A new loft in Old Fourth Ward provided the perfect place for Stuart and Kit Sutherland to display a collection of family antiques, and artwork and textiles from travels in Europe and Latin America.
“With 11-foot ceilings, we’ve got the room to display large artwork and furnishings that we couldn’t have in the bungalow,” Kit said.
The former Virginia-Highland bungalow and current home are about the same size, but the openness of Glen Iris Lofts helped showcase heirlooms, photographs, artwork, books and even some unusual pieces.
“This lets Stuart and me tell stories about ourselves, our families, the things we’re interested in, the things we’re good at, and the things we care about,” Kit said.
Snapshot
Residents: Stuart and Kit Sutherland. Stuart is a self-employed attorney and investor, Kit is a community activity and volunteer who is president of the Fourth Ward Alliance Neighborhood Association and a retired historic preservation planning consultant
Location: Glen Iris Lofts, Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood
Size: About 2,300 square feet, three bedrooms, three baths
Year built: 2000
Year bought: 2001
Architectural style: Industrial-style loft
Favorite architectural features: Brick exterior, concrete floors and ceilings, exposed ductwork
Architects: Stevens & Wilkinson
Developer: Miller Gallman Developers
Design consultants: Leonard Cabinet Co., based in Douglasville, created a custom bookcase for the library. Paul Kinnane Woodworking in Atlanta created custom cabinets for the guest bedroom. The couple also worked with Carolyn Budd Picture Framing, as well as Whitestone Electric & Bray Electrical Services. Artist Philippe de Camier added a faux finish to the concrete floor.
Interior design style: A collection of handicraft, textiles and folk art. The furnishings and decorative accessories reflect the evolution of the couple’s collection of beloved items from family history, personal travel, and interests and hobbies.
Favorite interior design features: Many pieces were purchased during trips to Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala and Tunisia. Stuart designed and built wooden end tables and coffee tables in his woodworking studio. Rudd Montgomery of Signal Mountain, Tenn., handcrafted the dining room table out of a salvaged walnut tree.
Favorite family pieces: Heirlooms include a portion of a quilt made by Kit’s great grand aunt in the 1890s and Kit’s mother’s 1942 Royal Arrow portable typewriter. A wall in the living room holds a giant wooden caliper Kit’s grandfather used during the 1930s to measure trees while working in south Georgia’s timber industry. Kit’s great-great grandfather’s rocking chair is displayed on a ledge in the living room. “I loved the contrast between the outline of the chair and the bare wall,” she said.
Favorite stores: Verde Home, City Issue, Environment Furniture Store, C Lighting and Lighting Loft
Artwork on display: A mixed-media piece by Decatur artist Maxey Andress, which is about 9 ½ feet tall and is called Fountainhead of Creativity, serves as a visual focal point for the living room. The couple owns eight pieces by Cuban artist Frank Martinez, including four charcoal on paper, three drypoint and one mixed media. An oil and wax on canvas of a kiwano melon by Atlanta artist Elizabeth D’Angelo is in the bedroom.
Favorite outdoor feature: The private deck, which is accessed by a metal ship’s ladder in the living room and has Adirondack chairs. “Having sold a house, we were a little worried we were going to miss our front porch, back porch and yard. It was important for us to have an outdoor space,” Kit said.
