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SPRING Starts Here

The Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour returns with discovery at every door

Find Their Summer Thing

5 ways to choose a camp your kids will love

Soul. Connection. F low. Inside the magic and inspiration of Garage Door Studio

Open Doors, Open Stories

THERE IS A CERTAIN FEELING that arrives with spring. It shows up in open doors, longer days and the quiet sense that something is beginning again. In Decatur and the communities around it, that feeling often takes shape in the stories we share—and the spaces that invite us in.

In this issue, those stories unfold in different ways, but they all lead back to the same idea: connection.

You see it in the Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour, where homes open not just for viewing, but for storytelling. Each room, each garden, each carefully preserved detail offers a glimpse into something larger—a sense of history that is meant to be experienced, not just observed.

You feel it at Garage Door Studio in Avondale Estates, where creativity becomes a gathering place. It is more than a shop. It is a space built on intention, where handmade pieces carry meaning and where people come not just to browse, but to connect—with art, with others and with something a little deeper.

And you find it in the search for the right summer camp. On the surface, it is about schedules and activities. But underneath, it is about something more personal. It is about finding the environments where children feel seen, supported and inspired to grow into who they are becoming.

That’s what ties all of these stories together. They are about spaces that welcome. Experiences that stay with you. Moments that create something lasting.

Decatur Living & Beyond exists to capture those moments— to reflect the people, places and events that give this community its rhythm and its character. Because here, the story is not just what happens.

Natalie Gregory Publisher, Decatur

DECATUR LIVING, LLC

P.O. BOX 2589

DECATUR, GA 30031

PUBLISHER

Natalie Gregory

EDITOR

Michael J. Pallerino

MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MANAGER

Kelly O’Brien

CREATIVE DI RECTOR

Brent Cashman

PHOTOGRAPHY

Casey Ford

Randy McDow

Anna Walters

Joshua Vensel

WRITERS

Helena Oliviero

Michael J. Pallerino

Decatur Living Telephone: 404-550-5113

hello@decaturliving.com

Decatur Living is published quarterly by Natalie Gregory. Distribution is a minimum of 14,000 with up to 11,000 being mailed to households in Decatur, Druid Hills, Avondale Estates, Candler Park, Lake Claire and Oak Grove. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for content of all advertisements. The publisher does not necessarily share the editorial opinions expressed in Decatur Living Magazine. Personal decisions regarding health, finance, and other matters should be made after consultation with the reader’s professional advisors.

Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour.

Travis & Michelle Jones, Owners Fiber-Seal Atlanta Metro

“Wow, talk about a relaxing environment, I couldn’t believe I was at the dentist.”- Jordi, H.

“They made me feel so comfortable.”- Heidari, P.

“They make you feel like family in a relaxed environment.”- Evans, P.

Formerly Garden Lights Landscaping

Jovani Calo Owner and Founder

Susannah Calo Events and Sponsorships

Matthews

Manager

Spring Here STARTS

The Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour returns with discovery at every door

By Helena Oliviero

EVERY SPRING, DRUID HILLS opens itself in a way it rarely does the rest of the year. For one weekend, doors that are usually closed swing wide, inviting guests to hear remarkable stories about the homes and the people who have lived in them. They move from room to room and garden to garden, taking in the details—the millwork, the light, the quiet sense of history—while stories begin to surface along the way.

The Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour, set for April 17 to 19, has become more than an event. It is a ritual. A chance to experience the neighborhood not just from the sidewalk, but from within.

Cyndy Roberts, whose Lullwater residence, famously known as the “Driving Miss Daisy” house, was featured during the 2022 Tour, and certainly has stories to tell. While visitors were keen to see her home’s kitchen, with some of the original wallpaper appearing in the movie, she also shared some fun personal anecdotes.

“When we first moved into the house, we couldn’t find the phone jack,” Roberts says. “I remember thinking, ‘Is there not one downstairs?’ And then it hit me, there was a scene in the movie where Miss Daisy answers the phone, and it was behind the kitchen door. I looked behind the kitchen door, and there it was.”

While initially reluctant to have her home featured on the Tour, Roberts says the experience ended up being extremely positive and exceeded her expectations. She ultimately embraced becoming an integral part of a beloved spring event that plays an important role in the Druid Hills neighborhood.

The Tour is the Druid Hills Civic Association’s largest annual fundraiser, raising more than $100,000 in each of the recent years—all of which gets reinvested in the community, providing vital support for neighborhood parks, green spaces, and local nonprofits.

But none of this can happen without the generosity of homeowners who open their doors and welcome the community inside. The Tour also is dependent on sponsors for the Tour, and an army of volunteers, including hundreds of docents for the homes on Tour.

Among the volunteers is Tour Chair Kit Eisterhold, who logs long days of phone calls, emails and house calls, to keep the tradition going.

“I’ve always loved old homes and there’s that tradition,” Eisterhold says. “When you take over as chair, you can feel a bit alone, and even abandoned occasionally, but at the same time you are standing on the shoulders of giants. Like 60 years have been put into this, and you don’t want to let the old salts who have gone before you down. So even when house recruitment has gone overdue, I am not going to quit and will keep it going as long as I can.”

This year’s theme is coined the “Many Faces of Druid Hills,” which puts a spotlight on a Tour spanning a broad swath of the neighborhood. From grand showpieces to more intimate homes—including a beautiful gem illustrating down-sizing in Druid Hills—each stop reflects the rich tapestry that defines the neighborhood.

Some residences remain largely as conceived in the early 1900s, preserving exquisite millwork and original details, while others have been extensively renovated or newly built, with exceptional care and craftsmanship.

What unites them all is an extraordinary attention to detail and a shared commitment to preserving the enduring vision of Frederick Law Olmsted. Steve Colby says he and his wife, Tina, are grateful to live in Druid Hills and participating in the Tour this year is their way to give back. They understand the allure of Druid Hills and why the Tour draws so many visitors, year after year.

“Olmsted understood even back then, green space is really important,” Colby says. “It’s important for your

sanity. It’s the old trees, the feeling that you’ve got your feet under you, that it’s stable. And the eclectic sense of Druid Hills, and that feeling of history that I’ve always enjoyed. It’s a very special place.”

The Colby house on Lullwater will certainly be among the showstoppers this year. Built circa 1917, the Colby home remains largely intact, with much of its original millwork and windows preserved. Recent touches include a new entry bookcase for their novel

STEP INSIDE THE TOUR

Explore the homes, gardens and stories behind the tradition

From grand historic residences to thoughtfully reimagined spaces, this year’s homes showcase creativity, craftsmanship and the evolving character of Druid Hills—proof that great design spans every scale.

April 17–19

Friday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

Get tickets: druidhillstour.org/ tickets

What You’ll See

` A chandelier crafted from antique Atlanta lamp posts

` A family room anchored by a living moss wall

` Gardens designed as a series of outdoor “rooms”

` A 2,000-squarefoot gem redefining downsizing in Druid Hills

` A home recently featured in a Blue Bunny ice cream commercial

collection along with a moss wall in the family room that heightens the indoor-outdoor vibe.

Where History Meets Today

The Tour echoes from an earlier era. In the early 1900s, visitors traveled from across the South to see the spectacular dogwoods blooming along Lullwater Road. The first official Tour was in 1968, during a difficult chapter in the neighborhood’s history.

According to Druid Hills historian Jennifer Richardson, many of the large homes on streets such as Springdale, Oxford and Oakdale had been divided into boarding houses and rented cheaply by absentee landlords. Years of neglect had begun to take a visible toll.

A major factor contributing to the decline was worries about a proposed expressway which threatened to cut directly through the heart of the neighborhood. The road would have split Druid Hills in two, destroying Olmsted Linear Park and crossing the Deepdene

section on a bridge. Plans also called for the expressway to pass through Emory University’s Lullwater Preserve and near several schools.

Residents fought the proposed road project for more than two decades before it was ultimately defeated. With the threat lifted, the neighborhood began to recover.

The first Tour, created as both a garden and a home tour, was co-sponsored by the Lullwater Garden Club and the Druid Hills Civic Association, though Richardson says the garden club was the driving force.

The inaugural event was intimate but ambitious—eight homes, including the Emory University president’s residence, along with several gardens opened to the public. Tickets cost just $2.50, but the impact stretched far beyond the price of admission. Proceeds helped sustain the roughly six-acre Lullwater Conservation Garden, which the club had purchased from Emory for $1,500 and continued to support through a mix of teas, rummage sales and even a horse show.

The Tour went quiet for nearly a decade after its early run, but when it returned, it quickly settled into its place as a springtime staple. Today, visitors come not only for the architecture, but for the perspective it offers. “People come and see these older homes and realize you don’t have to tear them down just because they’re old,” Richardson says.

And each spring, as the doors open once again, that perspective deepens—reminding visitors that preservation is not about holding on, but about carrying something forward. In Druid Hills, the past is not something you walk past, but something you step into, room by room, story by story.

Helena Oliviero, a former longtime reporter at The Atlanta JournalConstitution, worked there for more than 20 years, becoming known for deeply human, compelling feature and enterprise stories often focused on health and lifestyle. A passionate storyteller who believes in writing’s power to inform, connect and uplift, she lives in Avondale Estates with her family.

APRIL 17-19, 2026

FRIDAY: 1-5pm, SATURDAY: 10am-5pm

SUNDAY: 1-5pm

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 TOUR SPONSORS

SILVER

Find Their Summer Thing

5 ways to choose a camp your kids will love

By Michael J. Pallerino

SUMMER CAMP SEASON arrives quickly in Decatur. Before long, parents are scrolling through options, comparing schedules and trying to answer a deceptively simple question: Where will my child thrive? From theater stages and art studios to sports fields and science labs, the choices are endless—but the right fit often has less to do with the activity itself and more to do with how a child experiences it.

The best camps do more than fill time. They create space—for curiosity, for confidence, for connection. To help narrow the search, we asked several camp leaders to share what they believe matters most when choosing a summer experience that kids will not only enjoy, but remember. Our panel includes Marlis Cornett, Director, Color Wheel Studio; Kristen Silton, Head of Education Advancement, Alliance Theatre; and Becah Jubon, Education and Public Programs Manager, Mimms Museum of Technology and Art.

1 Start with What Lights Them Up

Every great camp experience begins with genuine interest. It can be tempting to guide children toward what feels productive or practical, but summer offers something different—a chance to explore without pressure. Whether your child is drawn to paint, performance, coding or the outdoors, the goal is to meet them where they already feel energized.

“I think there are two things that stand out when looking for a program. First, there’s the interests and disposition of your child,” Cornett says. “Don’t pick programs you want them to like—pick programs that light them up.”

When kids are engaged from the start, everything else—confidence, creativity and connection—has room to grow.

2 Look Beyond the Brochure

A polished website or inspiring mission statement can only tell you so much. What matters is how those values show up in real time—in the structure of the day, in the activities offered and in how kids are supported along the way. Camps that prioritize process over perfection tend to create more meaningful, lasting experiences.

“At Color Wheel, our mission statement and core values are more than just words on paper,” Cornett says. “Parents should look for programs that practice what they preach with activities that show the work.”

When what a camp promises aligns with what it delivers, parents can feel confident their child will feel comfortable, supported and inspired.

3 Pay Attention to the People

Long after the projects are finished and the performances end, what kids remember most is how they felt and who made them feel that way. Counselors and instructors set the tone. They notice the quiet moments, help navigate social dynamics and create an environment where kids feel seen, heard and included.

“Our staff are the heartbeat of the experience,” Silton says. “These artists don’t just lead a room—they listen to the kids’ interests and incorporate their ideas into the week.”

It is this kind of attentiveness that turns a good camp into a great one—where kids are not just participants, but active contributors to the experience.

4 Ask About Safety and Communication

Behind every great camp experience is a structure that parents can trust. From staff training and camper ratios to pickup procedures and medical protocols, the details matter. Equally important is how a camp communicates, both in planning and throughout the week.

“Transparency and clear communication are key,” Silton says. “The conversation shouldn’t end at pickup. We send a daily email to families outlining what the students did that day and how to engage with them at home.”

Strong communication not only builds trust with parents, it also helps extend the experience beyond camp—turning daily activities into shared conversations.

5 Focus on Growth, Not Just Structure

The true value of summer camp often shows up in ways that are harder to measure. It is the shy child who finds their voice. The curious one who dives deeper into a new interest. The moment when a camper does not want to leave at the end of the day because they have found their place.

“Summer camp is a great time to try new things, gain or improve skills and explore new ideas without the time commitment of the whole school year,” Jubon says. “It’s about having fun, not building a resume.”

This kind of freedom—to explore, to experiment and to simply enjoy the process—is what makes summer camp such a powerful experience.

At its best, summer camp becomes more than a schedule. It’s where kids discover what they love, connect with others who share it and carry those experiences long after the season ends. And for parents, the sign is clear—when your child can’t wait to go back the next day.

YOUR SUMMER CAMP GUIDE STARTS HERE

From arts and athletics to STEM and outdoor adventure, there’s something here for every kind of kid. Start exploring and find the camp that makes this summer unforgettable.

Alliance Theatre

Alliance Theatre camps focus on creative expression, confidence and teamwork. Through acting and storytelling, students build life skills in a supportive environment, culminating in a fun, low-pressure performance. www.alliancetheatre.org/classes/ drama-camps

Callanwolde

Callanwolde Creative Camp offers week-long art experiences where kids explore painting, drawing and sculpture on a historic estate, building skills, creativity and confidence in an inspiring setting. www.callanwolde.org/classes/camps

Camp Carlos

Camp Carlos blends art and exploration, with teaching artists guiding kids to look closer and create boldly. Inspired by museum galleries, campers build skills, curiosity and confidence. www.carlos.emory.edu/camp

Camp Woodmont

Camp Woodmont offers a traditional overnight camp experience with outdoor adventure, horseback riding and cabin life. Campers build friendships, confidence and lifelong memories in a close-knit, supportive setting. www.campwoodmont.com

Color Wheel

Color Wheel Studio camps explore ceramics, textiles, painting and more. With diverse mediums and fun themes, kids build creativity, confidence and artistic skills in an engaging studio setting. www.colorwheelstudio.com/ registration/summer-2026

Dynamo Swim

Dynamo Swim Club offers summer swim programs for all skill levels, from beginners to competitive swimmers, helping kids build technique, confidence and a lifelong love of the water.

www.dynamoswimclub.com/programs

Emory

Brains & Motion camps at Emory University blend STEM, arts and sports into one fun week. Kids explore coding, creativity and movement while building confidence, skills and curiosity.

www.brains-and-motion.com/ collections/atlanta-decatur-emorysummer-camps

Emory Tennis Camp

The Disher Camps at Emory introduces young players to tennis fundamentals through fun games and smaller courts. Kids build skills, confidence and a love for the game in a supportive setting. www.dishercamps.com

Golf House Academy

Golf House Academy camps combine professional instruction with fun challenges. Young golfers build skills, confidence and friendships in a supportive environment designed for all experience levels.

www.golfhouseacademy.com/ kids-camps

High Museum

High Museum camps immerse young artists in gallery-inspired learning. Kids explore exhibitions while building skills in drawing, painting and design through hands-on projects and guided instruction. www.high.org/camp/tab-grades-1-2

iD Tech

iD Tech camps offer immersive experiences in coding, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and game design. Kids learn from expert instructors while building future-ready skills on inspiring campus environments.

www.idtech.com/summer-camps

Lego Summer Camp

Bricks 4 Kidz camps use LEGO® to make STEAM fun. Kids explore engineering, robotics and design through hands-on builds, games and creative challenges that spark curiosity and learning.

www.bricks4kidz.us/georgia-atlantadecatur/our-programs/camps

Mathnasium

Mathnasium Summer Camp blends math learning with hands-on activities, games and puzzles. Kids build confidence and problemsolving skills while exploring math in fun, engaging ways. www.mathnasium.com/ summer-math-programs

Mimms Museum.org

Mimms Museum camps immerse kids in robotics, coding and AI. Through hands-on tech projects, campers build skills in programming, problem-solving and creativity in an innovative environment. www.mimmsmuseum.org/event/ summer-camp-registration-begins

Oak Tree Camp

Oak Tree camps offer a fun, familylike environment with arts, outdoor play and STEAM activities. Kids build friendships, confidence and skills through engaging, ever-changing daily experiences. www.oaktreecamps.com/registration

The Paideia Summer Camp

The Paideia Summer Camp offers full-day programs with diverse indoor and outdoor activities. Kids explore, play and grow in age-based groups through enriching, engaging experiences tailored to every stage. www.paideiaschool.org/our-school/ summer-camp

Peach Pit

Peach Pit camps keep kids moving with gymnastics, dance and active play. Rotating activities build strength, confidence and coordination in a fun, high-energy environment.

www.peachpitgym.com/ summer-camps

Sketchworks Comedy Camp

Sketchworks Comedy Camp lets kids explore improv and sketch comedy with professional performers. Campers build confidence, creativity and stage presence through fun, high-energy comedic training. www.sketchworkskids.com

St. Thomas More Catholic School

St. Thomas More Summer Camp offers hands-on STEM and enrichment programs, including Camp Invention. Kids explore, create and learn through engaging activities in a supportive, structured environment. www.stmga.org

The Clifton School

The Clifton School’s Discovery Camp blends science, art and exploration through themed weeks and handson fun. Young learners build curiosity, confidence and friendships in an engaging environment.

www.thecliftonschool.org/ summer-camp

UTA Tennis Camp at Agnes Scott

UTA Summer Camp offers fun, structured weekly sessions for kids ages 5–14. Campers stay active, build skills and enjoy a reliable, rain-or-shine experience with a team-focused atmosphere. www.utatennis.com/agnes-scott/ agnes-scott-summer-camp

Waldorf School Summer Camps

Waldorf Summer Camps offer creative, nature-based experiences from early childhood to teens. Through arts, outdoor exploration and hands-on learning, campers build creativity, confidence and connection. www.waldorfatlanta.org/summercamp

Woodward Academy

Woodward Academy Summer Camps offer academic, athletic and enrichment programs for all interests. Kids enjoy a dynamic, well-rounded experience filled with learning, activity and fun. www.woodward.edu/summer

Inside the magic and inspiration of Garage Door Studio

By Michael J. Pallerino

THERE IS A certain kind of place you feel the moment you step inside—calm, connection, something real. Tucked into the historic Tudor Village in Avondale Estates, Garage Door Studio is one of those places. Light pours through tall windows. The air carries a quiet mix of botanicals and intention. Shelves are filled with handmade pieces that seem to hold their own stories.

And somewhere between the candles, the crystals and the carefully curated displays, something shifts. You look a little closer. You stay a little longer. That feeling is by design.

“We love creating engaging, uplifting displays—often accented with handwritten quotes and affirmations on the windows— that spark joy and inspiration,” says co-founder Jen Singh. “Our shop is thoughtfully curated with handmade art, beautiful goods and a warm, welcoming energy that visitors instantly feel.”

Soul. Connection. Flow.

It all started with Singh hosting ArtoRama, a craft show at her house that drew hundreds of guests. After a few years, Singh and co-owner Rachel Herzog thought it would be a great idea to open a brickand-mortar business to support local artists. In 2014, they took that leap—setting up shop in an old warehouse and building something from the ground up, one class, one camp, one connection at a time. Summer camps helped get things moving. Workshops followed. And before long, the space became something more than a storefront.

“Our studio was the go-to creative space for kids and adults, along with girls’ night out events and adult workshops,” Herzog says. “Anytime a unique gift was needed, we were ready to help find a little something handmade and local.”

Their kids grew up alongside the business, helping out after school, learning what it meant to build something from scratch. It was never just about selling products—it was about creating a place where people could gather, make and connect.

But growth required change. After three years, Singh and Herzog knew they needed more visibility, more foot traffic, more opportunity. When a long-vacant corner space in Avondale’s historic district opened up, they saw it for what it could become. “Taking over this

vacant space that had been an eyesore for several years was a win-win for everyone,” they say.

Now, more than a decade in, Garage Door Studio carries that same original spirit—only deeper, more rooted and more connected. The space itself tells part of the story. Built in 1926, it has lived many lives—from a pharmacy and soda fountain to many different businesses over the years. Today, it continues that legacy in a new way. “We’re honored to continue its story as a space that now nurtures creativity, community and art,” Singh says.

Inside, everything feels intentional. Handwritten affirmations stretch across the windows. Displays shift with mood and season. A crystal nook adds a touch of what they call “witchy woo.” And the atmosphere—soft, warm, layered—is something visitors notice immediately.

“People often tell us how good it smells here—and that’s no accident,” Herzog says. “We’re all about good vibes, with candles, botanicals, incense and palo santo creating an atmosphere of calm and intention.”

But what truly defines Garage Door Studio is not just the space—it is the purpose behind it. “What we love most is being deeply rooted in the community we call home,” they say. “We’ve had the joy of

forming genuine connections with our customers— whether they’re neighbors popping in regularly or travelers who make it a point to visit us whenever they’re back in Atlanta.”

That connection goes both ways. “Our community is at the heart of everything we do,” they say. “We listen to our customers—they introduce us to new artists, share ideas and remind us of the joy that comes from meaningful connection.”

At the center of it all is a belief in something simple, but powerful. “Handmade is a quiet rebellion against all the mass-produced, big-box, Amazon-loving modern society,” Singh says. “Each piece in our shop has a soul, a story—and in every brushstroke, stitch or thrown mug, there’s intention.”

It is a philosophy that shows up in every corner of the shop and in every interaction that happens inside it. In a world that often feels fast, automated and disconnected, Garage Door Studio offers something different. A pause. A moment. A reminder. “Handmade connects us—to the maker, to an inspired space and creates a pleasant experience to remember fondly,” Herzog says.

That’s what keeps people coming back. Not just for what they find, but for how it makes them feel.

Guiding You Home. Every Step of the Way.

As the market comes into full bloom, there’s a natural momentum in the air. Whether you’re starting to think about a change or ready to take the next step, my goal is to make the process feel seamless, supported, and thoughtfully guided from beginning to end.