Private Quarters: DIY projects complete Marietta home

Home and Garden

Private Quarters: DIY projects complete Marietta home

Mark and Mary Jo Kovacs purchased the five bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home and put their own touches on everything but the kitchen and bathrooms.

Built in 2003, the traditional home in Marietta has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and about 3,645 square feet. The yard, which is about 2 acres, is maintained by Hayes Landscapes, based in Acworth.--Text by Lori Johnston

Built in 2003, the traditional home in Marietta has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and about 3,645 square feet. The yard, which is about 2 acres, is maintained by Hayes Landscapes, based in Acworth.

Originally the fireplace was a red brick, but they painted the brick a blue gray (Behr Premium Plus in Pewter Mug) to better match the room's color palette and Pensive Sky walls (Behr Premium Plus). The homeowners also changed out the wood-burning fireplace with a custom mirror backdrop and blue fireglass for a more contemporary look.

A glossy black freshened up the banisters in the Marietta home, with Behr Premium Plus in Pewter Mug on the walls. The homeowners also had the hardwood floors restained a darker color when they moved in.

The previous owners transformed a cookie-cutter kitchen by removing a wall between the family room and kitchen and adding the island. The Kovacs brought in a French door-style refrigerator and had room above for a custom-made wine rack made by Moore Contract Services.

Some objects in the Marietta home, including authentic Aboriginal boomerangs, connect to homeowner Mark Kovacs' Australian roots. The boomerangs are on a black console table in the foyer made by wife Mary Jo's dad as a gift for the couple's first home, in Birmingham, Ala.

A contemporary metal light fixture contrasts with traditional moldings and ceiling details in the Marietta house. The fixture is a dramatic element in the two-story foyer, said homeowner Mary Jo Kovacs.

Extensive moldings are traditional elements in the Marietta home, built in 2003. The white details and walls painted Pewter Mug (Behr Premium Plus) stand out with the hardwood floors, which Moore Contract Services refinished and stained a darker color.

Many of the lighting fixtures in the Marietta home are from Ballard Designs, along with furniture and rugs. The matching pendants were selected by the previous owners for the hallway, which has walls painted Pensive Sky (Behr Premium Plus).

Many of the lighting fixtures in the Marietta home are from Ballard Designs, along with furniture and rugs. The matching pendants were selected by the previous owners for the hallway, which has walls painted Pensive Sky (Behr Premium Plus).

A dining room table and chairs from World Market bring a casual feel to the dining room, which is set off by archways. The walls are painted Behr Premium Plus in Fresh Praline, with Behr Premium Plus in Ultra Pure White for the trim. The homeowners' collection of Waterford china is displayed beyond the table.

A dining room table and chairs from World Market bring a casual feel to the dining room, which is set off by archways. The walls are painted Behr Premium Plus in Fresh Praline, with Behr Premium Plus in Ultra Pure White for the trim. The homeowners' collection of Waterford china is displayed beyond the table.

The white cabinets and illuminated display space immediately appealed to the homeowners in the kitchen, which has luxury Bosch and Dacor appliances and built-in extras including a coffee maker, warming drawer, icemaker and wine refrigerator.

The previous owners transformed a cookie-cutter kitchen by removing a wall between the family room and kitchen and adding the island. The Kovacs brought in a French door-style refrigerator and had room above for a custom-made wine rack made by Moore Contract Services.

Originally the fireplace was a red brick, but they painted the brick a blue gray (Behr Premium Plus in Pewter Mug) to better match the room's color palette and Pensive Sky walls (Behr Premium Plus). The homeowners also changed out the wood-burning fireplace with a custom mirror backdrop and blue fireglass for a more contemporary look.

An old, authentic Australian Aboriginal painting (left) was an anniversary gift given to homeowners Mark and Mary Jo Kovacs by Mark's parents, who live in Australia.

A couch with a chaise from Macy's is paired with a table from homeowner Mary Jo Kovacs' parents. Some family room items, such as the TV stand (which was refinished) and the chevron-style indoor/outdoor rug, are from the Ballard Designs outlet in Roswell.

The master bedroom, with the refinished hardwood floors, has space for two chevron-patterned chairs from HomeGoods. The homeowners splurged on custom-made benches by Scandinavian furniture company. Above the headboard from World Market, there's a painting by homeowner Mary Jo Kovacs. Even the room's paint color has a relaxing name - Contemplation (Behr Premium Plus).

Often, leather chairs in homes have a history. This traditional Ethan Allen chair is meaningful because it was a gift from Mary Jo Kovacs' parents. It was the first piece that homeowner her mother saved up for and purchased, about 30 years ago, Kovacs said.

A contemporary metal light fixture contrasts with traditional moldings and ceiling details in the Marietta house. The fixture is a dramatic element in the two-story foyer, said homeowner Mary Jo Kovacs.

The Marietta home's front screened porch is a shady spot that overlooks a horse farm. The rug is from Target and decorative clock is from Ballard Design's (the wicker chairs were from her parents). The tables have moved with Mary Jo Kovacs since college, and to freshen them up, she's spray-painted the legs black.

In a corner of the kitchen, the couple displays cookbooks signed by chefs, on granite countertops. Although the home has traditional architecture, the kitchen is a more contemporary space.

A couch with a chaise from Macy's is paired with a table from homeowner Mary Jo Kovacs' parents. Some family room items, such as the TV stand (which was refinished) and the chevron-style indoor/outdoor rug, are from the Ballard Designs outlet in Roswell.

The couple used to live in south Florida, and beach elements are evident in their decor, including a painting by Mary Jo Kovacs and seashell-themed pillows.

All the homeowners had to do was repaint the master bathroom, which has Cararra marble countertops and ample storage in the white cabinets and drawers. "It's really not a huge space but when you walk in it feels huge because the ceilings are so high," Mary Jo Kovacs said. The walls are painted Behr Premium Plus in Lime Light.

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Built in 2003, the traditional home in Marietta has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and about 3,645 square feet. The yard, which is about 2 acres, is maintained by Hayes Landscapes, based in Acworth.--Text by Lori Johnston

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