About 4705 Paran valley nw
Seeking the Imagination
1625, 1925 or 2025? A Manor House for Generations in Atlanta
When leading home architects speak about the poetry of place, and generational properties, how often does this happen?
It did 35 years ago near Chastain Park, when a 17th century Dutch inspired design was built on a gentle sloping forested hillside.
“Exciting, livable homes don’t happen so often,” said the owner designer, Liz. “But our architect had that rare depth of understanding, talent and patience to imagine, define, and bring this home to reality, And it’s even better with age, looking like it’s been here for a very long time.”
How did it begin
The fastest way to success is to see a success model, and then modify to fit your needs. The coup de Coeur for the owner was visiting a friend’s home in Garden Hills—not just remodeled but transformed.
“I felt like I had walked into an 18th century Paris apartment. The architectural details revealed a level of talent in the vision of an architect, who also met the objectives of my friend, the owner. I called John Calhoun that day. His understanding of form and space was evident, not to mention the understated drama. The minimum of change had the maximum effect.
Fusion of Time and Style
The original idea was a simple Cape Dutch farmhouse style, basically a barn with baroque gables. Typically, one story with bedrooms above.
To meet modern needs and provide space for a family of four, including a home office and entertaining inside and out, the structure grew into two full stories. In architectural terms he incorporated Jacobean details, like the elegant countryside creations of the 17th century, which happened because of the Dutch-English influence of the time.
A sanctuary close in
Because of Calhoun’s living experience in France, travels in Europe, and appreciation for the Neil Reed and Philip Shutze homes in Atlanta, he valued not only the structure of a house, but it’s placement.
Most Atlanta homes face the street, but the best light and privacy meant that the true front would face a small woodland. Southern exposure would be optimized from one side, and painterly Northern light would enter from the front.
In fact, three facades were the solution for street appeal, but most importantly, for the spirit from the outside.
Just like Jacobean manor houses, the entry court was designed to have impact. Columns, strapwork and a baroque façade invite with a majestic feel.
Space that flows, inside and out
Matching front doors within the entry, French doors in the living room and dining room, circuits of flow to walk inside and out, curved staircases to upstairs and the terrace level are mastery of flow. A modest 4500 square feet feels much larger. High and variable ceiling heights add another dimension. A domed skylight lets you see the clouds and even the moon on a lucky night.
Ample sized rooms are also flexible for homelife and work. They are compartmentalized but have unity. Work downstairs, or hide out in the guest room and write a script.
History mixed with authentic woodwork design
17th century baroque gables and cross casement, transomed windows set the tone for timelessness.
Elegant homes like Adelaide Cottage, where Prince William and Kate live in the UK, Monet’s Garden in Giverny, and Cape Dutch vineyard estates borrow from earlier times in similar ways.
Adding a touch of earlier times, the beams in the living room are over two hundred years old. A Portuguese arch on the terrace level dates back at least 300 years. The ballast cobblestones for the driveway apron and used throughout outside also add a feeling from centuries ago.
All windows, 7’0” doors, columns, and interior features are custom designed.
Colors like a moving abstract painting
While the dominant use of color is a creamy white, dynamic colors calm the senses or gives you a lift. They have individual purposes, like the ultramarine in the entrance hall and stairs, which are ideal for displaying drawings. The deep red of the library, descending stairs to the media room/office suite, is considered a healing color.Turquoise deep and light-hued ceilings in the living room and dining room interact with the rose hue of exterior, enhancing the custom windows, fireplace surround, fluted columns, and ocular windows.
A nature garden as the backyard
Trees surround the entire home. Formal plants are informally planted. Ferns are everywhere. The bench at the far edge of the property line is fun place to sit in your small forest. You have a view of the actual front through trees, ferns and mature boxwoods. As the owners say, “We live in our own sanctuary in a bustling, vibrant city. And we make two left turns and we’re in Paris.”