligned and ready to enrich your life right now.

If you're ready to stop waiting and start loving your home today, I'm here to help.

phoebe

DIRECTOR OF HAPPINESS

Dog standing on dock by a lake with forested hills in the background

Meet Phoebe, our indispensable Director of Happiness.

Around here, we believe joy and comfort shouldn't be postponed, and Phoebe? Well, she lives that philosophy every single moment! Whether she's greeting you with an unstoppably cheerful wag or demonstrating the art of relaxation during design calls, she's our furry reminder of the simple, positive energy a happy presence brings right now.

This sweet lab/shepherd mix joined the Domicilio family three years ago and immediately got to work boosting morale. When she's not ensuring everyone feels welcome and at ease, you'll find her pursuing her other passions: tennis balls, sunny spots, and supervising treat distribution.

Phoebe’s convinced a happy home starts with a happy heart (and maybe a well-timed cuddle) today, and honestly, we couldn't agree more.

Close-up of a man cuddling a dog in a black and white image.

INTERIOR DESIGN VS. INTERIOR DECORATING: WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

Interior Designer

An Interior Designer brings specialized education (in areas like spatial planning, building codes, and human factors) to the table, focusing on how the very function, flow, and feel of a space impacts your daily life today. We're trained to design or redesign interiors – sometimes involving structural changes in partnership with architects/contractors – creating environments that are not only appealing but work intuitively and feel fundamentally right for you.

Interior Decorator

An Interior Decorator is skilled at enhancing the beauty and personality of a room within its existing footprint. They concentrate on selecting the furnishings, color palettes, window treatments, lighting, and accessories that pull everything together visually, making the space feel inviting and reflective of your unique style.

WHY HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

People often talk about improving their home as an 'investment,' and while smart design certainly adds value, we believe the most profound investment is in your own daily happiness and well-being today.

That's where partnering with a designer comes in. My expertise blends an understanding of lasting quality and function with a deep focus on creating spaces that feel truly aligned with you and support how you want to live right now. It's about making informed decisions together, ensuring your home not only looks wonderful but genuinely enhances your comfort, joy, and peace, starting immediately.

Flatlay with materials including a macrame, wooden textures, fabric swatches, marble-like surface, and a monstera leaf.
Modern bathroom with white bathtub, herringbone black tile wall, gray towel draped over the tub, wooden stool with a plant, candle, and lotion bottle.

Ready to explore how your home could better support your well-being and feel more aligned with you?

I'd love to hear about your space and ideas. Reach out, and let's start the conversation about creating a home you truly love living in, starting today.