Real Housewives' Lisa finds domestic bliss

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Real Housewives' Lisa finds domestic bliss

The Real Housewives of Atlanta' cast member Lisa Wu-Hartwell and her husband, NFL player Ed Hartwell, built a unique home in a Duluth country club community that has fun features like a game room, bowling alley and pool.

Text by KATIE LESLIE: Arguably Atlanta's favorite "real housewife," Lisa Wu-Hartwell and NFL player-husband Ed Hartwell moved into their custom home in June 2007. Seen here with son E.J., 17 months, the couple also has Wu-Hartwell's sons Jordan and Justin from her previous marriage.

The two-story foyer offers grand entrance into the five-bedroom home. The couple said that several Bravo crews rotated shifts during filming of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," an adjustment to their ambitious schedules.

The formal living room is filled with family portraits of the couple's three children. The Hartwells said their one regret about the show is that it seemed they only had one child. Jordan and Justin -- sons of singer Keith Sweat, Wu-Hartwell's ex-husband -- could not participate because their father did not want them to do so.

Hartwell looks like a natural at the piano, but he's really just amusing guests with the couple's player piano.

With a scalloped tray ceiling, the dining room off the foyer is the site of formal family dinners.

The kitchen shines with dramatic granite countertops. Wu-Hartwell often has her hair and make-up prep done here for her many events.

As seen on the show, Hartwell loves to cook everything from his now-famous chicken soup to dumplings and more. "I feel as though I can make anything -- just give me a recipe," he said. He credits his mother with teaching him how to be self-sufficient. "We had to know how to wash clothes, iron clothes and learn to cook."

The couple's master bedroom is awash in Asian-inspired chartreuse and periwinkle silks. On the bed are T-shirts from Wu-Hartwell's new clothing line "Closet Freak," a nickname Wu-Hartwell earned in the pole-dancing episode of "Real Housewives." Wu-Hartwell said the clothing line is meant to instill confidence in women that they don't need to dress provocatively in public. "There's a time and place for that," she said.

The bathroom echoes the master suite theme of cheery greens and blues. "We wanted it to be relaxing, which is why we chose this blue instead of a darker color," Hartwell said.

As seen on the Bravo show, the couple has an enviable walk-in closet. A portion of Wu-Hartwell's extensive shoe collection is seen here. "We were going to bust out Ed's closet and make me another closet," she joked.

The top floor is Wu-Hartwell's art studio, where she paints and works on her jewelry line Wu Girls. Hartwell said he took a jewelry-making class with his wife and mother, only to discover he may have superior skills. "Now she says, 'Baby can you make me a bracelet?'" he joked.

A strong Asian influence in the home's design reflects Wu-Hartwell's Chinese heritage. Two shields symbolizing prosperity and protection hang at the top of a grand staircase.

The bottom floor of the home is party central, beginning with this pool and arcade room.

The couple still is putting the finishing touches on their home theatre and lounge area.

The couple shares a love for exercise and lift weights several times a week.

The basement has two full wet-bars, with this temperature-controlled wine cellar nearby.

The in-house bowling alley, "Hartwell Lanes," has a mural of deep space that glows with blacklights. Hartwell said its among his favorite spaces in the house.

Son E.J. is all smiles when Dad is around. Hartwell said he's considering retiring from the NFL to focus on his family and the many projects he and Wu-Hartwell juggle. "Now is the time to show the world all that we've been working on," he said.

The pool is the site of the Hartwells' annual Fourth of July party. "We usually have about 150 to 200 people, but luckily it never feels crowded," Hartwell said.

The Hartwells live off a quiet cul-de-sac in a Duluth country club community. "We wanted something a little different, but still had that 'home' feeling," Hartwell said.

Wu-Hartwell said she didn't know any of her co-stars until they began filming the Bravo series. Seen here in the family room, the entrepreneur-actress-model says another season of "The Real Housewives" is a possibility.

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Text by KATIE LESLIE: Arguably Atlanta's favorite "real housewife," Lisa Wu-Hartwell and NFL player-husband Ed Hartwell moved into their custom home in June 2007. Seen here with son E.J., 17 months, the couple also has Wu-Hartwell's sons Jordan and Justin from her previous marriage.

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