Atlanta Journal Constitution
July 13, 2009
All pictures by Christopher Oquendo for the AJC
The first thing you’ll notice upon approaching the house is the porch gable with its timber framing and Japanese inspired porch beams. These stout beams rest on massive tapered granite columns and their ability to be structural and load-bearing as well as beautiful allows the ceiling of the porch to soar…
(click on the photos below to view the gallery)
The first thing you'll notice upon approaching the house is the porch gable with its timber framing and Japanese inspired porch beams. These stout beams rest on massive tapered granite columns and their ability to be structural and load-bearing as well as beautiful allows the ceiling of the porch to soar. If you look up, you'll see the antique heart pine lumber that composes this stunning beaded ceiling.
Installing the massive porch beams was reminiscent of a barn raising, according to Kara O' Brien Renovations.
Further hinting at the interior treasures to come is the antique heart pine Craftsman front door - it has been restored with careful detail and boasts a solid brass antique lockset. The porch floor is poured concrete to ensure zero maintenance.
The living room flows effortlessly into the elegant dining room. The cherry wainscot in this room is organic in form and brings to mind the sumptuous form of trees.There are over 700 board feet of cherry woodwork throughout the dining and living rooms, a rare work of craftsmanship for a new home. The windows are all brand new, solid fir, and appropriately large.
The fireplace was the only part of the home that was kept in the renovation. Aside from the chimney the home was completely reconstructed from the foundation up.
Sunlight illuminates the gorgeous stained glass sidelight panels of the front door, bringing their myriad of colors into the room.
The vintage bookcases in the living room are heart pine with custom-crafted tapered cherry columns. The columns are inlayed with subtle dragonflys created from salvaged antique piano keys (ebony and ivory) and walnut.
The dragonfly stained glass window inspired one of Theodore Ellison's original designs. The colors are rich and stunning. This is art glass at its best and this window became inspiration for many of the home's decorative details.
Kimberly and her daughter Sarah hang out in the kitchen of their completely restored home in Kirkwood. Their home was restored by Kara O' Brien Renovations.
This is the ultimate chef's kitchen. This huge kitchen was thoughtfully designed and styled with California Bungalows in mind; the styling is clearly Mission, with some creative license taken to make it unique. Completing the look are granite counters, a honed rainforest green marble backsplash, and stainless steel appliances, including a professional-style Kitchen Aid range.
The Carrerra marble center island with bar sink is a perfect food prep area, and also boasts built-in bookshelves and a wonderful spot for seating.
The vast array of hand-crafted, cherry cabinets are a wonderful balance of form and function in the kitchen. They feature a wine rack, plate rack, glass doors, walnut-inlaid brackets, and upper plate rail.
In the kitchen, an antique schoolhouse light and a gorgeous pair of art glass pendant lights sparkle and complement the light pouring in from the windows. Underneath these windows is the main sink.
This enormous master suite is divine. It features its own roof gable and boasts soaring 12' ceilings for a sense of grandeur and space. A pair of antique heart pine townhouse style doors open up to the large private deck, also flooding the space with light. There are multiple windows, and every bedroom doorway boasts antique transoms to let in additional light.
A seating area encourages one to relax in the roomy master bedroom.
A pocket door slides open to reveal the great marble and travertine master bath with walk-in shower with double showerheads. The marble floor has radiant heat for ultimate luxury and foot comfort. This lovely refinished birch medicine cabinet hails from the Ohio area. A gorgeous 100-year-old beveled leaded glass transom lets in lots of light to the shower.
Closeup of the antique mantel with period crackle glazed tiles and an antique fire screen, a highlight of the front bedroom.
Bright and welcoming, this guest bathroom is bordered with black galaxy granite and the field tile is glass black and white checkerboard, inspired by turn-of-the-century baths.
The seating area on the porch features plenty of lush foliage for privacy.
