After living in their late 1960s-style home in east Cobb for 30 years, Cathy and Rick Swerdlin decided it was time to find a new, updated residence.
But the search for their dream home came up empty. Then Rick, president of Insurance Counseling and Management, and Cathy, a postpartum doula, realized they could create their ideal home by adding to and remodeling their current residence.
The couple decided to have plans drawn up by an architect to rebuild their home.
“The old house just got tired. We wanted something fresh, new and different,” Rick said. “We thought about moving, but this is an ideal location for us with work, and our family is close by.”
The couple hired Judy Mozen, CR, GCP, president of Handcrafted Homes Inc., to reinvigorate their home by turning rooms that were previously closed off into open, inviting spaces.
“We didn’t need or want much more square footage; I just wanted a little more room for entertaining,” Cathy explained. “Before the remodel, there were three small rooms with tiny doorways between each of them. Now the entire ground level has a much better flow.”
“The house was contemporary 1970s and came off as rather cold,” Mozen added. “It didn’t reflect Cathy and Rick’s personalities and their warmth.”
A new front entryway was added to filter traffic into the great room instead of leading straight into the dining room. In addition, a 500-square-foot family room with a 14-foot vaulted ceiling was added to the rear of the home to create more space between the kitchen and dining room.
“Judy is very creative, and she really took the time to find out what we wanted,” Rick said. “She drew the plans for the front entryway and there was no turning back. It is magnificent and it looks like it has been here forever.”
The Swerdlins are expecting their first grandchild this summer and hope their home will become a favorite gathering place for the growing family.
“The house now reflects the warmth that we feel for our marriage and family. It is now a wonderful space, and people will feel comfortable when they are in it,” Cathy said.
