Not just any type of Victorian home design was going to work for Mike and Carolyn Dufano, whose home is on the Historic Grant Park 40th Annual Tour of Homes on May 17-18. The home has been used as the setting for a few TV shows and movies.
Carolyn, who was enamored by the architectural style while growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., found exactly what she wanted when she came upon a design by architect George F. Barber while flipping through a book. After visiting original Barber homes in several states, including Tennessee, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and California, the couple decided on an 1890s Barber design for their new Victorian-style house in Grant Park.
“I especially like the George Barber Queen Annes because they were very ornate,” Carolyn said. “Some people might call them gaudy, but I just like the ornateness.”
Even though they moved in during 2001, they are still sometimes amazed by all the details, many of which Mike designed and crafted.
“Sometimes you’re sitting there and you just look at the things you’ve done and it’s like, ‘We actually did this?’” Carolyn said.
Snapshot
Residents: Mike and Carolyn Dufano and their cats, Abby, Bart and Coco
Location: Grant Park, Atlanta
Size: About 2,800 square feet, four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths
Year bought: They bought the property 1996. The property was originally owned by L.P. Grant, who sold it in 1892. In 1900, a single-family residence was built on the L-shaped lot. It changed hands over time and the house was expanded. Around 1976, the original house was demolished.
Years built: 2000-2001. However, they have added key elements since then, including the staircase balustrade in 2003 and Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper in the foyer in 2004. Plaster medallions, moldings and other details became part of the living and dining rooms in 2007 and 2008, and a tin ceiling was added to the kitchen in 2009. "We have put a lot of work into it," Mike said. "We're always working on it, so every time we have another tour, there's something new for people to see."
Builder: Chris Cady
Architectural style: Queen Anne Victorian
Favorite architectural elements: The staircase in the foyer and the gingerbread trim on the front porch, much of which was made by Mike. Utilizing his engineering knowledge to design and build those items, Mike said: "I figured we can save some money if I do it myself. How hard can it be? That was just my motto."
Interior design style: Queen Anne
Favorite interior design elements: The multi-patterned wallpaper on the main level. The foyer wallpaper is from Bradbury & Bradbury in California and they worked with the factory to select the wallpaper layers for the walls and ceiling.
Design consultant: Mike Alcorn
Favorite artwork: Thomas Kinkade paintings and stained glass, such as the calla lily piece in the keyhole-shaped window.
Favorite outdoor feature: The front porch, where the balustrade, Victorian-style brackets and most of the gingerbread trim were added from 2002-2014.
