Virginia-Highland Teardown Transformed: Discover the Stunning Dream Home Inside!

When a unique teardown property became available in Atlanta’s cherished Virginia-Highland neighborhood, Eryn Houck, the founder and lead designer of Bellwether Design & Interiors, recognized it as a rare chance to create a high-end home renovation in Atlanta. This historic area, which dates back to the early 1900s, is celebrated for its picturesque, tree-lined avenues, delightful bungalows, and trendy coffee shops—however, opportunities for new constructions are extremely limited.

Houck and her husband, who have been long-time residents of this Virginia-Highland home along with their family of six, jumped at the prospect of designing a forever home from scratch. “Most people opt to raise the roof for a second story or build a carriage house out back,” Houck noted. “So to have the opportunity to engage in new construction as part of a luxury home renovation in a place we adore was incredible.”

Images: House Beautiful / Photography: Jeff Herr

Wall paint: Salon Drab, by Farrow & Ball. Ceiling paint: Snowbound, by Sherwin-Williams. Iksel Birds Tapestry Mural. Ceiling lights: Etsy. Game table: CFC

A Three-Year Labor of Love

Partnering with Phoenix Renovations, Houck tackled the luxury home renovation project in Atlanta with a blend of patience and creativity. The entire process extended over three years, as she balanced her client work with family commitments. This allowed her the opportunity to meticulously attend to every aspect and ensure the home genuinely represented her family’s character.

The outcome is a residence that showcases natural textures and organic materials. Houck emphasizes, “Incorporating natural stone, stained wood, or the rich patina of lacquered brass makes a space feel more inviting and tangible.” These selections contribute to an atmosphere that is both relaxed and welcoming within this exquisite Virginia-Highland Atlanta residence.

Earthy Elegance Meets Everyday Living

The home seamlessly integrates organic modern design with a rich palette of earthy tones and classic features. For instance:

• An antique wooden bench in the kitchen anchors the area with its rustic appeal.
• A limestone fireplace mantel in the living space introduces natural elegance, reminiscent of upscale renovations.
• A hand-carved travertine bathtub in the master ensuite offers a serene spa-like experience.

These tactile elements enhance the interior while providing a stage for the Houck family’s collections. Houck ingeniously designed built-in shelves and cubbies to display treasures from their journeys, including items from Morocco, which has greatly influenced her design aesthetic.

To further showcase these collections, she incorporated concealed lighting within the shelving and behind mural wallpaper in the game room. This thoughtful detail adds warmth and an element of surprise, perfectly encapsulating the essence of a luxury home renovation in Atlanta.

A Kitchen Like No Other

Designing a Lifestyle, Not Just a Home

One of the standout features is the impressive customization found in the kitchen. Houck created a motorized backsplash that can be lifted or lowered, connecting the main kitchen area with a concealed scullery. One side showcases a slab of quartzite above the cooking range, while the opposite side is adorned with a tiled wall.

With a simple push of a button, the backsplash opens like a window, allowing her husband—the family’s chef—to prepare meals in the scullery while remaining engaged with the main kitchen area. This design not only provides a striking visual but also serves perfectly for family dynamics, exemplifying the essence of luxury home renovation in an Atlanta context.

For Houck, the endeavor transcends mere aesthetics. It embodies a deeply personal lifestyle. “Interior design encompasses much more than just color palettes and fabrics,” she articulates. “Our homes should reflect the lifestyles of the families who inhabit them.”

In her dream home in Virginia-Highland, each personalized detail—from the limestone mantel to the hidden kitchen window—narrates the story of a designer who recognizes that the finest interiors are not merely constructed—they are experienced, illustrating the artistry of luxury home renovations that Atlanta holds dear.