Explore Historical Residences: Athens, Georgia's Home Tour Guide
Rewritten Article:
Stepping into a fresh beginning, Kim Noland, a long-time Athens, Georgia, resident, took on the challenge of renovating a century-old Craftsman-style home following a divorce. With three children - Mary Abbott (14), Caroline (12), and Trip (10) - in tow, she sought a welcoming haven in the same neighborhood where their cherished friendships blossomed. "This felt like exactly what we needed," Kim says, describing the property's potent allure.
Keen on preserving the home's historical character while infusing it with a family-friendly vibe, Kim teamed up with interior designer Tami Ramsay from Cloth & Kind, a trusted collaborator on previous projects. In seven months' time, the duo transformed the classic abode into an old-meets-new refuge that catered to the family's needs. "I wanted a space where the dogs could curl up on the couch, and my kids could craft at the dining table," Kim explains.
Originally a staple on a historic street in the Five Points area, the home boasted an original blueprint that caught Kim's eye. The house, mere blocks from the University of Georgia and a line of fraternity and sorority houses on Milledge Avenue, stirred Kim's preservationist spirit.
The conventional layout and closed-off floor plan, common in Craftsman homes, remained intact. But other sections, such as a no-longer-loved 1960s addition, underwent tweaks to align with Kim and her family's lifestyle. These alterations required approval from the local historic preservation commission. "We didn't drastically change the original blueprint or size," Tami clarifies.
A gloomy rear porch, haphazardly attached to the house, was a prime candidate for a makeover. Tami transformed it into a blooming mudroom dedicated to Kim's green thumb and blooming floral arrangements. In contrast, a side room adjacent to the entryway was repurposed as a serene library and relaxing sitting area for Kim's prized books and family heirlooms. "The kids use these rooms as much as I do for their hobbies," Kim notes.
As the house underwent its transformation, core elements of the home's historic heritage were respected. The team replaced the existing kitchen with a bright, expanded version that better suited Kim's family of four, complete with two energetic dogs named Ava (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and Clue (Labrador Retriever). To match the antique single-pane, vertical windows in the original kitchen, Tami sourced reproductions for the range's flanking space, enhancing natural light.
Tami carefully revitalized numerous furniture pieces from Kim's prior residence to blend them seamlessly into the new home's aesthetic. A sofa now gracing the library's space was halved, reupholstered in a stylish bouclé fabric, and fitted with armrests boasting a design that harmonized with the custom bookshelves.
From the quaint front porch adorned with classic "haint blue" paint to the carefully crafted color palette throughout each room, the home exudes a harmonious vibe that draws visitors in. The house's green-rooted mudroom, Mary Abbott's bedroom, and bathroom are all bedecked in earthy tones, while cabinets, shelves, and millwork in the living room, library, and kitchen are covered in various shades of blue. As Kim quips, "I was lucky that this house hadn't been touched for 60 years; now it's the perfect place for us."
- homeowners Kim Noland and her family were in search of a welcoming home in Athens, Georgia that also preserved the historical character, and they found it in a century-old Craftsman-style house.
- To achieve this blend of old and new, Kim teamed up with interior designer Tami Ramsay from Cloth & Kind, who helped transform the home into an old-meets-new refuge in just seven months.
- In order to cater to the family's needs, the design team made some drastic yet discreet alterations to the home, including reupholstering a sofa and approving changes to the original blueprint with the local historic preservation commission.
- Southern Living magazine showcases this beautifully renovated home, now bursting with family-friendly vibes and indulging homeowners Kim Noland and her children with the perfect place to relax and indulge in their hobbies.
