On a recent spring day, Gaylord Coan stepped out on his deck to see a fishing boat silently glide by on the Chattahoochee River.

Gaylord and his wife, Sandra, live in a traditional brick home in a neighborhood down the street from the Atlanta Athletic Club. Their 8,500-square-foot home backs up to the Chattahoochee and provides them constant enjoyment.

Sean Drakes / Special (ENLARGE)

Sandra and Gaylord Coan, with their 6-year-old miniature dachshund, Maggie, love the view from their outdoor room in Johns Creek.

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The Coans moved into their newly built home in 2004. They chose the Johns Creek area to be close to their children and grandchildren. Gaylord Coan is a retired CEO of Goldkist and now owns Coan Millworks, a distributor of high-end windows and doors.

Describe your decorating style: Sandra Coan calls her style "traditional with some French Country." Their granddaughters' bedroom reflects the French Country feel with sunny yellow and red accents. In the master bedroom, the couple chose a royal blue and white toile. Designer Cindy Lites was instrumental in honing the look of the home.

Coolest feature: The couple enjoys their coffered ceiling with heavy wooden beams and a large kitchen island. "We liked the quality of work Lewis (Reeves) did and his reputation for making sure the homeowner was happy." Reeves is owner of Lewis Reeves Homes, an upscale custom builder.

What is the heart of your home? The keeping room off the kitchen "is where we live." It's a comfy room with overstuffed furniture and a cozy bed for their dacshund, Maggie.

Why you picked a house (vs. another style of home) "We wanted the space inside the house and room outside for plants as well as space for a small vegetable garden." The Coans did downsize into a smaller house, but decided they needed more space after all.

Past or future project? "This is our sixth house in the Atlanta area with no plans at this time for another, but that could always change."

Tips for good living? "Do your best to enjoy every day and not worry about what might happen."

What makes your house a home? "Enjoying the people you share your life with and being satisfied with what you have." The Coans' formal dining table is the "first nice piece of furniture we could afford." Lites, their designer, spruced it up by adding custom chair covers. The Coans also bought arcade-style video games and a pinball machine to entertain their five grandchildren. When the kids were younger, they often spent the night.

What is your most cherished item? "Not a material item, but the total family relationship." However, Gaylord Coan does cherish his sister's oil paintings, which hang in the great room. Edie Mobley picked up a paint brush in her 40s.

"The little girl with the pigtails shelling peas is my favorite," he said.

Do you have a tip or a nomination for Private Quarters? Email writer Chris Reinolds (creinolds@ajc.com) or call her at 770-326-8958.