Michelle Kirby and Heidi Reis wanted to bring their early 1900s home into this century and make it more functional. By staying within historic building guidelines and retaining 80 percent of the original roof, interiors and framing, they received tax credits for the renovation of the home in Grant Park’s Historic District.
The new second floor is not visible until walking to the side of the home. Inside, they balanced original features such as trim, hardwood floors and doors, and heirlooms with new furniture and appliances, such as splurging on a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher drawer. The home is on the Historic Grant Park 41st annual Tour of Homes (gpna.org/tourofhomes) on May 16-17, which will feature renovated homes that stayed within the historic context and existing footprint.
“They can have a fabulous 2015 home still in a 1900s shell,” Kirby said.
Snapshot
Residents: Michelle Kirby and Heidi Reis. Kirby is an aerospace engineer at Georgia Tech; Reis is an agent with Nest Atlanta Real Estate, eXp Realty LLC
Location: Grant Park
Size: 2,278 square feet, three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths
Year built/bought: 1904/2004
Architectural style: Shotgun bungalow
Favorite original elements: Stained glass front windows (repaired by Susan McCracken of Architectural Artworks), medallion buttons, trim and heart of pine floors
Contractor: Dan Souther, Round Here Renovations
Renovations: They worked with Paul Simo, chair of the Historic Committee for the Grant Park Neighborhood Association, and Round Here Renovations to renovate the two-bedroom, one-bath home with about 1,566 square feet and add a second floor. They widened walls and doorways on the main level and reconfigured the kitchen. By using items such as fiberglass batts and blankets insulation, their goal was to keep the home's strong bones while making it healthy enough to last another 100-plus years. They added new electrical, plumbing, roof, lighting (nothing original was in the home), energy-efficient appliances and repainted. They retiled fireplace hearths and surround and returned the mantels to the original wood state. The tile was secured to a piece of plywood adhered to the mantel, making it possible to revert to the original brick and mortar fireplace. Adding dual fuel ventless fireplaces in the coal-burning openings made them work again. They created a laundry chute, a broom closet in the guest bath, drawers under the new stairs, a floor-to-ceiling pantry and kitchen cabinets that reach the ceiling, conditioned storage space on the second floor and unconditioned attic storage space.
Cost of renovations: $225,000
Interior design style: Urban chic design with a flair
Favorite outdoor features: The front porch, back deck, yard for playing games, such as croquet, and a small garden. The landscaping was provided by Horticultural Gardens.
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