Tom and Jean Dickerson overlooked crumbling showers, original carpet, popcorn ceilings, a glued-down parquet floor and a backyard full of poison oak in buying a 1980s home in a Peachtree Corners swim and tennis community.
The couple previously had built a new home in south Forsyth County but desired to live closer in, particularly to shorten the drive to Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School in Atlanta, which their sons were attending. They bought the house for the neighborhood, street, public school district, and flat front and backyard.
“We knew we couldn’t buy something already the way we wanted it. We were looking for something that had potential,” Jean said. “While the home didn’t have a look that was appealing to us, it had spacious rooms and good flow throughout.”
Working with architect Cynthia Karegeannes, the couple developed a 10-year plan for renovating the house, making some changes themselves and by bringing in experts such as Clark Harris of Innovative Construction.
Snapshot
Residents: Tom and Jean Dickerson, and their sons, Ted and Ben. Tom works for Oracle; Jean is a teacher.
Location: Peachtree Corners
Size: About 3,500 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths
Year built: 1981
Year bought: 2001
Architectural style: Tudor
Favorite architectural details: Dental molding
Architect: Cynthia Karegeannes, CMK Designs, based in Norcross
Contractor: Clark Harris, Innovative Construction, based in Roswell
Renovations: The plan included changes to the bathrooms, kitchen and den. The renovations began with Tom installing hardwood floors and adding a half bath, from the Jack-and-Jill downstairs bath. A "giant" bonus room helped them carve out another bathroom, a wall of built-in storage, a desk nook and a laundry room (originally in the kitchen), Jean said.
Favorite master bathroom elements: The master bathroom, originally open to the bedroom, was dark and uninspiring, Jean said. "I had this beautiful backyard. I couldn't see it. There were no windows out of the back of the house," Jean said. Taking square footage from the master bedroom helped expand the closet and bathroom. Doors were added, and they raised the bathroom ceiling height to the roofline. The MTI tub (from Ferguson Plumbing Supplies) on a pedestal base boasts air jets and a hand-held faucet. The free-standing tub, centered on the windows and underneath a rustic chandelier, sets the tone for the bathroom, Jean said.
Favorite kitchen elements: GE appliances including double ovens, a gas cooktop, a GE Profile Series Advantium speedcook oven and a warming drawer (from Sewell Appliances in Sandy Springs). The old laundry area was turned into a walk-in pantry under the stairs. The handmade tile backsplash has a Mediterranean motif (from Walker Zanger). The kitchen was in dire need of counter space, and the velvet-finished granite countertops have a more earthy, touchable appearance instead of shiny and formal, Jean said.
Interior design style: Eclectic. "It's a barefoot, come-in-your-shorts kind of house," Jean said.
Favorite interior design elements: Handmade tile and hardware with a craftlike, hand-forged look.
Landscape architect: Andy Rhoads of AR Landscapes (Marietta)
Favorite outdoor features: Meyers Zoysia grass and usable play space.
Favorite stores: Arhaus, ATGstores.com, coolknobsandpulls.com, Lumens.com, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Scott Antique Market
Decor tip: Pick a palette of three complementary colors and mix them in each room to create visual interest and flow.
Additional assistance: Georgia Wholesale Kitchen and Bath in Cumming; Mike Hardy (plumber); Soma Stoneworks in Alpharetta; Specialty Tile Products in Norcross
