After buying their bungalow in Atlanta’s historic Druid Hills neighborhood, Omar Rodriguez-Vila and Gigi Pedraza knew space limitations were too great for their family.
“With three women in the house, my husband said we either remodel or move out,” Pedraza said. “It’s not a huge house, but we use every single space.”
The four-month renovation added a second story for their bedrooms and a playroom for their daughters. They bumped out the back of the home to create an entertaining-friendly dining room and outdoor lounge. Inspired by modern design and rustic decor from her native Peru, Pedraza said she desired to create a home that was visually attractive and functional for her family.
Snapshot
Residents: Omar Rodriguez-Vila and Gigi Pedraza and their children, Shanti Rodriguez, 7, and Lucca Rodriguez, 5, and their dog, Coconut. Rodriguez-Vila is a Georgia Tech professor. Pedraza owns a hospitality, event-planning, business development and communications business.
Location: Atlanta's Druid Hills neighborhood
Size: 2,300 square feet, three bedrooms, four baths
Year built: 1942
Year bought: 2009
Builder: Neal Smith
Contractor: South Peak Construction
Architect/designer: Ton-Lo Design (Pauline Ton-Lo)
Renovations: The renovations, finished in 2013, added a second story with the girls' bedrooms, bathroom and playroom (accessed via pocket doors) on one side and the master bedroom and bathroom on the other side. The two original bedrooms were turned into separate offices for Rodriquez-Vila and Pedraza. Two walls were knocked down to open up the kitchen, where an island was added. They expanded the back of the home, adding a dining room that seats 12 and a covered outdoor space.
Architectural style: Minimalistic Colonial-revival bungalow.
Interior design style: Modern meets farmhouse. "It's a combination of my husband and I," Pedraza said. "We like rustic, but we also like really clean lines. I'm originally from Peru, so I grew up surrounded by history and old houses and old wood. But I also appreciate modern contemporary design."
Favorite interior design elements: Rustic elements such as salvaged beams and 9-foot high barn doors from a Georgia farm and wood previously in their attic. Key pieces of furniture and accessories were brought back from their trips around the world, including China, where they previously lived. Pedraza found her gold-leaf master bathroom mirrors after hours browsing artisan stalls at a market in Peru. The mirrors are reminiscent of her grandmother's house, which was full of carved wood furniture, she said. "Wood carving is very traditional in Lima. I felt I am bringing a little bit of my tradition and the history of my family with those mirrors in my house."
Favorite outdoor feature: The outdoor lounge, a covered space adjacent to the dining area and overlooking the existing deck and backyard, with IKEA seating.
Favorite artwork: A painting of two Chinese children, over the fireplace in the living room, is by Xu Jie from Shanghai. Other painting are by Pedraza, who signs her artwork as Gigi Rodriguez.
Resources: Furniture, lighting and accessories from West Elm, IKEA, Crate and Barrel, CB2, HomeGoods and directfrommexico.com.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams' Caviar (all windows and glass panel doors), Zurich White (most walls), Peppercorn (accent walls), Extra White (exterior walls) and Manor House (window casings and back exterior).
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