Let It Shine

Text by Caroline Wellborn - Photos by Roberto Caligaris

With a perfect mix of the sleek and the sublime, the Harrises home in Green Island radiates a refined and understated glamour.

The home of Dr. and Mrs. Jay Harris boasts a design that is both contemporary and Georgian. Nestled in the beautiful Green Island Hills neighborhood, the home exudes a youthful vibe perfectly suit for a young family while at the same time staying true to the architectural roots of the region. The house was built in 1938 for Mr. Edward Swift Shorter, with Atlanta’s Henry Tombs serving as the home’s original architect. Over the past eighty years, the home has changed many hands and withstood the tornado of 2007 until finally falling into the graces of the Harris family.

Prior to touring the home, Dr. and Mrs. Harris believed that they had made a final decision on where to move their family. A lot had been purchased,house plans had been drawn, and building was about to commence on what they thought was to be their new abode. When Mrs. Brittany Harris’s realtor advised her to look at this house before building began, the home had been standing empty in Green Island for the past three years. While it was not love at first sight, something about the home convinced the Harrises to forgo their building plans. Perhaps it was the classic white painted brick, or the perfectly private location. Regardless, during her last minute visit Brittany knew that she could see her family inhabiting the charming residence for years to come. With features from their original building plans already in this gem of a home, all that was left to do was make it their own.

Under the guidance of architect Jack Jenkins, a floor plan was drawn out to better suit the family. After they purchased the home in 2015, four months were spent renovating mainly the main floor. The kitchen and master bed- room were relocated, and a small dining area was added. The bright rooms full of natural light, open floor plan, and Beth Beaudoin’s interior design complement what remains of the home’s older architecture. The four bed-room, four bath sits on five acres and features a guest house, a wine cellar fit for 500 bottles, and a stunning pool and pavilion redone in 2008 after the 2007 tornado by Superior Pools and Jack Jenkins. These are just a few of the home’s beautiful qualities.

The redone interiors are what truly set this home apart from the rest. Interior designer Beth Beaudoin says, “Working with Brittany Harris on this project was so much fun and a true collaboration. She has a definite personal style, and we worked hand-in-hand to bring her vision to life. The Harrises had some great existing pieces to work with, and we layered in new pieces that we sourced from all over. Brittany is a dedicated researcher, so she was the perfect partner to help me put this puzzle together. This home truly reflects Brittany and Jay personalities, and is a perfect fit for the precious Harris family”.  Join SVM as we show off this unique Green Island treasure.

THE STUDY

The citron sofa adds a splash of color to the otherwise neutral hued study. The Zak & Fox and Schumacher pillows tie in perfectly with the black and white photography by Suzanne Hughston. The Moroccan wool shag rug and chandelier from West Elm make the room feel chic and polished.

LIVING ROOM

The kitchen opens up to the bright and airy living room. The largely neutral room is accented with eye catching splashes of persimmon and turquoise. The Lee Industries sofa and chairs with their neutral Jane Churchill-Adler fabric serve as blank canvases for both the bright floral Brunschwig & Fils and turquoise Manuel Canovas pillows. The sleek concrete and steel custom cocktail table is by Brent Miller. The black marble fireplace has remained untouched since 1938 and perfectly complements the black wooden chairs by Noir and the dark walnut finish of the wood floors.

MASTER

The master bedroom is another product of the Harrises renovations. Originally the space for the den, the chandelier is another original fixture. The fourteen foot vaulted ceiling and crisp white walls give the room a modern feel, while the four poster mahogany bed, custom bedding from Legacy Linens, toil fabric pillows and drapery by Schumacher and antiqued mirror dresser from Restoration Hardware ensure a traditional Southern touch.

LAINE’S ROOM

Originally the master bedroom, this bedroom features a peach al-cove fit with a chandelier from Stray Dog, beautiful Pine Cone Hill bedding, and spunky throw pillows with fabric by Columbus native Lulie Wallace. With built in window seats overlooking the terrace on the opposite wall, this room is a girl’s paradise.

ANNA’S ROOM

The light toned blues and greens present in this room create the ideal space for the Harrises daughter Anna to play and relax. The light blue walls perfectly complement the retro floral pattern shams and the green dust ruffles.

KITCHEN

Standing where the original formal dining room was, the kitchen features a gorgeous carrara marble island with a stainless steel apron sink and overhead lanterns from Circa Lighting. A six burner wolf gas stove complete with a custom zinc stove hood by Ed James of Cotton Custom Metals resides opposite the island. The Harrises added the breakfast room during renovations, and fit it with drapery by Galbraith & Paul and a bamboo chandelier by Currey & Co. The doors leads out to a screened in porch perfect for outdoor dining.

BASEMENT FAMILY ROOM

Located right off of the pool, the basement family room was also redone in 2008 by Jack Jenkins following the tornado. The brick floors allow for the children to come into this Spanish inspired room still dripping wet from a swim, making this the perfect space for gatherings with friends.

BACK PATIO

The backyard gardens is a personal oasis for the Harrises, and its easy to see why. They created an environment that brings the outdoors in and the indoors out with right decoration and space. A cement coffee table adds an element of age and can withstand the humidity.

POOL PAVILION

Perhaps one of the best features of the home, the pool pavilion was redone in 2008 by Jack Jenkins after tornado damage. Superior Pools created an outdoor oasis that can be used year round (the family loves to heat the pool on Christmas Eve for a dip in December!). With outdoor furniture from Restoration Hardware, and an outdoor concrete table by Brent Miller Designs, this pavilion is the ideal space to enjoy time outside, no matter the season.