Chamblee, GA March 2025 by City Lifestyle

Welcome to Emerald Integrative Therapy Services

A Holistic Approach To Psychotherapy Including A Full Neurofeedback Practice Servicing The Chamblee Community

THERAPY SERVICES

The therapists at Emerald ITS draw upon various approaches in talk therapy, including psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, adlerian/person-centered, trauma-informed therapy, motivational interviewing, and solutions-focused therapy, to help clients gain self-awareness and learn skills that will follow them after they leave counseling. Our goal is to guide our clients toward a life of fulfillment, balance and well-being.

THERAPISTS WHO LISTEN, UNDERSTAND, AND SUPPORT

Find the support you deserve at Emerald Integrative Therapy Services—where science meets compassion to help you thrive. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions, our evidence-based approach blends neuroscience and psychotherapy to create personalized solutions just for you. With in-person and virtual sessions available, including telehealth for Georgia and Florida residents, healing is always within reach. Take the first step toward balance and well-being today—because your brighter future starts here.

NEUROFEEDBACK SERVICES

Neurofeedback is revolutionizing the way we think about mental health. Imagine the ability to optimize your brain naturally. Neurofeedback does just that helping restore balance to your mind. By observing your brainwave patterns and identifying where dysregulation is occurring, we can use non-invasive, non-medical technology to change those patterns that keep you stuck. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, sleep issues, misophonia, fatigue, long covid, or wanting to enhance your sports performance, NFB can help. The best news is once you train your brain, the results last!

INTEGRATIVE APPROACH

The team at Emerald ITS believes that every individual is unique, which is why we offer an integrative approach to helping clients work through various mental health challenges. By combining evidence-based modalities like neurofeedback, EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices, we offer a comprehensive path to growth and wellness. Whether you’re seeking emotional healing, mental clarity, or overall life balance, we draw from a range of techniques to support your journey.

Introducing our Booze-Free Bevie Shop

We are re-imagining how we celebrate and socialize without alcohol! At Nuts ‘n Berries we’re excited to bring you our new Booze-Free Bevie Shop, a haven for those who seek delicious, alcohol-free alternatives. Whether you’re looking to cut back on the booze, enhance your wellness routine or simply enjoy a new kind of refreshment, our Booze-Free Bevie Shop has something for everyone.

From St. Patrick’s Day to the first day of Spring, let’s celebrate in March, Booze-Free!

20% OFF your First Purchase of Booze-Free Bevies when you mention this ad in store. Nuts ‘n Berries – we are YOUR neighborhood market.

At home in Chamblee

As the vibrant hues of spring begin to awaken in Chamblee and our surroundings, we’re thrilled to present the March 2025 issue of Chamblee City Lifestyle focused on the captivating world of home and design. This month we invite you to explore innovative design trends that seamlessly blend style with sustainability, showcasing how Chamblee is embracing both classic and cutting-edge aspects of homes in and around our community.

From breathtaking designs to outdoor aesthetics that mark Chamblee as one of the best places to live in the entire metro Atlanta area (sorry Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody), this issue is a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship that inspires us all to reimagine our living spaces.

Speaking of homes, it continues to be our privilege to come into yours every month by way of this publication. As Chamblee continues to grow and reinvent itself, it’s easy to see why there are so many new businesses and residents, with more coming every month.

In addition to our usual feature stories, we continue to be excited to also highlight local artisans and businesses from the community and introduce you to them as well – their passion for their craft and commitment to quality not only reflect upon Chamblee in general, but also encourages others to invest in the beauty that surrounds us.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration for a renovation project or simply looking to refresh your home’s ambiance, we hope this issue ignites your imagination and motivates you to take on a home-related project of your own.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of our Chamblee family, and we hope you enjoy this issue!

Happy March!

KEVIN PARKER, PUBLISHER @CHAMBLEECITYLIFESTYLE

March 2025

PUBLISHER

Kevin Parker | kevin.parker@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Tana Poncsak | tana.poncsak@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Janet Howard | janet.howard@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Polina Williams | polina.williams@citylifestyle.com

Ingrid Preda | ingrid.preda@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Sue G. Collins

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

COO Matthew Perry

CRO Jamie Pentz

CTO Ajay Krishnan

VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson

VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley

AD DESIGNER Zach Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Chamblee Modern Moms enjoy a night out at Lagarde. 2: Chamblee Modern Moms stop at Deep Roots Wine Market and Tasting Room. 3: Beautiful cityscapes artwork on display at SPS Productions’s January Sip and Paint event. 4: Crowds inside the Sonic the Hedgehog takeover event in Chamblee. 5: People stand in long lines to get inside the Sonic the Hedgehog takeover event. 6: Guests try some delicious mocktails at the Nuts ‘n Berries Booze Free Bevy Bar Tasting. 7: The Elaine Clark Center Exceptional Evening: Silent Auction and Cocktail Party is held at The Factory Atlanta.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

POLINA WILLIAMS

KEVIN PARKER

MAYA LARUE SHONDA DAVIS

ROUNDUP OF

The Alden

Chamblee-based Michelin-recommended restaurant The Alden is now serving lunch on Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m.! Enjoy an array of delicious soups, salads, sandwiches (like these incredible Brisket Sliders!!) and entrees ... each presented with Chef/Owner Jared Hucks and his culinary team’s signature creative spin. For more information, visit thealdenrestaurant.com.

Kin Coffee Company

Kin Coffee Company in downtown Chamblee is open for business! Stop in for a fresh cup from their own roastery or purchase a bag to take home with you. And soon they’ll offer coffee-related classes as well! Check their website for details and upcoming events. Visit kincoffeco.com for more information.

Photography by The Alden

Photography by Kin Coffee Company

It’s Snow Time!

ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK | PHOTOGRAPHY

AREA

Snowmen, Snow Angels, Snowballs...It’s a fairly rare occurrence that we get snow here in the south. But in January, we had the opportunity to experience some fun in a snowfall that turned the Atlanta area into a winter wonderland.

Kids of all ages donned their winter coats and dusted off their snow gear to have some fun playing in the snow. Even our four-legged friends got in on the wintery action. For those who didn’t want to get out in the cold, many were able to watch the fun from afar with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. And most of the kids didn’t seem to mind having a rare Snow Day!

According to local news sources, a few areas of Atlanta received up to four inches of snow, with the Chamblee area accumulating an average of up to three inches. It was the first significant snowfall the Atlanta area has experienced in a while.

RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR PHOTOS OF FUN IN THE SNOW

Cruiser Photo by Officer Cavin

At the time of the snow, we asked Chamblee residents by way of social media to send us their winter weather photos. We decided to share some of those photos here.

To view more snow photos, visit our Instagram at @chambleecitylifestyle.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE CLOSET

Solutions for the entire home from an industry leader.

Organizing is necessary and unavoidable and for some, impossible.

I spend hours tidying and reorganizing my bedroom closet each spring and the laundry room gets a makeover once a year before the kids come home from college (and again when they leave). I long for shelving in the garage dedicated to my outdoor gear, for cubbies in my office to hide my knitting and crafts, and a guest room that isn’t all bed and pillows.

Turning to the experts in custom organization and innovative designs for the home, Closets By Design, I found the options enticing and the one-onone design services essential. The company, family owned and operated, provides help every step of the way with solutions for every room of the house, not just closets.

“At Closets by Design, we understand that every home is unique, which is why our design process is tailored specifically to your individual needs

ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS

and preferences. From the moment you schedule your no-obligation consultation, our dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way,” says owner and operator, Stephanie Parmer.

Set an appointment online or by phone and a professional designer will come directly to your home bringing the showroom experience to your doorstep. “Together, you’ll collaborate to create a

personalized design that maximizes your space and fits your budget. Once the perfect layout is established, your designer will coordinate the installation date, ensuring a seamless transition from vision to reality,” Stephanie explains.

On installation day, a highly trained installer will arrive with all the necessary materials to complete your project—typically in just one day. Dreamy!

Too nice to park in? Maybe, but Closets By Design has good-looking floors, easy-to-clean cabinet surfaces, and smart storage ideas for your toys and tools.

Since its inception in 1982, Closets By Design has carved a niche as a trailblazer in home organization, and today one of their latest focuses has been on transforming garages into efficient spaces that reflect the needs and lifestyle of the homeowner. Think sleek cabinetry, versatile shelving systems, tools neatly organized on wall-mounted racks, sports gear tucked away in custom cabinets, and dedicated spaces for hobby supplies. The company offers garage flooring options too, durable and easy to maintain, giving your space a polished look.

Indoors, a standout trend is in home office design with the rise of custom furniture. These versatile pieces can be configured to fit any space, allowing you to create a customized workstation that adapts to your needs. Think vertical storage options like shelves and

pegboards that utilize wall space effectively, as well as drawers that help you find what you need quickly along with storage cubes and baskets for keeping supplies neatly tucked away while adding a decorative touch.

When we think of home design, laundry rooms often take a backseat. Yet, this hardworking area deserves just as much attention with custom cabinets in on-trend colors or finishes with ample workspace for sorting, folding, and ironing clothes. Countertops—made from durable materials like quartz or granite—that are both functional and appealing are paired with stylish backsplashes for a cohesive look that transforms your laundry area into a mini oasis of organization. Include pull-out hampers, dedicated areas for sorting clothes by color or fabric type, and a foldable ironing board that tucks away neatly when not in use.

My guest room is also my office and I am pining for a Murphy bed from Closets By Design. Their wallbeds are designed to fold up against the wall when not in use, with a user-friendly mechanism, engineered to be lightweight yet sturdy, while they support a standard mattress.

“We’re passionate about transforming overlooked spaces into beautiful, functional areas that you’ll enjoy using,” says Stephanie. “We offer a wide spectrum of finishing options, whether you prefer the warm, natural look of wood or the sleek, contemporary feel of laminate finishes. Each material is crafted for durability while providing an elegant aesthetic that can elevate any room.”

Her team understands every home has unique needs and styles, and they are passionate about providing tailored solutions that enhance both functionality and aesthetics, transforming your spaces into beautifully organized havens.

3165 Corners N Ct, Peachtree Corners 770.418.2112

https://atlanta.closetsbydesign.com/

Pantry envy. Do you need shallow shelves or lots of storage for tall cereal boxes for the teens? You can customize your space completely.

FOR EVENT DECOR THAT POPS!

Elevate your events with Balloonacy’s enchanting décor services, tailored to infuse festive spirit into every occasion. For private or corporate holiday parties, our expert team designs stylish decor that transforms the venue into a magical setting, creating the perfect ambiance for celebrations of all kinds!

DOING

OUR

Chamblee Dunwoody Collision Center has been providing the finest automobile service to the Chamblee area for nearly a decade. We’re an independent family-owned auto repair shop for any make and model vehicle. We will negotiate the best repairs for you and fight for you. We are a one-stop shop that puts your interest first above the insurance company’s. We provide services including salvage title rebuild, tow services, and financial assistance. All body and paint repairs have a lifetime warranty. Call for free information. We are here to assist you!

Certificate of Deposit (CD) rates are on the rise, and now’s the time to access special rates through an alliance with U.S. Bank. Contact me to get started.

Eddie Flynt Insurance Agcy Inc

Eddie Flynt, Agent

3580 Pierce Drive, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30341

Bus: 770-457-0227

www.eddieflynt.com eddie@eddieflynt.com

ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK

WHETHER YOU’RE RENOVATING AN EXISTING HOME OR BUILDING A NEW HOME, YOUR FIRST CALL SHOULD BE TO A DESIGNER.

We sat down with Chamblee designers Robert Platt and his daughter, Aaron Michelle Platt-Baker, of Habitations LLC, to talk about the importance of hiring a designer for your construction and renovation projects.

Robert explains that as someone decides they want to build a new home or renovate their existing home, most start the process by looking for a builder. They may call and even meet with several builders. Robert illustrates what can happen with a hypothetical scenario.

He says the client meets with a potential builder and during that conversation explains what they want to accomplish with the project. Then the client meets with a second potential builder and during that conversation the client may add to the list of changes and updates. By the time the client speaks with a third potential builder, they may add further changes. “And suddenly expectations are set based on totally erroneous criteria,” Robert says.

When you’re ready to build or renovate, Robert and Aaron Michelle stress that it’s important to seek a designer first, and here’s why. “The designer is the client’s advocate,” Robert says. “We sit down [with the clients] and say, what do you want to accomplish.” It’s from this conversation that the designer has a better understanding of the client’s expectations and what the project will entail.

Photo Credit -

Dim Horizon Studio

Robert says it helps for the client to be a willing participant in the process. “You’re going to have to do homework,” he says. “You’re going to have to talk with us. The client has a picture in their head of what they want and how things should look. We’re pretty good at extracting that information and coming back with something visual.”

That something visual is the first draft of plans, a set of drawings for the project, based on the conversation. Once the client sees those plans on paper, it’s the starting point of what the client wants and needs to what the final project will look like once it’s complete.

Robert says the drawings they create now are specific and complex because of codes set to protect the homeowner. “Code is not a dirty word,” he says. “When we do drawings, we are ensuring that the builder knows that these are the minimum standards that must be achieved by law for safety.” And the specificity of the drawings helps manage the client’s expectations and ensures the client’s vision is achieved.

Once the designs are drawn, then they can be sent out to potential builders, so everyone is looking at the exact same thing. The designs are then used by the builder as a guide for the project.

Aaron Michelle explains that many builders will require drawings from a qualified designer before taking on a project. And having a set of plans will help to control time and cost in the long run because you’ve worked through the project on paper. “You’re not losing money by building something and then tearing it down or changing your mind,” Aaron Michelle says. “And everybody knows the level of quality that the homeowner wants to achieve.”

With decades of experience in the industry, Robert says he's seen a lot of changes, and he says it’s important for people to understand that each project takes a considerable amount of time. The reasons? “The bandwidth of the industry is very narrow,” he says. “Also the complexity of the drawings.” He explains that the plans required for a design project in the 1980s were pretty basic requiring about seven sheets. Now the average set of design plans includes 18 to 26 sheets. Then there’s permitting, inspections, the actual construction, and more. So it helps to realize upfront that the project will take time. Robert and Aaron Michelle suggest using the longer timeframe to your advantage with planning, preparing, and saving.

If you’re not quite ready to execute, you may still consider getting started with the process and take things slowly. Aaron Michelle says you can have the designs drawn and figure the cost for the project. Then you can set a goal for saving money, repairing credit, building a bit more equity, etc., before the construction takes place. “The thing is, now we know what the price tag is going to be, and we have a roadmap to get there. It’s worth waiting to get everything you want,” she said. “We’re trying to get across to clients that being patient and waiting can serve you better in the long run.”

Habitations is located at 1954 Airport Road in Chamblee. For more information about Habitations, visit habitationsllc.com

Photo Credit - Dim Horizon Studio

Photo CreditJanet Howard

2025 EVENTS CHAMBLEE

Southern Skies Construction

Southern Skies Construction takes on a condo update in the Loews Atlanta Hotel.

Keith Kenney, owner of Southern Skies Construction, says he’s always had a passion for building and architecture. “I was always building forts and go carts, and just messing around with stuff like that as a kid,” he says. So perhaps it’s no surprise that after growing up in nearby Dunwoody and attending Georgia Tech, Keith landed a job as a lead carpenter. After spending time in construction and learning the ropes of the business while working for others, he started Southern Skies Construction in 2008 with his philosophy, as stated on his website, to provide quality construction with excellent communication and a hands-on approach to achieve superior customer satisfaction . Keith refers to his business as a niche construction business, and he says he's learned over the years that bigger is not always better when it comes to construction.

Keith recently took on a project updating a residence, but not just any residence. Keith explains that it’s not unusual for the top floors

of some of the luxury hotels in Atlanta to be designated as residential. His recent project is a condo and private residence located on one of the top floors in the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Midtown Atlanta.

The project came to Keith through RAO Design Studio’s Matthew Rao, owner and principal, who Keith says he's known for about 20 years. The two have worked together on several other projects. Keith met with the owners of the residence, and he said one of the reasons he got the job was because of his transparency when it comes to numbers.

The scope of the project included several updates with goals that included new lighting, new appliances, and cabinetry to add more storage space in the kitchen, as well as updates to the primary suite. “The primary bath was dated, and the shower was really small,” Keith says. During the project, Keith says he enlarged the shower and added a steam shower for the client.

ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD

Keith Kenney is the owner of Southern Skies Construction.

While there were no real challenges to this particular project, Keith says some of the designs were pretty tricky. “The designer wanted to put a thin fluorescent LED lighting all the way down the hallway,” he says. “It was probably 45 feet, and we had to put that strip light in straight down the middle and drywall up to the edges.”

There were also custom designed doors for the foyer closet that are eight feet tall and five feet wide. “That was quite the challenge to get those things built correctly and match up to make it look like the wall,” he adds. “The doors are magnetic – so you have to push them to pop them open.”

To help his projects run smoothly, Keith says he has a project manager to manage the day-to-day tasks. They have weekly meetings to stay on top of those tasks, and monthly recaps to keep everyone updated on costs, budgets, and other goals.

Keith says the construction phase for this particular project took about six months to complete. And as for the clients on this project? Keith says they are thrilled with the quality of construction, the process, and way the project turned out, and he says knowing that is a great feeling. “I take it very personal,” he says, talking about his work. “It makes me really glad to do what I do.”

For more information about Southern Skies Construction, visit southernskiesconstruction.com

Keith stands in the kitchen of his recent project.

events

MARCH 1ST

Chamblee Bulldog Dash

Chamblee Middle School | 8:00 AM

Lace up your running shoes for the Chamblee Bulldog Dash 5K sponsored by the Chamblee High School Blue & Gold Foundation and the Chamblee Middle School Education Foundation. Bring your family and join your friends for a time filled with community, spirit and fun! For more information visit, bulldogdash5K.com.

MARCH 8TH

International Women's Day Celebration

The Social Studio | 10:00 AM

The Social Studio along with Limitless Events will hold an International Women's Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 8, at The Social Studio in downtown Chamblee. Join this celebration of women that includes a number of engaging and motivational speakers. For more information, visit thesocialstudioatl.com/events.

realty report

A SAMPLE OF RECENTLY SOLD PROPERTIES IN CHAMBLEE.

This data is a sampling of sold properties from July 2024. Source: IRES MLS system.

THE REAL ESTATE MARKET

WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING, HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT NOW.

ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD

The Level Up Real Estate Team is a small team of experienced real estate professionals.

As the calendar flips to March, we move toward spring and into what many think of as the real estate selling season.

Chuck MacPhee, team lead of the Berkshire Hathaway Level Up Real Estate Team, explains that real estate professionals have seen substantial price appreciation over the last several years, especially in the 2021–2022 timeframe. “I would say over the last year or so home values have somewhat stabilized and the volatility in pricing has calmed down," he says, adding that today’s housing market is fairly strong and healthy.

Along with stability in prices, Chuck says there has also been an increase in days on the market, another key housing indicator. On average as of January it was at about 81 days, and a bit longer than it's been in quite some time. Even so, he says there's still a healthy demand.

The Level Up Real Estate Team

Chuck says rising interest rates have significantly impacted buyer’s purchasing power over the last few years. “You just can’t afford as much house as you used to,” he says. And then there’s been the psychological impact after seeing low interest rates of the past. But Chuck says that’s just not the reality anymore. “It feels like consumers have accepted that, and they’ve made the decision that life moves on. We still have to have shelter,” he says. Even though the housing market may have cooled somewhat from the days of bidding wars, Chuck says there’s still a very healthy demand when it comes to housing in metro Atlanta, and more specifically, Chamblee.

According to Chuck, what’s going on in the Chamblee market is that home prices have risen year over year, and home values continue to appreciate.

kicks off,” he says. And if you need to do some updating he says there are a few things to consider.

First, Chuck suggests meeting with a real estate professional to evaluate your own situation.

You should also consider the curb appeal of the home. “Typically having a strong curb appeal presence is a good start,” he says. Refreshing the pine straw or mulch, planting some flowers, and a fresh coat of paint on the front door may be enough to capture someone’s attention as they drive by or when seeing an image online.

“It’s a great time to sell before that official deep spring market kicks off.”

— Chuck MacPhee, Level Up Real Estate

“When you look at average sold prices, from a data perspective, they’re actually up about 20% year over year,” he says.

Is there a preference between new construction versus existing home sells? Chuck says there’s a healthy mix, and location is what most homebuyers are looking for. “They want the in-town location,” he says. “They want the convenience of highway access." They want easy access getting to restaurants, sporting events, the airport, and more.

If you’re considering putting your home on the market, Chuck says now is a good time. “It’s a great time to sell before that official deep spring market

In general, if you feel you need to make some upgrades inside your home, Chuck says it’s updates to the kitchen, living spaces, and the primary bathroom that can help give the home an added boost when it’s time to sell. “We [Level Up Real Estate] offer a concierge service, where you may not have the financial means to make the upgrades,” he says.

“We partner with contractors that will make significant updates to your home and not receive payment until the home sells.” There’s no initial out of pocket expense to the seller. With the concierge service, you must have equity in your home, and contractors are paid at the time of closing out of the proceeds from the sale.

Chuck, along with his business partner, Alexandra French, created the team at Level Up Real Estate located at 3744 Roswell Road, Atlanta, Ga., 30342. For more information, visit leveluprealestateteam.com

G r o u p C l a s s e s

A t C r o s s F i t V e n g e a n c e , o u r g r o u p c l a s s e s a r e d e s i g n e d

f o r a t h l e t e s o f a l l l e v e l s - f r o m b e g i n n e r s t o s e a s o n e d

c o m p e t i t o r s E a c h s e s s i

P e r s o n a l T r a i n i n g

L o o k i n g f o r a c u s t o m i z e d a p p r o a c h t o y o u r f i t n e s s g o a l s ? O u r P e r s o n a l T r a i n i n g p r o g r a m a t C r o s s F i t

V e n g e a n c e p r o v i d e s o n e - o n - o n e c o a c h i n g d e s i g n e d

t o h e l p y o u m o v e b e t t e r , g e t s t r o n g e r , a n d r e a c h

y o u r f u l l p o t e n t i a l o n y o u r s c h e d u l e

N u t r i t i o n C o a c h i n g

A t C r o s s F i t V e n g e a n c e , w e k n o w t h a t n u t r i t i o n i s t h e

f o u n d a t i o n o f h e a l t h a n d f i t n e s s . O u r N u t r i t i o n C o a c h i n g

p r o g r a m i s d e s i g n e d t o h e l p y o u d e v e l o p s u s t a i n a b l e

e a t i n g h a b i t s t h a t s u p p o r t y o u r g o a l s w h e t h e r i t ’ s f a t l o s s , m u s c l e g a i n , p e r f o r m a n c e e n h a n c e m e n t , o r o v e r a l l w e l l - b e i n g