Norcross jewel gets moment to shine

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Norcross jewel gets moment to shine

Jeff and Pam Hopper chose to renovate a two-story Queen Anne because they felt it was the right fit for their family. Their efforts will be featured on the Norcross Tour of Homes.

Because they had enjoyed renovating their previous home, Jeff and Pam Hopper decided they could do it again. They chose a two-story Queen Anne in Norcross they felt was the right fit for them and their children, Kam and Lydia.

The Hoppers' home, built in 1906, will be part of the 2008 Norcross Tour of Homes. The couple went to great pains to replicate the original exterior materials, including having the ornate raised molding detail reproduced by craftsmen who used the "shadows" left by painters as their design guide.

Pam Hopper, who is an interior designer, turned the large foyer into a living room. Her choices include an eclectic mix of materials, pattern and color that feels appropriate to the period of the house but is sparked with an updated, modern sensibility.

A collection of hand-painted Venetian water glasses from Pam Hopper's grandmother lines the marble shelf above the farmhouse-style sink. The only change to the floor plan was in the kitchen. It and a small addition housing a pantry and laundry space were combined to make one large space.

Jeff Hopper takes a phone call in the casual dining area, part of the new large space. "It's taken us 10 years to get the house to where it could be on the tour," Pam Hopper said.

For the tour, Pam Hopper paired sparkly red Christmas ornaments with special china as part of the place settings.

The family's well-planned renovation allowed original features, such as the pocket doors that open to reveal the parlor, to remain.

Evergreen hung with turquoise and silver ornaments as well as snowflakes decorates the parlor mantle.

A black Christmas tree accented with gold anchors the holiday decor in the formal dining room. The house is filled with furniture both old and new, inherited antiques and purchased pieces.

A pair of lamps light the hallway near the garland-wrapped grand staircase. The couple kept its original fretwork, which serves as a focal point.

Lydia Hopper plays with the family dog Mr. Peabody on the second-floor landing. She and her brother have grown up living through the house renovation.

Kam Hopper plays a video game in the den. Replacing the wiring was a top priority when the renovation began because the family couldn't run the dryer and the oven at the same time.

In the master bedroom, a silk pillow trimmed with black feathers shows the fun-loving style evident throughout the house.

Alert visitors will notice that every inch of the 12-foot ceilings has received its share of attention and special treatment. In one of the bedrooms, that surprise is the ornaments that hang in the windows.

The home's generous spaces and well-proportioned rooms allow for the use of large splashes of color and shine for the holidays. This can be seen around the mantle, where jewel-tone ornaments on a garland add to the festive air.

The main floor bathroom features a claw-foot tub. The Hopper family lived elsewhere for three months while they redid all three bathrooms, pulled up all the carpet and removed all the wallpaper. "The Dumpster loads removed from this property far exceed the materials we've put back on," Pam Hopper said, laughing.

The front porch gives the family a retreat when busy holiday schedules threaten to overwhelm them. It was one of the things that was rebuilt during the renovation.

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Because they had enjoyed renovating their previous home, Jeff and Pam Hopper decided they could do it again. They chose a two-story Queen Anne in Norcross they felt was the right fit for them and their children, Kam and Lydia.

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