After their 2008 engagement, when Amity and Brent began searching for a new home, they were amazed to see a realtor tying balloons to the “For Sale” sign at 1089 Austin Avenue. They knew it would be their perfect dwelling, with many opportunities to reconfigure spaces to meet their needs and satisfy their family’s creative and artistic spirit. Brent, a video producer, was already well acquainted with the area and all it offered, including the walkability that Amity, who now calls herself a “professional mom,” had come to love during her time pursuing creative endeavors in New York City.
A first, smaller-scale remodeling project came in 2010. Then, in 2014, after the babies arrived, the Deys undertook a 10-month endeavor that included adding a third bedroom and second bath upstairs, bumping out the back of the first floor to include space for a family room, adding an attached shed, removing vinyl siding, and adding craftsman-style rafters and corbels to the exterior. The architect was an Inman Park neighbor, the late Frank Neely, recognized for his ability to adapt older homes while preserving their character. This spring, they installed cabinets for art supplies in their dining room, allowing it to quickly transform into a creative space.
Near the front door you will see Give, a mixed-media artwork by friend Eric Key, which was the Deys’ wedding gift to each other. Most of the art throughout the house carries some kind of sentimental value, be it travel memories, portraits of remembered relatives or art created by family and friends.