History in the Making
Two designers create a kitchen that honors a Midtown bungalow’s many storied years—and preserve it for the next 100
MEET THE HOMEOWNER Mark Edge is an internationally celebrated jewelry designer known for his timeless, eco-luxe creations. Creative and art-enthused, Edge has a keen appreciation for historical appropriateness and quality, which is why he fell for the 1909 Arts and Crafts bungalow in Midtown he’s called home since 2008.
HIS STYLE Edge has an affinity for great design, regardless of genre or era, making him a good match for the talents of long-time friend and designer Amy Wikman, owner of Björk Antikt & Studio. Wikman holds a master’s degree in historic preservation and thus welcomed the opportunity to accurately restore the bungalow, which—built by former Atlanta governor William J. Northen and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—had never before been renovated.
FAVORITE FEATURE When it came to the kitchen, the duo strived for high impact without extreme expense. Namely, Edge found a discount wholesaler with an unused pallet of marble priced at less than $3 per foot. They boldly covered every inch of exposed wall with the stone, transforming the whole space at a cost close to that of painting.
HIS BEST ADVICE “If you’re embarking on a restoration, set a budget and stick to it,” Edge says. “In the beginning, I became obsessed with details and was often tempted to give in, but I asked Amy to be my conscience. I’d say, ‘What about this?’ and she’d say, ‘Why do you want to spend money on that? This is going to look just as good.’”
| Designer Insights |
| CLEVER CURVES Edge wanted a kitchen island but the number of windows and doors in the room reduced the amount of available space. The curve of an ellipse made the most of the available space and was an easy shape to navigate. For Wikman, it was also important to get the “X” shape on the base just right, which is why her cabinetmaker went back to the drawing board more than once. Topped with two layers of White Fantasy quartzite, the island has the look of natural marble but is easier to maintain. Likewise, black Atlantic brushed granite on the perimeter is a durable alternative to soapstone.
CUTTING COSTS Wikman and Edge employed a lot of ingenuity when selecting materials and making design decisions. One of the most impressive things about this kitchen renovation is that it came in under $50,000, due in large part to the cabinets they used. “One thing that makes cabinetry great—and expensive—is the interior,” Wikman explains. “It’s the cool drawers, pull-outs and shelves. We didn’t use any of that, so it was a great way to cut costs.” The duo also saved money by forgoing finish-grade wood for the cabinets, instead concealing any uneven details with paint. WHAT LIES BENEATH Edge had been carrying around a magazine clipping of his dream kitchen, featuring marble hex tile floors, for years. But underneath the owner’s linoleum floor, Wikman explains, was gorgeous, original heart pine. “I said, ‘Mark, most people would spend a fortune to have heart pine floors in their kitchen. You have them; you have to use them!’” It was organic design decisions like these that helped create the most effective and budget-friendly results. SO BLUE Wikman extracted a deep teal from the marble and echoed the color on the ceiling, adding tons of drama to the room. The shade could be considered off-trend, but that didn’t matter to Wikman. “Most designers would have been scared to use that color,” notes Edge, “but she pulled the right teal out of the marble. It was the right color.” |
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A glass-door refrigerator was best for this kitchen; the iconic item brought the room to a new level while contributing airiness. “This is the way Mark really lives; he can keep its contents neat,” Wikman says. “Few people would be able to keep the contents as tidy as Mark, but it works for him.” Sub-Zero BI-36UG classic stainless steel glass-door refrigerator, subzero.com for showroom locations |
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Though Wikman and Edge were on the hunt for vintage fixtures for at least a year, bronze and white glass Hicks pendants by Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort proved to be the perfect alternative—and a great fit for the room. Available through Circa Lighting, 22 East Andrews Dr. NW, Suite B, Atlanta 30305. (404) 233-4131; circalighting.com |
HOMEOWNER Mark Edge, Mark Edge Jewelry, (404) 237-3040; markedge.com; northenedge.com ARCHITECTURAL, INTERIOR AND KITCHEN DESIGN Amy Wikman, Björk Antikt & Studio, ADAC West showroom D-4, 349 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE, Atlanta 30305. (404) 350-8133; bjorkantikt.com CAD ASSISTANCE Stephanie Werner, (404) 317-6200; betterthananapkin.com GENERAL CONTRACTORS Chad and Jim Draper, Draper Construction Company Inc., (770) 267-6545 CUSTOM CABINETRY Jason Kennedy, (678) 794-8158 CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS CONTRACTOR Ronnie Smith, Marblesmith Inc., Hiram 30141. (770) 443-3254; marblesmithinc.com TILE CONTRACTOR Sammy DeJeu, (678) 451-5536 RANGE Wolf RISER SHELF AND HOOD Wolf REFRIGERATOR Sub-Zero BI-36UG DISHWASHER Miele ICEMAKER AND WINE COOLER Electrolux Icon FAUCETS Chicago Faucets, (847) 803-5000; chicagofaucets.com SINKS Fluted Fireclay sink in white, Whitehaus, (800) 527-6690; whitehauscollection.com BUTLER’S PANTRY/BAR SINK Square Hammered Stainless Bar Sink from Van Dykes Restorers, (800) 558-1234; vandykes.com CEILING COLOR Benjamin Moore Yorktowne Green HC-133 PAINTED CABINETRY AND TRIM Benjamin Moore Gettysburg Gray HC-107 PAINTED DOORS Benjamin Moore Black Bean Soup 2130-10 BUTLER’S PANTRY CEILING COLOR Benjamin Moore Timothy Straw 2149-40 WALL COLOR Benjamin Moore Gettysburg Gray HC-107 MARBLE ON WALLS Verde Chipilino marble ISLAND COUNTERTOP White Fantasy Quartzite, International Granite & Marble, 123 Interstate West Pkwy., Lithia Springs 30122. (770) 739-5677; igmcorp.com/atlanta PERIMETER COUNTERTOPS Atlantic Brushed Granite, International Granite & Marble CUSTOM WINDOW BLINDS Kathy Babbs, Window Images, (404) 438-1518; window-images.com UNLACQUERED BRASS CABINET HARDWARE House of Antique Hardware, (888) 223-2545; houseofantiquehardware.com ANTIQUE HARDWARE AND DOORKNOBS David Jenkins Hardware, Atlanta. (678) 207-7170 and H. Rault Inc., New Orleans, LA. (504) 895-5346; hrault.com ANTIQUE FRENCH DOOR HARDWARE Eugenia’s Antique Hardware, (770) 458-1677; eugeniaantiquehardware.com STOOLS Peddlers Home Design. (800) 391-4927; peddlersdesign.com ART Homeowner’s own
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