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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Vignettes from the Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes 2013


This weekend (December 7-8)  is the 19th Annual Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes, and it is definitely a tour that is not to be missed.  I tend to write mostly about Buckhead, but there are so many other wonderful neighborhoods in Atlanta.  The Virginia-Highland neighborhood was established in the early 20th century, and is known for its historic residences, unique shops and fabulous local restaurants.  It is full of character and charm, and is often voted “most walkable neighborhood” and “favorite neighborhood in Atlanta”.  

This year’s lineup of eight houses includes a 1920’s Georgian Revival style home transformed for the modern world by award-winning architect Yong Pak, an impeccable craftsman home newly redesigned and fashioned by Reynolds Brown of Stan Topol & Associates, an expertly restored classic bungalow, and a contemporary new build with a focus on modern art.

Here is a sneak peek into the eight beautiful homes that will be featured on this year’s tour; each is different in style and design, but all are equally representative of the Virginia-Highland neighborhood’s character.  Much of the text in this post is from the tour website (which is wonderfully designed and so well written), and the photos are used with permission from the tour organizers. It is going to be a wonderful tour!


1162 Briarcliff Place

2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
This picture perfect bungalow was built in the 1930’s.

 2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
It has been meticulously preserved and a recent update (completed in August) yielded a new, more unified interior design with furnishings that reflect the homeowner’s classic but relaxed style.

2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
One of our favorite spaces is actually outdoors. Complete with comfortable lounge seating and a television, this outdoor space will inspire you to spend more time outside. It’s a quaint home that packs a big design punch.


885 Arlington Place

2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
When two oak trees fell on this home in 2009 the structural damage to the 1920’s bungalow was so severe that only some of the foundation, two exterior walls and the fireplace could be saved.

2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
It was rebuilt with a focus on recreating the style of the original house plus a few modern additions – think open kitchen and closets. It’s a fantastic example of exacting quality and attention to detail. Be sure to see the flooring and handrail on the stairs leading to the basement. They are reclaimed wood from the original home.


896 Arlington Place

2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
Fresh, airy and bright, this well designed home with gallery-like spaces is entirely new construction. Its open plan design flows effortlessly through three finished levels and continues seamlessly to the outdoor lounging terraces and back lawn.

2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
An art lovers dream, it features iconic modern furnishings and a stellar contemporary art collection including graffiti wall art.

2013 Virginia-Highlands Tour of Homes
I couldn’t resist this beautiful photo of the bathtub in the master suite. What a beautifully composed space.


1099 Lanier Blvd

Built in the 1930’s and renovated in the late 90’s this sophisticated home is flush with elegant yet comfortable style.

A pretty vignette from the living room.

Gone is the dark and gloomy rental property of the 80’s and in its place is an intimate home spanning three finished levels. One of the highlights is the master bedroom suite. An extension of the homes original attic, it boasts striking angles and wood clad walls that add a dose of drama to the tranquil sanctuary. The cozy, stone lined terrace level opens to a naturally shady landscape featuring a treasured 46-foot tall silver oak.


1214 North Highland Ave

Tucked away behind historic boxwood hedges, this 1930’s classic was recently updated to include a new master suite, screened porch, lower terrace guest bedroom suite and a garage.

Much larger than it appears from the street, this sprawling three-level home is a great example of successfully merging the old with the new.

From its custom concrete counters to designer chandeliers and well selected turn-of-the-century antiques, the home’s romantic, vintage vibe make this one a must see.


648 Orme Circle

The bespoke and genteel appeal of this 2006 Craftsman-style home greets you at the front door.

The result of a major overhaul to the first floor that was completed in September 2013, impeccable designer touches can be seen in the new, custom kitchen, dining room, living room, keeping room and stunning, reconfigured master suite.

A handsome mix of textures and alluring finishes, like leathered granite counter tops and hand-finished wood floors, take the quality of this renovation to new levels.


688 Cooledge Ave

Once a two bedroom, one bath house built in 1922, this home was given new life in 2012 when it was transformed into a luxurious four bedroom, three and one half bath retreat. The homeowners preserved the original Georgian Revival exterior entrance, first floor framing and white oak floors – the rest is brand new.




Imported marble from Greece, floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the back of the house and a palm-lined outdoor oasis complete with pool are just a few of the signature details you’ll love about this designer home.


921 Ponce Place

This home’s stately stone exterior is the perfect segue to the cultivated aesthetic you will find inside.


Built in 2005, it is the largest home on the tour with three finished levels, four bedrooms, four full baths, two half-baths and three stacked stone fireplaces.

It is furnished with many family heirlooms, including a custom 1890’s Steinway grand piano made of Brazilian rosewood. The piano belonged to the homeowner’s Great-Grandmother whose portrait (painted in the 1940’s) hangs in the dining room. You’ll take in both history and style at this address.


There is also a bonus building on this year’s tour, 1050 Ponce De Leon Ave, a landmark that is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It has recently undergone a major renovation and is steeped in Atlanta history.


Tickets for the tour can be purchased in advance at http://vahitourofhomes.org/tickets/.  Print your ticket or use your smartphone to show your electronic ticket at the check-in/information desk, located at the front steps of the YWCA, 957 N. Highland Avenue, where you will pick up your booklet and gift bag.

Tickets weekend of the tour:
Ticket sales will be located at the front steps of the YWCA, 957 N. Highland Avenue. Saturday December 7th (9:00 am – 3:30 pm) and Sunday December 8th (11:30 am – 2:30 pm). 

• Tickets are $30 weekend of the tour

Tour Dates:
Saturday, December 7
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 8
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Food Tastings Sat/Sun
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit the Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes website at http://vahitourofhomes.org/.  What a wonderful way to welcome the holidays!



Favorite design and architecture books of 2013: http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2013/12/books-from-2013.html

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12 comments:

  1. I wish I lived nearby to take the tour. The older styles - those charming houses from the 1930's, oh - they just reach out and grab at me. Love, love the outside of the first house.

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  2. I agree with Katherine. I always love the big, perfectly furnished houses shown in magazines, but these smaller bungalows and renovated houses from the early 20th century capture my heart in a special way. I am going to drive in from Birmingham for this tour, thanks for the heads up.

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  3. Brother in town this weekend. We're doing this one or the "Stacks" maybe both.

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  4. I wish I could go on the tour…I adore those floor to ceiling windows…gorgeous homes…xv

    http://vickiarcher.com

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  5. These are the "very best" of tours, for me. Did you notice all the gorgeous polished wood counters...but...the Ponce place....my favorite. Would love to be there...franki

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  6. Looks like and inspiring tour, I love the dark wood bathroom vanity and that orange dining room! It's always so fun to be able to sniff around to see others homes on such tours.

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  7. 648 Orme Circle is screaming my name. Thanks for the intro to this neighborhood tour.

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  8. How lovely - what charming homes! I am still shocked you left Buckhead though. ;)

    xo Terri

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  9. Holly-
    Such stunning homes and spaces. I definitely have kitchen envy after looking through this post!
    Thank you for sharing.
    Teresa

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  10. Fantastic decor idea and the design of the room is very cool. I also interested to read post like this. Interior design ideas

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  11. ohhh...how I wish I lived nearby to be able to take this tour! Thanks for the sneak peak!

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  12. I'm happy I went, all houses I've driven by 100's of times, all good, something to please almost everyone. One house did "much" well. It's hard to do minimal, had to do "maximal," hard to do in between. This one did maximal about as well as it could be done. I saw a friend there who was a docent, he said he made sure to pick the best house.

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