An Atlanta Home Is Rescued from State of Disrepair
Carl Mattison, lead creative for Carl Mattison Design, and his life and business partner, Rob Smith, have lived in the Grant Park Historic District neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia for thirteen years. “We love it here,” explains Mattison. “Grant Park is the oldest city park in Atlanta and it's convenient to good schools, employment, and the Atlanta Beltline – a redevelopment project that will provide a network of public parks, multiuse trails, and transit along a historic twenty-two-mile railroad corridor circling downtown.” Mattison and Smith, a full-time Realtor, created Balustrade Properties, a boutique renovation investment firm. “There are very few new-built homes in the area, and hardly any empty lots. But there are plenty of great old houses that deserve saving,” adds Mattison.
When Mattison and Smith stumbled upon this 2,560-square-foot house that was built in the early 1900s, they knew it needed work, but they also knew it had tremendous potential. “When it was built, it was a modest house in a style called Queen Anne cottage. Smaller and less grand than the Victorians in the neighborhood, this one still had eleven-foot ceilings on the first floor and nine-foot ceilings in the unfinished upstairs,” says Mattison. “The fireplace didn't work, the majority of the trim work was destroyed, and all the plumbing and heating had to be replaced.” Because the home is in a historic district environment, Mattison and Smith had the additional challenge of complying with Atlanta's historic building guidelines and the exterior restrictions set by the Urban Design Commission.
Mattison tried to salvage whatever he could from the old house, but relied on research to replace any features that were unsalvageable. “A vintage wood door in a similar style replaced the original and we painted it a bright blue to match the beadboard porch ceiling. An old style doorbell rounds out the look,” says Mattison. “We had to replace some of the windows, but fortunately through the talents of a local glass artist, we were able to save the stained glass transoms.” They removed the vinyl siding and repaired and repainted the original siding a soft green. New flooring was installed creating a true Southern-style porch. The railings and trim were refurbished. Finally, they built a screened porch on the back of the home, adding three dormers, and installed a fence around the backyard.
Inside the original seven-foot-wide hallway had been closed up in the past and vinyl tile had been added. Wallboard was removed, and the original heart pine floors were refinished in a custom red mahogany and ebony stain. Wall paneling and period-appropriate fixtures were added to maintain a vintage feel. A full hall bath was carved out between two of the downstairs bedrooms. White subway tile and hex (hexagon) floor tiles recall the early 1900s and pair well with the original summer kitchen sink that was reclaimed and refinished. A master bath was put in the place of the former summer kitchen. Furnished with a reclaimed claw-foot tub, vintage-style wood mirrors, marble throughout, and a large Capiz pendant light over the tub, the expansive space offers an updated vintage attitude.
The living room and fireplace are painted a tone-on-tone soft gray. An existing mantel was restored and the surround replaced with new green glass tile that has a vintage feel. Mattison installed coffered ceilings to add a grander look to the space. Two original pocket doors between the living room and the dining area/kitchen and between and the living room and hallway were refurbished, and the hardware cleaned and made workable again according to Mattison.
The wall between the kitchen and original dining room was removed to allow for an open kitchen with ample storage and a large island. The fireplace mantel in the dining area was refurbished and the area painted in the same gray-on-gray palette. The new kitchen was put in the exact location of the original. White Vermont Eureka Danby marble and Leathered Absolute Black marble counters on custom pillow embossed cabinetry were added in addition to an Arabesque white-tile backsplash – all creating an inviting cook's kitchen.
Two additional bedrooms were added upstairs, along with a play area and laundry room. A third bath serves as a kids' space with a shower and tub tucked into the gable. The oval mirrors pivot and can be used by kids of variety of ages.
“I really wanted to save this house,” says Mattison. “We had renovated four other houses in the area and salvaged some original materials that we couldn't use in those projects. I was so glad we could reuse items, like the claw foot tub, in this one.” Written by Carolyn M. Runyon. YHL