More than 85 years ago, the house now owned by Don and Syd Janney was an Atlanta Constitution Master Model Home showing the best building products from 1928.
The couple remains proud of the residence’s original features, such as casement windows, hardwood floors and exterior light fixtures.
“It’s a very loved house,” Janney said. “I believe that it has stood the test of time.”
Snapshot
Resident: Syd and Don Janney
Location: Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood
Size: About 2,800 square feet, four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths
Year built: 1928
Year bought: 1988
Builder: Thomas K. Windham
Architect: R. Kennon Perry
Architectural style: Tudor
Favorite architectural elements: Metal casement windows with transoms; oversized wooden front door; thick, textured plaster walls and crown molding; original wrought-iron doorknobs.
Renovations: Kitchen expansion in 1986 (by previous owners) designed by architect Ward Seymour; the Janneys replaced the kitchen countertops and appliances in 2012. In 2002, landscape architect Spencer Tunnell redesigned the front entryway and back terrace.
Interior design style: Eclectic with European influences
Favorite interior design elements: The Janneys have decorated with artwork from travels. Among them: brass rubbings from the church in Wootton Wawen, England; a pen and ink of Chicago street scene by architect/artist Josef Polak; small oils of Jackson Square Cathedral in New Orleans by painter Mitchell Long; and a wood block print/poster of Martin Luther from Wittenberg, Germany.
Favorite outdoor features: The terrace with a brick wall, slate floor, retaining wall seating and a fish pond; a bottle tree created from rebar by South Carolina folk artist Melvin Dantzler.
Favorite artwork: In the living room, a chain stitch tapestry, using wool dyed in Germany and made in the Kashmir Valley of India, reproduces the Andre Derain painting, “Pont de Charing Cross,” seen in a recent exhibit at the High Museum of Art.
Favorite collectibles: Black iron decorative pieces collected by Syd Janney over last 25 years include pair of planters and found objects such as a fireplace tools holder, cachepot with top, table fan, yarn holders, candleholder, towel holder, tiered display rack and cross.
Resources: Furniture, fabrics and accessories from Lewis and Sheron Textiles, HomeGoods, World Market, Beverly Hall Furniture. Many of their items are framed by Artifacts in Grant Park.
Decor tip: Use travel mementos such as photography, ceramics, textiles and artwork to enhance your living space in a personal and memorable way.
About the Author
