This project involved converting a liquor store into a new special events room for Napoleons Grill in Decatur. The project began with meetings with national musicians to discuss layout, sound and lighting. The final design included extra space for the existing kitchen, a first class green room and state of the art lighting.
This is destined to become a “go to” place for both local and national performers.
The City of Atlanta has many special Historic Districts, each having it’s own set of rules. This partiular district required the house to fit in with the neighbor hood with out “altering” the look from the street.
Original Home
The first issue we found was the aluminum awnings and brick were not original, so we submitted the design below.
First Submission
This was quickly rejected as we proposed to redesign the roof to match other simple craftsman homes on the street. We were also informed that the brick had to stay even though it wan not part of the original design.
Second Submission
Leaving the existing roofs that were visible from the street and the brick, we submitted this second version. This was again rejected because we wanted to paint the existing brick that absolutely did not fit in anywhere in the neighborhood.
Final Approved Design
The above final design was approved. Of the three that were submitted, this design absolutely does not fit in with the neighbor hood. This was and aggravating process for both us and the owners as the ordinances required a design that was the exact opposite of the intention. We have run into similar issues in different historic districts and it always seems to be more of a challenge tan it should be.
We have worked with the Owner of Yeero Village on many restaurant projects. They are able to assemble a team of craftsman that do incredible work on remodels. This building, located in Marietta, Georgia, was originally built as a Backyard Burger and later renovated into Nicky’s Diner.
Exterior Before RenovationsBefore Renovations
The most challenging part of restaurant renovations is taking the new clients needs and equipment and making it work in the existing space provided and existing plumbing locations. We were able to provide the clients needs in the existing kitchen with minimal renovations.
It is very satisfying working with a team to renovate dilapidated homes that are also located in a Historic District. This home is located near The Square in downtown Marietta, Georgia.
Front of House Before RenovationProposed RenderingFinished Home
The goal was to keep the original charm of this early 1900’s home and make it functional for modern day life.
We are currently designing a carport for this residence to fit in with the home and surrounding neighborhood.
I recently paid a visit to a restaurant I designed in the basement of a historic building in downtown Cartersville, Georgia. About 15 years ago I was commissioned to provide the design for M’Vorneens Pub that proved to be one of the most challenging projects I have worked on to date.
Bar Built Around the Solid Wood Frames Supporting the Floor
What made this project difficult was what we had to work with. The old building used to be a parts warehouse and to say the floor system was over designed is an understatement. Solid 14″x14″ wood columns were spaced in a grid that supported large solid wood beams. At each column there was an additional beam which left a head clearance of less than 5′-6″. The entire design had to work around these columns and take into account the low clearances.
The final design resulted in the main bar encompassing the four main columns and has about 30 seats. The bar top is solid steel and was constructed and welded on site. New walls that were built were built under the wood beams. Amazingly we were able to squeeze in a full service kitchen.
The space changed hands 6 years ago and the new owner of The City Cellar has kept most of the original elements that create this magnificent small town pub and restaurant.
As a side note, The City Cellar has incredible food and service.
Custom Hand Made Copper Sinks
Dining Area
Bar
Bar Built Around the Solid Wood Frames Supporting the Floor
As the owner of WJM Designs, I personally enjoy working as a team, bringing together people with different expertise to produce incredible results. This team included the investor, an interior designer, the builder and WJM Designs as the overall designer. The team worked together passing ideas back and forth to give this 1300 square foot, 1950’s ranch home quite the makeover.
Existing Residence – 1300 Square Feet
The original home was not in bad shape, but it was visually dated with rooms in tightly fit small rectangles that gave it a very closed-in feeling. Continue reading Sylvan Ramble Road Renovation→
This project involved converting an old Wendy’s fast food restaurant in to a fine dining Mediterranean Grill. Saving money by reusing existing resources such as bathrooms, exhaust cooking hoods and walk-in coolers can be a challenge.
Old Wendy’s
After the design of the interior is complete and focusing on good flow and workability for both customers and employees, the exterior had to be addressed.
This Wendy’s had been in this location for over 20 years and it was very important to provide a new look and vibe that matches the new restaurants cuisine and vibe. This was accomplished by vibrant paint colors and new metal canopies. A covered outdoor dining area has been added that can seat 36 people.
The final result is an attractive and functioning dining facility that has little reminder of it’s past as a fast food hamburger joint.
Over the years we have provided designs for various types of accessory structures including garages. A design of a new garage depends on it’s use, intended location and site conditions.
This first garage was unique in its design requirements. The owners property backed up to an alley resulting in the garage door facing the back of the property. The homeowner had incredible landscaping and gardens and wanted a garage that did not look like a garage from her kitchen window.
Unique Detached Garage
This particular owners existing 4 car garage was not large enough for all his toys. There was not enough space adjacent to the home for a garage so this wall built about 40 yards away. It was designed with 12 foot ceilings so he could install car lifts and the exterior matched the house details.
Detached Garage that matches House Design
The key to designing any addition on an existing home is to ensure it looks as though it was part of the original construction. This is especially hard with brick which is almost impossible to match. By using corners or a different material at the point where old meets new, the addition can blend in and look as it was always meant to be.
Attached Garage
This is a small, quick, functional and economical design for a client who was starting an auto body shop. With concrete block walls and pre-manufactured roof trusses, construction time was a minimum and resulted in a sturdy, weather resistant building.
Carmines is a family owned Pizzeria and Bar in Johns Creek, Georgia. With over 150 restaurants designed, WJM Designs was able to come up with a cost-effective plan for both the kitchen and restaurant that flow well and is functional for the employees.
Second story additions have become rather popular in the last few years especially in the City of Atlanta. Home owners living in older neighborhoods want to stay but are running out of room for their growing families. The only option is to go up.
Existing One Story Home
This existing, 1800 square foot, single story home on Charles Allen Drive is in excellent shape and has a newly remodeled kitchen. It is currently a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home.
Adding approximately 1500 square feet upstairs, the home will be a 4 bedroom, 4 bath home with a new space for either a nursery or office. The exterior is unique with prairie style windows and cantilevered decks. The railings are constructed of aircraft wire.
Adding a new story to a home requires the services of a structural engineer to evaluate the existing foundation and offer design of any new footings.
The exterior of the remodeled home is a dramatic change from the original design.
