Photos: Retired teacher transforms her Dunwoody basement into educational den for her grandkids

Things to Do

Photos: Retired teacher transforms her Dunwoody basement into educational den for her grandkids

The 6,300-square-foot Dunwoody home includes five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths. The Colonial home, which was built in 1974, will be featured in the Sept. 15 National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Atlanta Tour of Remodeled Homes.

The blue dining room in the Colonial home has a formal air, with molding, an ornate mirror and china.

The breakfast nook, with a vaulted ceiling, is flooded in natural light in Steve and Caron Morgan's Dunwoody home.

A collection of Minton china from homeowner Steve Morgan's grandmother decorate the dining room walls, which feature a blue patterned wallpaper. The gold mirror was owned by Steve's mother and the tray was inherited by Caron Morgan's mother.

Bells and Bibles are displayed on the secretary in the living room.

Wine-toned walls set the scene for music in the formal living room, which includes velvet king and queen chairs and a Persian rug.

The foyer is the setting for a pump organ and a painting by Gary Tonge Latimer.

An unexpected foyer feature is the pump organ, which the couple inherited from Caron Morgan's great aunt.

A commissioned painting by English artist Gary Tonge Latimer was inspired by a photo of the marsh in Florida near Cape San Blas, their favorite beach, said homeowner Caron Morgan.

The stage is set up for the homeownersâ granddaughters to dress up and perform. The backdrop is used a print of Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, of the Clan of MacLeod (enlarged and printed by Pixers and installed by Jan Hansen). Homeowner Caron Morgan said her paternal grandmother was a McLeod, which is the American spelling. The coat of arms were originally twin bed headboards. (Christopher Oquendo Photography)

The family room also has a vaulted ceiling, which provides room for large-scale pieces such as the hutch.

Steve and Caron Morgan's basement renovation, completed in 2017 by Weidmann & Associates, will be on the Sept. 15 National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Atlanta Tour of Remodeled Homes. The quartzite island and the Neolith countertops were from Stone Center and fabricated by Art Rock Creations.

The earth-tone bathroom in the basement connects to the guest room. The countertop and shower seat were fabricated by Art Rock Creations.

The basement has two full bathrooms, including this sea-inspired space that is below the sunroom and serves as a changing room when using the pool.

The basement is complete with a playhouse."This child-friendly environment is piquing their curiosity, igniting their creativity and stimulating their imagination just as we had hoped it would," Caron said.

Retired teacher Caron Morgan designed the basement playroom with areas for exploration and hands-on learning for her granddaughters.

The vaulted sunroom, completed in 2011, includes a pool by Endless Pools. Kauffman Design was the architect and project manager for the sunroom.

Steve Morgan said their granddaughters like to play in the stream bed when they wet it by the hidden pipe and valve. "We move the rocks and look under them for creatures," Caron Morgan said.

Decks & More built the deck, which has furniture from AuthenTEAK Outdoor Living.

Caron and Steve Morgan purchased their Dunwoody home in 1993. Caron is a retired teacher and Steve is a retired dentist.

1/20

The 6,300-square-foot Dunwoody home includes five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths. The Colonial home, which was built in 1974, will be featured in the Sept. 15 National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Atlanta Tour of Remodeled Homes.

Today's Gallery Headlines

The Center tour

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

Wayfair Tour

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

Atlanta Hawks host the Boston Celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park

4th Annual Rick Ross Car Show

PHOTOS: Rapper Rick Ross holds 4th annual car show in Fayetteville