Atlanta real estate: New terrace enhances home’s old charm

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Stunning new terrace enhances old charm of 1920s home

Renovations make 1920s home function better for young family

A new terrace, which replaced a tiny deck off the main floor of this 1920s home, transformed the back exterior and provided more places for entertaining outside. It was designed by Norman D. Askins and built by Neal Gasaway Homes. Text by Lori Johnston/Fast Copy News Service.

The American federal home, which has 5,000 square feet, four bedrooms, and four 1/2 baths, was built in the early 1920s. The white brick and black shutters, typical of this style of architecture, give the Brookwood Hills home charming curb appeal.

The staircase curves from the foyer to the second level. Anna French wallpaper brings a graphic element to the entry and stairwell.

Tulips are a go-to spring accent in the 1920s Atlanta home. The theme of the homes tour is "Tradition Meets Today."

Arched openings and a crystal chandelier maintain the formality in some areas, while the walls have been updated with graphic Anna French wallpaper. The home is on the April 22 Brookwood Hills Tour of Homes, benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Once the kids are asleep, homeowners Brooks and Libby Barge retire to the den, and sometimes even eat dinner at the card table. "It's fun to get out of the kitchen
and sit and relax without the formality of the dining room," she said. "I love the bright colors and relaxing feel." The chairs and couches are from WebbMarsteller in Buckhead.

The walls and built-in bookshelves of the den are painted Benjamin Moore's Elephant Tusk. "It is where we catch up on the day, watch TV, have glass of wine and enjoy a fire," Libby Barge said.

The first round of renovations, in 2013, updated the kitchen with a tile backsplash (from Traditions in Tile and Stone) covering the wall behind the vent hood. An iron chandelier from Edgar Reeves contrasts with walls painted Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter. The homeowners worked with contractor George Gerakitis on the kitchen update.

A nook provides more room for food prep. The open shelves hold both everyday plates and serving dishes for entertaining. The countertops are limestone, and the paneling is painted Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter.

The limestone countertops in the renovated kitchen are from Mega Marble, and new cabinet hardware is from Masterpiece Lighting. The homeowners removed a wall, and the kitchen is now open to the keeping room.

The keeping room is designed as a child-friendly space. "With our small kids, I spend hours in the basement and the kitchen/keeping room area with them," Libby Barge said. The coffee table, side table and lamps are from Peridot. On the walls, painted Benjamin Moore's Elephant Tusk, are cut paper pieces from Max & Co.

The glass-top Printz dining room table with an iron base is one of Libby Barge's favorite new pieces of furniture. She and her designer, Lou Winship, spotted it in a magazine and got it from Ainsworth-Noah at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. The chairs are from Foxglove Antiques & Galleries, and the gold antique mirror is from 14th Street Antiques & Modern Home.

The butler's pantry off the dining room is a stylish preparation and storage spot with a backsplash in a herringbone pattern and antiqued mirrored cabinets.

Fine art paintings infuse color and a connection between the heirloom pieces and new furniture in the Atlanta home. Pieces by Deborah Elmquist and Nancy Franke are in the living room, which has a couch from Hickory Chair. The coffee table is from Huff Harrington, where the homeowners also purchased art for the home.

Upholstered chairs offer a cozy spot by a fireplace in the living room. "Lou Winship with WinSmith Designs is wonderful at mixing the old and
the new. We inherited a bunch of pieces from my parents and loved the traditional feel of the antiques, but still craved the fresh, clean updated look," Libby Barge said.

A chest with a black marble top, from high-end home furnishings andaccessories store Mrs. Howard, creates a display space for crystal pieces and other items.

The master bedroom is a cohesive and classic retreat for the couple. The bedside tables, a chest and mirror are from Mrs. Howard.

To update the master bathroom of the 1920s home, architect Norman D. Askins created a barrel vault ceiling and added windows.

An area in the master bathroom pairs plates and brackets from Boxwoods around a mirror and chest from Mrs. Howard.

The nursery is one of many rooms in the Brookwood HiIls home with a fireplace. Libby Barge brought vibrant original art into her kids' rooms, including a cow
painting from Barbara Olson (from Anne Irwin Fine Art).

A bookcase is actually a secret door that opens to what the homeowners were told was once a speakeasy. An old ice chest and working sink that were used during Prohibition remain in the home, Libby Barge said. As the stories in the neighborhood go, "a bootlegger would come around at night and go through the back door and slip everyone liquor," she said.

The Barges added a wet bar in the basement for easy access when entertaining on the covered patio.

The guest bedroom in the basement benefits from the lot, with light coming through multiple windows. The upholstered headboard is from Peridot. The glass and metal side tables from Ballard Designs have elegant curved arms. The walls are painted Benjamin Moore's White Dove.

A settee curves between drop-leaf side tables. The Lucian wallpaper is from Anna French's Lyric collection, available from Thibaut.

Atlanta architect Norman D. Askins replaced a bay window in the dining room with iron doors that open onto the new terrace. Neal Gasaway Homes was the contractor for the renovations in 2015.

Landscape architect Richard Anderson re-envisioned the Brookwood Hills backyard with a bluestone patio and water feature in one section of the property.

Atlanta architect Norman D. Akins' design of the spiral staircase gave the family room for multiple dining and entertaining areas outside, and improved access from the main level of the home.

The renovated basement opens to a covered bluestone patio that leads to the redesigned backyard. Arches mimic the interior architectural features that
homeowner Libby Barge loves. "The ironwork gives the space so much interest while still being simple and elegant," she said.

The re-imagined backyard includes a basketball court for the Barge boys. Text by Lori Johnston/Fast Copy News Service.(Christopher Oquendo Photography/www.ophotography.com)

Brooks and Libby Barge bought their Brookwood Hills home in 2013. Their kids are Hunter (from left), 3, Patrick, 4 and Whit, 10 months. Brooks Barge works in the finance industry.

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A new terrace, which replaced a tiny deck off the main floor of this 1920s home, transformed the back exterior and provided more places for entertaining outside. It was designed by Norman D. Askins and built by Neal Gasaway Homes. Text by Lori Johnston/Fast Copy News Service.

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