ajc.com 2008 Holiday Guide

Lace up those comfortable walking shoes and allow yourself a good bit of time to take in every square inch of the Christmas House of Rockdale County. The massive three-story mansion in the Wellington Lake neighborhood is spread over 15,000 square feet and decorated to the high ceilings in holiday finery.

And if you like what you see, you may want to place a bid on the six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bath home during an upcoming auction. The house goes on the block Dec. 9. Opening bid: $2.3 million. But before then, it will be open to the public through December 10 as a fund-raiser for the Boys and Girls Club.

Ben Gray/Staff (ENLARGE)

Domes and turrets on the exterior of the 2007 Christmas House of Rockdale County show the influences of Mediterranean and Egyptian styles.

Ben Gray/Staff (ENLARGE)

The entryway sets a dramatic tone with a soaring bronze faux-painted dome. Inlaid in the travertine floor is a marble design whose tiles resemble an opening flower.

Ben Gray/Staff (ENLARGE)

A sitting area in the house: The designer/builder figures the buyer will be someone who has a business and entertains a lot.

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Designed and built by Victor Saad, the house is one of 21 planned for the upscale community where prices hover around $2 million. Saad, a native of Egypt, drew on the influences of his homeland and the Mediterranean to create the house that he's been building for the last 18 months. Those factors are most evident on the brick and stucco exterior, where the main entrance is flanked by 21-foot carved stucco columns that hold up a massive copper dome. Adjacent to that eye-popper are two battlement-like turrets and two smaller domes. There's definitely a bit of the Fox Theatre in the look.

And as is the case with the Fox, there is drama in almost every corner. It starts inside the door, where the eye is immediately swept up to the bronze faux-painted dome that soars 34 feet above the circular, wrought-iron staircase. Inlaid in the center of the travertine floor is a marble design whose tiles are shaped to resemble an opening flower.

"I am very happy with the way the foyer turned out," said Saad. "You can see domes in many houses, but few have turned out this dramatically."

The foyer is surrounded by tall archways that open into the study, formal living room and hallway leading to the kitchen. To the right is the study, with dark walnut floors and built-in bookcases on either side of a gas fireplace with a carved stone mantel. To the left, the living room's two-story ceiling has its own dome and three levels of windows. Three bronze chandeliers hang from the dome. Opposite the windows, arched doorways lead to the kitchen; above, another set of archways open to the upstairs hall.

The formal dining room's dark walnut floors, like those in the living area, are accented with bleached wood inlays. A tray ceiling over the table is anchored by an oversized medallion. And as was the case in the foyer, there are few solid walls but plenty of arched openings leading into the next room.

Beyond the dining area is a breakfast area and circular sunroom, with a door leading to a flagstone veranda, lined with a carved balustrade that leads to a huge outdoor fireplace. Stairs lead down to the ground level, where a swimming pool is fed by a waterfall cascading over a path of stones from the wading pool a few feet above. There's also a pool-side hot tub and, beyond the pool, the foundation for a tennis and basketball court. The lavish landscaping includes palm trees.

The kitchen boasts another dramatic ceiling, this one a faux-finished tray over a granite-topped island. A copper hood covers the six-burner Viking stove. The backsplash is travertine in patterned blocks. The custom-built cabinetry, created to look like oversized armoires, is finished in an antique black, while the wood around the island is a contrasting bone.

A curved granite breakfast bar opens to a wet bar and the family room, where tall bookcases flank the fireplace. Another dramatic ceiling is in place here — this time, it's a swooping dome that comes to a teardrop point that anchors the chandelier.

The master bedroom on the main level has its own two-car garage and private entrance. But coming in from the foyer, visitors first pass through an oval sitting area with a wood and marble floor. A breakfast bar anchors one wall at the back of the bedroom, where there's room for a sink, under-counter refrigerator and cabinets. There are two sets of 28-foot tall domed ceilings: one over a sitting area in front of a see-through fireplace; the second, over the sleeping area. The glam bath has a triangular travertine shower with multiple jets and showerheads next to an oversized spa tub. The double sinks are raised bowls atop the granite counters.

Throughout the first two floors are deep, detailed moldings, imported from China. The intricate designs edge the doorways, windows and multiple levels of the domes and tray ceilings.

The terrace level of the house where ceilings are 10 feet high is a more relaxed version of the main floor, complete with kitchen, wet bar, workout room, bedroom suite and sunroom. The patio extends to the pool area and to an outdoor fireplace and kitchen.

There's also a faux-painted home theater with black wood trim and a raised sitting area.

Other features of the house you may not notice at first glance:

• The three laundry areas;

• The au pair suite on the first floor of the two-car garage;

• The terrace-level bath with a steam shower;

• The single door at the back of the foyer for the elevator.

• The step-down complete kitchen and laundry room on the second floor.

Saad, who lives in Suwanee, is credited with building one of the first million-dollar homes in Rockdale, and his designs have become more detailed and luxurious throughout his 17-year career.

"There are lots of curves; nothing is straight in this house!" said agent Nelly Iskhakova, who is marketing the mansion. "There are lots of oval rooms and curved windows."

So who might the buyer be who bids on a house of this size and style? Someone with a big family who needs the room to spread out?

"No, no," said Saad with a laugh. "It will probably be someone who has a business and does a lot of entertaining. Someone with a lot of kids, like me, couldn't afford it!"

If you go

Rockdale County Christmas House

A crew of interior designers and florists has decked out the 15,000-square-foot Christmas House with lavish decorations.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets: $10 at the door.

Information: 678-467-8655.

Note: The home will be closed on Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9 to prepare for the auction on Dec. 9.

Getting there: Take I-20 east to Ga. 138 and turn left; travel about five miles to Miller Bottom Road and turn left; Wellington Lake is on the left. Follow signs to the Christmas House.