Some people have to wait for a getaway to the mountains to experience lodge living. Every day, Emily Van der Lande is surrounded by vaulted beam ceilings and paneled walls made of salvaged barn wood in her Atlanta home.
The house is believed to be one of the first homes in the Peachtree Heights East neighborhood, which Eretus Rivers — the namesake of Atlanta's E. Rivers Elementary School — helped plan in the early 1900s on his wooded land. The Van der Landes' home, with its white wood exterior and black shutters, was believed to be used as a hunting lodge by Rivers.
“I liked the fact that it was different,” she said.
Snapshot
Residents: Bernard and Emily Van der Lande, and their son, Bernard. Homeowner and father Bernard is senior vice president for CBRE Hotels. Emily stays home with their young son.
Location: Atlanta
Size: About 2,000 square feet, three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
Year built/bought: 1930/2014
Consultants: David Curl at Curl Landscape; architect Jack Davis (renovations and additions made by the previous owner)
Architectural style: Lodge
Favorite architectural elements: The vaulted, beamed ceilings in the "lodge room" and the double fireplace. They use it often in the winter and the smell of cedar wood lingers even into summer, especially on hot days when a bit of heat comes down the chimney, Emily says.
Interior design style: Lodge with exotic chic
Favorite interior design elements: Fixtures, rugs and accessories from their international travels. A favorite piece is a handmade glass and brass lantern/chandelier in the "lodge room." "We bought it in Morocco after falling in love with the lanterns at our hotel, La Mamounia," Emily said. "We found the studio of the man who made them for the hotel and were able to purchase one."
Favorite rooms: It's a tie between the "lodge room" and the kitchen, with their wood paneled walls and high ceilings. The previous owner added the cypress wood paneling and salvaged wood beams from a farmhouse in Louisiana during major renovations of both rooms in the mid-2000s. The spaces are cozy and intimate for the family of three, but are large enough to accommodate groups of up to 40 people when they host baby showers, wedding showers and neighborhood parties, Emily said.
Favorite antique: An English breakfront, circa 1790. Visitors often think it was always in the home because the piece looks like it was built for the room, but it actually was a gift from Bernard's grandmother, Emily said.
Favorite artwork: Cherished pieces include an acrylic and gold leaf on canvas by Thomas Swanston and a floral still life by 17th century German baroque painter Franz Werner von Tamm.
Resources: Hickory and Baker furniture from Mathews' Furniture Galleries, Bob Williams + Mitchell Gold, RH (Restoration Hardware), Room & Board, A Classy Flea, and Thermador and Sub-Zero appliances.
Decor tip: When looking for bargains at consignment and antique shops, don't feel as if you have to buy a room's worth of furniture at once. You can take your time to curate your furniture and accessories, which don't have to match. In doing so, you create your own personal style.
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