LANDSCAPE LIGHTING CONTEST WINNERS

(770) 513-1536 • www.outdooradvantagellc.com • Photos courtesy of Ellen McRaney

This project, designed and built by Outdoor Advantage at a home in Dacula, is a one-of-a-kind, to-scale mini replica of Sanford Stadium. It is equipped with field goal posts, pylons, turf, a custom painted “G”, a custom field bench, an observation deck, custom lighting, field lights as well as a playground area. It took the company nearly two months to complete the transformation, which is a football haven for the homeowner’s young son inspired by his favorite college team’s iconic stadium. The biggest challenges were preparing the existing landscape with a total regrade as well as installing a custom drainage system for the turf and the more than 60-fixture low-voltage and high-voltage lighting system to showcase and illuminate the field at night.

2nd Place Best Landscape Lighting
MOSAIC GROUP [ARCHITECTS AND REMODELERS]

LIVING ROOM REMODEL CONTEST WINNER

Winner of Best Living Room
TERRI ERVIN, DECORATING DEN INTERIORS

2nd Place Best Outdoor Living Space
MOSAIC GROUP [ARCHITECTS AND REMODELERS]

(770) 670-6022 • www.mosaicgroupatlanta.com • Photos courtesy of Gregg Willett Photography

Large raised planters, which were three or four feet taller than the existing deck, obstructed the view of the pool from this John’s Creek home. The goal of MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers] was to make a visual connection between these elements. The homeowners also wanted a dedicated area for grilling and a covered structure because the area gets a lot of sun.

The solution was a covered porch, but the roofline of the new outdoor structure posed a significant challenge. To attach the structure to the exterior of the home, a window in the master bathroom had to be raised, which created more privacy without decreasing the amount of natural light in the space. Downstairs, the dining room windows were replaced with French doors, giving access to the new outdoor living area.

Anchoring the new outdoor structure is a durable, custom-built countertop for dining and passing items through to the kitchen inside. The space also includes an outdoor fireplace, a sitting area with TV, low-maintenance PVC floors and an open-air grilling deck. With a clear view of the backyard now in sight, all that was needed was stone detailing around the existing pool and spa.

3rd Place Best Outdoor Living Space
LEISURE TIME DECKS

This large, open Marietta deck was replaced from the ground up with a beautiful new covered porch. PVC columns and arches were added for visual appeal. The flooring is stained No.1-grade pressure-treated pine, while the railing is painted No.1-grade pressure-treated pine—both are fastened with stainless steel screws.

WHOLE HOUSE REMODEL CONTEST WINNERS

Winner of Best Whole House Remodel
REGENTS RENOVATION COMPANY

(678) 259-9292 • www.regentsrenovation.com • Contributing designers/contractors: Roderick Cloud, architect
Photos courtesy of Kevin Cooper

This whole-house remodel in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta expanded the original floor plan from 1,200 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet on just a half-acre lot. A second story, rear addition with backyard deck, basement and two-car garage were all added during the project, which was designed and built by Regents Renovation Company. Situated on an east-facing lot, the back of the home offers views of the adjacent golf course as well as the morning sunrise, which can be seen from several rooms in the house, including a new balcony that was built off the master bedroom.

The home’s long, narrow lot proved to be a challenge during the design phase. The team had to come up with a solution to keep the architecture proportional—despite the home’s length being more than twice the width. Plus, the home’s original layout—foundation and load-bearing walls included—had to be preserved to stay on budget. Thus, the second-story addition was built directly on top of the existing walls of the main level of the home, and the basement and garage were placed under a new rear addition, which required the ground to be excavated 6-8 feet for adequate clearance. Three 24-inch-by-25-foot laminated beams were used to support the now three-story Craftsman-style home, and additional laminated beams were used throughout the rear addition to create an open floor plan. Other home features include: spray-foam insulation on the roofline, a whole-house (including outdoor area) sound system, heated marble floors in the master bath and a home security system.

2nd Place Best Whole House Remodel
REGENTS RENOVATION COMPANY

(678) 259-9292 • www.regentsrenovation.com • Contributing designers/contractors: Roderick Cloud, architect
Photos courtesy of Kevin Cooper

This whole-house remodel located in Buckhead was completed in 2009 and expanded the original 1,500 square-foot ranch-style home to almost 5,000 square feet, including a second-story and rear addition. The homeowner did not want to demolish and do new construction due to changes in zoning and setbacks, but wanted to stay in the location because of the nice lot and school district. The solution was a whole-house remodel by Regents Renovation Company.

In order to meet the homeowner’s needs, major structural work had to be done to prepare the home. To support the weight of a second story, the foundation of the original home had to be lifted and 12 more piers added—all from within a crawlspace of just a few feet high. Another challenge was configuring the garage and driveway so that the garage did not face the street, as requested by the homeowner. The finished home includes five bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms, allowing each of the family’s four kids to have their own room and bathroom plus their own hobby space and media room.

3rd Place Best Whole House Remodel
MOSAIC GROUP [ARCHITECTS AND REMODELERS]

The owners of this Williamsburg reproduction home in Sandy Springs, built in 1968, wanted a family-friendly environment where they also could entertain. An updated floor plan was needed to meet their needs, and MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers] began by removing the walls of the laundry room, the vestibule and the kitchen to create one large room. Because these were load-bearing walls, structural beams were added, which provided the infrastructure and opportunity for coffered ceilings. An updated kitchen and power room and rear addition with laundry/pantry space and mudroom entry highlight the remodel.

Meet the Judges of the 2012 Best Before and After Contest

BARBARA ENGLISH, CEO, To The Trade Only (www.tothetradeonly.com)	LENIA PILKONIS, CKD, CBD, RID, marketing manager and design consultant, Cowan Supply (www.cowansupply.com)	WALTER REEVES, garden expert (www.walterreeves.com)	KYLE STURTEVANT, project manager, Trewin Homes (www.trewin homes.com)