Classic Contemporary

The sunroom of architects Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon’s bungalow offers a stylish window into their home: clean and contemporary but full of character. Sofa, Ligne Roset. Chair, DWR. Custom coffee table, Jeff Jones Design.

“We wanted to add some drama in the study, so we painted everything in our favorite black color,” says Pritchett. They were able to salvage the home’s original 1920s wood floors in this room. The painting is by Rocio Rodriguez, also a Virginia-Highland resident. Lounge chairs from HBF Furniture’s Dialogue collection were upholstered in buttery soft leather from Edelman. The desk is from CB2 and the desk chair is vintage Herman Miller.

In contrast to the welcoming front porch that is constantly buzzing with activity, a new courtyard in the back is idyllic for more peaceful, quiet moments. When the couple does choose to entertain alfresco, though, a teak table by Kolo Collection and chairs from DWR are ready for dinner parties.

A tempered-glass staircase is a nod to Pritchett and Dixon’s love for modern European design. The stairs had to be constructed outside and then set into place by a crane on the second floor. The frameless structure gives the middle of the home an airy effect, letting light from the stairwell skylight fill every corner.

The master bedroom is also a testament to the couple’s minimalist aesthetic. “It probably comes from being architects,” notes Dixon. “We don’t like a lot of extra things around the house, and we use everything that we have, so we’re very careful in selecting nice, comfortable pieces and great artwork that really speaks to us.” The glass doors were fabricated by Kolbe & Kolbe.

In the dining room, vintage Kilta chairs by Finnish company Martela were upholstered in a bold Donghia fabric. A painting by prolific artist Jean de Botton and a whimsical chandelier from Switch Modern anchor the space. The bronze sculpture is by Martin Dawe of Cherrylion Sculpture Studios.

They enlisted Chandler Hardscapes to install a koi pond that can be enjoyed from the master bedroom or sunroom. “After a long day of work, the koi pond provides you with a few moments of zen and knocks your blood pressure down pretty quickly,” says Dixon. The chairs are from Room & Board.

The couple relied on Morgan Creek Cabinet Company to bring their vision for the kitchen to life. The cabinetry features a combination of butternut wood and lacquered black fronts. A paper-thin cantilevered marble top from Marmi Natural Stone on the island is equally impressive. Barstools, Quinze & Milan. Art, Jeff Jones.

Architects Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon always see the glass half full. It’s this optimism that has allowed them to transform the most out-of-date houses—that many might have deemed teardowns—into standout homes.    

“We’re not about the quick fix,” says Dixon. “We love the challenge of creating something remarkable with what’s already in front of us. It presents you with the opportunity to do something unique.”

So when the design couple purchased this 1920s Virginia-Highland home that was long past its prime, they didn’t let its worn-down condition or awkward layout (it had once been a duplex) deter them. Instead, they set out to create “the ultimate bungalow.”

After a down-to-the-studs renovation and the addition of a sunroom and second floor, the final result is a clean and contemporary bungalow that’s equally warm and inviting. The design is influenced by travels abroad as well as inspiration a little closer to home. “It’s a mix of Southern sensibilities with clean European lines,” says Pritchett.

“There’s a subtle transition as you walk through the house. It gets progressively more informal towards the back, where it picks up on our work at Lake Rabun and Lake Burton,” he adds, in reference to the shiplap on the kitchen walls and oak beams overhead.

They were also conscious of flooding the bungalow with daylight. A skylight was installed in the stairwell to disperse light in the middle of the home, while floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors at the back allow them to leave the lights off until the sun sets. This also blurs the lines between indoors and out, which was another priority. “All you see is trees and can’t tell that you’re in the middle of a city,” notes Pritchett.

And what’s an ultimate bungalow if not a space to entertain? “The home was really designed for hospitality because we love to host dinner parties,” says Dixon. For the dining room, they commissioned a 6-foot-diameter walnut table that has served up plenty of cocktails, conversations and Dixon’s mouthwatering paella. The rest of the home accommodates guests just as well, with the kitchen featuring an intimate dining nook and an adjustable Miele range hood over the island that can be raised out of view. Plush seating in the more formal living room at the front end of the house is also ideal for drinks.

“Our goal was to make this home extraordinary, and it’s a fitting farewell to bungalows for us,” says Pritchett. He and Dixon recently sold this property to embark on their next design challenge in what will undoubtedly yield another spectacular space to call home.  

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Todd Pritchett and Craig Dixon, Pritchett + Dixon, (404) 876-1390; pritchettdixon.com