One-of-a-kind retreat for busy family

Karen and Dean Davis lived in Atlanta most of their adult lives and relished the vibrancy and diversity of city life.

They bought an older home in Little Five Points and worked nights and weekends to renovate it. But, much to their surprise, Karen Davis became pregnant and they entered a new phase — parenthood. They felt the neighborhood they loved as DINKS (double income, no kids) lacked safe play spaces. So they moved to Forsyth County and bought a home with a larger yard. But that wasn’t the right fit either. They couldn’t walk to the park and the neighborhood was too hilly to ride bikes.

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Sean Drakes/Special

Dean and Karen Davis’ Cumming home is based on their design, something that fits in with their Vickery neighborhood. ‘There is no single house that looks like another house,’ he said.

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Sean Drakes/Special

The couple designed the kitchen to be the hub of activity in the house. Guests can mingle and help themselves to drinks and snacks while Karen Davis cooks.

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Sean Drakes/Special

The family enjoys the open wraparound porch and often eats meals there.

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“We had a young family and we needed a more small-town environment,” Karen Davis said.

They decided to build a home in the new Vickery development in Cumming — a planned village with single-family homes, townhomes, shops, offices and schools within walking distance. The lots are fairly small and the Davises’ home faces the neighborhood park.

“We thought it would be a great thing for a family with an only child,” Karen Davis said. After years of trying to have a second child, the couple had accepted that Madison, now 9, would not have any siblings. But the surprises weren’t over. As they were building their home, Karen Davis found out she was pregnant with Joshua, now 2. The family moved into the home in December 2005.

Why this home? The Davises were allowed to design their home from the basement up.

“This is our own design. They really have an open mind about that,” Karen Davis said.

With an artistic bent, the Davises were drawn to the neighborhood’s architecture. Dean Davis is an associate with Hug & Associates architecture and interior design firm. He considers his home’s architecture a cross between a Craftsman home and a Victorian farmhouse.

“There is no single house that looks like another house. It’s not your cookie-cutter subdivision. To us, doing what we do, that was a huge bonus,” said Karen Davis, who runs KD Design Studio, an interior design firm.

Coolest feature: The Davises love their wide-open front porch that overlooks the neighborhood park. They often take meals on the porch and chat with neighbors.

“We just love being out here,” Dean Davis said.

Decorating style: “I really firmly believe in doing interiors to reflect the architecture. A lot of designers will just come in and do a look,” Karen Davis said. “I do high design and still do it comfortable. We’re lying on the sofas and rolling around on the floor. This house is really not stuffy.”

Dean Davis said they also made a conscious decision to use lighter paint colors because of the details and mill work in the home.

“As a designer working on spaces every day, I need to pull back and rest my eyes,” Karen Davis adds.

The couple also included many drawers in the home to hide the children’s toys and other clutter.

Future project: The Davises would like to finish their planned office above the garage as well as the basement area to add a guest bedroom and a playroom.

Most cherished item: As an interior designer, Karen Davis sees great products and furnishings daily. So she views her stuff as stuff, not something to treat as precious.

However, she does have an extensive china collection, thanks to the women in her family who believe every occasion can be celebrated with a new dish.

Heart of the home: As in many homes, the kitchen is the main hub of activity. The couple designed it so guests can help themselves to drinks and finger food while Karen Davis is cooking.

Tips for good living: “Slow down,” Dean Davis said. “We’re busier than we want to be most of the time.”

“Just breathe and hear your kids laugh,” Karen Davis added. “We designed this house to feel like a vacation house. A retreat.”