Private Quarters: A match made of metal

By Christopher Oquendo

For the AJC

Sarah Kathryn Smith, the owner of One and One Matchmaking, has produced more than 200 weddings in the 11 years she has been in business. Four years ago she found her perfect housing match in a post-World War II Lustron home.

The Lustron Co. rose in 1949 during the postwar housing boom, producing pre-fabricated, all-metal houses that were shipped all over the U.S. The concept of all-metal, pre-fabricated houses did not catch on, and the company went out of business after six months, having built more than 2,000 homes. Fewer than 1,000 of the homes remain, including two in Atlanta.

When Smith found the home four years ago it was being sold as a tear-down.

“As a matchmaker, I could see how much fun this home was going to be for me. It is completely one-of-a-kind and a source of great discussion. There was something about the home that spoke to me," Smith said, describing the first time she saw the home. “The home required six months of renovations. The house did not have gutters. It had rust in many of the rooms, and I spent many months getting the house livable.”

Renovating the kitchen was among the tasks.

“I worked hard to maintain the integrity and the style of the home. I also got some luck along the way,” Smith said.

“One day I was driving down Collier Road and found a GE stove sitting on the side of the road. I called my yardman and told him to get his hand truck, and we walked it two blocks to my house. I plugged it in and it worked fantastically.”

Smith has joined a Yahoo user group for the owners of Lustron homes, who trade ideas on maintaining and decorating the homes.

She also has traveled to Lombard, Ill., where 30 of the homes stand within a 5-mile radius.

"It is really fun to see other Lustron homes and see what others have done with their home," Smith said.

Smith describes the décor inside her home as “British 1960s Mod style.” The master bedroom has a warm color palette and vintage 1960s furniture. The room has maple wood with Mod-type curvatures and touches.

In the living room Smith purposely took out the TV. Instead, there are hidden speakers for a sound system.

“Music is a big part of my life,” she said. “Music encourages conversation.”

Smith said she "wanted the home to have a sophisticated and modern look."

"I used blacks and grays in the living room and kitchen to keep a clean look,” she said.