It took a bit of imagination to bring a home in historic Inman Park — Atlanta’s first planned community — up to modern times. Even the updates were out of date when Andrew and Amanda Cogar purchased the home.
“When we bought it, it had just an atrocious kitchen,” Amanda Cogar said. “It had red wallpaper all over the living room and dining room. It looked like a bordello. But it had such potential.”
Case in point: When an exterminator visited their home, he described the ’70s-style kitchen as “groovy.”
The couple retained some of the original features, incorporated reclaimed materials and maximized every bit of storage. For example, kitchen cabinets stretch all the way to the 10-foot ceiling, and California Closets put every inch of space in their master closet to use.
“We remained true to the original footprint of the house,” Amanda said. “It’s a small house that lives large. It’s a charming and small little house that’s great for a young family, which is what we are.”
Snapshot
Residents: Andrew and Amanda Cogar, and their daughter, 11-month-old Edie Belle. Andrew, 39, is an architect and partner with Historical Concepts; Amanda, 34, is a general manager of pensions for Delta Air Lines.
Location: Inman Park
Size: About 1,200 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths
Year bought: 2004
Year built: 1910s
Architecture: Craftsman-style cottage
Favorite architectural features: The original crown molding, beams and brackets, as well as original tile in the four fireplaces. The millwork has been painstakingly stripped and stained, showing the depth and character of the wood, when many times the millwork has been painted over in homes of a similar age and style, Andrew said.
Renovations: Added a bathroom, by turning the sunroom into a master bath. The original bathroom — a Jack-and-Jill setup between the bedrooms — became a guest bathroom and master closet. Reworked the kitchen, saving the glass cabinets and millwork, and adding in a small office area. Salvaged the heart pine ceiling beams, which were reused as the island countertop. Added a farmhouse sink, black granite countertops and appliances including GE's new Cafe series.
Design consultant: Jimmy Stanton of Stanton Home Furnishings. Pieces from the store include the leather ottoman and oversized chair in the living room and dresser in the master bedroom, as well as pillows and blankets.
Interior design style: Turn-of-the-century eclectic and cottage-inspired.
Favorite interior design feature: The artwork, which includes oil still lifes and watercolor landscapes by Amanda's cousin, Jenny Lathem of Marietta, and animal prints in the nursery by Lathem's husband, Allen Hansen.
Favorite stores: Stanton Home Furnishings, Authentique Home and Provenance
Favorite outdoor feature: Their front porch. "There is a benefit to having your homes closer together," Amanda said. "Here, you're kind of forced to be close to your neighbors, and it's kind of a good thing. You can't not say hello. I have whole conversations sitting on my porch, and talking to neighbors on their porch. It's more old-fashioned, and I think that helps build the community, which makes Inman Park so great."
