More Than a Makeover

Though nestled within the heart of the bustling city of Atlanta, this updated home has all the charm of a woodland cottage.

When does a home need updating? "When you'd rather shut your eyes than see the front of your house, that's when!" exclaims Debbie Pille. Wanting to remain in Atlanta, she and her husband, Mike, embarked on finding a quaint, ready-made dwelling in which to raise their family. Their final choice turned out to be a 1960s Swiss Alps-style ranch that had long passed its ability to charm.

Debbie and Mike, though, had good reasons-and ambitious plans-for this seemingly ill-fated decision. "It was the quiet and shady neighborhood that sold us," Debbie explains. "Plus, it was located near Chastain Park, which offered such wonderful amenities for our kids, Karol Ann, Rachel, and Jack." So despite their new home's need of a complete overhaul, the Pilles couldn't pass up such a friendly setting.

Straight From the Source

It didn't take the homeowners long to turn the place into a construction zone. "Because renovating was more a matter of 'when' than 'if,' Mike and I wanted an unpretentious place that easily accommodated both family and friends," says Debbie. "We loved the idea of a gracious front porch where the kids could play games, along with an adjacent courtyard space created by retaining walls."

By commissioning architect Hoyte Johnson, the couple was confident that their home would shed its outdated look. "Because the house was already large enough," notes Hoyte, "I wanted to create a sophisticated type of cottage. The final design could be called primitive Greek Revival because its classic details were made from common, unadorned materials, such as wood and split stone."

Materials With Rustic Appeal

From the existing house, an elegant, Lowcountry dwelling emerged. Built by Mickey Watkins, the new facade features six sturdy columns with rugged bases, all created from Tennessee fieldstone. These columns rise to support the graceful porch roof and massive header beams above. Within the porch, randomly cut bluestone composes the outdoor floor. The space spills out to form the courtyard.

The surrounding retaining walls were necessary to form a flat area just beyond the porch due to the Pilles' sloping front yard. From the road, this area is completely hidden, giving the kids a great spot to play.

All Matters Considered

Gone are the vertical siding and low-pitched roof of the original house. In their place, pressure-treated pine shingles cover both the exterior walls and the new, steeper pitched rafters along with cedar shakes. "The difference in the two types of shingles gives our house a wonderful texture," Debbie says. As a final touch, Hoyte added three finely detailed dormers that echo the classic feel of the porch below.

Now with a home as gracious and welcoming as its surroundings, these happy homeowners can rest assured that they made the right decision.

ROBERT MARTIN

AFFORDABLE EXTERIOR UPDATES

Determined to stay put but tired of your home's look? Here are some ideas to consider that will freshen up your home's facade.

* Because the front door and entryway are generally the first areas people see, make those features a plus for your home. Perhaps your door needs a brighter, friendlier coat of paint-or even a more attractive replacement (stock entry doors generally begin at $300 and up).

* The same goes for any outdated porch railings or wrought iron scroll posts. Visit a local home-improvement store, and check out their selection of columns and railing systems. Verify whether or not they install such items as well. Keep in mind that metal posts or columns can be concealed by building box columns around them. Seek a contractor for this project if you need help.

* Arrange items such as large, colorful pots with topiaries, an inviting bench, or a few pieces of wicker or outdoor furniture to relay a welcoming sign to your guests.

* Is there one side of your house that receives too much sun, particularly in the summer? Sounds like potential for a porch. If that's not an option, think about awnings or mini-roof overhangs with brackets. Because awning companies offer outdoor fabrics in a variety of shades, you can select a material that coordinates with your home's existing color scheme.

* A home's windows and how they're detailed or accented have great impact as well. If they lack shutters, consider adding them-if only on the front of your house. Other features such as window boxes filled with colorful blooms can also lend appeal.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved