Nan Haverty sells the HGTV Green Home in Serenbe!

Nan Haverty sold the HGTV Green Home at Serenbe!  She is a co-founder of the Serenbe community nestled in the woods of the Chattahoochee Hill Country, recently incorporated into its own city, and now recognized as the greenest city in the United States.

I went down to shoot the house right before Christmas and was so impressed!

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The idea behind the home, designed by Kemp Hall Studios, was to create a "modern farmhouse."

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This is the formal entry.

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I love these stairs.  They reminded me of the stairway in the vampire's house from Twilight (amazing modern home).

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The kitchen is located in the heart of the home.  The cabinets are made of Hickory wood and were constructed in Atlanta.  The kitchen was designed by interior designer Linda Woodrum.  The dining area flows seamlessly into the living room.

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The tile is a mixture of travertine and glass, and the floating display shelves make the space really interesting (see right side of this photo).

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I love the wood slat walls here...

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and all the natural light from the sliding glass doors that open to an outdoor sitting area.

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This is a view from the porch into the kitchen.  Sliding doors throughout the home make it feel much larger than it is and make it an indoor/outdoor space.

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The patio off of the kitchen offers an open air space for grilling and eating.

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To the left you can see the doors to the kitchen, and to the right you can see a large family room.

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I love the fireplace in the family room, because on a day like today you could have the doors open and the fire going.  It serves as both a glassed in and open porch.

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This orange study located on the main level is right up my alley.  I love the interior design.

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The master bedroom is located on the main level.  It opens to a fenced in area with lounge chars and the cutest dog house I've ever seen.

Can you see Nan's cute little dog, Channing, who joined us for the photo shoot?

He got tired and decided to take a snooze in this custom-built dog house.

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Finally we end up in the master bath with a walk-in dual shower and Carrera marble.

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and this art area/children's work station is built into the hallway leading to an additional bedroom.

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This cool bunk room is at the other end of the hall.  Since I was curious, I climbed right up to the top up there, where there was a tv with a PlayStation, two beanbags and of course the pail attached to a string for snacks.  I got so jealous.  I would love to hang out up there!

Congratulations to Nan Haverty for selling this amazing HGTV Green Home.  She was Beacham & Company's  Top Individual Agent Company-Wide in 2011.  Nan has a "Town and Country" approach. Whether you are buying or selling a starter home, lot to build a custom house, large estate, intown condo or townhome, Nan has the expertise to service all your particular interests and needs.  Nan utilizes a global network of listings and highly qualified buyers allowing her to perfectly match exceptional properties with the people who will take refuge within them. Understanding Town and Country living makes her unique.

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Now, you can WIN a Matouk candle AND a Matouk Bath Bar from Gramercy Fine Linens.

Buckhead bedding boutique, Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings, has partnered with luxury linen master Matouk to open the first-ever pop-up shop in Atlanta’s bustling Westside Provisions District.

Matouk by Gramercy Home, is a collaborative temporary boutique located in the former Ann Mashburn space, featuring bedding, bath and tabletop accessories by Matouk along with a well edited mix of gifts and monogramming services by Gramercy. The pop-up shop will remain open throughout the holiday season until February 2013.

The pop-up shop will be located at 1198 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318 and will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.shopgramercy.com.

You need to go today!  I have this "White Garden"candle and "White Garden Bath Bar" right in front of me, and they smell amazing!  I'm so tempted to keep them for myself, but I will give them to one lucky reader.

To win, click here and tell me which room in the HGTV Green Home that Nan Haverty sold is your FAVORITE.

Contest ends 1/10/13 at 12PM EST.

Thank you all, and good luck!

Home Alone House + Something's Gotta Give House = Perfection

Take a look at these beautiful pictures of Jo Ellen Bradley's new listing at 3201 Rilman Road.  I photographed the house a few weeks ago and told the owner I thought it was the perfect marriage of two of my favorite movie houses.  It reminded me of the house from Home Alone + the house from Somethings Gotta Give, which is about the best complement I can give. 3201 Rilman01-cropped

I thought about the house from Home Alone as soon as I pilled up to the driveway.

Can you see the similarity, or am I crazy?

Here's a picture of it in the middle of the day.  I know it's not exactly the same, but there are some similarities.  To me, this house represents all the great things about Christmas and family and love.  Who wouldn't want to live in a house just like that?

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When I got to the beautiful kitchen and family room area it reminded me of the Somethings Gotta Give House.  That's also one of my favorite movie houses of all time.  I know it's not exactly the same, but I love the palette of blue and white.

See the similarities?

Before I let you go, you have to look at the backyard on 3201 Rilman.  It might be the best back yard in the city!

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This is the sitting area inside the pool house.  It has a place for a large TV, so it would be perfect for watching football.

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Isn't that beautiful?

Well, until tomorrow...

Remember to enter the giveaway for the Verde gift certificate!

Also...  Enter to win $100 Gift Certificate to The Home Depot.

Or enter to win this pillow!

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Best Restaurants in Atlanta (Part 2)

It's time for the next 5 restaurants.  Yea! 1. Ok Cafe.

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Duh.  Ok Cafe is so great.  You can go in there and get a warm, Southern, home-cooked meal at any time.  There's also a sweet money tree.  As I previously posted, I'm a sucker for a veggie plate, and the one at OK is the best in town.  Personal highlights include: corn that's cut off the cob by hand, field peas, fried green tomatoes, green beans and corn muffins.  The peanut gallery also suggested that the fried mac and cheese and fried cheese grit apps are must have items.

The three of us in the marketing office hit up the OK Cafe salad bar at least 3x a week.  We eat a lot of hand-carved turkey, veggie soup and Brunswick Stew. #okcafe4ever

2. Woodfire Grill

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I've had a huge crush on Kevin Gillespie ever since I saw him on Top Chef incorporating chocolate dipped bacon into his dessert. #fatkid

He was actually manning the grill the first night I went to Woodfire Grill, which may be why it was so enjoyable.  I kept looking over there so often he finally offered to sign my menu (I keep it in a glass case in my living room... not kidding).  Their menu changes nightly and features local organic ingredients and lots of bacon.  #love

3. Salt Factory Pub

 

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Jimmy and I love Salt Factory.  It's up on the square in Roswell.  Remember when we went there last year and I discovered the perfect glass of wine?  The first thing I ever ate there was the cheese plate.  It was hands down the best cheese plate I've ever eaten.  The cheese comes with caramelized onions and whole grain mustard that will knock your socks off!  The French onion soup is amazing as well.

While you wait you can walk around to all the little art galleries.  It's a great way to spend a Friday night.

4. Flip

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For my money, Flip has the best burger in town.  I love the chorizo and fried egg burger the best.  They also have great fries and sweet potato tots.

I know a lot of people feel like there are better burgers around ATL... and I'm open to the arguments.  Hamburgers are so amazing...  5 Guys is incredible   You just can't beat those fries, and the put A1 on the burgers.  I have a slight (large) obsession with A1.   The Holeman & Finch 10 PM burger might be the best burger in Atlanta, but I just can't wait until 10 PM to have dinner (yes, I do know that have them at Brunch...)   Farm Burger? Great.  All I'm saying that if it's 12 PM and someone asks me to go get a burger, I'm going to suggest Flip.  There you have it.

Notes from the peanut gallery: Yeah! Burger, Canyon Burger, US Cafe and The Vortex have great burgers as well.

5. Cakes & Ale

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I've only been to Cakes & Ale twice, but both times the food was exceptional.

It's the perfect date spot.  They recently moved to the Decatur square and split the restaurant into the dining area and the bakery.  It's fun to go have a glass of wine in the bakery while you wait for a table.  The servers are out of this world, and I recommend listening to their suggestions.

That's it!  My top 10 favorite restaurants in the ATL.  To read the first half of my list please click here.

I'm happy to expound upon this topic, so please feel free to send me any and all suggestions.

 

-Blayne

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My Favorite Atlanta Restaurants Part 1... (3 are gluten free!!)

Here's a list of places that make me happy to live in Atlanta :) 1. The Sundial Restaurant

I LOVE the Sundial!  It's located at the top of the Westin in downtown Atlanta, and I've been going there since I was a child.  You can see all the way to Stone Mountain, which is such a treat for a little kid!

Recently I introduced Jimmy to the Sundial, and he loved it too.  There's something about sipping a White Russian while taking a 360° spin around the skyline that just says "Welcome to Atlanta!"

To be 100% honest, I've never eaten there... so perhaps this deserves the title of my favorite bar in Atlanta...

2. Watershed on Peachtree

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Ever since 6th grade I've had a fairly fanatical obsession with The Indigo Girls.  Galileo had me at first listen, and the CDs have been staples in my car ever since.  When they opened Watershed here in Atlanta, I was desperate to go.  While I loved the Decatur location, I have to say that the new Peachtree location is much better.  It's closer to my house, and I love the design.  I've heard the fried chicken is out of this world, but I was delighted with my gluten free veggie plate as well.  The servers are wonderfully knowledgeable about which items are gluten free and which can be made gluten free, which is so refreshing.  Jimmy's taking me there for dinner tonight... lucky me!

3. Sophie's Uptown

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Sophie's is a cute little cafe/bakery on Pharr Road.  They publish a gluten free menu every day that includes quiches, soups and even sandwiches.  I whole heartedly recommend the tomato soup (ask for an extra pack of Saltines).  The sandwich was good, but I'm not a huge fan of gluten free bread.  I have to say though, sometimes you just need a sandwich.  They also donate to homeless pets, which makes me feel good about eating there.

4. Houston's 

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If you don't like Houston's you don't like Atlanta.  I'm serious.  Every time you go to Houston's you know what you're going to get.  Here's a list of the absolute best things at Houston's in case you live in a hole:  Spinach dip, French Dip, chicken fingers + fries + colesalw, salad with the chicken fingers on it (forget the name), crab cakes, vegetable plate, Hickory Burger, tortilla soup, grilled artichoke, bbq chicken.  FYI, I just asked Lindley (my bff) what her favorite things were at Houston's. She launched into a list that included the grilled chicken salad subbing in chicken fingers and the sleeper favorite smoked salmon, which nobody ever gets because you'd be a fool not to order the the spinach dip or artichoke heart.  Kids who were raised in Atlanta and went to Westminster love Houston's as much UGA grads like the Bulldogs.  It's a thing.  By the way... if you go there and tell them you are gluten free they will make you almost anything on the menu gluten free.... except the chicken fingers, which crushed a little piece of my soul.

5. Nuevo Loreado

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Lindley and I love Mexican food more than anything.  When we lived together at UGA we would go to the La Parilla on Prince at least 5 times a week (sometimes twice a day if we just had to).  We would go to the drug store next door and buy gossip magazines.  Then we would go in to La Parilla and order two giant mugs of beer in the frostiest glasses you've ever seen.  We'd spend at least 45 minutes drinking our beers and eating bean dip before we ordered our taco salads (her's with no cheese... we were on weight watchers, of course).  The whole experience would take at least two hours, but the servers never said anything to us because we were probably their best customers.  Though we left Athens at least 15 lbs heavier, we also left with holes in our hearts that no frosty beer or taco salad could ever fill... not to say we haven't tried.  We've probably tried every mexican restaurant in the city, and we rate them all... though that's a different blog post for a different day.  Suffice it to say we like Nuevo Loreado the best.  They have the best salsa and the best taco salads.  I know some of you are jumping out of your chair because I didn't say Jalisco's, but give me a break... I like what I like.  The salsa at Jalisco's is a touch too hot, and I can't go in there wearing pajama pants and a sweat shirt because I'll run into like 30 people I know.  Last night Lindley and I went over to Nuevo Loreado, and I carried a little plastic bag of gluten free chips.  My Bud Light bottle was cold, but it was no frosty mug.  At the end of the day I say if you can't drive to Athens, you're best option is to hit up Nuevo Loreado.  As a side note, be careful wearing you're pajamas because you'll most likely see someone you know ;)

Tomorrow I'll work on finishing the list.  Have a great night everybody!

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