So much more than a catcher’s playhouse

In his second life, former Braves catcher and fan favorite Javy Lopez is indulging his passions: remote-controlled airplanes, golf and entrepreneurship.

His family’s home in Suwanee includes a special room for his planes that allows him to build, repair and dote. And it comes with a lake view, an important factor for Lopez, 38.

And of course there’s space for the numerous awards, photos and bobbleheads he’s collected in his career. Lopez was a key member of 13 consecutive division winners, a three-time All-Star and a fan favorite.

Javy and his wife, Gina, were looking for a family-oriented neighborhood when they found the River Club in Suwanee. The gated River Club is situated along the Chattahoochee River and includes a signature Greg Norman golf course, Lakeside Family Sports Center and a riverside nature trail.

The couple moved into their 8,500-square-foot home in November 2007. They chose the Suwanee country club neighborhood to stay close to his two sons, Javy Jr., 13, and Kelvin, 9.

“What sold us on this house was the lot. It’s a flat lot, and we could build the pool,” said Gina Lopez, 34.

The six-bedroom home, which has three fireplaces, is situated on a little more than 1 acre.

The Lopezes are selling the home so they can consolidate their real estate holdings (it’s listed by Mary Lou Lanaux of Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta). They own another home in the Atlanta area and two condos in Florida. They plan to buy another home in the same River Club neighborhood.

Decorating style: Javy Lopez calls their style traditional mixed with European and contemporary.

“Classic elegance, old world, but very comfortable, homey and warm,” Gina Lopez adds.

When the Lopez family moved in, the interior was painted typical builder beige. They brought in a faux finish artist and added glazes to much of the trim and doors.

They changed the front door and added shutters outside to warm it up.

“We wanted castle-entry doors —- a real heavy look,” Gina Lopez said.

The formal dining room includes a painting she commissioned from artist Robin Bolton. Gina Lopez then had the designer, Laura Bloom of Home Expressions Interiors, build a Tuscany-themed room around the painting.

Since the home was built as a spec home, the couple made a variety of changes to the exterior and interior.

In the formal dining room, they added granite to the built-in buffet. They added heavier light fixtures in the kitchen and replaced the original island. Gina Lopez said the inspiration for the new island came from an antique painted box. The island plaster countertop is done in a weathered look and houses a farmhouse sink.

Throughout the home are framed collections of family photos. The couple gave their designer 150 family photos, which she culled down, framed and hung.

Kelvin’s room is a space theme done in gray and blue tones with a realistic planetary mural. Gina Lopez said she wanted the room to grow with Kelvin and not look too childish.

“They both wanted to do sports [as a theme], but I said let’s try and think of something else,” Gina Lopez said, laughing. Both boys play baseball.

Javy Jr.’s room is rocker red with a framed poster of his favorite band, Fall Out Boy. Pillows made from vintage rock T-shirts are eyecatchers on his bed.

The master bedroom is a contemporary surprise of black and cream. Gina Lopez designed the rug, and her designer built the room around it. The couple enjoys a peaceful vibe in the room with a view of the lake and a backyard saltwater pool.

Heart of the home: The family spends most of their time in the kitchen and the terrace level. The terrace includes a theater, pool table, wet bar, 700-bottle climate-controlled wine cellar, video games and a pingpong table.

“We play every day,” Gina Lopez said, adding that she and her husband are evenly skilled in pingpong. “It’s a battle.”

The terrace is also where Javy Lopez added a built-in display case for his baseball memorabilia and awards, including his 2003 Silver Slugger Award and 1995 World Series photographs.

Coolest feature: The couple agrees that the backyard view is what sets this home apart. Javy Lopez takes it in while sitting in the screened porch.

“It’s so peaceful sitting out there, especially with the fireplace going and the view of the water,” he said.

Tips for good living:

Gina Lopez advises homeowners to “use your home, use the rooms. Don’t have a movie theater if you don’t use it.”

And the couple believes organization makes a happy home.