When a rare teardown property came on the market in Atlanta’s beloved Virginia-Highland neighborhood, Eryn Houck, founder and principal designer of Bellwether Design & Interiors, knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a luxury home renovation in Atlanta. The district, established in the early 1900s, is known for its walkable, tree-lined streets, charming bungalows, and local coffee shops—but true new-build opportunities are nearly unheard of.
Houck and her husband, longtime residents of this Virginia-Highland Atlanta home with their family of six, seized the chance to design a forever home from the ground up. “Everybody takes the top of the roof off and does a second-story addition or builds a carriage house in the back,” Houck explained. “So getting to do new construction as part of a luxury home renovation in a place that we love to live, it was amazing.”
Images: House Beautiful / Photography: Jeff Herr
Wall paint: Salon Drab, by Farrow & Ball. Ceiling paint: Snowbound, by Sherwin-Williams. Iksel Birds Tapestry Mural. Ceiling lights: Etsy. Game table: CFC
A Three-Year Labor of Love
Working with Phoenix Renovations, Houck approached the luxury home renovation project in Atlanta with patience and creativity. The process took over three years, since she balanced client projects with family life. As a result, she had time to “geek out” over every detail and ensure the home truly reflected her family’s personality.
The result is a residence filled with organic textures and natural elements. According to Houck, “Having natural stone, stained wood, or the patina of lacquered brass makes a space more comfortable and tactile.” In addition, these choices translate into a lifestyle that feels relaxed and welcoming in this stunning Virginia-Highland Atlanta home.
Earthy Elegance Meets Everyday Living
The home blends organic modern design with layers of earthy tones and timeless details. For example:
- An antique wood bench in the kitchen grounds the space with rustic charm.
- A limestone fireplace mantel in the living room adds natural sophistication, reminiscent of luxury renovations.
- A hand-carved travertine bathtub in the primary ensuite creates a spa-like retreat.
These tactile details elevate the interiors while providing a backdrop for the Houck family’s collections. In addition, Houck designed built-in shelves and cubbies to showcase treasures from their travels, including pieces from Morocco, one of her most influential design destinations.
To highlight these collections even further, she added hidden lighting within shelving and behind mural wallpaper in the game room. This detail creates warmth and a sense of discovery, epitomizing the style of a luxury home renovation in Atlanta.
A Kitchen Like No Other
Designing a Lifestyle, Not Just a Home
Perhaps the most remarkable customization appears in the kitchen. Houck designed a motorized backsplash that lifts and lowers to connect the main kitchen with the hidden scullery. One side displays a slab of quartzite above the range. The other side features a wall of tile.
With the touch of a button, the backsplash opens like a window. As a result, her husband—the family’s chef—can cook in the scullery while staying connected to the main kitchen. This design not only looks dramatic but also functions perfectly for family life, a true hallmark of luxury home renovation in an Atlanta setting.
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For Houck, the project goes beyond beautiful finishes. Instead, it represents a deeply personal lifestyle. “Interior design is about so much more than color selections and fabrics,” she explains. “Our homes should evoke the lifestyle of the families who live in them.”
In her Virginia-Highland Atlanta dream home, every custom detail—from the limestone mantel to the hidden kitchen window—tells the story of a designer who understands that the best interiors are not just designed—they’re lived in, exemplifying the art of luxury home renovation Atlanta cherishes.
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