Robert Norris' Renovation & Garden 

Atlanta, Georgia

Featured in Southern Accents, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Garden Design, the Taunton Press Book “Updating Classic America Capes,” the Sterling Press Book, “Garden Paths and Stepping Stones” , HGTV’s Homes Across America and Taunton Press Book “Curb Appeal”.

The original 1940’s house, Mr. Norris’s personal residence, lacked in detail and was renovated to resemble a Cape style cottage with some unique details, such as oversized window and door panes on the back of the house to take advantage of the views to the garden. A second story was added with a board and batten shed dormer, new windows with hinged batten shutters, moldings, chimney pots and a large window box on the front. The floor plan was improved by changing the flow, creating axial views through the house and into the garden. The achievement of the cottage look on the exterior is complimented by the interior exuding warmth enhanced by a soothing color palette and appropriate architectural details. Mr. Norris, an avid gardener, designed a pool at the time of the renovation, and his garden has been featured on the Atlanta Botanical Garden Connoisseurs Tour, Georgia Perennial Plant Association Tour and most recently the High Museum of Art’s, Art Partners, “Artful Garden Tour”. The garden most recently was featured in July 2010 issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles feature “Natural Beauty

“It was important to have all the rooms have some sort of orientation to the garden” “ I wanted the house to be very warm and inviting” “ My goal was implied symmetry with balanced rooflines and forms” “During the hardest times of my life, I can put my hands in the garden and it touches my soul. It’s very therapeutic because I’m entranced, not thinking of anything but the garden and nature itself.” “I had a ‘fairytale’ grandmother—she ironed sheets, was a great cook and had flowers everywhere,” says Norris. “And my father took after her; he grew beautiful begonias, roses and hostas, which are still some of my favorites today. From the age of 5, I had a huge fascination with the garden. Watching my first seed sprout was miraculous, and I got more involved each year. My mother was a good gardener, too, so when I lost my father at 16, I talked to her about plants.”