Japanese Craftsman - Oakhurst Decatur

As you step onto this wide porch, set high off the street, you have a bird’s eye view of the surrounding neighborhood. This historic three bedroom, two bathroom Craftsman bungalow harkens back to a earlier time with the added benefit of modern conveniences. This home is situated at the highest point of Third Avenue in the desirable Oakhurst community of Decatur. Just a short walk to the colorful Oakhurst Village, which boast shops, eateries, and pubs, this home has it all: stunning curb appeal, spacious flowing rooms, a wide center hallway, luxurious stone finishes, original oak floors, original windows. This is the quintessential Craftsman home.

The mission style details of this home are quite unique, from the hefty Japanese woodwork in the front porch gable to the solid heart of pine coffered beams running through the living and dining rooms. Every piece of original hardware has been polished and put back in place, including the door hardware and the gorgeous restored brass chandeliers. The doors and windows boast wide moldings, the doors to the house are original, and the baseboards are tall and grand. Laughing Sun installed a black architectural shingled roof trimmed with copper flashing, and stripped the chimney of its paint.

As with all of our renovations, we slightly redesigned the flow of this house to optimize the space and create a master suite.

Click on photos or links for larger pictures.

	A new granite retaining wall was constructed along the front to echo the impressive granite foundation and piers of the house. This bungalow boasts a stunning Craftsman porch, with artistic Japanese-influenced gabled woodwork, hefty Craftsman railing, and a wide, vast porch. The original woodwork and railing were discovered underneath yellow vinyl siding and restored. This showy house seemed to demand a deep French red color scheme, with creamy trim, and historic green windows and detailing. We added the century-old front door is solid oak with egg and dart detailing and a beveled glass window. [Top]
	Once inside the living room, you’ll feel welcomed by the heart of pine ceiling beams, stripped of their layers of paint. A lovely tiger oak Craftsman mantel, flat matte original tiles, and diamond-accented fire surround are the focal point of the room. A built-in bookcase to the right of the mantel is the perfect place for artwork, displays, and books. Another striking detail of the room is the abundant nine-over-one original windows, letting light pour into the space. [Top]
	The dining room is located between the kitchen and living room and is open and airy, like the rest of the house. This is definitely a house that begs for entertaining. This bright and sunny room features a fireplace that echoes the living room, with matching oak mantel, mission tiles, and fire screen. Also like the living room, coffered pine beams show off the space. The once-damaged ceiling in this house has been completely rebuilt with new structural framing and new sheetrock. Click here to see a close up picture of this gorgeous original chandelier. [Top]
	Polished stone, in the form of white Venetino marble and Verde Butterfly granite gleam next to stainless steel appliances and natural maple cabinets. A curvy custom island is sculpted of maple and marble with a solid maple post allowing room for bar stools. The kitchen has abundant storage, from the generous amount of cabinets to the large island. A maple plate rack, lazy Susan, stainless sink, recessed lighting, and a lovely stained glass Mission-style chandelier combine to create an ideal space for the serious cook. [Top]
	On the right of the spacious hallway is the first of the bedrooms. This large sunny room still has its original, crackle-glazed cream white fireplace tiles, and a vintage, refinished oak mantel. We replaced all the plaster with sheetrock, stripped and refinished the mantel, and cleaned the old tiles of paint. Finally, the firebox was rebuilt and re-supported. [Top]
	At the end of the hallway is the second bedroom. When we began work, this room was covered in dark knotty pine paneling, skinny brick moldings, and aluminum windows. It was likely remodeled in the 1950's. The paneling was high quality, so we left it but painted it a neutral wall color. The moldings we replaced with beefy Craftsman molding and the aluminum windows were replaced with solid wood historic-styled windows. A flimsy hollow core back door was replaced with a vintage cypress door with beveled glass insert, painted antique white. [Top]
	The roomy bathroom was originally in much disrepair. The floor was rotted, as is common in old houses. The original pedestal tub needed desperate attention. We gutted the interior and sent the tub away for serious body work. Now this bathroom is beautiful black and white checkerboard tile with a new reproduction pedestal sink, and reglazed and repaired tub with gleaming chrome Victorian telephone faucet. A laundry room is tucked into a spare corner of the bath, separated by bifold doors. [Top]
	The master bedroom was fraught with structural problems when we purchased this house. We began by replacing all the joists and several of studs. The addition of new framing, new oak flooring, new walls, reproduction windows, and a brass chandelier infused this room with a definite warmth. [Top]
	Tucked off the corner of the master bedroom is the sumptuous master bath, done completely in beige marble. When we purchased the home, this space was being used to store the water heater (it was originally a side porch). In order to convert the space into true living space, it needed to be completely demolished and rebuilt. To bring in additional light without sacrificing privacy, we installed a circa 1910 diamond window transom high in the shower. We brought in an antique medicine cabinet, a reproduction sink, glass shower doors, beaded board with chair rail, and double shower heads. A large walk-in closet was built into the room to complete the master suite. [Top]
	The back yard came with a run-down garage: partially missing roof, missing cinder blocks, and other problems. We repaired and re-shingled the roof, completed masonry repairs on the structure, and poured a cement pad on the floor. At the request of the buyers, we installed hot and cold plumbing, electrical, and custom-built Amish style garage doors. To complete the back yard, we installed a wood stockade privacy fence, a cement drive, and a lovely brick patio. The patio was created with the original brick from the house. [Top]

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email: paula@laughingsun.com