Rachel and Michael Hoath's modern white brick Tudor was built in 2005, but it blends in smoothly with its Morningside neighbors — English cottages, stately French country homes and bungalows, many of which date back to the 1930s.

The home's inside makes good use of an open floor plan seldom seen in traditional historic homes.

Sean Drakes / AJC Special (ENLARGE)

Rachel and Michael Hoath's modern Tudor home in Morningside was built in 2006. It has the historic feel of a classic Tudor but it has the advantage of a more up-to-date and open floor plan.

Sean Drakes / AJC Special (ENLARGE)

Rachel Hoath is an interior designer whose work can be seen at Restaurant Eugene in Buckhead.

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"It fits in with the neighborhood. The inside is definitely more modern," said Rachel Hoath, an interior designer who focuses on commercial spaces including intown eateries Restaurant Eugene and Wisteria. Her husband, Michael Hoath, is president of Brand Properties, a commercial real estate firm. Their son, Aiden, is nearly 2.

Working with the previous owner, architect Scott West created the cozy 3,000-square-foot home with four bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a guest suite above the garage.

Why this home? The couple bought their home in 2007 after moving from Grant Park where they had outgrown their house and the neighborhood.

"When we walked in here ... and we fell in love with it. It was really well built and nicely done," Rachel Hoath said.

"We knew we wanted a house with two dogs and a family. We wanted a yard," said Rachel Hoath, who is pregnant with their second child.

Describe your decorating style: "My husband and I like casual comfortable, yet elegant. I really like all colors. I like neutrals, then you can add a splash of color. If you want to change your palette you can pretty easily," she said. They repainted the entire house, which had been done in shades of gray. "I did a buff color (in the kitchen) to warm it up." The color "really made the tile pop."

Coolest feature: Rachel Hoath said she adores the outdoor patio, pool and hot tub. The space reminds her of a resort.

"It's kind of like a sacred place. You'd never guess you were in the middle of Atlanta," she said.

Heart of the home: The family room is where the Hoaths spend most of their time, and it flows easily into other areas.

"It's very good for entertaining and having family and friends over.

"That's one of the things that drew us to the house. Our house in Grant Park was very compartmentalized," she said.

Past or future project? They will convert Aiden's room into a big boy's room and make the second bedroom a nursery. Eventually they'd also like to finish the attic space for a playroom.

And she plans to turn the guest suite annex into an office. They also want to add a stone wall and an iron gate to the front yard.

"It will add room for the kids to run around."

Tips for good living: "I like to keep things simple and clean and not too cluttered. Baskets for toys are great," she said.

What makes your house a home? "It's livable, comfortable and practical. My husband's big on that. We have a 2 yearold, so things have to be durable."

Describe your most cherished item: It's the master bathroom with contrasting espresso colored floors and gleaming white sink and subway tile. "It's big and I love taking baths in there," Rachel Hoath said.

NOMINATE SOMEONE: Do you have a tip or a nomination for Private Quarters? E-mail Chris Reinolds (creinolds@ajc.com) or call her at 770-326-8958.