Capturing the Spirit of a Bygone Era

Atlanta Journal Constitution
August 2009

All pictures by Christopher Oquendo for the AJC

Elizabeth Feichter and Frank White’s home in Kirkwood. They live in a renovated home that was built in 1897 by Asa Candler and Joel Hurt, two of Atlanta’s most famous entrepreneurs. Elizabeth and Frank are avid photograph collectors. Throughout their home are rock and roll photos and art that they have collected over the years…

(click on the photos below to view the gallery)

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Elizabeth Feichter and Frank White's home in Kirkwood. They live in a renovated home that was built in 1897 by Asa Candler and Joel Hurt, two of Atlanta's most famous entrepreneurs. Elizabeth and Frank are avid photograph collectors. Throughout their home are rock and roll photos and art that they have collected over the years.

Elizabeth and Frank hang out in their home with their children Henry and Carter and the beloved family dog. While art is abundant throughout the home, a warm ambience prevails and the home never feels like a museum.

The fireplace is original to the period in which the home was built. The family left the renovation to Laughing Sun, a local firm which made sure to use as many items as possible that were from the same time period in which the home was built. Items like the fireplaces, stained glass and tubs are from the late 1800's.

The home features an open floor plan, with the dining room flowing seamlessly into the living room area and the staircase visible from the seating area. This is the perfect home design for families, as it encourages spending time together but also gives family members the space they need.

Modern appliances were essential to the kitchen, one area of the home which received a sleek, modern treatment. Blue-tinted cabinetry keeps the kitchen organized. The see-through doors of the upper cabinets allow one to easily find the exact dish they are looking for. The kitchen island serves as a prep station, a place for the kids to grab a quick snack, and also features a smart wine storage system.

This reading nook is perfectly situated by the window which allows plenty of natural light to flow through. Books are neatly stored in the built-in shelving.

The dark wood dining room table comfortably seats the family and guests. Notable features of the dining room include the stained glass window and the unique light fixture, which complements the color theme of the room.

The staircase is a modern addition to the home but it was styled to match the period in which the home was originally built.

Details of the design on the staircase banister, which was designed to retain the decorative style of the late 19th century.

This plush seating area is the perfect perch to wait for others to get ready for a family outing.

In addition to the couple's love of photography, they also enjoy other artwork. This rustic piece of brightly painted flowers adorns a hallway wall.

The window treatments can be found in multiple rooms of the home, including this cozy bedroom. They allow for both natural light and privacy.

This bedroom also features a fireplace, a common home design element of the period. It has been beautifully restored.

This bedroom features a warm color scheme and offers access to the home's outdoor area.

An eye-catching decorative touch in this bedroom is the antique-style nightstand, in which a rustic windowpane rests, with a black-and-white piece of artwork behind it, creating a memorable visual element.