Druid Hills: Modern Living in a Century-Old Neighborhood

Don’t you love spring? Trees are blooming, perennials are pushing their heads up from winter sleep, and home tours are bursting out all over Atlanta. One of our favorites is the Druid Hills Tour of Homes and Gardens, which is scheduled April 12-14, 2019. The six homes and one garden showcase the work of master architects, interior designers, general contractors, and landscape designers.

The homes include a 1918 traditional home with a small goat farm in the back, a 1923 bungalow whose owners are avid folk art collectors, a 1919 house with its own ghosts, a 1924 replica of an Italian villa, and a contemporary home with moldings, fireplaces, and herringbone floors that give a nod to the historic neighborhood.

Sponsored by the Druid Hills Civic Association, the tour will benefit historic preservation and green space restoration. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 on tour weekend. Go here to learn more.

What design ideas have you picked up from previous home tours?

Need Design Ideas? Spring Into Action

Whether you’re building a new abode or refreshing an existing one, attending one or more of metro Atlanta’s spring home tours is a great way to soak up some new design ideas for your home. Plus you’ll get to experience the flavor and learn about the history of the various communities.

In addition to the Tour of Homes, the Inman Park Spring Festival, scheduled April 27-29, includes three stages of music all weekend, dance performances and a kids’ play zone. Inman Park is one of Atlanta’s oldest and most scenic neighborhoods. See inside some of the beautiful Victorian homes or check out some of the remodeling jobs neighbors have completed on their houses. Tour of Homes tickets are $20 in advance or $25 starting April 27. Get details at http://inmanparkfestival.org/events/tour-of-homes/.

Scheduled April 20-22, the Druid Hills Tour of Homes & Gardens, a volunteer project of the Druid Hills Civic Association, benefits historic preservation and green space restoration. The weekend includes a plant sale, a history display and the debut of “History Happens Here,” a film about the development of the Druid Hills community. Advance tickets are $25. The price increases to $30 on April 20. Learn more at http://www.DruidHillsTour.org.

Experience what more makes the Kirkwood community special during the 16th Annual Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes on May 19. The event includes a 5K, an artist market, live music and food from local vendors. All proceeds go to benefit the Kirkwood Neighbors’ Organization, a local 501c3 non-profit group dedicated to community improvement. The Tour of Homes takes place on Saturday and Sunday. Go to http://www.kirkwoodfling.com/ for additional information.

Have you been to any of these tours?

Home and Garden Tours Offer Design Inspiration

Spring is one of our favorite seasons for a variety of reasons! It’s the perfect time to check out one of the many home and garden tours sprouting around metro Atlanta. Here are a few of our favorite tours.

Inman Park Tour of Homes (April 29-30 and May 1)

The tour will feature 10 homes and points of interest, including an American Foursquare, Victorians, lofts, and bungalows. The tour hours are noon-4 p.m. on Friday and noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are $15. www.InmanParkFestival.org

Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour (May 7-8)

This tour, which benefits the Atlanta Botanical Garden, will showcase 10 private gardens in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Midtown. The tour will feature a range of styles and sizes. Advance tickets for the self-guided tour are $28 in advance (Garden members-$22). www.AtlantaBG.org

Druid Hills Tour of Homes & Gardens and Maker’s Market (April 22-24)

“History Happens Here” at this tour, sponsored by the Druid Hills Civic Association. The $25 advance ticket gives you access to six homes, a garden, a plant sale, live music, and an artists’ market. www.DruidHillsTour.org

Home and garden tours are a great resource for design ideas for your home. Are there other tours we should add to this list?

Home Tours: Get Inspired!

2015 Decorators’ Show House

“Fashion fades; only style remains the same.” – Coco Chanel 

Home and garden tours are one of the best ways to get design ideas for your home. Shopping for new flooring, window treatments or appliances? Searching for striking paint colors, new wallpaper designs or beautiful tile patterns? You are sure to pick up at least one idea from these metro Atlanta events.

Decorators’ Show House & Gardens (April 18-May 10)

• Chateau Soleil, a French-style estate (4701 Northside Drive)
• Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its education and community outreach initiatives
• Tickets: $30
• Info: www.DecoratorsShowHouse.org

Inman Park Tour of Homes (April 24-26)

• 12 homes and points of interest in the community, including Victorians, Craftsman-style, Arts & Crafts, condos, Inman Park United Methodist Church and the historic Trolley Barn
• Tickets: $15 (advance) or $20 (on-site)
• Info: www.Inman ParkFestival.org

Druid Hills Tour of Homes & Gardens (May 1-3)

• Five homes, a garden and a plant sale
• Proceeds benefit the Druid Hills neighborhood
• Info: www.DruidHillsTour.org

What other springtime events should we add to this list? What inspires you when decorating?