Kitchen at heart of chef's Decatur home

Home and Garden

Kitchen at heart of chef's Decatur home

The former drug-infested property in sought-after Oakhurst neighborhood, is filled with antiques and interesting finds.

Tiffany-style light fixtures hang over black granite countertops in the cozy kitchen of the Decatur home. The kitchen, with Bosch, Jenn-Air and Frigidaire appliances, is a much-used room for chef Robert Phalen (of One Eared Stag), wife Allison and their three kids.--Text by Lori Johnston

A much-loved piece of furniture is the island made of wood and tiles salvaged from an old church. The item is practical, holding appliances and other kitchen goods, and a conversation starter. "Everything gets discussed around this piece of furniture," said homeowner and chef Robert Phalen.

A stainless steel hood stands out against the brick backsplash, light cabinets and black granite countertops of the Decatur bungalow renovated by builder Arlene Dean. The Frigidaire stove is gas; the kitchen hardware is from RH, formerly Restoration Hardware.

The shabby chic interiors include an overstuffed couch that was made in New Orleans, a pair of chairs they bought to reupholster and a vintage rug in the living room. “Mismatched works right now,” said homeowner Robert Phalen.

An original painting is over the brick fireplace, which was kept in the renovation of the Decatur bungalow. Thick baseboards and moldings, as well as new Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, were added in the full remodel by builder Arlene Dean in 2004.

A table from Ethan Allen is paired with an antique sideboard in the dining room of the Decatur home.

A sideboard from Scott Antique Market in Atlanta provides a spot to display a selection of cookbooks, a canister of matches, bottles of wine and candles.

In the master bedroom is a California king sleigh bed from Bed Down in Atlanta that can fit the family of five, said homeowner Robert Phalen. Above the bed are botanical prints that the Phalens collected from books and framed.

Much of the furniture in the children's room came from Pottery Barn. With three kids ages 6, 4 and 2, "there's a lot of toys," said Robert Phalen.

A piece from Holland — picked up at Scott Antique Market – now serves as a bar and storage. Items from the past include a lamp made from brass found in Allison Phalen’s father’s house and a photo of her mom as a bride. Chair rails, picture molding and judges paneling are among details added by the homeowners.

A large shower “that you can fit 12 people in,” jokes homeowner Robert Phalen, is not something you would normally find in a 2,100-square-foot bungalow, but builder Arlene Dean opened up the interior spaces.

Homeowners Robert and Allison Phalen added special touches throughout their renovated bungalow in Decatur’s Oakhurst neighborhood, including the beadboard in their son’s room. A shelf midway up the wall gives their young artists a place to showcase their work.

It took Robert and Allison Phalen about three years to find a bench that was long enough to fit the long hallway of their Decatur home, and originally they wanted a bench with drawers underneath, he said. Instead, an assortment of baskets helps them store toys and other items.

Cookbooks are practical accessories in chef Robert Phalen's Decatur home.

Some of the South's top chefs, including Sean Brock and Hugh Acheson, and restaurateurs around the country are represented in the stacks of cookbooks in the Decatur home.

Furniture and bedding from Pottery Barn mix with a Barbie house and baskets full of toys and stuffed animals. A decorative tree on the wall near the window adds a touch of whimsy to this playful space.

There's a country shabby chic style in the home, which has vaulted ceilings and ledges where the couple displays animal-themed sculptures and art. The painting of the pigs is actually on an old sail from a Spanish ship, said homeowner Robert Phalen.

A shabby chic dresser adds function, beauty and display space to this little girl's room in Robert and Allison Phalen's home in Decatur's Oakhurst neighborhood.

Vintage-style art in the home includes an Italian "Contratto" advertisement, by Leonetto Cappiello, of a lady holding a champagne glass.

A collection of corks marks milestones, such as weddings and anniversaries, holidays, memorable dinners and special bottles of wine.

A cabinet from the dining room of Mumbo Jumbo, a former Atlanta restaurant, is now in chef Robert Phalen's home. The chair is from Pottery Barn.

Robert and Allison Phalen's home in Decatur's Oakhurst neighborhood.

Robert and Allison Phalen, with kids Oliver, Ella and Amelia, purchased the 2,100-square-foot home in Decatur's Oakhurst neighborhood in 2004. Robert is chef/owner of One Eared Stag in Atlanta; Allison is a teacher.

A breakfront passed on from homeowner Allison Phalen's grandmother is now used to display china, crystal, silver and a collection of family photos. The floors are Brazilian cherry hardwoods.

Interesting artwork in the home, which has kid-friendly couches and ottomans, include a framed camel saddle blanket from Israel.

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Tiffany-style light fixtures hang over black granite countertops in the cozy kitchen of the Decatur home. The kitchen, with Bosch, Jenn-Air and Frigidaire appliances, is a much-used room for chef Robert Phalen (of One Eared Stag), wife Allison and their three kids.--Text by Lori Johnston

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