Story by H.M. CAULEY/Photos by JASON GETZ
At first glance, Mistye and Heath Wilson’s long driveway gives way to an East Cobb residence designed in traditional style. The paved turnaround leads to stacked stone and brick accents, an arched entry with multi-paned double front doors, dark wood shutters, and a four-car garage to the side.
But that’s about where the Wilsons depart from the conventional. Inside those double doors is a three-level, six-bedroom house best described as a blend of industrial chic and functional family living. Awash in dark hardwood floors, wall colors of slates and grays, and contemporary furniture, the Wilson home could as easily be a downtown loft or townhouse with a decidedly urban flair.
The move away from suburban traditional to industrial chic was an intentional one, Mistye Wilson says. “It’s my husband,” she laughs. “He loves that industrial look. But when we got here in 2009, the house was pretty country traditional. The beams, the bannisters, the mantels all were wood. We began in the kitchen, and once we started changing, one area kept bleeding into the next.”
The kitchen area
The couple tackled the project in sections, working closely with John Rogers Renovations of Woodstock to banish the traditional look. Gone are any remnants of country kitsch in the open kitchen, now a sleek grayish-blue with globe pendants over a spacious island, a built-in coffee maker, opaque glass shelves in some of the cabinets and an eating area in front of triple windows.
Nearby, a sliding metal door hides Mistye’s office. A second pantry was reworked as a roomy laundry and storage zone, with built-in cabinets for outdoor gear, two washers and dryers, and a closet that hides a laundry chute from the upper floor.
The family room
In the adjacent vaulted family room, lit by a bank of soaring windows looking out to the back yard, the wood fireplace mantel disappeared under a metal coating, and wood ceiling beams and bookcases were repainted with lighter shades of gray. Pale wood floors were made darker with a blend of stains.
“I am a Southern country girl, and at first it hurt me to paint real wood, but it turned out so beautifully I’ve forgiven myself,” the Rome, Georigia native says.
Living and dining spaces
The next area to get a re-do was the front entrance, dining area and formal living room. Once a boxy space of separate rooms, the main living space is now open to showcase the view beyond the French doors. One of the most dramatic changes came in the foyer, lit by a geometric iron chandelier, where the staircase was ripped out and replaced by floating stairs with wire spindles. The living room, host to an array of contemporary furnishings, features a fireplace with a gray metal mantel and a semi-circular sofa.
The dining area accommodates a concrete table with wood and iron legs surrounded by eight black leather chairs. The table also doubles as a display for part of the extensive pottery collection created by Mistye’s grandfather, award-winning Georgia potter William J. Gordy.
“I wanted a place to display his plates, pots and goblets, so throughout the house we have floating shelves and cabinets full of it,” she says.
Recreational renovations
Across the rear of the house, a screened porch also got an industrial upgrade. Painted white brick provides the backdrop for a large sofa swing, a fireplace with a flat screen TV and an outdoor kitchen area. Below the wood frame of the screened walls, wire spindles add another rustic element.
In the first-floor master, the Wilsons added wood beams to the ceiling and created a cozy sitting area near the tall windows. An ivory shag rug and a marble-surround fireplace warm up the sleeping area.
The unfinished basement area was reconfigured with a play area for the Wilson’s four children, an exercise room, a bar and home office. A guest room is decorated with a variety of mid-century accents, including a low-backed orange sofa and bamboo shades.
But there’s one very traditional element Mistye Wilson refused to compromise on. A tall stack of wood outside the lower level is part of her country roots.
“We have a fire going whenever we can,” she says. “It reminds me of home.”
The Wilson’s insider Tips
Visit properties and projects that your potential contractor has completed. Make sure they have done projects with a similar style of what you are planning.
Do research to get a good idea of the design you want before starting. Also, pick a feature to design around. The Wilson’s decided on the floating staircase.
Consider the limitations of interior design given the structure of the home and current exterior.
Be patient and aware that remodeling is hard. Disruption in your home is unavoidable. Ask previous clients how clean the contractor kept the project.
5 things to know about East Cobb
Known for its cozy and sprawling subdivisions, the area has been a draw for new residents since the 1960s when an influx of families came from the northeast, many as a result of job relocation.
In recent years, the community has experienced a trend in independently owned restaurants including fine dining and live entertainment establishments.
It’s home to East Cobb Baseball, which boasts numerous national titles and prominent players who are now in Major League Baseball. The youth program has its own complex on Lee Waters Road.
A remarkable attraction can be found at Sope Creek Park where a hiking trail in the park winds through the charred ruins of an old paper mill that burned during the Civil War but permanently closed in 1902.
Roswell was in Cobb County for nearly 100 years. In 1932, the city became part of Fulton County.
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