The 100-year-old Kirkwood home that Jonathan and Callie Rich purchased in 2012 came with plenty of flaws. To start with, the small kitchen was in an upstairs bedroom with an adjacent bathroom — the only one in the house. The back half of the home had been gutted to the sub-flooring and studs, and much of the home was in disrepair.
Since Jonathan, a Realtor, renovates homes for a living, the amount of work did not deter them, Callie said. During the 18-month renovation, they sought to preserve the historical integrity of the home. Working with a team of professionals, including specialty wood restorers and custom glass makers, they created a modern home for their family of six with features that bring attention to the home’s age.
The house is on the 13th annual Kirkwood Spring Fling Tour of Homes (kirkwoodfling.com/tour-of-homes/) on May 16-17.
“We wanted to accentuate the things that were already really beautiful about the house and bring back a lot of the beauty that we felt like it had at one time,” she said.
Snapshot
Residents: Jonathan and Callie Rich, and their children, Adele, 2; Halle, 3 months; Josiah, 7; and Evangeline, 4. Jonathan is a Realtor and Callie, a registered nurse, currently is a stay-at-home mom.
Location: Atlanta's Kirkwood neighborhood
Size: 4,500 square feet, five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths
Year built/bought: 1907/2012
Architectural style: The home was built at the end of the Victorian era, but most of its architectural elements fit with the Craftsman era, according to the homeowners.
Renovations: The smooth newel posts, 12-foot ceilings and detailed trim were original elements that were captivating, Callie said. Some items were beyond salvageable. They replaced the original windows and front door with exact replicas, and found antique light fixtures, push button electric switches and a mechanical doorbell. They kept the wood floors where they existed and restored the stairwell, fireplace mantels and dining room pocket doors to their original stained form. Antique mansion doors were added to the family room, along with transoms over the windows.
Consultants: Contractor Rob Lord of Quality Homeworks, architect Roderick Cloud, Hutcheson Horticultural Co. (landscape design), Twin Oaks Landscape Group, Jennifer O'Shields Johnston of The Woods Conservation (historical wood restoration), Kevin Knox (AV/low voltage design), Joe Gunby (custom furniture)
Interior design style: Post-Victorian meets soft mid-century style.
Resources: Furniture from Room & Board, World Market, Kudzu Antiques; light fixtures from eBay, shadesoflight.com, Rejuvenation
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