Photos: Atlanta couple has more than 60 years in family home

Private Quarters

Leo and Jane Carlton built their Fulton County home in 1955, and they’ve lived there ever since, raising a family and changing their home to grow and adapt as they did.

In 1982 Leo and Jane Carlton renovated their home, adding a new kitchen, den, owner’s suite, laundry room and garage. Leo, who worked in contracting running Carlton Craft, spearheaded the renovation and made the kitchen cabinets himself. Four years ago they updated the kitchen with new quartz counters, a farm sink and a new island. They also added a backsplash of gray subway tile from Daltile. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Leo Carlton made the hand-tooled grandfather clock that sits in the entryway of his home as a gift for his wife, Jane, on their 22nd wedding anniversary in 1972. The clock is one of many items throughout Jane and Leo’s home that Leo made himself. He is now retired from a career of running Carlton Craft contractors. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Jane and Leo Carlton added their open concept den and kitchen to their 1955 home in 1982. “Everything’s arranged so conveniently,” said Jane. “I just have to take a few steps to do everything.” The space is accented with a rug from Magnolia Home and pendant lights from Progressive Lighting. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Leo and Jane Carlton fashioned the wine bar in their breakfast room from a desk. Now the space includes plenty of storage for bottles and glasses in a compact space that allows them to elegantly serve guests and themselves. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Wingback chairs, which Jane and Leo Carlton purchased in the late '60s from Tidwell Furniture and Decor, create part of the cozy sitting area in the living room of their home. A heart pine credenza that the couple inherited from friends sits along one wall, topped with Glynn lamps, and above the credenza hangs a city scene painting from Scott Antique Markets. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

The green guest room in Jane and Leo Carlton’s home has an earthy, organic feel, with walls painted in Benjamin Moore Weekend Getaway. The couple worked with Jerry Mallard of Jerry Mallard Painting for their interior walls. Bedding from Lewis and Sheron Textiles and a white shiplap ceiling finish the space. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Leo and Jane Carlton built their Fulton County home in 1955, and they’ve lived there ever since, raising a family and changing their home to grow and adapt as they did. In the entryway to their home sits a tall English pine cabinet with a built-in desk, and a Turkish rug adds blues and orange to the grounded, neutral space. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

The secretary desk that sits in Leo and Jane Carlton’s bedroom was inherited from an aunt who purchased it at White Rabbit Cottage. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Jane and Leo Carlton built their ranch-style home in 1955 and added on to the back of the home in 1982 to create an owner’s suite, den, laundry room and larger kitchen. The house is now 3,360 square feet with three bedrooms, one office and two bathrooms. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Three years ago Leo and Jane Carlton decided to cover and screen in part of their large backyard deck. Now, with a firepit from Lowe’s, furniture from Rocky Mountain Store, a rug from Ballard Designs and a TV, they spend a lot of their time sitting out there listening to the rain on the metal roof or drinking a glass of wine. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

In the formal dining room of Leo and Jane Carlton’s home sits a solid cherry dining table that they purchased from Willett Furniture Company in North Carolina when they were building the house in 1955. A brass chandelier from Progressive lighting that the couple purchased in 1982 enhances the elegance of the space. When the couple renovated their home in 1982, enlarging the dining room was part of the project. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Leo Carlton built the shelves and desk in his home office. The space is cool and comfortable, with green grasscloth walls and a picture window that looks out over the backyard. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Last year Jane Carlton decided she wanted shiplap in her Fulton County home’s hallway, so her husband, Leo Carlton, who spent his career as a contractor, got right to it, giving the hall of their traditional home a more mid century modern vibe. They finished the look with an oriental rug runner and a sideboard and mirror, both from Ballard Designs. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

An antique Asian mirror hangs in Leo and Jane Carlton’s den. They purchased it years ago from an antique dealer who told them it was salvaged from a temple that was being demolished. On the built-in shelves of the den are the couple’s Santa figure collection. In 1990 they took their collection to Phipps Plaza to meet the artist, Max E. Duncan, who signed all 24 pieces. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Leo and Jane Carlton, who have been married more than 70 years, built their home together in 1955 and have lived there ever since. Leo retired last year from his contracting business, Carlton Craft, and Jane is a retired interior decorator. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

The guest room of Leo and Jane Carlton’s home is bright and inviting, with a black-and-white color palette and original hardwoods. Leo made the built-in shelves and put up shiplap on the ceiling and behind the bed when they redecorated the room earlier this year. The space has bedding from Ballard Designs and lamps that the couple bought in 1963 for their twin daughters’ bedroom. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

The breakfast room of Jane and Leo Carlton’s home has a fresh, organic vibe, with walls covered in green wallpaper and trimmed in Benjamin Moore White Dove. Leo made the pine breakfast table with a glass top, and above it hangs an antique chandelier that the couple inherited. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

The den of Leo and Jane Carlton’s home is cozy and inviting, with green leather wingbacks and a cozy armchair dubbed “Mama’s favorite chair,” which has been reupholstered several times over the years. Jane houses her Majolica pottery collection on the built-in shelves, and the butler’s tray table was handmade by Leo. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

The heart pine credenza that sits in Leo and Jane Carlton’s living room is one of their favorite pieces of furniture. It was hand made in 1876 at a mill on Peachtree Creek. It belonged to the mother of one of Leo and Jane’s close friends, and when the owner died the Carltons’ friend gave it to them to care for. It was painted black, and Leo used gallons of paint stripper to reveal the original wood. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

1/19

In 1982 Leo and Jane Carlton renovated their home, adding a new kitchen, den, owner’s suite, laundry room and garage. Leo, who worked in contracting running Carlton Craft, spearheaded the renovation and made the kitchen cabinets himself. Four years ago they updated the kitchen with new quartz counters, a farm sink and a new island. They also added a backsplash of gray subway tile from Daltile. Text by Shannon Dominy/Photo by Reynolds Rogers

Today's Gallery Headlines

Alerts

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

PHOTOS: Savannah Christmas model train garden began under the tree

PHOTOS: Calvary Day and Hebron Christian battle for Class 3A-A title

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel