Dwight and Kerry have lived in MAK since June 2006. Before moving to Decatur, Georgia, the Spechts lived in Illinois and Florida.
The Spechts are fans of historic architecture and have renovated two former historic homes; therefore, when they moved to Decatur in 2006, the MAK neighborhood was a natural fit for their needs and interests. They enjoy living in MAK because of its family-friendly environment, friendly neighbors and historic preservation. The Spechts are excited to participate in the 2007 tour.
Construction and Design
The home was constructed in 1922 and was originally a one-story, three-bedroom, one-bath Craftsman bungalow with approximately 2,000 square feet. The home has a red brick exterior and an expansive front porch.
By the early 1980s, the home was in substantial disrepair and was occupied by multiple families. In 1982, Crawford Kennedy, the football coach at nearby Avondale High School, purchased the home. The Kennedy family restored the home’s interior and added a second bath.
The Kennedy family also landscaped and hardscaped the backyard. The bricks used in the yard’s hardscape are recycled from bricks that were used in the old Atlanta auditorium, which was torn down in that decade. The yard is a great extra feature for the 2007 tour.
In 2003, the home was damaged when two oak trees that fell on the roofline during two separate storms. The damage caused by the trees and the consequential water damage necessitated that the interior be stripped down to its studs.
The homeowners took the misfortune as an opportunity to renovate and expand the home. The interior was expanded by raising the existing roofline in order to provide a master suite and an additional bedroom. The lower floors were reconstructed in the same footprint as the original floor plan with the exception of the kitchen, which was enlarged to enclose the adjacent butler’s pantry to provide a family seating area.
The home is currently a one-and-a-half story, four-bedroom, three-bath home with more than 2,500 square feet of living space. The renovation was awarded the residential Decatur Design Award in 2005.
Collections
The Spechts have added a beautiful glass chandelier as a feature to the home’s dining room. Until recently, the chandelier hung in a historic residence in Chicago, Illinois.
The Spechts decorate extensively for the holidays.This home sponsored by The Golley Team, LLC
