2008 Tour Homes

369 North Peachtree Street – The Duke House
230 Lake Drive – The Triebert House
73 Williams Street – The Barnes House
238 Wingo Street – The Kent House
442 North Peachtree Street – The Ray House

369 North Peachtree Street – The Duke House

This lovely home is set along one of Historic Norcross’ signature walkable streets. The simple Craftsman design dates from the 1890s, and features whimsical gingerbread trim adorning the gables. Many original features of the house remain: heart pine floors, plaster walls, deep trim with bull’s eyes around every door and window. Julie’s anaglyptic wallpaper complements the 12-foot ceilings and the interior doors with their brass and glass hardware. Four uniquely crafted mantels frame the fireplaces, and the original front door still has its charming, old, turn-style bell.

In the late spring of 2000, Julie decided she wanted to return to downtown Norcross. Her first restoration effort was the William McElroy House near Flint Hill (look for the picture on display in her home). A neighbor knew this house was going to be available and arranged for Julie to take a peek. The owners named their price, which Julie accepted and they shook hands (as folks do in Norcross!), exchanged a modest amount of earnest money, and then waited a year before moving. Julie moved into the home in August 2001, and has restored the property in stages over the last seven years.

For the previous 15 years, Betty and Harold Walker had lovingly repaired and maintained the wonderfully historic house. During their ownership, the original kitchen was moved across the house into a new addition. It was intended to divide the house into 2 parts, to create a small 3-room suite for Betty’s mother. The mother-in-law suite contained a sitting room in the wraparound porch location and Julie incorporated the Walker’s changes into her plans.

Visitors will enjoy an especially warm and inviting feeling as they tour this home, beginning on the roomy front porch. There are cozy rockers that beg you to stay and “sit a spell”. The interior offers a feminine flair with cabbage rose wallpaper in the dining room, a lovely butler’s pantry, and a ladies’ parlor. The details that enrich this home span four generations of Julie’s family – with hand-stitched quilts made of work shirt scraps, and table toppers pieced by her 80-year-old mother. The maple Welch table in the family gathering room belonged to her great-great grandmother and is a treasure Julie proudly says, “came over on the boat!” Julie is also proud of the photo collage of her family in the master bedroom – there is even a picture of her grandmother’s home on Atlanta’s Piedmont Avenue.

The original kitchen area is now a large family gathering room, which Julie enlarged by removing an old leaking bathroom and a pantry. The home shared some of its memories when the old flooring underneath revealed buttermilk painted floors and a dip that had been simply patched with old newspaper! Once removed, this gem turned out to be the entire society section of the Atlanta Journal, Sunday July 25th, 1926, which Julie keeps on display. Please enjoy this and other treasures on this sentimental journey through the Duke House.

230 Lake Drive – The Triebert House

Lake Drive features characteristics of a wide range of lots and homes found throughout Historic Norcross. Thus, in 2002, Mike and Sherry Triebert worked with a local developer to specifically blend the Craftsman-style architecture of their new home with several of these already-existing homes. The facade was purposely designed to look small so that the structure did not overwhelm its neighbors – what is so surprising is that their “small” home has six bedrooms and four bathrooms!

The Trieberts note that many houses built in the area since their construction have repeated the Craftsman period theme and resulted in a renaissance of home ownership in the Lake Drive and Ruth Street niche. Recognizing the uniqueness of the area, the Norcross City Council recently included Lake Drive as part of the newly named “Hopewell Woods” character areas in the city’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan. The Triebert’s home is just a short walk from the activities and amenities of downtown Norcross. Approaching the home, visitors will see that the concrete sidewalk changes to a weathered flagstone walk. The beautifully landscaped grounds, pergola and other stonework blend into a welcoming and relaxing outdoor ambience, representing the talents of the Triebert’s son, landscape architect Jeremy Owens.

After arriving on the porch, visitors enter through the plank front door and are immediately impressed with the Brazilian Cherry floors, and the rich, organic tones of the interior. Sherry expresses her artistic skills through pottery and several pieces are on display during the tour, including handmade Christmas candle holders and other holiday items. Mike’s creative side is seen in the custom furniture he created, located in the guest bedroom and living room. The main living floor features a bedroom and office, an expansive family room, and an inviting screened back porch. Mike’s handiwork is also seen in the fully functional outdoor kitchen next to the porch. The Triebert’s serene master suite completes the living quarters and is located at the rear corner of the main level.

Upstairs, Sherry and Mike have created a music room, displaying Mike’s guitars, artwork and a real treat – fiddles that belonged to Sherry’s father. The upstairs bedroom is finished in bright colors – Sherry and Mike call it “the boys’ room.” Traveling back downstairs visitors pass through the kitchen with granite counter tops, modern appliance appointments and eye-catching knotty pine cabinets.

Please brace yourself for the downstairs! Mike designed and built the game room as a replica of an English pub bar. Note his handiwork in the wooden ceiling and stained glass features. No one can resist a closer look at the large PEZ collection (several varieties are from overseas) and note the Olympic opening ceremony memorabilia and authentic relay torches. The blue seats on the side wall actually came from the 1996 Olympic Stadium. The almost-hidden sixth bedroom contains one of the Triebert’s most treasured pieces – an elegant player grand piano that originally belonged to Sherry’s mother.

Sherry and Mike have masterfully created a new home to complement Norcross’ historic charm. Though the paint and architectural materials are fresh, the results blend so well with the older houses in the area that you can almost believe their home has already been lived in and well-loved for many decades.

73 Williams Street – The Barnes House

Gracious architecture and rich interiors celebrate the tradition of this classic Williamsburg Southern style home, which differs from the craftsman style of other Tour homes. Built on land originally part of the retirement estate for Colonel Clifford Jones, Sr., a decorated World War I veteran and a longtime resident of Norcross, the theme of the neighborhood includes time-honored automobile alley access and expansive front porches. The Barnes home looks like it has been in place since the early 1900s, yet it was built using modern energy-efficient materials. Their goal was to build a home that would complement the Historic Norcross setting, but also provide the wonderful conveniences available today. As you approach the Barnes home you will see the original Colonel Jones “wishing well” that is located in a small park-like setting across from the main entrance. Coming closer to the home’s entrance, notice how Joann and Ed have used Japanese Maples and other landscape art (note the miniature steam engine on the mailbox) to draw visitor’s eyes toward the inviting front door.

Entering the house, an over-sized foyer beckons into the family room with its 14-foot ceiling. The double French doors and dormer windows allow light to flood the entrance area and throughout, traditional oak flooring complements the heavy Williamsburg trim. Joann’s office is housed in the 4th bedroom area to your immediate right. On the left, an expansive chef’s kitchen and breakfast dining area host Joann’s wonderful collection of roosters – she believes there are over 100 examples in this section of the house! Before going upstairs, notice how the interior design allows for beautiful views through the front and back, toward the patio garden.

Christmas trees (with their 52 years’ worth of family ornaments) are displayed both upstairs and downstairs and visitors will also see how Joann’s passion for books and artwork is expressed throughout the upstairs landing. Ask one of the tour docents to allow you a peek at Ed’s “upstairs basement” storage area. This multipurpose storage room supports many functions for the Barnes household. The two bright and airy guest bedrooms are frequently occupied by grandchildren and provide privacy for guests as well.

Back downstairs, a couple of treasures on display are Joann’s great-grandmother’s “Flow Blue” Buffalo Pottery Pitcher, shelved in the family room, and the Steuben crystal bowl, placed on the dining room table, memorializing Ed and Joann’s 50th wedding anniversary. This bowl was signed by party guests using a silver-handled diamond stylus. The master bedroom suite is tucked away on the quiet corner of the house and is surprisingly large and expansive.

In another corner, guests will see how Ed and Joann access the best of both indoor and outdoor worlds – a private sun porch and a quiet patio garden. The garden is typically filled with beautiful perennials and annuals as well as accent sculptures and outdoor art. For visitors who relish the beauty of a more formal decorating style, while appreciating the relaxed comfort of a well-loved home, this stop on the Tour will provide a special treat.

238 Wingo Street – The Kent House

New and vibrant life has been breathed into this charming Craftsman cottage. Built in 1859, property deed records only go back to 1907, when fire destroyed parts of city hall, including all records prior to 1870. However, other historical documents indicate this home may be the oldest structure on this year’s tour, and one of the oldest in Norcross. No doubt, it has a great heart and an ageless charm, and has witnessed many years of change in this little railroad town; the street it is on was even once called Railroad Street.

One proposed change that thankfully never occurred, was the plan to demolish four homes along Wingo Street, including this one, in order to relocate the public works maintenance shed. However, Norcross’ efforts to revitalize its history were rewarded when a local developer stepped in and proposed an alternative, called “Wingo Street Cottages.” Two of the salvageable structures were left standing, and new Craftsman-style cottages built, surrounding a community courtyard. According to Chelsea, “Before I even walked in, I told my husband ‘I think I want to buy that house’. Of course, he thought I was joking. But I fell in love with the front porch right away and the potential that the house had. I also LOVED the idea of a project. I have a real passion for decorating and you cannot beat the charming intricacies of a historical home as a clean slate. When I saw the plans for the community, it seemed like something out of a storybook.”

As you climb the porch steps, please note the original brick, wood accents, columns and siding on the quaint exterior. Accent colors were selected from historical palettes and the flowers are from the Clarke’s own company – Chelsea Floral Designs. Inside, note the bright shutter windows that filter sunshine into the kitchen and dining areas. Old paint scraped off the exteriors revealed the original glass, still present in most of panes. In order to keep the windows and still maximize kitchen storage, Chelsea chose creative drawers and slide-out shelves, making the renovated chef’s galley-style space very functional. Nearby, Dave’s degree from the Royal Academy of Music is put to work on the piano his great-grandfather purchased from the John Broadwood and Sons (Ca 1868) company.

Because the house is small, Chelsea and David had to be creative to make their charming home more functional for their modern lifestyle. The front bedroom and original bath opening was removed, creating the master suite at the rear of the house. The corner fireplaces are original. The Clarkes divided what was a very long room into their master suite, adding a walk-in closet and master bath featuring beadboard, a skylight, travertine & granite countertops with his and her sinks. The center hallway, arched door, laundry closet and third bedroom/office were added create a full three bedroom, two bath home. The original architectural detail that gives this home its special appeal has been carefully restored, and given its own sense of statement. Dave and Chelsea are rightfully proud of their home and what its history means to the fabric of Norcross. Without a doubt, this house offers a fresh energy and delightful décor that makes every visitor’s day a little brighter!

442 North Peachtree Street – The Ray House

Pam and Jeff Hopper have added their own inimitable imprint to this two story treasure that combines elements of Victorian and Craftsman architecture. It’s believed that originally, Tom Ray, a prominent citizen of Norcross and president of the Southern Harness and Leather Company, built this home after moving the smaller, original family farm house to an adjacent lot. During renovation, the expansive front porch required re-creation of one of the wooden columns and missing bricks were reclaimed from the backyard to match the foundation bases. The Hoppers were careful to choose period colors that complemented the original stained glass front window.

This attention to preserving authentic historic detail is maintained throughout the home, and when coupled with the Hopper’s wonderful sense of eclectic interior design, creates an overall ambience that is altogether classic, whimsical and sophisticated.You will be amazed at the lavishly appointed, hand-crafted trim seen throughout, which required extensive effort to refurbish after years and years of thick overlay paint. The original pocket doors were repaired and carefully restored, and each room decorated with a personality and charm that embraces both the past and the personality of a fun-filled, modern family lifestyle. During the 1970’s, the previous owner split the house into an apartment dwelling, so during the Hopper’s restoration effort, walls had to be removed to regain access to the dramatic stairway. Six coal-burning fireplaces (some of which still work!) originally provided heat throughout the house and many still have their original period tiles. After viewing the living room and foyer, note the downstairs bath that houses a restored claw foot tub, a relic that has been part of the house since it was first built. Note that door knobs and escutcheon plates are the original copper versions as well. Upstairs, and separating the children’s rooms from the master suite, is a parlor that houses the other beautiful leaded glass window in the home. Pam and Jeff installed new plumbing and electrical infrastructure to support their master suite construction, making the upstairs very livable while still retaining the charm of the trim and architecture. While every inch of living space offers a delightfully creative palette of color and texture and decorative detail, Pam is especially proud of her grandmother’s chair which has taken its place on the upstairs landing.

Returning downstairs to the dining room visitors will see Pam and Jeff’s continued attention to the ornate details this home so proudly exhibits. Just off the dining area is the butler’s pantry that was once a patients’ entrance installed by one of the home’s previous owners, Dr. W. W. Puett. Though Dr. Puett’s main office was located in the Kent building downtown, he also saw patients in this home.

The Hoppers combined three rooms to create their kitchen, breakfast nook and laundry area. They retained the original stove chimney wall and restored a large period farm sink for use in the kitchen. Pam displays her grandmother’s hand-painted drinking glass collection over the sink as a reminder of simpler times. Modern appliances and counter tops have been added but, consistent with the rest of the home, the Hopper’s additions only complement and celebrate the beauty of this wonderfully historic home.