Dara O'Neil and her husband, Kyle Knight, found a convenient intown neighborhood, Home Park, and a large lot they wanted but knew the dilapidated bungalow on it wasn't a good candidate for renovation. So the couple tore it down and started over with a design they tweaked to fit their entertaining lifestyle.

After almost a year of planning and building, O'Neil and Knight moved into the gray stucco space three months ago. The four-bedroom, multi-level modern home offered two things they didn't find anywhere else.

Frank Niemeir / AJC (ENLARGE)

The living room in Dara O'Neil and Kyle Knight's home.

Frank Niemeir / AJC (ENLARGE)

The kitchen is perfect for entertaining.

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"We always wanted a party house that was good for entertaining," O'Neil said. "We were able to tweak this plan to get that. And we love the view."

The Midtown skyscrapers are in plain sight from the living room, with a soaring 18-foot ceiling and five huge windows that make up most of one wall. White and gray furniture is grouped in one section; a pale wood dining table with blue seats makes up another. The warm oak floors lead to the nearby kitchen. It has a gray slate floor that O'Neil said adds a rustic look to a very sleek workspace, complete with white Corian counter tops, gray cabinets, a marble back splash and double ovens. Four pendant lamps dangle over the island with a cook top and grill.

The kitchen also includes a walk-in pantry, a closet and a powder room. A door to a breezeway connects to a two-car garage and an in-law suite area above, with a kitchen area, living room, bedroom, bath and laundry.

Wood stairs wind up to a third level with a guest bedroom done in grays and whites and a home office. Another flight leads to a spacious master bedroom with two picture windows offering the same view as the living room. The master bath features a large soaking tub under the window and a separate shower, as well as a water closet with a waterless urinal. The center of the room is anchored by dual white rectangular sinks, white subway tile and gray granite counters on either side of a wall that holds mirrors and shelves.

The other room on the top floor is the couple's game and party room, with a bar, sink, refrigerator and foosball table. Glass doors open to two decks and a porch with ceiling fans. Like the rest of the house, the room is wired with audio speakers.

"This is what we designed the house around," said O'Neil with a laugh.

Building a house gave Knight, a furniture designer, the chance to showcase his skills.

He created the wood bench in the walk-in closet of the master as well as the walnut counter in the main floor's powder room.

Since the focus of the project was to capitalize on the views, O'Neil refuses to cover up with curtains — even in the master bedroom.

"The brightest light we have shining in is from the Wachovia bank building," she said. "But we've learned to sleep with it."

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