Sunday, May 9, 2010

Northcrest Tour of Homes 2010

On May 3rd Northcrest's Hoe 'n' Hope Garden Club had their yearly Tour of Homes for 2010. The garden club does this to help promote the neighborhood, highlight unusual or original homes and gardens, and raise money for the maintenance of the main entry planter (beneath the Northcrest sign) - this year donations from the tour will go towards a new sign (the current sign was all but demolished late New Years Eve by an errant carload of celebrants - there will be a follow-up post with links and details for both the rules for the new sign contest and also how to make contributions).

Before going on, I need to apologize for a few things:
  1. These photos aren't of the normal quality I try to accomplish - my camera seems to be on its last leg. I had to discard about half of the photos as blurry, under/over exposed garbage - as such some of the images that I have posted aren't quite all there either.
  2. To add insult to injury, the power supply for my scanner seems to be dead - I usually scan the brochure but this year the cover image is directly from the digital copy (thus it's on a white background instead of the printed yellow paper background - thanks to Brian Robboy for providing the digital file).
  3. The lack of some images and use of some stock images (stuff I'd taken previously and already posted) - since I was helping on the Wollnick's residence as a host I was rushed and wasn't able to make it to all locations.
  4. The lateness of this post - trying to get my camera and scanner resolved has made me very late on several posts, across all my blogs - once again, my apologies.
This 2010 tour featured 3 homes, 1 landscape garden and the Northcrest Swim & Tennis Club:
3431 Heartwood Lane
3712 Eaglerock Drive
3386 Lynnray Drive
3224 Lynnray Drive
3524 Bowling Green Way

To view photos of each along with snaps I took of the interiors and exterior gardens, click the tour brochure image. Here's the text from the Tour brochure:

3431 Heartwood Lane – Kevin Gnewikow and Brian Robboy
Brian and Kevin have worked hard to balance their penchant for techno-toys with their home’s mid-century roots. Their recently (finally?) completed addition, designed by architect Mo Heidari, features a two-car garage/workshop, a second-floor master suite, and a third-floor loft. Hardwood floors throughout were laced-in seamlessly with the original bedroom floors.

The kitchen was reconfigured to get more fullsized appliances and workspace into its original footprint. A two-sided, 36”x72” Corian prep area allows several people to work comfortably, and an in-wall pantry maximizes storage.

The lower-level family room and glass sunroom serve as office space for Brian’s graphic design business, with an additional bedroom/bath suite, laundry and storage directly behind.

Technology upgrades include network wiring, Z-wave automated scene lighting, digital phone system, electronic shower controls in the master bath, and central vacuum throughout with automatic dustpans in the kitchen and basement.

Their eclectic furniture collection includes a Danish Modern dining table and chairs, china cabinet and bar originally brought to the US by a neighbor who served in Spain in the 1960s. A CADO wall unit in the living room showcases Brian's “interesting” collection of vintage mixers, blenders and toasters. Also prominent are paintings, ceramic pieces and a mid-century-inspired wall mural by local artist Matthew Craven. Exterior lighting and the one-of-a-kind kitchen chandelier are RETRO by Remcraft.

3712 Eaglerock Drive – Larry and Stephanie Hart
BONUS — GARDEN TOUR!

Larry and Stephanie Hart are pleased to share their years of hard work with friends and neighbors, and invite you to tour their home’s beautiful outdoor gardens.
For 37 years, Larry and Stephanie have considered their yard a work in progress. Even though they will be moving this summer, Stephanie still
couldn’t resist putting some touches of color in her yard for the next owner.
With their heavily treed lot, the Harts learned early on that grass just wouldn’t make it - but they just couldn’t bear to cut those pines and oaks down with all of the shade (not to mention lower air conditioning bills!) they provided.
So, they installed pathways through the front and back yards; added two ponds with waterfalls; and planted MORE trees! Today, the pathways are lined with azaleas, perennials, and annuals, as well as native plants wherever Stephanie could place them. Stephanie also notes that this natural habitat has a hidden benefit — no raking of fall leaves!
A few years ago, the Harts’ property was certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the Atlanta Audubon Society. While enjoying the gardens’ serene atmosphere and beautiful foliage, visitors find it hard to believe that the property backs up to Pleasantdale Road.

3386 Lynnray Drive – Lukas and Petra Vilimec
When Petra and Lukas first saw Northcrest, they fell in love with its open airiness and unique, mid-century architecture. When the time came to buy a home, they immediately thought of Northcrest — purchasing this 1968 P&H split-level with pickled tongue-andgroove ceilings, dark-stained exposed beams, and coveted white crushed-marble brick.

The lower-level family room is open from front to back, maximizing natural light and space. Initially, the lower family room level was unusable: wet-bar ripped out, fireplace plastered over, and wild paint colors. Petra and Lukas have since restored the wet bar and fireplace, and remodeled the bathroom.

Upstairs is an awesome collection of vintage and modern furniture and accessories, including Danish Modern wall unit, credenza, dining table and chairs; Lane Acclaim dovetail coffee and side tables; and a master bedroom furnished entirely in Broyhill's 1960s Brasilia line.

Outside, their landscaping plan is based on native plants and sustainability, and is inspired by vintage Better Homes and Gardens magazines and Sunset books. The backyard features a woodland garden, spacious deck and an area for a firepit.

“Our house is a work in progress — there is always something we want to do: updating our kitchen and upstairs bathrooms and putting hardwoods on the main level. We love that so many of our friends and neighbors share our passion for Northcrest."

3224 Lynnray Drive – Rick and Amanda Wollnick
Amanda and Rick have always been into different, quirky things. When it came to finding a home, they knew they would need something extra special. They had looked at 53 homes in Atlanta before finding their eventual nest on Lynnray Drive. And not a moment too soon, according to Rick, who jokes “I was starting to think that our Realtor® was ready to choke us!”

When Rick and Amanda first met up with their Realtor to check out the house, it was love at first sight. “We knew right then this would become our new home. The listing was only 3 hours old, and the sellers were still taking pictures for the listing. Knowing that the moment these pictures were available, the home would have multiple offers, we immediately made our bid. The rest is history.”

The last owners, Mitch and Daniel, did a great job remodeling the kitchen and putting down bamboo flooring, while keeping the simple, time appropriate, mid-century feel lovingly intact. Building on that success, Rick and Amanda have already come across a few choice pieces of mid-century furniture.

Their future projects include remodeling the downstairs family room and bathroom, and reinstalling the wet bar removed long ago by a previous owner.

“We know that restoring our home back to its original ‘cocktail-party-ready’ status will be hard work, but entirely worth the effort.”

Northcrest Swim and Tennis Club
3524 Bowling Green Way

PICK UP A NORTHCREST FLAG

WHILE THEY LAST – JUST $35.O0!

We invite you make Northcrest Swim and Tennis Club the last stop on your tour. Gather with friends and neighbors to chat about the homes you've seen, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and learn why the Club is truly a neighborhood landmark. Founded in 1962 by original Northcrest homeowners, the Club quickly became a hub of Northcrest living. Today, you'll find an affordable, enjoyable, resort-like experience — reminiscent of a 1960s country club — with its modern trapezoid-shaped pool, Tiki Hut snack bar, two lighted tennis courts, event pavilion with built-in party-sized barbecue grill, multipurpose athletic field and children’s play court, all situated within in a 3.5 acre park setting.

A packed social calendar features themed dinner events every two weeks throughout the summer. On most Friday nights, you'll find members firing up the grill for a relaxed, informal poolside “bring-your-own” dinner party.

Best of all, the Club is managed and maintained entirely through the efforts of volunteer members and neighbors who recognize that the Club is a vital neighborhood asset — reinforcing that it truly is a "neighborhood destination."

Ready to join? Call (404) 592-3381 or visit our web site at http://www.northcrestclub.com/ for details.

-- John