A tour of Leila Ross Wilburn homes

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A tour of Leila Ross Wilburn homes

The exterior of Joe and Mae Bergin's Leila Ross Wilburn-designed home in Decatur's MAK neighborhood that encompasses Adams Street, McDonough Street and Kings Highway. Homes designed by the self-taught architect will be open for tours Dec. 7-8.

The 25th Annual Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes features several homes designed by noted architect Leila Ross Wilburn. The tour will be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. Tickets are $25 at the door; $20 in advance from Decatur retail outlets. For information: 404-371-9583; www.decaturtourofhomes.

The style of the home fits with the Bergins' collection of period antiques.

When restoring their four-bedroom house, the Bergins reproduced period mantels for the fireplaces, painted with period colors and used brick from torn-down buildings. Photographs they found and a copy of the original house plan guided their efforts.

Tim and Chris Russell relax in their living room.

The new kitchen in the Russells' Decatur home.

The couple also refitted the home's six fireplaces and repaired the pocket doors. Chris Russell said they could do all the work because the house has "good bones."

Their last project was the kitchen. "It was circa 1990s," said Joe Bergin with a laugh. "We brought it back to a period look, with Shaker-style cabinets. We uncovered what we think was the original tile floor of basket weave tiles in light blue and white that we left in place."

The Bergins got a copy of the original house plan and, using photos they found of the four-bedroom house, restored the 1915 structure.

The Russells added the kitchen, as well as a family room, bedroom and bathroom, giving them 3,200 square feet.

The Bergins stripped and repainted the ceilings of their front porch.

Six years ago, the Bergins were newcomers who fell for the Decatur area and the arts and crafts style of the houses.

The 1915 residence had four bedrooms, 1 1/4 baths, and lots of old paint when the Russells bought it three years ago. They have since added another bathroom upstairs.

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The exterior of Joe and Mae Bergin's Leila Ross Wilburn-designed home in Decatur's MAK neighborhood that encompasses Adams Street, McDonough Street and Kings Highway. Homes designed by the self-taught architect will be open for tours Dec. 7-8.

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A tour of Leila Ross Wilburn homes

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