Six Gable Roofs Cap This Brilliantly Bizarre Atlanta Home

Susannah and Alex Bartko, long-time Atlanta residents, discovered a 1960s ranch house in their desired school district. The property's flat, walk-out backyard and its location on a quiet cul-de-sac were the main attractions, providing an ideal setting for their two young daughters. While the house had good structural integrity, its outdated layout necessitated a renovation. The Bartkos, who enjoy entertaining, sought a home with a seamless flow between rooms. They engaged Melissa Welker of Melissa Lacy Design, a local designer, to manage the renovation. The primary objective was to create a more open floor plan to enhance the home's spaciousness and functionality for the family. Melissa noted that the house required fundamental upgrades and an infusion of character. She integrated inherited and unique pieces to achieve a collected-over-time aesthetic, emphasizing the importance of adding 'soul' and patina alongside improved functionality. The design team drew inspiration from English styles found in design books, which guided the overall decorating scheme. Despite only slightly enlarging the home's original footprint, the team creatively reconfigured the space. The kitchen was relocated to the front of the house, a mudroom was added off the garage, a linen closet was converted into a powder bath, the family room ceiling was vaulted, and the oversized basement was divided into multiple functional areas. Melissa focused on practicality while also incorporating architectural details like trim and casings to add depth. She emphasized the importance of a fluid layout in common areas, stating that a 'dead-end room' should be avoided during gatherings. Intentional design choices, such as high-gloss black double doors with unlacquered brass hardware, added elegance and privacy to pass-through spaces. The entry was anchored by a central table, an unexpected element that creates a traditional foyer feel and offers flexible placement. The front two rooms, typically formal living and dining areas in traditional ranches, were underutilized. Melissa transformed this sun-drenched space, thanks to large bay windows, into the new kitchen and a welcoming sitting room, which also serves as the family's daily dining spot. The decision to move the kitchen to the front was driven by the desire to maximize natural light, a crucial consideration for ranch-style homes. To optimize seating in the kitchen, a banquette and antique breakfast table were positioned flush against the island, which is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Lush, AF-475. Melissa highlighted that the upholstered banquette adds warmth to the kitchen. Blue Willow china, inherited from Susannah’s parents, was displayed on the wall as decor. This connected kitchen and sitting room became the primary living and entertaining space for the family. While the home's main palette consists of neutral tones, Melissa introduced vibrancy through collections, mixed-and-matched throw pillows, art, and fabrics. For instance, the banquette in the kitchen features Lisa Fine Textiles' Calico Floral Stripe. The previously 'scary, eighties-tiled breakfast room' at the back of the house was transformed into a light-filled dining space. This area maintains a formal yet inviting atmosphere with Belgian bluestone flooring, Farrow & Ball's Oval Room Blue (No. 85) on the walls, an Urban Electric Company light fixture, and a round table accommodating up to eight people. Custom fixed-glass doors were installed on both exterior and interior walls of the dining room to allow natural light to penetrate deeper into the house, including the adjacent family room with its brick fireplace. To brighten the family room, the ceiling was vaulted and painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove (OC-17), while the walls were painted in Dove Wing (960). Unique pieces, such as a print of 'Strawberry Hill Library' by Dale Goffigon, were chosen for their personal resonance and to create a fresh contrast with existing oil paintings. Melissa updated a passed-down maple chair with a slipcover and velvet cushion for the family room. For symmetry, a locally made sofa from Travis and Company was centered opposite the fireplace, with a second, longer sofa dividing the space from a walkway to the dining area. An ottoman replaced a traditional coffee table to ensure comfort and safety for the children, while also adding texture and pattern to the room. The bright sunroom, a favorite gathering spot, features Benjamin Moore’s Dove Wing paint on the walls and Brandon Beige, 977, on the floor, complemented by playful textiles. Existing windows, a skylight, a rattan sofa from Susannah’s grandparents (refurbished with paint and a new cushion), and a garden stool create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Downstairs, the awkward basement was made more functional by dividing it into a playroom with ample storage, a gym, and a movie nook with a sectional. This created a secondary entertaining space for family gatherings, specifically for the children. For the younger daughter's bedroom, Melissa incorporated a whimsical custom headboard to elevate a small nook, making it feel cozy and unique. The design process focused on integrating cherished family heirlooms and creating a functional yet character-filled home. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #EnglishDesignStyle #RanchHome #FamilyHeirlooms #KitchenRemodel #FunctionalLayout #AtlantaHomes #SouthernLiving

This blog post highlights a two-story, six-room tiny home available on Amazon, emphasizing its modern design, spacious interior, and unique features like a rooftop deck. The article notes the growing popularity of tiny homes, particularly for those seeking weekend escapes, backyard guesthouses, or affordable homeownership options. The featured S.E.Q Double Story Fully Equipped prefab Expandable Container House is lauded for its impressive use of space, integrating a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, and up to four bedrooms within its compact footprint. The design strategically employs large windows to maximize natural light, creating a bright, open, and airy ambiance that counteracts the typical feeling of small living spaces. The kitchen is presented as fully equipped with built-in cabinets, a sink, and plumbing hooks, while the modern bathroom includes a shower, toilet, and water heater, ensuring that comfort and convenience are not compromised despite the home's size. A standout feature is the inclusion of a rooftop deck, which offers a private outdoor oasis for activities such as dining under the stars, enjoying morning coffee, or simply relaxing. This amenity is highlighted as a significant advantage, especially for city dwellers who rarely have access to such private outdoor spaces. The construction of the tiny home incorporates practical and durable features, including waterproof materials, an insulated roof, and flame-retardant walls. Its standard plumbing and electrical systems are designed for straightforward setup, requiring only utility hookups and personal furnishings to become a fully functional living space. The article underscores the convenience of having such a home delivered and assembled almost anywhere, making vacation-home ownership more accessible. The author also touches on the broader appeal of tiny homes for travelers seeking flexibility and the ability to easily relocate. The post concludes by suggesting that this particular model brings the dream of a stylish, sun-soaked getaway closer to reality, offering a practical yet luxurious solution for modern living. Additional tiny home options available on Amazon are also listed, showcasing the variety in design and price points. #TinyHome #AmazonHome #PrefabHome #ModernDesign #RooftopDeck #MinimalistLiving #TravelHome #ExpandableHome #ContainerHouse

Karla Morris of Karla Morris Designs and Erin Deombeleg of Charlotte Hill Interiors collaborated on a significant renovation of a historic Buckhead property in Atlanta. The challenge involved updating the interiors of a 1926 Neel Reid and Philip Shutze architectural masterpiece while preserving its original charm and design integrity. The designers aimed to integrate contemporary fabrics and accents with traditional furniture and window treatment structures, creating a harmonious blend of old and new. The interior design drew inspiration from Santa Monica, California's casual elegance and the transitional decor found in the 432 Park Avenue condominiums in New York City. This approach successfully enhanced the home's classic architecture, particularly evident in the custom-designed pool cabana. The cabana features open walls that offer unobstructed views of the gardens, originally designed by Philip Trammell Shutze and Reid. The space is further enhanced by a fireplace and intricate ironwork crafted by Angelo Viale of Ironworks International, which subtly references Viale’s hometown of Catania, Italy. Despite the extensive outdoor spaces, which span over 3 acres, Karla Morris identifies the master suite as her favorite area within the home. The master bath is a highlight, featuring white Statuario Carrara Italian marble floors, limestone walls, an oversized steam shower, and separate his and hers water closets. The suite also boasts views of the expansive front lawn. Erin Deombeleg, on the other hand, expresses a preference for the kitchen and the adjacent sun porch. The kitchen project involved a collaboration between Deombeleg, architect Norman Davenport Askins, and Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria. This partnership resulted in a space designed without compromise, equipped with high-end appliances such as a La Cornue range, a sous vide oven, and a stainless steel hood extending over steel countertops. The kitchen seamlessly transitions into the sun porch through a wall of French doors that fold open, creating an expansive common area ideal for entertaining. The sun porch is distinguished by its floor-to-ceiling windows, which integrate the gardens into the home's interior. It also provides views of a copper tree fountain, a guesthouse, a tennis court, a basketball court, and a sports lawn. For comfort during cooler weather, the sun porch includes stainless steel ceiling heaters and a fireplace. The renovation thoughtfully combines impeccable interior design with the home’s treasured architecture, creating a residence that offers both historical elegance and modern luxury. The property, located at 2740 Habersham Road NW, was listed for $7.9 million by Betsy Akers of Atlanta Fine Homes. #HistoricHomeRenovation #AtlantaRealEstate #InteriorDesign #LuxuryHomes #NeelReidArchitecture #PhilipShutze #TransitionalDecor #BuckheadProperty #HighEndAppliances

This blog post highlights a meticulously renovated townhouse located at 132 West 81st Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Originally built in 1887 and designed by architect Edward J. Webb, the property has undergone a complete redesign by Alison Downey of Downey Interiors. Situated near Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and various shopping and dining establishments, the 7,000-square-foot home boasts six levels of luxurious living space. It features five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and four powder rooms, complemented by a range of modern amenities. The residence is distinguished by its extensive outdoor spaces, including a south-facing, bricked garden with a herringbone pattern, suitable for gardening. A significant feature is the handsomely equipped rooftop deck, offering multiple seating and dining areas, cedar fencing, new roof tiles, and provisions for water, electricity, and a sound system, designed for entertaining. Indoor amenities include an elevator, a home gym, a dedicated office, central air and heat, dual bars and laundry facilities, and comprehensive water filtration, intercom, and security systems. The home integrates Savant smart-home technology to manage built-in speakers, automated lighting, and door entry. Architectural details throughout the townhouse preserve its historical charm while incorporating modern comfort. These elements include a circular staircase, pocket doors, oak flooring, wall sconces, crown moldings, stained glass windows, and a backyard fountain. The blog post emphasizes the spacious and inviting staircase landings, suggesting them as ideal spots for relaxation. A floor-by-floor tour begins with an elegant reception gallery featuring radiant-heat stone floors in a black and white pattern, leading into a newly designed, fully custom eat-in kitchen. This kitchen is equipped with an oval-shaped island and breakfast bar, a large walk-in pantry, handcrafted wood cabinetry with task lighting, soapstone countertops, a tile backsplash, and high-end appliances, including a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, a Viking six-burner range, and two ovens. The basement level contains the gym, ample storage, a powder room, and a custom laundry room with built-in cabinetry. The parlor floor is designed for entertaining, offering an open-plan layout with a spacious living room featuring a gas fireplace, a wet bar, and nearly 11-foot ceilings. French doors in the south-facing dining room open onto a balcony with a stairway leading to the backyard garden, facilitating indoor-outdoor flow for gatherings. The third level comprises two large bedrooms, one currently configured as an office, while the floor above features two more en-suite bedrooms, each with marble and tile bathrooms. The primary suite occupies the entire fifth floor, presenting a large bedroom, a custom dressing room, and a new bathroom with a separate shower and tub, and a dual sink vanity. This level also includes a wet bar with a full ice maker and an under-counter refrigerator. A notable advantage of the townhouse's location is the low scale of surrounding blocks, ensuring that the rooftop deck remains open, private, and bathed in natural light throughout the day, enhancing the property's appeal. #UpperWestSide #ManhattanRealEstate #LuxuryTownhouse #HomeRenovation #RooftopDeck #SmartHome #ArchitecturalDetails #InteriorDesign #NewYorkCity #HistoricHome