Los Angeles transplants George and Lisa Grant Vail brought their love of modern design to Georgia, where brick traditional and ranch-style homes dominate the architecture. In Roswell, the couple, who had renovated homes for 10 years, finally achieved their dream of building a home with modern design and sustainable elements.
“Every time there was an option that made sense that also was the most eco-friendly option, we took it,” Lisa said.
Others have taken notice, too. The home was named the 2012 Earthcraft Platinum project of the year by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that promotes sustainable homes, workplaces and communities. When people view the home, either on an impromptu basis or as part of an event like the 2012 Modern Atlanta Home Tour, the couple has noticed the modern style appeals to children in particular.
“Children just love, love modern houses,” said Lisa, who has also noticed this trend many times as a Realtor specializing in modern listings. “They feel so at home. I always notice the joy. They’re like, ‘I want to live here.’”
Snapshot
Residents: George and Lisa Grant Vail and their daughters, Haven and Jordan. George is an IT director for a GIS/mapping firm; Lisa is a Realtor with Keller Williams Atlanta Perimeter, specializing in modern, architectural and green properties, as well as a partner with Via Viridis Green Solutions and green living blogger (www.eco-awesome.com)
Where: Roswell's Historic Mill Village
Size: About 2,700 square feet, three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
Year built and bought: 2011
Architect: Jordan Williams of Plexus r+d, based in Atlanta
Builder: Bert Thompson of Forest Brook Properties, based in Milton
Contractors: Allen Morris, Stability Engineering; cabinet maker Ryan Mathern, Ryan Mathern Custom Furniture; Pat Hayes of Air Conditioning Specialist
Architectural style: Modern
Favorite architectural feature: The overhang on the front of the home fits with the modern style but also is a deliberate way to minimize heat. The front façade faces the south, which exposes the home to sun, but the overhang keeps the heat coming into the home through the windows to a minimum. Large windows and sliding doors in the back of the home capture the wooded views, but also allow the sunlight into the home from the north without the heat that comes from the south.
Interior design style: Eco-friendly modern
Favorite green features: The architecture of the home, which was built on an empty lot, lent itself to the flat roof covered with solar panels (installed by Inman Solar). The Mitsubishi Mr. Slim ductless air system, which has the ability to control the temperature of each room individually, helps them efficiently heat and cool the home, Lisa said.
A no-VOC mineral-based paint imported from Italy by Atlanta-based San Marco USA was used for the interior and San Marco USA also provided the natural lime-based stucco for the exterior. These formulas have been used since the Roman era, Lisa said. “We love how eco-friendly this paint is, both from a health and planet standpoint,” she said.
Design tip: Keep the color scheme and design concept loose for children's rooms. It's much more interesting to avoid themed rooms that take major renovations to change as the child grows, Lisa said. She makes kids' rooms fun, bright and eclectic so that any toys or collections they want to bring into their space fits with the décor. Colorful wall decals are a great way to add easy-to-change style.
Favorite stores: Room & Board, City Issue, West Elm and Ikea
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