New on the market in Atlanta: another spectacular house

I have just returned from a long vacation, and it was nice to get back into the normal routine.  Part of the routine:  perusing the new real estate listings!  Quite a few amazing houses went on the market in Atlanta this week, and this one was by far my favorite.

There is something very appealing about this home.  It has both contemporary and traditional elements, and the architecture is top notch.  Seeing this house reminded me of a post that I did in 2007 called 'a tale of two styles' - I love both traditional French and Swedish designs, as well as designs that are more contemporary or transitional.  The listing says that the architect on this nine year old home was Keith Summerour, one of Atlanta's best known architects.  It is interesting that the front door is not immediately apparent; it is a bit tucked away.  (Photo via real estate listing). 

 

Although I like the exterior of the house, the kitchen really captured my interest. I absolutely love this kitchen!  I have a weakness for casual dining areas with a wall of windows; they fill the kitchen with light.   Particularly appealing is the combination of the contemporary lines of the windows and the cabinetry, in combination with the traditional lines of the rustic table and elegant chairs.   The shape of the shades on the light fixture is my favorite, and is the perfect touch for this kitchen.  It looks like the refrigerator and freezer are to the left and right of the stove.  Wait until you see the other side of the kitchen...(Photo via real estate listing).

Lots of shelves to display various collections, and a ladder for practical purposes (reaching the top shelves) and visual charm.  As much as I admire all of these shelves, they would not work with my lifestyle and tendency for concentrated areas of clutter.  However, I admire them in these pictures! This kitchen has a European flair, and I do tend to have the American desire for a few more overhead cabinets, or at the very least a couple of pantry closets. It looks like this kitchen has many, many drawers, so there is no shortage of storage space. (Photo via real estate listing).

Although the decor of this room is quite nice (noted as the family room), it is the architecture that catches my eye. Look at all of the French doors! 

Again, it is the architecture that I love in this picture (although I am always a big fan of framed series).  The French doors open to the terrace.

The master bathroom has somewhat of a vintage feel.  I love the repeating motif of the circle in the two windows and the mirror. I can't quite figure out the lighting - are the pleated shades attached to the wall, or hanging from an invisible wire?

A beautiful, dramatic dining room. The chandeliers look like mini versions the Swarovski chandelier used on the last season of Top Design, don't they? I love the large scale contemporary art in the room.  This is a room designed to be used at night, with maximum drama.

When I got the picture of this room, it started to look somewhat familiar. The piano with a beautiful gallery style wall of etching and paintings was one clue, and the contemporary art above the fireplace (flanked by two vertical paintings) was another clue.  I realized I had seen this house in a magazine recently.

Here is the same room - on the cover of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles (even if you don't live in Atlanta, I highly recommend subscribing to this magazine - there are so many beautiful homes featured that it often rivals some of the top national magazines).  (Via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima)

I have always admired gallery walls, and this one is particularly effective, behind the grand piano. (Via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima)

The article in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles shows this styled view of the kitchen, and notes that the counters are a combination of carerra marble and three inch thick refinished antique wood timbers. 

According the the AH&L article, the home has 10 sets of 10  foot French doors in the house.  I have never seen this window treatment style. It looks like the original curtains were made to the height of the door, and perhaps they were retrofitted to give the appearance of going to the ceiling?  The mirrors were made out of 19th century French window frames. (Via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima)

I find the work of this artist, Stephanus Heidacker, to be striking.  He is represented by Tew Galleries in Atlanta. (Via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima)

I am never adept at determining the floor plan of a house from the pictures on a real estate listing (how I wish Atlanta listings had a floor plan like so many DC listings), so it was illuminating to read the AH&L article on the house.  It is built in a 'U' shape to maximize light and views of (and access to) the outside.  Here is a picture of the pool, which shows the 'U' shape of the house.  (Via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima)

Based on this picture (via the real estate listing) there are two covered porches off the back of the house.

Finally, a view of the back of the house.  There is an expansive back yard, and a contemporary sculpture.  I'm guessing that the wing to the left is the master bedroom (with the smaller covered porch) and the wing to the right is the family room.  If only I could scrape together the $5.225 million asking price for this house, it could be mine!

So, what do you think of this house?  Obviously I love it, but it is the architecture of the home that speaks to me more than the decor (although I find it to be a beautifully designed home).   The AH&L article said that the design of this home was truly a collaborative effort over a ten year period, with contributions from the owners, architects Keith Summerour, Kenneth Garcia, and designers Beth Webb and Barbara Westbrook (at different points in time).

Come check out the  'Hooked on Fridays' blog links.

To subribe to my blog by email, click here