Avondale Estates’ gorgeous old trees drew Megan Martin to the community, so it’s only fitting that she fills her home with trees during the holidays.
Eight decorated trees are displayed throughout the modern prairie-style home, which is on the Dec. 10 Avondale Estates Christmas Tour of Homes.
They range from a tree with traditional burgundy and gold ornaments to others with themes such as the sea, Disney and even her husband’s favorite college team — the University of Alabama — and her daughter’s collection of artsy shoe ornaments. But the tree filled with family ornaments, nicknamed the “gene” tree, is Martin’s favorite.
» See all the trees in the Martins' home here
“When we first got married, I asked each of our families if they had any Christmas ornaments that were from their childhood or anything that would represent them being a part of our family,” she said. “Well, my mother-in-law, Jean, was an orphan and she was placed in an orphanage when she was born and was adopted eventually when she was a toddler. But she gave me these ornaments that the orphans would get when Santa would come visit the orphans.”
Her mother-in-law recently reconnected with her biological family, and ornaments from both her adoptive and biological families are on the branches. Some of the ornaments are 100 years old.
“It is all of our family history kind of linked to one,” she said. “I think it’s amazing to hold onto those very old things.”
Credit: Christopher Oquendo/www.ophotography.com
Credit: Christopher Oquendo/www.ophotography.com
Snapshot
Residents: Toby and Megan Martin, their children, Royal and Mary Helen, and cats, Chocolate and Ethan. Toby works in sales for SecureWorks, and Megan is a lawyer and partner at Jarrard & Davis.
Location: Avondale Estates, DeKalb County
Size: 3,500 square feet, five bedrooms, three full baths and two half baths
Year built/bought: 1954/2017
Architectural style: Modern prairie
Credit: Christopher Oquendo/www.ophotography.com
Credit: Christopher Oquendo/www.ophotography.com
Credit: Christopher Oquendo/www.ophotography.com
Credit: Christopher Oquendo/www.ophotography.com
Renovations: In 2013, renovations by previous owners created an open kitchen and great room, a master suite, and a new second-floor space with four bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a laundry room. The basement was renovated into a home office and a recreation room with a wet bar. The Martins are adding a rooftop deck area and a custom pool with a waterfall and vanishing edge, fire feature in custom copper bowls, a poolside cabana and an outdoor kitchen.
Interior design style: Modern
Favorite room: The great room. "I love the light and openness of this space," Martin said. "It allows for formal dining in one area and more casual space around the large island. We spend so much time as a family together in this space in our home."
Favorite artwork: Original paintings and a signed poster by New Orleans artist Greg Creason, and an original signed lithograph of "Impressions" by Harry Wysocki.
Resources: Furniture from RH, lighting from Ikea and Trent Austin Design, closets by California Closets, Samsung "The Frame" TV.
Holiday decor tip: Create a family tree by exchanging ornaments with family members or create ornaments that celebrates your family.
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