Twice, Freddy and Trish Luster have renovated their turn-of-the-century home on one of Kirkwood’s wide streets.
They have found decades-old newspapers stuffed into the fireplaces and peeled back layers of paint and wallpaper. In both renovations, first after they bought the home in 2005 and then a second makeover and expansion finished last year, they discovered more about their design preferences and how to mix old and new. Their bungalow, which now has shiplap, wainscoting and textured wallcoverings, is featured on the May 14-15 Kirkwood Spring Fling Tour of Homes.
“When you walk in the front door, it feels fresh and new but familiar,” Trish said.
Snapshot
Residents: Freddy and Trish Luster, and sons Ravi, 8, and Eli, 5. Freddy, who has worked in the music industry and nightclub scene in Atlanta, now is a commercial real estate broker; Trish works in corporate real estate.
Location: Kirkwood
Size: 3,200 square feet, four bedrooms, three baths
Year built/bought: 1906/2005
Architectural style: Craftsman bungalow
Favorite architectural elements: Built-ins, wainscoting along the staircase wall and in the master bedroom, shiplap in the bathrooms and Brazilian cherry hardwoods.
Renovations: The first renovation, in 2005, made it a livable three-bedroom, two-bath home by reconfiguring the layout, updating the kitchen and baths, and installing Brazilian cherry hardwoods throughout. In 2014-2015, they popped the top to add a full second story and gutted the home. "We worked hard to design the house for how we live and make it very functional for our family," Trish said. Now, there are three bedrooms, two baths, a laundry room and loft upstairs. On the first floor, the central hall now opens up to the back of the house, which has tall ceilings, while the front three rooms are essentially laid out the same, Freddy said.
Architect (renovations): Joe Alcock
Builder (renovations): Stryant Construction
Design consultant: Reiner White Design Studio
Interior design style: Modernized Craftsman
Favorite interior design elements: Wingback chairs and textured wallpaper from Wolf Gordon
Resources: Thermador stove and dishwasher, GE Cafe refrigerator and Viking steam oven/microwave, from Howard Payne Co.; bath and kitchen fixtures from Ferguson, and furniture from RH, Crate & Barrel, Horchow, CB2 and Bernhardt.
Decor tip: When selecting light fixtures, pay attention to the scale of the room. The Lusters say the designers helped them step out of their comfort zone. Fixtures, such as a chrome pendant chandelier in the sitting room, provided volume in rooms with high ceilings.
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