The 17-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows in a compact Buckhead condo caused architect John Hopkins’ mind to soar with the possibilities.
“What I was looking for was an inexpensive place that had not been renovated that I could go in and gut and fix just the way I wanted,” said Hopkins, owner of John Hopkins & Associates Inc., Architects.
Only the stairway was saved. Now the condo represents a father-and-son combination of furniture, artwork and accessories, since Hopkins’ son, Lee, lives in the unit.
“I think he really saw the potential in the space. I remember seeing it when he first bought it. Everything was outdated,” Lee Hopkins said. “But you could tell there was sort of a shell or a skeleton of potentially a really great space.”
Snapshot
Resident: Lee Hopkins, 24, a web designer
Location: Buckhead
Size: About 650 square feet, one bedroom, one bath
Year built: 1968
Year bought: 2010
Renovations: The kitchen and bathroom were completely overhauled, John Hopkins said. He reconfigured the entryway into the kitchen, adding a peninsula. In the living area, John Hopkins replaced sliding doors with 8-foot doors and added 17-foot draperies.
Butt-board paneling (one-eighth inch crack between the boards) in the foyer and around the living area windows create visual appeal. In the loft area that serves as a bedroom, vertical boards were added on the walls. “It makes it more interesting when you walk through the space,” Lee Hopkins said.
John Hopkins removed the wall between the existing vanity and tub/toilet area in the bathroom, raised the ceiling and added a mirrored wall to visually expand the small space. “The single vanity looks like a double vanity,” he said.
Reclaimed French doors were distressed, faux finished and transformed into bi-fold closet doors, then mirrors were added to make bedroom space appear larger and add interest. Next to the bed, a hidden door with a touch latch opens to the stacked washer and dryer.
Architectural style: Contemporary loft
Interior design style: Rustic modern. "Introducing the wood is a feature to me that keeps that space from being cold," John Hopkins said. Cast concrete countertops in the kitchen create a clean contemporary look, but wide bead board on the front of the peninsula and shaker-style cabinet doors incorporate rustic elements.
Design consultant: Interior designer Mary Bairstow of Atlanta-based Mary Bairstow Designs
Favorite artwork: A series of shots of the Golden Gate Bridge, by Jeff Jones, adds another architectural element and helps fill the vast space. "It's something that's noticeable and makes an impression and is really cool to look at," Lee Hopkins said.
Favorite outdoor feature: The view of a park within the Cross Creek community. "Being in a big city like Atlanta, it's nice to feel isolated and tucked away," Lee Hopkins said.
Resources: Furniture and accessories from Scott Antique Markets, Restoration Hardware and Redefined Home Boutique, and Terrace Oaks Antiques in Charleston, S.C.
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter
Decor tip: Simplicity is key, with everything having a place, Lee Hopkins said. "It helps me unclutter my mind and to always know exactly where everything is and not have piles of messes and can't find what you're looking for," he said.
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