Nestled in the tree-lined Sagamore Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, this mid-century modern beauty had all the right bones but was but was ready for thoughtful updates to better fit the homeowners’ lifestyle. Led by Interior Designer and Architect Jessica Flake of Copper Sky Design + Remodel, the renovation brought new life to the home while honoring its original character. The result is a bright, functional space that celebrates everything that made the house special in the first place.
The kitchen was a big priority for this renovation. The original layout made it nearly impossible for two people to cook together, and a wall of upper cabinets blocked the view to the backyard. With a low decorative ceiling grid hanging overhead, the space felt cramped and dismal.
We reimagined the layout to open the kitchen to the living and dining areas, using the home’s striking central fireplace as a natural anchor. The new design creates a smooth flow between rooms and makes the kitchen feel like part of the social heart of the home. Sunlight from the rear windows now pours in, and the whole space feels bright, inviting, and connected.
Before After
The home originally had a small one-car garage and workshop that were separated from the main house by an open-air breezeway. The space was too tight for modern vehicles, so the homeowners decided to turn it into something much more practical for their lifestyle.
We enclosed the breezeway and divided the old garage into two spaces: a new mudroom and storage room. The mudroom, also doubling as a pantry, gives the family a stylish and functional everyday entry, while the storage space keeps things organized and out of sight.
Before After
One of the home’s defining features is its large central fireplace, which divides the open floor plan. We used it as a design focal point, letting it create a sense of boundary while still keeping the overall layout open and flowing.
Looking back at the home’s original plans, we discovered a decorative screen wall that had been removed sometime in its history. That detail became the inspiration for the new wood screen wall that now separates the kitchen from the den. It adds texture and warmth while maintaining a visual connection between the two spaces. Above the kitchen counter, we added suspended open shelving to showcase the homeowner’s impressive collection of vintage glassware and pottery.
For the primary bathroom, the homeowners wanted to keep the original footprint and window while giving the space a fresh, modern feel. We moved the shower to the exterior wall, allowing a custom double vanity to take center stage.
The vanity was inspired by the Broyhill Brasilia furniture line that was popular when the home was first built. Its sculptural curves even influenced the selection of the shower wall tile. The pill-shaped tile carries those same lines into the shower, and the dark contrasting grout creates a subtle diamond pattern that nods to the star motifs often found in mid-century design.
The color palette was designed to highlight the home’s exposed wood ceilings while balancing their warmth. Carefully chosen pops of color bring energy and personality to the space without stealing the spotlight from the client’s mid-century furnishings and décor.
Color research was a key part of the process, and we looked to the well-renowned magazine, Atomic Ranch, for inspiration to ensure the palette felt authentic to the period. The homeowners wanted a playful front door that still felt timeless, so we selected a Palm Springs–inspired pink. It complements the natural brick and wood tones of the exterior perfectly and sets the tone for the fun details found inside.
That same pink carries throughout the interior, appearing on the inside of the front doors and on the mudroom cabinet knobs, which are finished with pink leather faces. The color even makes a surprise appearance in the hallway ceiling, tying the design together in a way that feels both bold and cohesive.
The exposed wood ceilings were one of the home’s most beautiful features but also one of the biggest challenges. In homes like this, the wood paneling you see inside is actually the roof decking itself, so there’s no attic space to run new electrical or mechanical systems. Since preserving the open ceiling was a must, our team had to get creative.
We boxed out the white-painted beams just slightly to hide new electrical wiring and lighting. For the mudroom, which sits one step lower than the rest of the house, we used the floor transition landing to conceal HVAC components. This clever move kept the ceilings clean and uninterrupted, preserving the home’s signature open feel.