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Marvelous Mudroom
Meets Doggie Day Spa, Laundry & More! p. 18
JULY/AUGUST 2021
Makeover Magic See the before and after of one lucky reader’s reorganized space from OrderUp Design! p.38
Create a yard that’s perfect for pollinators p. 22
Made in the Shade
Stylish and versatile options to have fun in less sun. p.27
Find A Pro
Go to AtlantaHomeImprovement.com for 100s of resources
Inspiring Projects 16
Award-winning designs from some of the top builders and designers in Atlanta p. 44
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contents
Made in the Shade
Have fun in less sun with these stylish and versatile shade options.
44
The OBIE Awards
Take a peek at these award-winning designs from some of the top builders and designers in the city, presented by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA).
Photos courtesy (top) The Home Depot, (bottom) Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
27
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Photos courtesy (top) Home Depot, (bottom) Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
Lumber
Moulding
siding
doors
windows
stairs
hardware
DECKING
Visit us at: www.randallbrothers.com Atlanta | Marietta | Lawrenceville (404) 892-6666
SCAN ME
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contents 38
58
Makeover Magic
See the before and after of one lucky reader’s reorganized space from OrderUp Design!
Just Add Water . . .
Make a splash this summer in your own backyard oasis
18
22
10 publisher’s letter
Celebrating 20 years of home improving!
17 find it local
Places to go and stuff you'll love
18 make it yours
A doggie day spa and laundry room combo with a fresh farmhouse twist
Home Service Pro Partners Answer Questions About:
21 in the kitchen
Savory seafood for the grill
22 sustainable living Create a yard that's perfect for pollinators
62 the heart of home improvement Members of HomeAid Atlanta help homeless mothers and children by renovating The Drake House.
• Keeping shower doors free of mold • Shades for privacy and light • Carpets with low to no VOCs • Garage door springs • Installing gutters • Replacing windows • Indoor air quality
• Siding curb appeal • Moisture control in the basement
on the cover: This cover-worthy home renovation was completed by Copper Sky Renovations and snagged a gold OBIE award for Best Whole House Renovation Over $500,000. Photo courtesy of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, www.atlantahomebuilders.com.
Photography by (top left) Krys Alex Photography, photo courtesy of (top right) J. Brownlee Design, (bottom left) Viking Range, LLC.
12
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Photography by (top) Krys Alex Photography, photo courtesy of (bottom left) Viking Range, LLC.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Celebrating 20 Years of Home Improving! Photography by Sawyer Photography, hair and makeup by The Green Room Agency.
August of 2001 was our very first issue. It is hard to believe, but HGTV was not even in Atlanta back then! And we had not even heard the terms “Staycation" or “Open Floor Concept." We started My Home Improvement because, as homeowners, we found it difficult to find the right professionals to get the work done. The only options were the Yellow Pages and asking friends and neighbors.
Nowadays we are bombarded with ways to find information, making it both easier and harder, which is why we have worked to remain a trusted resource. We have deep roots in the industry, and our partners do as well, so we know a thing or two about improving homes! Thank you, Atlanta, for allowing us into your home for the last 20 years! We appreciate that you choose us for ideas, inspiration and to help you select the companies you need for your home improvement projects. I would like to thank all of our advertisers and industry partners such as NARI, NKBA, UAC and the Atlanta Home Shows for their continued support as we bring resources to Atlanta homeowners. For more resources to start your own home improvement projects, go to www.atlantahomeimprovement.com. www.facebook.com/MyHomeImprovementATL, Follow us on www.twitter.com/ATLHomeImprove.
www.instagram.com/myhomeimprovementatl and
Happy Home Improving!
Patti Stephens, Publisher
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METRO ATLANTA’S PREMIER RENOVATIONS COMPANY
Photography by Sawyer Photography, hair and makeup by The Green Room Agency.
ROOFS • GUTTERS • SIDING • WINDOWS & DOORS • DECKS & MORE
2021
of
my Buckhead Best Roofer
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Ben Hill Renovations Inc.
770-949-3514 | bhrenovations.com
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Home Service P
For more information, go to www.AtlantaHomeImproveme WINDOW COVERINGS
SHOWER ENCLOSURES
Q
I love the look of shades but don’t like that they are either up or down. Are there shade options that allow a view through when they are down?
A
We offer several shade options such as Pirouette® Shades, Silhouette® Shades and Designer Banded Shades that allow you to preserve the outside
views while enjoying daytime privacy, all while providing UV protection and reflecting solar
heat. Close the vanes at night to allow for nighttime privacy. Stop by our showroom to see all of the great options for yourself.
Classic Blinds & Shutters Design Center
Q
Andrea Zare
Is mold really less likely to grow in a shower with a frameless glass enclosure?
A
A frameless shower enclosure has fewer moving parts and contact points with your tile or stone, so there are fewer
hiding places for mold and mildew.
David Drexler
Glass is also a nonporous surface, so mold will not grow as easily, and our silicone seal incorporates mildewcide to finish the job!
Drexler Glass Co.
Years in Business: 25 Associations: BBB A+ Rated, Best of Houzz (2016-2018) 678.822.0928 www.classicblindsandshutters.com See ad on p. 2
FLOORING INSTALLATION
Q
I have chemical allergies. What carpets have little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
A
First, you need to know exactly what chemicals you are allergic to. It is
usually the latex that is used in carpet construction that a client is allergic to. Air.o
by Mohawk has no VOCs and is latex-free. The Dream Weaver® PureBac® contains no latex. SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets are made with DuPont™Sorona®, which is OEKO-TEX®– certified free from harmful substances. A wool carpet with a woven backing (Axminster) is also extremely low in VOCs. A synthetic fiber pad or a rubber waffled pad is usually your best choice for a carpet cushion when VOCs are a concern.
Years in Business: 66 Associations: NARI, BBB A+ Rated 404.351.4141 www.drexlerglass.com See ad on p. 3
Enhance Floors & More
Elisabeth Stubbs
Years in Business: 36 Associations: BBB A+ Rated, Mohawk Five-Star Retailer 770.565.3808 | www.enhancefloors.com See ad on p. 37
12 July/August 2021 My Home Improvement AtlantaHomeImprovement.com
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e Partners Q&A
ovement.com and click on Find A Pro. GARAGE DOORS
Q
What would make my garage door springs break?
WINDOW REPLACEMENT
A
Broken garage door springs are a common repair and are caused by metal fatigue.
A spring cycles the door hundreds of times over the course of a year and eventually it wears out.
On average, a garage door spring will last around 10,000 door cycles. Replacing a spring is extremely dangerous due to the high tension and should always be done by a trained professional garage door technician.
Overhead Door Company of Atlanta™
John Nale
GUTTERS
Years in Business: 86 Associations: GAHBA, IDA, BBB A+ Rated 404.872.3667 www.overheaddooratlanta.com See ad on p. 4
Q A
Q
What are important things to keep in mind when having gutters installed?
Do I have to replace all of my windows at one time?
We have no minimum requirements, meaning you can replace as many or as few windows at a time as you want. You can also take advantage of our “price lock guarantee.” So, if you want to
A
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a gutter system is performance.
A gutter’s main purpose is to capture roof water and channel it away from the foundation, making appearance
secondary. Another concern is keeping debris out of your gutter, which can be achieved by choosing a quality gutter protection system.
AquaGuard Foundation Solutions
Tom DiGregorio and Joe Rusk
Years in Business: 26 Associations: Groundworks, NARI, BHA, GREC, ACCG 770.685.7825 www.aquaguard.net See ad on p. 30
Ted Kirk and Jonathan Collum
replace your front windows now and come back and do the rest of your home
later, you can do so without worrying about your window investment changing.
North Georgia Replacement Windows Years in Business: 18 Associations: BBB A+ Rated, NARI 770.888.1604 www.ngwindows.com See ad on p. 34
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Home Service Partners Q&A For more information, go to www.AtlantaHomeImprovement.com and click on Find A Pro.
SIDING
Q
What curb appeal benefits does fiber cement siding provide?
HVAC
A
With the HardiePlank® line of siding, you have different options regarding design, including choosing vertical board and batten, horizontal or the shake style. You could
enhance curb appeal by adding shakes to accent a peak or using vertical siding to complement a bump out of the house. Of course, you could always add pediment tops and band detail to change the design pattern too.
Painting Plus
Q
What can negatively affect my indoor air quality, and what can I do to protect it?
A
Indoor air contaminants can originate within your home or be drawn in from the outdoors.
Some examples of contaminants include pollen, Bill Mashraky dust, fungal spores, emissions from vehicles on nearby roads or parking lots, and standing water promoting excess microbial growth. If contaminant sources are not controlled, indoor air quality problems can arise, even if the HVAC system is properly designed and well-maintained. A high-efficiency filter and ultraviolet (UV) light will improve indoor air quality.
Charlie Dallavalle
Years in Business: 22 Associations: NKBA, HBA 770.971.1577 www.paintingplus.com See ad on p. 52
WATERPROOFING
Q
Besides professional waterproofing, what else can I do to control moisture in my basement?
A
If you don’t have controlled heating and air in your basement to help with moisture, then it is recommended
F
we install a commercialgrade ENERGY STAR®-rated dehumidifier. We will use one that is adequate to handle the square footage, pulls
the excess moisture out of the air and can control the humidity levels.
Engineered Solutions of Georgia
Cool Air Mechanical
Years in Business: 14 Associations: GuildQuality®, BBB A+ Rated 678.290.1325 www.esogrepair.com See ad on p. 15
Years in Business: 11 Associations: NATE, BBB A+ Rated 770.266.5247 www.770coolair.com See ad on p. 9 Derek Ritchie
14 July/August 2021 My Home Improvement AtlantaHomeImprovement.com
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Photos courtesy of (top left) Cambria; (left middle) Perpetual Bliss, photography by Erin Carter &
From Kitchens…to Bathrooms…to Poolside… Hire a NARI Atlanta Member
FIND IT LOCAL places to go and stuff you'll love
Looking for kitchen inspiration for that renovation project you’ve been putting off? Cambria, a maker of quartz surfaces, released
four new designs this summer: Sandgate, Leabridge,
Photos courtesy of (top left) Cambria, (left middle) Perpetual Bliss, (middle) Alair Homes Decatur, (top right) Randall Brothers.
Hemsworth and Halewood. They’ve also added a new finish option exclusively to their Leabridge design called Cambria Satin Ridge, with sheen and texture throughout. 3096 Roswell Rd., Atlanta. www.cambriausa.com Perpetual Bliss began as a creative outlet for founder Erin Carter during the pandemic, but now anyone can indulge in her hand-
poured soy wax candles. With a concrete base and metallic foil accent layer, these candles will add a unique touch to whichever room you place them in. www.perpetualblissco.com
RANDALL BROTHERS CEO, LUTHER RANDALL
The Alair Homes Decatur team recently won a National Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for this
stunning dining room wall in a Grant Park home. Their winning category was “Residential Interior Element Under $30,000.” 124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur. www.alairhomes.com/decatur
Randall Brothers, Atlanta’s experts on all things molding and millwork, and the recently acquired PMC Building Materials will be opening their new
Atlanta headquarters and showroom this fall. The space will serve as a display for the top product brands as well as a visual history of the industry. 3151 Elizabeth Lane, Atlanta. www.randallbrothers.com
Get inspired by Atlanta’s amazing exterior spaces during the Atlanta Outdoor Living Home Tour presented by Randall Brothers. Join us and Atlanta’s top influencers Sept. 25-26 in visiting these unique homes and meeting the local builders and designers behind them. For details, visit www.atlantahomeimprovement.com/the-atlanta-outdoorliving-tour.
17 July/August 2021 My Home Improvement AtlantaHomeImprovement.com
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MAKE IT YOURS
marvelous mudroom
With a bright design and designated spaces, this mudroom/ laundry combo is the perfect space to get things spotless It’s hard to believe, but not too long ago, this light and airy space was a cramped laundry room tucked under the stairs and covered in jungle leaf wallpaper. When designer Halen Adair moved in, she knew it was the first space she needed to tackle. Borrowing some unused storage space from the garage, she expanded the space to create a fresh, functional design that’s perfect for keeping things clean, and that includes her two dogs.
➊
DETAILS ➊ Dog wash station. We love our four-legged friends, but no one loves cleaning up muddy paw prints or giving their fur-babies a dreaded bath in a family bathroom. Installing a dog wash station is a perfect solution. The entry point is low, making it easier for Halen's two large-breed dogs, Gus and Harley, to get in and out. The textured subway tile on the walls and the black hexagonal floor tile are from Floor & Decor, and the hand-held sprayer is by Delta.
➋ Washer and dryer. The older washer and dryer were past their prime and would have stuck out like sore thumbs in this new design, so new units from LG were purchased to better match the black and white design.
➌ Entryway. Organization is key to creating great design. By moving the entryway next to the garage door in the former washer and dryer space, Halen created a great landing zone for coats, shoes and purses when coming home after a long day on her feet. The cabinet storage is from B2B Cabinet, and the bench was a great find from HomeGoods.
➍ Farmhouse sink. Who doesn’t love a good farmhouse sink? This was actually a lucky find off of Facebook Marketplace that ties in perfectly with the farmhouse design. A black, pull-down faucet by Delta was added to match knobs and pulls that were purchased online at Wayfair.
Halen’s Design Tips: • Create a space for your needs. A dog washing station isn’t practical for everyone, but it is for me and so I added one.
• Designate space for your tasks. Laundry takes up a lot more space than you think. So on top of giving myself some more headroom, I also incorporated a folding table to put clean clothes on.
➊ Photography by Halen Adair.
Halen Adair • Halen Adair is an Assistant Lead Designer at House of Design. Tamra Peters, owner of House of Design, took a chance on Halen after seeing this DIY mudroom project. Now under Tamra's mentorship, Halen is pursuing her dream career in the design industry. • House of Design is a comprehensive design firm that tackles interior design, staging and more for homeowners across Atlanta. Check out more of their work at www.houseofdesignga.com or follow them on Instagram at @houseofdesignga.
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➌
➋
➍
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VISIT ONE OF OUR ATLANTA SHOWROOMS www.ConstructionResourcesUSA.com
MARC MAULDIN PHOTOGRAPHY, INC. DESIGNER: ANGELIQUE BAEZ – VIVICO INTERIORS
224 Rio Circle | Decatur, GA 30030 | 404.378.3132
COUNTERTOPS | CLOSET SYSTEMS | FIREPLACES | GARAGE DOORS | LIGHTING SHOWER DOORS & MIRRORS | SINKS & FAUCETS | TILE & FLOORING
020-021_0721_In the kitchen .indd 20
7455 Trowbridge Road | Sandy Springs, GA 30328| 404.255.0640 APPLIANCES | OUTDOOR LIVING
6/17/21 2:45 PM
IN THE KITCHEN
bring out your grills Zesty Shrimp, Zucchini & Quinoa Grilled Sachets By Chef Jaime Laurita PREP TIME: 1 hour COOK TIME: 30 minutes SERVES: 4 people INGREDIENTS: • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 3 cups zucchini, cut in ½-inch slices • 1 red bell pepper, sliced • 1 small red onion, sliced • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed • 4 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon paprika • ½ teaspoon ground cumin • 1 pinch red chili flakes • ¼ cup of any white wine • 1 cup quinoa, cooked • Salt and pepper to taste INSTRUCTIONS: Mix all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour. Preheat your Viking grill to 400F. Prepare 4 sections of heavy aluminum foil (20 x 12 pieces). Split mix into 4 portions, centering each one on a piece of foil. Fold edges to create a sealed sachet. Place sachets on grill for 25-30 minutes. Leave on grill longer if caramelized vegetables are desired.
Photos courtesy of Viking Range, LLC.
Remove from grill and open carefully to serve. Details: www.vikingrange.com
Chef Jaime Laurita • Brand ambassador for Viking, designer of Middleby Residential’s showrooms in Chicago, New York and Irvine; cookbook author and graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. • Jaime has traveled the world with famous musicians as a chef and designer. Food, mood and music drive his passion. • www.instagram.com/jaimelaurita CHEF JAIME LAURITA
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SUSTAINABLE LIVING
creating a pollinator-friendly yard By Mike McCord The buzzing of bees, the chirping of songbirds — these are the sounds of warmer weather and long summer days. They’re also signs of a healthy yard. While we may not always get along with the wildlife next door, they play an important role in keeping our landscaping and our ecosystem healthy.
Pollinators, which include honeybees, birds, butterflies, even bats and moths, are responsible for the reproduction of about 80% of the world’s flowering plants, this includes commercial crops such as fruit trees, almonds, berries, melons and squash. In the past few decades, we've experienced a rapid decline in these important workers, particularly honeybees. An extensive effort is being made to replenish these populations by scientists and governments across the globe, but there are ways you can help, too!
CONEFLOWER (ECHINACEA)
1. Use native species in your landscaping whenever possible. The adage “build it and they will come” can easily be translated to “plant it and they will come.” Not only are these species noninvasive and supportive of local pollinators, being indigenous to the area means they are lower maintenance and more drought resistant. Commonly found native species are: Tickseed, black-eyed Susan, bee balm, coneflower, oakleaf hydrangea, flame azalea, American beautyberry
2. Diversify your plants. Simply put, the more plants you have, the more pollinators you’ll attract. You can even plant specific plants to attract certain kinds of pollinators.
• For hummingbirds, try serviceberry, a native early-blooming tree
• For butterflies, the pawpaw, a native fruit tree,
is a favorite among zebra swallowtail butterflies and the fruit is edible
• For bees, sunflowers (yes, they’re native!) are always a favorite
Don’t forget the cooler months! Georgia has a warm climate that can support flowers well into fall, even winter.
EASTERN REDBUD
TICKSEED (COREOPSIS)
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Transform any
Here are some plants that can add color to your garden even when it's cold outside:
• Fall blooms: Asters, ironweed, Joe-Pye weed (king-of-the-meadow)
• Winter blooms: Witch hazel, Eastern redbud, spicebush
space in your home to a
beautiful space
Natural & Engineered Stone Countertops Residential & Commercial
WITCH HAZEL
3. Avoid spraying for mosquitos, if you can. Mosquitos are the bane of summer weather and spraying for them has become wildly popular, but this kind of treatment often kills more than just bloodsuckers, including bees and butterflies.
Photo courtesy of (bottom left) Mike McCord.
Instead of dousing your yard in chemicals, try alternative treatments. A simple DIY treatment is Summit Mosquito Dunks®, which can be found at your local hardware store. These are dissolvable tabs you drop into standing water (where mosquitoes breed), which then releases a bacteria called bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). A common ingredient in many organic insecticides, this bacteria kills mosquito larvae without causing harm to important insects like bees or other animals, such as pets and birds. Mike McCord owns Community Foodscapes, a socially conscious edible landscaping company serving Atlanta by empowering people from all backgrounds to grow food, restore native habitats and become environmental stewards of their communities. They provide consultations, designs, edible landscaping, garden installations, irrigation, rainwater catchment, drainage solutions, invasive species removal and garden maintenance. www.communityfoodscapes.org
July/August 2021
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Photography by Kimberly Evans
Fabrication and Installation By Top Shop Stone Dover White Marble from Ciot
Georgia Chapter
Georgia Chapter
Georgia Chapter
Visit Top Shop Stone to experience award-winning fabrication and installation services www.topshopstone.com 1075 Huff Road, Atlanta Ga 30318 AtlantaHomeImprovement.com
6/18/21 4:15 PM
BEST OF
2020
BEST DECK DESIGN/ BUILD COMPANY
of
2019 WINNER
my Vinings/Smyrna READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
CUSTOM DESIGN PLANS. PROFESSIONAL CRAFTMANSHIP. 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Additions • Bathrooms Basements • Decks & Sunrooms Outdoor Kitchens Screened In Porches • Patios
2019 National Winner for Best Porch Via Nadra = North American Deck and Rail Association
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770.235.6929 | decksandmore.biz We design a plan that best suits your needs, and create your relaxing retreat!
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Creating Award-Winning Spaces You’ll Love Doing Life in If you listen to the clients who have entrusted their home remodel to Decks and More, Inc., you’ll understand why Decks and More has been in business for over 18 years and why they have won more than 75 awards. “Focused on Quality and the Details!’; “Meticulous about Follow-up, Timeliness & Professionalism”; “Very Competent and Skilled!”; “Decks and More came up with the most amazing design for my deck.”… are just some of the praises that clients are showering on Frank and his team. Recently, Decks and More, Inc. was honored with five International Construction Awards from the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). They won one First Place for Best Covered Porch, three Second Places for Limitless Creation, Wood Deck from $50,000 - $100,000 and Closed Porch and one Third Place for Unique Features. Decks & More, creating your outdoor oasis.
Frank Pologruto, founder and owner of Decks and More, Inc. has been building award-winning designs of outdoor living spaces since 2001. As a professional member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), his company stays current with trends and building codes. Decks and More wants to earn your business and trust in order to create a relaxing and unique retreat.
1060 Medlin Street | Smyrna, GA | 770-235-6929 | www.decksandmore.biz
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Choosing the Best Grass Variety Choosing the Best Grass Variety Warm days may have you dreaming of the perfect lawn. If your summertime projects include laying new sod, here’s the scoop on three of the most popular grass varieties. Armed with information on the benefits and maintenance required for each, you’ll be ready to lay the right variety for your home. To see a chart comparing these grasses side by side, visit ngturf.com/varieties.
Choose for its excellent shade tolerance and wear resistance, along with its ability to withstand close mowing. Because it is slow-growing, zoysia also requires less frequent mowing. Skip if your lawn includes areas that tend to stay wet. Zoysia does best in well-drained soil. Popular Zoysias include Zeon, Marvel and El Toro. All perform well in our area of the country, although Zeon offers the best shade performance and requires less fertilizer compared to other zoysias. BERMUDA In many parts of our region, people require a sod that can stand up to the serious Southern heat and drought without daily watering. In these areas, Bermuda is the strongest contender. It has a recommended mowing height of one to two inches, although some varieties can tolerate heights as low as half an inch. Like zoysia, it goes dormant with the frosts and greens up each spring. Choose for its high performance in numerous categories. Bermuda receives excellent marks in tolerance of high temperatures and drought, along with wear resistance and the ability to withstand close mowing. Skip if your lawn has deeply shaded areas. Bermuda tends to perform poorly in shade.
REBEL® SUPREME FESCUE PRODUCES RICH, GREEN COLOR ALL YEAR LONG.
Popular Bermudas include TIFTUF™, Tifway 419, TifGrand and TifSport. TIFTUF™ is prized as a more sustainable variety — even among other Bermuda grasses. It uses 38% less water than other Bermudas, offering stellar performance against heat and drought and requiring less frequent mowing. TALL FESCUE If you long for a green lawn all year round, Rebel® Supreme Tall Fescue is the best option in our region. It produces a lush lawn with a medium blade and a recommended mowing height of two to three inches. Choose for its deep green color that remains green year-round. Fescue is a cool-season grass that exhibits exceptional shade performance and cold hardiness. Skip if you prefer close mowing or if your lawn lies in the Deep South. Fescue grows best from a line north of Interstate 20. It also requires more water and maintenance than Bermuda or zoysia. Popular Fescues include Rebel® Supreme, which was specifically developed with more extensive root systems to better withstand drought and heat in the South. Visit ngturf.com/sod-school for more detailed information, and if you have questions, our Certified Turfgrass Professionals are happy to help at 770-431-1344.
Photo courtesy of NG Turf.
ZOYSIA If you’re looking for a lush, soft lawn where you and the kids can roll around and play, zoysia is a great option. Recommended mowing heights range from half an inch to two inches. Zoysia turns golden brown during dormancy in areas with frosty winters and then greens up each spring.
Give us a call at 770-431-1344 or visit ngturf.com
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Photo courtesy of The Home Depot.
Photo courtesy of NG Turf.
Shade MADE IN THE
Keep things cool this summer with some stylish shade options for your backyard By Barbra Buoy In the South, it can be hard to beat the heat, but nothing tops a shady spot with a nice summer breeze — unless you add in a glass of sweet iced tea. Don’t let your outdoor living space go unappreciated! We’ve put together some cool designs to bring the shade to your space.
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Unobstructed Views You don’t have to sacrifice outdoor views to stay cool. With a light and airy design, this Vision pergola by Trex allows you panoramic views of the surrounding area while also providing a safe space from the elements with a tensioned canopy. Available in different sizes with multiple canopy options and column styles, you can customize the perfect piece of shade for your outdoor space. www.trexpergola.com Photo courtesy of Trex.
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Screened-In Luxury An elegant screened-in porch with an outdoor kitchen is a modern twist on a traditional way to shade a sunny space by John Rogers Renovations. This porch features barn wood trim on the screened windows, concrete countertops, stainless steel cabinets, white-painted brick and concrete tile flooring. www.jrrenovations.com Photo courtesy of John Rogers Renovations, photography by Gregg Willett Photography.
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Photo courtesy of Outback Deck.
Decked-Out Shade Although popular, decks can be unbearably hot during the summer. This custom-built 16 x 28 white vinyl pergola by Outback Deck shades 75% of this homeowner’s deck. The owner wanted to add fans for extra airflow, so electrical wiring was installed within the structure. www.outbackdeck.net
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Retractable Retreat
Green Shade Get some sun and shade all rolled into one by installing solar panels on your deck or pergola. Creative Solar USA installed this setup on a client’s existing pergola to help them boost their own energy output using 320 watt LG solar panels. www.creativesolarusa.com
Photos courtesy of (top) Peachtree Awnings, (bottom) Creative Solar USA.
Awnings are a quick and cost-effective way to shade an outdoor space. This 18 x 13 retractable awning from Peachtree Awnings provides the homeowner with the convenience of shade in the summer and can be easily stored away in winter. www.peachtreeawnings.com
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Photo courtesy of Paces Construction Co., LLC, photography by Buzz Benzur Photography.
Poolside Oasis The homeowners’ goal for this open-air pool house was to create a unique gathering spot for family and friends, and Paces Construction was happy to take on the project. The flooring is white Indiana limestone laid in an ashlar pattern. The Bahamian-style plantation shutters promote ample airflow and are made of 100% PVC to prevent rot. www.pacesconstruction.com
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Photo courtesy of The Home Depot.
DIY Shade Screened-in porches and poolside cabanas are great when you have the space and the budget, but if you’re looking for a quick solution that is easier on your pockets, there are lots of great options available at your local hardware store. This cantilever umbrella with solar-powered LEDs is a great way to add some instant shade and is available at The Home Depot. www.homedepot.com
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6/18/21 4:45 PM
Makeover Magic A My Home Improvement contest winner receives an organizational update that transformed an outbuilding from frenetic to functional By Jill Becker | Photography by Krys Alex Photography
“My jaw dropped!” says Bethany Anderson, of her reaction to seeing the transformation performed on her detached garage that was used as sort of a catchall storage area and workspace. The Atlanta homeowner is referring to the makeover she received earlier this year from professional organizer Mary Kathryn LaVallee and her team at OrderUp Design as the winner of My Home Improvement’s Organization Giveaway. A single mom who works as a deputy branch chief at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Anderson’s hope was to make the area a more usable and practical space for her and her son. Pre-makeover, it was unsightly, disorganized and cluttered with everything from scraps of wood and stacked chairs to bags of chicken feed and fertilizer. Post-makeover, it’s a practical, functional space with bins, hooks, shelves and other features that ensure everything has its proper place.
GIVEAWAY WINNER BETHANY ANDERSON
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ORDERUP DESIGN USED PEGBOARD AND OPEN STORAGE BINS TO GIVE EVERY TOOL IN THE WORKSHOP A CLEAR SPACE TO BELONG.
Anderson especially loves now being able to walk in and easily find and access everything she needs. “Knowing exactly where everything is ensures I get whatever project I’m working on started much more quickly and efficiently,” she says. “I don’t have to go through multiple bins or piles to find what I need. It’s all clearly laid out so I can jump in and get started right away.”
One of the mantras at OrderUp Design, in fact, is that everything gets a home. “We live in a world where we’re in a rush, and we have the mindset, ‘I’ll just set it here and figure it out later,’” says LaVallee. “Then you have more and more of those things, and it just accumulates. So we try and give everything a home in a way that anyone could put it up. Like it’s obvious that ‘This is where this thing goes.’”
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BETHANY ANDERSON WITH HER DOG, NALA, AND ONE OF HER PET CHICKENS, NASCAR.
MARY KATHRYN LAVALLEE SAYS THE HASSLE OF THROWING AWAY LARGE, BULK ITEMS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SHE SEES AMONG HER CLIENTS.
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A major challenge of the project was that the Andersons truly do use their tools and pieces of wood and a lot of the other objects that were stored in the space. So one of the first things LaVallee said to Anderson was, “If you’re using it, we’ll make it work in here. Yes, there’s a lot of chicken feed, but you
have a lot of chickens, and so that’s something that needs to be in the space.” To meet that end,
LaVallee knew that added shelving and taking advantage of the vertical height of the space were going to be huge.
Mary Kathryn LaVallee's
Top 5 Organizational Makeover Tips The professional organizer shares her secrets to a successful room metamorphosis.
1
Don’t get overwhelmed. Avoid looking at the whole space and focusing on how much there is to do. Concentrate instead on one section at a time, as it will keep the project from feeling like it's too much.
2 3
Get it out of there. The first step is to pull everything out of the space and divide it into three categories: trash, keep or donate. Don’t panic. It’s often going to feel like it gets
worse before it gets better but hang in there. Just separating everything into those three piles is a huge step.
4
Purge. Get rid of the trash and donate piles before
even thinking about putting things back into the space. It will help the pile feel less imposing, and then you’re just left with the stuff you want.
5
Contemplate and conceptualize.
THE ANDERSONS BUILT THEIR CHICKEN COOP THEMSELVES OUT OF DISCARDED MATERIALS FROM A NEARBY CONSTRUCTION SITE.
Think about how you and your family want to utilize the space and make a plan accordingly.
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AFTER - SPECIAL THANKS TO G.I.HAUL® FOR PROVIDING JUNK REMOVAL SERVICES.
BETHANY'S SON, DAVID, NOW HAS A SPACE TO HANG OUT WITH HIS FRIENDS.
BEFORE
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“A lot of the time, it’s about creating a space that’s multifunctional,” says LaVallee. “Very rarely do we go to a space where it’s ‘This is the sole purpose of this space.’ Even with kitchens, the obvious use is that it’s a kitchen, but it’s also where your kids might do their homework and where people congregate in general, so not making spaces for multiple things is one of the problems people have.” “Creating zones” is another tactic LaVallee uses. “The more garage-type supplies are all together now, and there are bins for everything that makes sense to be kept away,” she says. “And the chicken feed is now in sealed metal containers outside of the space, which creates a lot more room. It’s like one side is the garage, one side is kind of a man cave, and the back space is the workshop.”
The added room and defined zones mean that Anderson has a place to work on her projects, and her son also now has a place for his punching bag and workout bench and a place for him and his friends to hang out. In addition to the added functionality and available square footage, the converted garage has aesthetic appeal as well. “Originally, we were thinking we shouldn't move the workbench, but then it just seemed like such a good focal point,” says LaVallee. And a brick wall that was so covered up you didn’t even notice it is now a main feature. Of using the services of an organizational company like OrderUp Design, one of LaVallee’s earliest clients once said that it’s “like having a personal trainer for organizing.” You could probably do it yourself, but would you? And would you do it as efficiently and effortlessly? Anderson says of her reclaimed space, “They really just found a place for everything, and the stuff I wanted to get rid of was stuff I had wanted to get rid of for a while. It was just a matter of finding the time and hauling it off. So I’m glad I got the push from them to do it. And I love the results.” OrderUp Design Mary Kathryn LaVallee is the founder of OrderUp Design. After graduating college in 2018 with a master's degree in social work, she moved back to Atlanta. Shortly after, she made the decision to start a professional organization business and what started out as a part-time dream job quickly turned into a service that many people were looking for. “Organization is more than what it sounds like. It’s an enhancement to your life,” she explains. “Therefore, my mission (L TO R): LYN LAVALLEE, MARY KATHRYN LAVALLEE, with OrderUp Design is to continue ANNE MILLER GARRARD chasing this small-business dream of mine so that I can help enhance other people’s lives through organization!” www.orderupdesign.com
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Inspiring Projects
from the 40th OBIE Awards The OBIE Awards are given to builders, remodelers and other professionals in the home industry in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field. Presented by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), a nonprofit, professional trade association dedicated to the Atlanta home building industry, the awards have grown to represent over 100 industry categories. www.atlantahomebuilders.com
Gold Winner Best Interior Merchandising - Detached Model $700,000-$799,999 Kolter Homes, www.kolterhomes.com
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AWA R D - W I N N I N G P R O J E C T S
Photo courtesy of Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
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Gold Winner Residential Remodeling Whole-House Renovation Over $500,000 Copper Sky Renovations, www.copperskyrenovations.com
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AWA R D - W I N N I N G P R O J E C T S
Photo courtesy of Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
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AWA R D - W I N N I N G P R O J E C T S
Gold Winner Residential Remodeling - Addition
Photos courtesy of Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
Copper Sky Renovations, www.copperskyrenovations.com
Silver Winner 2020 Builder Winners Single Family Builder Detached (Luxury Builders) $1,500,000-$2,000,000 The JW Collection, www.jwcollectionhomes.com
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AWA R D - W I N N I N G P R O J E C T S
Gold Winner Residential Remodeling Best Bathroom Under $25,000
Photos courtesy of Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
Azalea Renovations, www.azalearenovations.com
Gold Winner 2020 Builder Winners Single Family Builder - Detached (Builds 1-25 Homes/Year) $700,000-$799,999 10/23 Construction, www.1023construction.com
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AWA R D - W I N N I N G P R O J E C T S
Gold Winner Best Interior Merchandising Detached Model $400,000-$499,999
Photos courtesy of Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
The Providence Group, www.theprovidencegroup.com
Gold Winner Best Interior Merchandising - Attached Model $400,000-$499,999 The Providence Group www.theprovidencegroup.com
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AWA R D - W I N N I N G P R O J E C T S
Silver Winner 2020 Builder Winners Single Family Builder Detached (Builds 1-25 Homes/Year) $500,000-$599,999
Photos courtesy of Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
10/23 Construction, www.1023construction.com
Gold Winner 2020 Builder Winners Single Family Builder - Detached (Luxury Builders) $3,000,000-$4,000,000 Loudermilk Homes, www.loudermilkhomes.com
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Gold Winner Best Interior Merchandising - Detached Model $800,000 and Above The Providence Group, www.theprovidencegroup.com
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AWA R D - W I N N I N G P R O J E C T S
Photo courtesy of Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
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An Engineered & Artistic Approach to Outdoor Living
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Building, Repairing, Maintaining… We are the Pools and Spas Expert for Atlanta Homeowners The talented team at Alison Pools, LLC, has been servicing homeowners and companies for nearly 15 years. With each project, the company’s members strive to achieve the highest level of excellence when servicing an existing swimming pool or building a new one. Their creative and unique designs are stellar because they consider all design elements— use of color, space, texture, balance, harmony—when developing concepts for any backyard transformation. “We are artistically blessed with creative individuals on our team,” says founder and owner John Martinez. Thanks to their accreditation with the Association of Pool & Hot Tub Alliance as a certified building professional and the accrual of more than 150 ACET-accredited hours as a registered member with Watershape University and the Society of Watershape Designers, they meet or exceed the construction and service industry standards for every project. Plus, up-todate certification for professional training with Genesis3 University ensures that they continue to strive for excellence and promise to make a big splash when it comes to your needs. The company’s motto is to use an “Engineered and Artistic Approach to Outdoor Living.” Give them a call. The team at Alison Pools, LLC, is looking forward to working for you and bringing your vision to life.
t
John Martinez founded Alison Pools, LLC, in 2005. The electrical engineer is a certified building professional who is a registered member with Watershape University and the Society of Watershape Designers from Genesis3 University. His company provides solutions (design, construction, repairs, maintenance) for residential and commercial swimming pool environments. The father of three is a foodie. “I love food and wine! I am very immersed in Atlanta’s restaurants and I’m friends with local chefs,” Martinez says.
2618 Lone Oak Trail | Kennesaw, GA | 678-528-4521 | www.AlisonPools.net
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Just Add Water ... Make a splash this summer in your own backyard oasis By Stacy Moser
T
he temperature is soaring and you’re feeling frazzled. Close your eyes and imagine relaxing next to a babbling brook or wiggling your toes in the sand while the ocean’s waves crash around you. No time for a beach vacation? Try adding a tantalizing splash to your environment, like these savvy landscape designers did — bringing the serenity of the water’s edge to their clients’ backyards.
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Location: Sandy Springs Pool size: 1,425 square feet Design: Jason Brownlee | J. Brownlee Design www.jbrownleedesign.com Installation: Neptune Pools www.neptunepools.com This stunning backyard combines the natural elements of fire and water with a unique, modern twist. “We put a gas burner inside a
fountain in the middle of the patio to make it look like the water is on fire,”
explains Evan Horning, a partner with Neptune Pools. The playful design features a path across the pool made from concrete pavers that seem to float across the surface of the water. Adding to the ambience, the sound of rushing water emanates from several fountains throughout the space. And rough-hewn stone tiles lining the pool create a beautiful contrast with the polished surface of the concrete.
Photos courtesy of J. Brownlee Design.
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Consult a professional.
Retaining walls require careful design and construction — consult a professional about proper materials and installation methods. Photos courtesy of Atlantis Pools & Spas, LLC, photography by Chronos PD.
Location: Marietta Pool size: 4,000 square feet Design and installation: Atlantis Pools & Spas, LLC www.atlantispoolsga.com Just because your yard is situated on a steep slope doesn’t mean you don’t have design options for a swimming pool. “This home was situated on a rough landscape with a pond at the bottom of the yard and a 16-foot drop in elevation,” says Atlantis Pools & Spas, LLC owner and designer Bruce Todd. “The solution was to use the side yard for the pool installation.” Todd used several retaining walls to hold back the slope and create terraces for shrubs.
A waterslide is a focal point, running from the top of the slope to the pool at the bottom. He had relaxation in mind, too, when he designed the pool with a tanning ledge entry, complete with a built-in receptacle to hold a beach umbrella.
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Did you know?
Koi fish can live over 50 years and weigh 20 pounds each — so plan a pond that gives them lots of room.
Photos courtesy of Mark Keightley.
Location: Woodstock Pond size: 430 square feet Design and installation: Artistic Landscapes www.artisticlandscapes.com Mark Keightley, owner of Artistic Landscapes, put his design skills to the test with this peaceful retreat in his own backyard. He started with over a dozen Japanese maples to establish the feel of a forest and used river rock to create the fireplace. “I added lighting, irrigation, shrubbery — the works!” he explains. He then turned his attention to the garden’s water feature — the koi pond. “My favorite part of my pond is the championship
koi I’ve collected over the years. Many are rare and irreplaceable. I use high-quality filtration equipment to keep the pond clean and healthy.” He also uses low-voltage LED fixtures to light the pond and waterfall. “Fish are strongly attracted to light and they congregate in well-lit sections of the pond, putting on a nighttime show!”
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THE HEART OF HOME IMPROVEMENT HomeAid Atlanta steps up to assist The Drake House with apartment renovations The Drake House has been providing supportive housing and enrichment programs for mothers and their children who are experiencing homelessness in north metro Atlanta since 2006. While their programming has expanded to include a learning center, food pantry, after-school enrichment program and the addition of a secondphase housing initiative called The Drake Village, the VOLUNTEERS FROM HARRISON HOMES original 16-unit apartment complex remains a core part of their mission. And after 15 years of helping families get through a difficult period in their lives, the units are due for an upgrade. To help facilitate the renovation, The Drake House turned to the building industry nonprofit HomeAid Atlanta. Focused on building, maintaining and renovating facilities for nonprofits serving the homeless, HomeAid Atlanta has been a longtime partner of The Drake House and even carried out the original renovations to help establish the organization.
PLEA
“We know that it is important to keep services going for the moms and children that rely on The Drake House in their time of need, so we are focusing on eight units at a time,” explains Mandy Crater, executive director of HomeAid Atlanta. “Once the first building is done, we will move on to the next eight units, thus ensuring that not all 16 emergency housing units are offline at the same time. We hope to get all of them repaired and restored by the fall.”
Synergy_HH.indd 1 Synergy_Landscaping_HH.indd 1
Work on the project started in mid-May with a complete interior demolition carried out by volunteers from Harrison Homes to make way for some much-needed plumbing repairs by R.S. Andrews and North Georgia Inliners. Once they finish up, Lennar will step in to complete the restoration with new kitchen cabinets, vanities, flooring, drywall and paint. 2021 is a landmark year for both organizations, with The Drake House celebrating its 15th anniversary and HomeAid Atlanta its 20th. This renovation will be the fifth project HomeAid Atlanta has completed for The Drake House.
HARRISON HOMES VOLUNTEERS CARRY OUT THE INTERIOR DEMOLITION OF THE DRAKE HOUSE APARTMENTS.
If you would like to do your part to help The Drake House’s mission, visit their website at www.thedrakehouse.org for donation and volunteer opportunities. Home professionals, businesses and individuals interested in joining HomeAid Atlanta’s mission can view their donation and volunteer opportunities at www.homeaidatlanta.org.
Syn S
Photos courtesy of HomeAid Atlanta.
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