Five Beautiful Houses: Brookwood Hills Redefined–2015 Home Tour

There is a wonderful tour of homes this Saturday (April 18, 2015), taking place in one of Atlanta's most charming neighborhoods, Brookwood Hills.  The theme of this year's tour is “Redefined”, and here is information on the tour and sneak peek of the houses!

The Home Tour takes place this Saturday, April 18, from 10 am to 4 pm.  Tickets are $35 each in advance, $40 at the door, and proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Tickets can be purchased online through the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta website:

http://www.choa.org/Support-Childrens/Events/Brookwood-Hills-Home-Tour

Or, tickets can be purchased at any of the houses on tour (on the day of the tour).

Here is a sneak preview of the houses…

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This house has been called “one of the most classical houses in Brookwood Hills”, and only three families have lived in 61 Brighton since it was built in 1928.  The new homeowners purchased the house from the estate of the Hale family, who had lived there for almost fifty years. The homewoners have young children and bring a youthful energy to the house.

Many of the leaders of the 20^th century design and architecture community touched this house in some way over the past 85 years.  The original architect was Lewis Crook, and Norman Askins led a renovation and expansion in the 1990s after fire damaged the interiors.  Legendary landscape architect Edward Daugherty worked on the property, and Andrew Crawford crafted the ironwork in the front.  Marie Warren was the interior designer during the 90s renovation, and some of the furnishings and window treatments that she selected remain in the house today.

The homeowners look forward to making memories in their new home and hope to honor its history by cherishing it as much as the past homeowners did.

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This striking new construction, a modern day take on Dutch West Indies style, is an incredible addition to Brookwood Hills.  The homeowners, Lee and Kevin Kleinhelter, worked collaboratively with architect Yong Pak to bring to life their vision of a house that uses space efficiently and reflects their modern lifestyle.

The home’s interior continues the crisp black and white color scheme of the exterior, making the transition from outside to inside seamless. The connection with the outdoors is emphasized with a dramatic wall of iron windows across the back of the house that showcases the treehouse view and offers abundant natural light.

Every item and surface in the house was carefully curated for the space. Lee is a nationally published designer and owner of the store Pieces, and this is Lee’s art – the details, textures, and finishes, the balance of light and dark, the contrast of contemporary and rustic.

The Kleinhelters’ house truly represents Brookwood Hills in the 21st century. The architecture and design interpret classic elements in a refreshingly modern way, and the result is a home that is an extraordinary addition the architectural landscape of Brookwood Hills.

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The homeowner purchased this classic 1920’s bungalow in 1992, and through the years he has updated and modernized virtually every dimension of the house, while also respecting the house’s history and maintaining its architectural integrity.

The homeowner’s passion for landscape is evident in the beautiful front and back yards that he personally designed. On the interior, the homeowner worked with Bill Peace of Peace Designs to create a comfortable and updated space that is interesting, eclectic, and very livable.

The most significantly updated space in the house is the recently renovated kitchen, designed by architect Stan Dixon and Mary Kathryn Timoney of Design Galleria.   The beautiful cabinetry, the versatile floor plan, and the flood of natural light from expansive painted steel windows make the kitchen an exceptional space that is modern and spacious.  The kitchen won an Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Kitchen of the Year Award in 2014.

The homeowner looks forward to many more years living in this wonderful house that is perfectly suited for modern day life, but still full of original charm and character.

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Liz and Rob Davies purchased this 1960 Colonial style cottage from the original owner, and knew immediately that it had great potential.  Liz is a general contractor and managing director of ESD Homes, and understands how an older home can be updated to meet the needs of 21^st century life.

The Davies, working with architect Ross Piper and designer Karla Morris, took the house down to the studs and extended the back of the house to create more functional spaces and better flow.  On the exterior, a new wide open front entry, custom shutters, and a fresh color palette updated the look of the house.  Inside, walls were removed to create a modern kitchen and casual dining space. A screened porch was enclosed to create the most dramatic space in the house, the “iron window room”. Floor to ceiling iron windows flood the room with natural light and complement the chic, transitional style of the décor.
 

This Brookwood Hills house maintains the charm of a traditional exterior, and the function of a modernized interior.  The result is a highly livable home that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

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The homeowners purchased this storybook perfect 1920s house in 2011, and have brought the house to full potential by adding charming details that are characteristic of classic Brookwood Hills homes.

Architect Ross Piper designed the refreshed façade, which features a new portico and welcoming front entrance. The brick was painted a soft color, and custom shutters and window boxes add a special touch. The result is classic Georgian with a twist, elegant but also welcoming.

The homeowners worked with Bellwether Landscape Architects to transform the front and back landscape into a more aesthetically pleasing and usable design. Most notable is an outdoor entertaining area that has a fountain as a unifying feature.

The interiors were updated with the assistance of designer Laura Walker. The soft blue color palette throughout the house creates a peaceful feel, and the artwork plays into the color palette of each room. All of the lighting was updated; the overscale chandelier in the dining room is a particular favorite.

This special house is a peaceful retreat, a wonderful place to raise a young family, and a beautiful reflection of the homeowners’ taste and lifestyle.

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We hope you can come!

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Five beautiful houses: Inspiration in Brookwood Hills–2013 Home Tour

There is a wonderful tour of homes this Saturday (March 23, 2013), taking place in one of Atlanta's most charming neighborhoods, Brookwood Hills.  The theme of this year's tour is inspiration, and I was invited to be on the ‘expert panel’ that had the opportunity to preview the houses and provide reflections and observations on the five houses featured on the tour. 

I don't write about Brookwood Hills very often, as it is not on my beaten path (it is wonderfully located in Buckhead, but is fairly private because it is a completely self contained neighborhood).  However, it is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Atlanta, with many older homes built in the 1920s - 1940s that have been meticulously maintained, and newer homes that are built to suit the eclectic character of the neighborhood.

I love this description of Brookwood Hills, from Buckhead.org:

Large Mediterranean, Georgian, Colonial and Tudor homes line streets shaded by towering oaks 100 years old. Lush ivy on walls and in beds keeps the area green even in winter. Lots tend to be small, often less than one-half acre, with homes set near the street, but the landscaping is lush and gardens are carefully maintained. Sidewalks and absence of traffic encourage walkers, joggers, bicyclists and impromptu street games. (Source)

The Home Tour takes place this Saturday, March 23rd, from 10 am to 4 pm.  Tickets are $30 each, and proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Tickets can be purchased online through the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta website:

http://www.choa.org/Support-Childrens/Events/Brookwood-Hills-Home-Tour

Or, tickets can be purchased at any of the houses on tour (on the day of the tour). 

 

Here is a sneak preview of the houses...

 

This low country style home, designed by architect Jack Davis, was built in 2006. The charming exterior (built with hand crafted bricks) and the large, peaceful lot inspired the current homeowners to make their second intra-neighborhood move.   The wife, an interior designer, worked with architect and Brookwood Hills resident Stan Dixon to reshape the interiors to reflect the family’s personality.

The most dramatic aspect of the redesign came from reconfiguring the kitchen layout and adding new windows to bring in natural light.  A new lighter and brighter color scheme was introduced, reflected in the painted cabinets (which were recycled from the previous kitchen design), the marble countertop on the island, and the stunning mosaic tile backsplash.

Throughout several areas of the house, wood beams and shiplap paneling were added to create a more casually elegant feel. Unique light fixtures are clearly a hallmark of the home décor, bringing charm and style to the spaces. Another highlight is the homeowners’ extensive art collection, built over time with a focus on what they love rather than simply for investment purposes. All this comes together to reflect the family’s style in a highly personal way.

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This charming, architecturally significant house was built in 1926 in the Tudor Revival style. So appealing is the exterior that it was listed as one of Atlanta’s top 10 homes in 1988.  When the current homeowners purchased the house in 2006, they began a year long renovation in order to lovingly restore the home to its original beauty. Some of the original features were restored, including the cedar shake on the exterior, the walled garden, and the fireplace in the living room (the original mantel was found in the basement and was reinstalled).  Many of the original windows are still in place, with their characteristic wavy leaded glass, so reflective of the time in which the house was built.

The most significantly updated element of the home is the kitchen, situated in the center of the house. The custom cabinetry and furniture in the kitchen were designed by Cb Miles and fabricated from a single rare Rosewood tree.

The homeowners have a passion for collecting and have a discerning eye for fine and unusual furniture and art. The resulting décor is highly personal, marvelously curated, and a beautiful reflection of the passions and interests of the homeowners. The combination of the classic and traditional architecture, and the eclectic and modern interior shows that the old and the new can be juxtaposed and even blended beautifully in modern day life.

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Built in 1931, this bungalow style residence was the childhood home of a current Brookwood Hills neighbor and has been remodeled three times. The most recent renovation was completed in 2009 by Paula and Glenn Wallace, president/co-founder and senior vice president (respectively) of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The home features works by more than 50 talented SCAD artists, both alumni and current students.

The Wallaces personally redesigned the current interior, which includes a curated mix of European and American antiques and contemporary art, accented by a luxurious assortment of textiles from around the world.

While they refurbished much of the original kitchen cabinetry and millwork, the updated look is a superb complement to the home’s original character. During the recent renovation, the most significant structural change was the addition of a beautiful screened-in veranda that features slate floors. Antique wooden angel wings that flank the outdoor fireplace, another highlight of the space. Many of the items throughout the house were imported from France, including a set of vintage French dining chairs with original leather seats that came from L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

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This 1920’s house was renovated in 2011 in order to meet the changing needs of a growing family.  Architect Stan Dixon (also a Brookwood Hills resident) worked with the homeowners to create a design to update the spaces and make the house more functional for the family.

One of the highlights of the renovation is the kitchen, which was enlarged to create a magnificent light-filled space that is truly the heart of the house, and has ample room for a family of six.  The design is beautiful, with gray and white marble countertops, a solid slab marble backsplash, and white custom cabinetry accented with dark knobs and handles. 

A new screened porch with fireplace was added, which has become a favorite space for both entertaining and family time. The flow of the house was dramatically improved by creating a hall that connects the family room to the kitchen (eliminating the need to pass through the formal dining room en route to the kitchen). In addition, an exquisitely designed stairwell with a wall of windows was added to provide better access to the existing basement space.

The homeowner also redesigned the interiors during the renovation, working with designer Lauren DeLoach. The foundational elements of the rooms are soothing and neutral, with punches of the homeowner’s favorite colors: orange in the living room, green in the family room, blue in the dining room and kitchen. The neutral base allows the rooms to flow beautifully from one to another, and the unique colors give the rooms personality and individuality. This Brookwood Hills home has style and functionality that will endure for generations to come.

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This house is the quintessential classic Brookwood Hills home. Designed by one of Atlanta’s most renowned architects of the 20th century, Francis Palmer Smith (the architect of the Cathedral of St. Philip), this house has only been lived in by three families since it was built in 1924.  The curb appeal of the house is storybook perfect, with its  classic lines, great architectural beauty, and perfect scale for the lot and neighborhood.

The interiors of this home, primarily designed when the owner purchased the house in the early 1970s, have remained timeless and reflect the trend of bright décor that is once again in vogue today. Additions to the décor have been accumulated through the years and hold rich and dear family memories. The piano in the front hall and the sparkling crystal chandelier in the dining room are particular sentimental favorites.

A walk through this home poignantly reflects the way in which a charming Brookwood Hills house is full of memories, and is lived in, loved, preserved, and cherished through the years.

(As a side note, this house is featured in a new book on the architecture of Francis Palmer Smith – click here to see on Amazon).

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The Home Tour takes place this Saturday, March 23rd, from 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets are $30 each, and proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Tickets can be purchased online through the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta website:

http://www.choa.org/Support-Childrens/Events/Brookwood-Hills-Home-Tour

Or, tickets can be purchased at any of the houses on tour (on the day of the tour, March 23).

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Transformations in Brookwood Hills

There is a brand new tour of homes this year, taking place in one of Atlanta's most charming neighborhoods, Brookwood Hills.  The theme of this year's tour is transformation, as the five houses featured on the tour have been transformed in one way or another by architect Stan Dixon, a long time Brookwood Hills resident (and the architect who designed my new house).

I don't write about Brookwood Hills very often, as it is not on my beaten path (it is wonderfully located in Buckhead, but is fairly private because it is a completely self contained neighborhood).  However, it is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Atlanta, with many older homes built in the 1920s - 1940s that have been meticulously maintainted, and newer homes that are built to suit the eclectic character of the neighborhood.

I love this description of Brookwood Hills, from Buckhead.org:

Large Mediterranean, Georgian, Colonial and Tudor homes line streets shaded by towering oaks 100 years old. Lush ivy on walls and in beds keeps the area green even in winter. Lots tend to be small, often less than one-half acre, with homes set near the street, but the landscaping is lush and gardens are carefully maintained. Sidewalks and absence of traffic encourage walkers, joggers, bicyclists and impromptu street games. (Source)

The Home Tour takes place this Saturday, March 26th, from 10 am to 4 pm.  Here is a sneak preview of the houses that will be on the tour; these write ups are from the Brookwood Hills Tour of Homes brochure.  Proceeds benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.   All photography by Stan Dixon.

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80 Huntington Road 

Stan worked with homeowners Kathryn Stockett and Keith Rogers on a design that stripped the 1920s bungalow down to its core. The home, still in the renovation process,  retains its original character while blending contemporary style.  The renovation opens the floorplan and adds new elements of design such as steel doors and windows leading to the back porch.  Stan is particularly fond of a cupola on the back porch, which lets light into both the porch and interior of the home. Kathryn says that while she appreciates Stan’s grand scheme, “it's Stan's details that hold your gaze - the lovely roofline of the outdoor room, the cupola with the skylight, keeping the original ceiling in the front office, the arched door in Lila’s bathroom.  He surprises me.  Stan's details make me happy.” Kathryn says her family has been content living at The Brookwood during the renovation but they look forward to moving home in June. “I miss Brookwood Hills like a good friend,” she says.

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45 Montclair Drive

Stan designed the renovation of the home of Karla and David Morris while working for  Norman Askins, before starting his own firm. The renovation included a substantial addition, which is sympathetic to the original time period of the home. Karla, an interior designer herself, had a clear vision for the home and a strong design point of view.  Stan says “the back porch is the highlight of the house”. The porch was inspired by the New Orleans French Quarter and is where the family spends the majority of its time.  Many of the home’s details and decoration are influenced by Karla’s childhood growing up on the Gulf Coast and attending college in New Orleans.   The renovation exceeded the family’s expectations.  Karla says she thoroughly enjoyed working with Stan and couldn’t be happier that their business relationship has developed into a strong friendship.

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102 Wakefield Drive

Stan designed the renovation of this late Georgian home for Jackson and Catherine Kelly while in the office of Norman Askins.  The home is currently owned by John Morrison. The home includes several antique architectural elements selected by Stan, including an 18th Century mahogany front door from England and a mantle in the family room. Stan added a new front entry portico to give the front of the house a facelift and a large addition was added to the rear of the house. The entire floor plan was reworked along with all new interior finishes and details.

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315 Camden Road

The home of Scott and  JoEllyn Bass, an American Colonial, has been renovated several times, most 

recently in 2009-2010. This last renovation, designed by Stan, expanded the upstairs to add a fourth bedroom; expanded the master bed/bath; added a screen porch with fireplace; added an office on the first floor; added a front porch with new stairs and sidewalk; lime-washed the exterior brick of the house; added a new driveway; and updated the landscaping.  Stan is particularly fond of the revised details at the dormers on the front of the house, which provide a sense of history, as well as the lime-washed brick, which gives a sense of age and a patina.  Stan likes many details of the renovation, including the Chippendale railing above the front door, which is repeated on the gate. JoEllyn describes working with Stan as great. “His vision, design and attention to detail are incredible,” she says. “He quickly understood our taste and our budget and worked within that framework to come up with a design that we love.  He was also very accessible throughout the construction phase to make sure the builder was executing everything to Stan’s specifications.

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84 Palisades Road 

After buying the 1925 home in 2006, Kathy and Boyd Gentry worked with Stan on plans to rework and add on to the historic home. The goal was to make the addition seamless, so that the whole home, new and old, would feel cohesive and authentic. “We loved working with Stan and he served as architect, designer, mediator, marriage counselor and friend,” says Kathy. “We appreciated his subdued taste, sense of proportion and quiet manner.” Stan says he is particularly fond of the interesting fireplace in the family room, as well as the guest house, which feel “like you are in an oasis.” The renovation, done under the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Historic Preservation Division, took 14 months. The DNR program requires that the historic integrity of the structure be preserved. As an example, the original red barrel tile roof was removed, so that water-proofing could be added and existing felt replaced, and then put back on. The  Gentrys, who previously lived on Northwood, moved into 84 Palisades in 2008.

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For more information on the Brookwood Hills Tour of Homes, please visit the Children's Healthcare website - http://www.choa.org/Support-Childrens/Events/Brookwood-Hills-Tour-of-Homes.  

Date and time: Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

$30 per person to Tour of Homes in advance, $35 per person day of the tour (cash and check only) purchased at any of the homes.

Location: addresses of homes noted above

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To subscribe to my blog by email, click here.
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Twitter: @TTIBlog
To see design, architecture, art, and decorative books that I recommend, please visit the Things That Inspire Amazon store.