Studio Giana reimagined this 1920s Colonial kitchen in Atlanta’s historic Druid Hills, breathing new life into the space with a modern yet timeless design. Collaborating closely with longtime clients to create a spacious culinary haven and a 500-square-foot covered patio she perfectly balanced modern functionality with the home’s historic charm. Photographed by Elizabeth Granger, this project celebrates the beauty of thoughtful renovation.
From the designer… In the heart of Atlanta’s historic Druid Hills neighborhood, a 1920s gem has been given new life through a thoughtful and expansive renovation. This grand home, with its original yellow brick, terracotta tile roof, and imposing columns, presented a unique challenge: how to preserve its historic charm while meeting the needs of modern living. As the lead designer on this project, I was tasked with reimagining the kitchen and other areas of the home. The transformation was dramatic – a cramped, 300-square-foot eat-in kitchen blossomed into a stunning 700-square-foot culinary haven, complemented by a new 500-square-foot covered patio.
This project was a departure from my usual work, allowing me to explore the intricacies of historic renovations. The clients, whom I’ve known for nearly a decade, placed their trust in my vision for their home’s expansion. Our collaboration was intensive, involving numerous meetings, walkthroughs, and iterations. The process, from conception to final installation, spanned over a year and a half.
In creating this kitchen, we focused on several key areas. Highly custom cabinets were paired with a large marble waterfall island, creating a modern appeal while drawing inspiration from the home’s original colonial roots. We designed a custom pantry featuring contrasting white oak drawers, a salvaged pocket door, and vintage hardware both found and collected by the client. A separate custom bar top with matte Bohemian Gray quartzite houses a hidden ice maker, while an adjacent floor-to-ceiling china cabinet made from walnut and reeded glass adds elegance to the space. We also renovated the existing butler’s pantry by refinishing the cabinets, adding tile, applying a silk grasscloth wall covering on the ceiling, and updating the lighting and hardware.
Unusually, the client himself took on the roles of project manager and contractor. His extensive experience in commercial real estate renovations throughout Atlanta, coupled with his can-do attitude, proved invaluable. This unique arrangement allowed for a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in such a project, from permitting to the final touches.
The project’s most significant hurdle was sourcing and installing large limestone slabs for the kitchen, patio, and outdoor pathways. We faced several obstacles: dealing with different subfloor heights required two limestone products of varying thicknesses; the exact amount of limestone needed for the kitchen arrived with significant breakage, necessitating careful selection of undamaged pieces; and installers, despite being recommended as experts, made errors that required correction. These challenges underscored the importance of adaptability and problem-solving in design projects, especially when working with historical properties. This project reinforced the value of patience, flexibility, and clear communication in design work. It also highlighted the benefits of having clients deeply involved in the process, as it fosters a greater appreciation for the intricacies of high-quality renovations.
The final result is a testament to the power of collaboration, perseverance, and vision. The expanded kitchen and new patio seamlessly blend modern functionality with the home’s historic character, creating a space that honors its past while embracing the present.
Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Studio Giana · Photography: Elizabeth Granger Photography · Architect: Francis Kirkpatrick
