BEFORE + AFTER
Historic Victorian Story by Susan Victor // Design by John Ishmael Photography by Shelly Marshall Schmidt
A renovation project was nothing new for designer John Ishmael. In fact, he had spent the better part of his adult life finding affordable homes in areas of Atlanta just on the verge of a rebirth and making them into gems for resale. From a Highland Avenue loft in the ‘80s, a Decatur Cape Cod in the ‘90s, an Oakhurst Craftsman Bungalow in the early 2000s, to a downtown storefront apartment in 2010, there wasn’t a genre or location that was off-limits. When a 100-year-old Victorian in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood recently came on the market, both John and his husband Troy thought this house had the potential to be a permanent landing spot. After living for years in a storefront apartment in the city, they yearned for more space and a yard for their dogs. John described the initial viewing of the house as a mixed bag of emotions. “Troy immediately fell in love with the yard and the thought of a magnificently restored Victorian with a huge wraparound porch and a plum location near the beltline. I on the other hand was a bit overwhelmed about how much work it would require to get this fine old lady back into shape!”
BEFORE – FOYER This view shows featured dark woodwork and paneling and one of the many shades of mauve located throughout the house.
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