Renovations drastically transform Virginia Highland bungalow

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Photos: Couple transforms ‘uninhabitable’ bungalow into Virginia-Highland gem

The deck and patio, completed in 2016, leads to a new carport that provides off-street parking for the Virginia-Highland homeowners. The home will be on the Virginia Highland Tour of Homes on Dec. 1-2.

The patio area includes boxwoods in terra cotta pots, from Tuscan Imports, and clematis growing up the pergola.

The bungalow was built in 1910. After renovations and a two-story back addition, the home now has 3,600 square feet, four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

The family room opens to the deck of the Virginia-Highland home. The fireplace is one of six inside and outside the home.

Faced with big blank stairwell wall, the homeowners were drawn to the masculinity and texture of the animal artwork, from Stanton Home Furnishings.

The chimney from the living room fireplace was left exposed in the renovations. This area previously was attic space, but the brick adds architectural interest along with the window grids.

The animal figurines are among the colorful accessories in the home.

The master bathroom, originally a bedroom, retained the fireplace and received an modern update with materials from Renaissance Tile and Bath and additional storage, through built-ins.

The porch is an L-shape on the front and side of the bungalow in Atlanta's Virginia-Highland neighborhood. The homeowners painted the ceiling blue, in keeping with the Southern tradition.

Terra cotta pavers are stained and waxed in the renovated kitchen, which has an island and cabinetry by Phil Plunkett. The appliances are from Bosch, Jenn-Air and GE Monogram.

Windows with classic diamond grids, slate blue walls and greenery beckon people into the dining room. The dining room table and chairs are from Bungalow Classic.

When they bought the home in 2005, the kitchen had no appliances and had only one cabinet, said Charlie Lefort. "It was disgusting," Lefort said. "That was really a blank slate," he said. The cabinets by Phil Plunkett extend all the way up, which Lefort said accentuates the ceiling height.

The homeowners are drawn to the water, as seen in the paintings and artwork throughout their home.

The living room's palette of primary colors was built around the rug, said homeowner Charlie Lefort. While most of the furniture in the home is traditional, a more contemporary item is the glass coffee table, from now-closed Storehouse in Buckhead.

In the living room, the fireplace's original tile was stained with a dark wax. The columns between the living room and dining room also are original to the home.

Mirrored pieces dangle from the dining room chandelier, from Bungalow Classic. The artwork ranges from a painting of homeowner John Peter Casey at the beach to a animal-themed art along the stairway.

One of their favorite pieces of furniture is the wood table in the living room. It was an 18th century English kitchen prep table and was purchased at Green Front Furniture in Farmville, Va. They cut down the legs and use it as their coffee table.

A two-story addition, finished in 2015, added this additional living space with a limestone fireplace. The couch from Stanton Home Furnishings and artwork is by Amy Leigh Karstensen.

The outdoor entertaining makeover includes a fireplace with a soapstone surround and multiple seating and dining areas. They tore off the original deck, built a patio and fenced in the backyard."It's a great place to wake up in the morning and have coffee because it's private and it's very quiet," said homeowner Charlie Lefort.

The homeowner restained the Craftsman bungalow's cedar shake exterior, added copper gutters and updated the deck area.

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The deck and patio, completed in 2016, leads to a new carport that provides off-street parking for the Virginia-Highland homeowners. The home will be on the Virginia Highland Tour of Homes on Dec. 1-2.

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