WINNONA PARK HISTORIC GEM

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When we first laid eyes on this property we thought “Great location with lots of potential.” This home was originally built in 1922 so it has all the charm of a classic American bungalow—wooden details, a generous porch, built in cabinetry—all of which needed either replacing or repairing. The location is ideal. Winnona Park is located on the cusp of Decatur, it’s a short walk to the shops and restaurants of Avondale Estates and Decatur Village. Hands down the in-town convenience and accessibility of Winnona Park is hard to beat.

Collectively my partner and I have been restoring and reviving early 20th century homes for over two decades. Much of our work has been in the historic neighborhoods of Kirkwood, Candler Park, and Oakhurst—so restoring homes of this exact nature has become our specialty. We’ve renovated our share of bungalows with limited kitchen and bedroom space which makes this particular property incredibly rare. Sitting on a double depth lot—this bungalow offers abundant breathing room inside and out with a sunny open floor plan, chef’s kitchen, oversized bedrooms and a 2-car detached garage set adroit the property’s forested green space.

We took our time with all the details—penny tiles in the bathrooms, hand-cut Cararra marble, gleaming dark wood floors, period-chandeliers, functional wooden lockers in the dressing room, bead board in unexpected places, custom farm doors for extra privacy. The list goes on. Let’s just say we’re especially proud of this quaintly elegant Winnona Park renovation and we’d love for you to see it. We are hosting an Open House for 223 South Columbia Drive on Sunday December 15th from 12-5pm. You’re invited. Or call Meghan Parham at 404-692-6875 for an immediate showing.

GREAT IDEAS ON BRINGING THE OUTSIDE INSIDE

With such a huge interest in creating more natural home environments, we thought it would be fun to give you a few specific ideas. Below are a few suggestions on how to bring the outside inside.

Use brick or stone. What could be more natural then incorporating brick or stone into the atmosphere of your home? Brick and stone interiors help to create that relaxed setting that homeowners crave. Not only is brick and stone sturdy it actually helps to maintain interior temperatures. Painted brick brings a cool modern look. For an earthy appearance we love to leave brick in its natural, more rugged state. Natural rocks like fieldstone, cobblestone, and river stone all have their own unique characteristics and all of them are appropriate for creating an accent wall as a focal point. Brick and stone can get costly. Not to worry—most are also available in more cost-effective faux panels.

Include nature in every room. There are dozens of ways to feature nature in every room. For example; hang a birdfeeder from your window. Hummingbird feeders are our favorites. Catching a glimpse of these wonderfully colorful creatures is a real treat. Add a chortling Zen fountain in your office, hallway, or foyer. Use organic bed sheets. Incorporate a few pieces of knotty natural wood furniture into your interior design. Live streaming a backdrop of ambient nature sounds will also help to create your desired chill-out setting. Seasalt Radio on iTunes (listening to it now) and Relaxing Rain on Songza are ideal for bringing nature into your home and creating a constant state of tranquility.

Incorporate lots of natural light. Using natural sunlight in your design creates a wonderful effect throughout your interior. Natural light helps augment interior colors and bathes the entire home in nature’s healthy glow. It also has a subtle effect on our moods. Sunlight actually increases endorphin and serotonin levels in humans which act as a natural mood lifter. One of the best ways to increase your natural lighting is to be mindful of the way your home is positioned in the first place. When planning new construction we do everything we can to maximize effects of the sun.   By placing the longest side of the home facing south we greatly increase the home’s natural lighting. In turn, this also helps to lower utility bills.