YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TREE SERVICE.
Tree Care Tips
• Check for Hazardous Trees: Winter storms can bring down weak trees or limbs. Inspect for dead branches, leaning trunks, or decay. Call an arborist if unsure.
• Prune for Safety & Health: Late winter pruning strengthens trees and prevents disease. Remove weak or overgrown branches to promote healthy spring growth.
• Mulch & Protect Roots: Add mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to insulate roots, retain moisture, and prevent soil erosion.
• Plan for Spring Planting: Now is the time to choose native trees and schedule early spring planting for the best start.
• Watch for Pests & Disease: Even in winter, pests and fungal infections can threaten trees. Look for holes, sap oozing, or discolored leaves. Early action can save a tree!
Welcome Home Decatur
Spring? Is that you? With March comes warmer weather, the hope for blooming gardens, and a renewed sense of possibility. It’s the season of fresh starts, and what better place to begin than right at home?
Our March issue is dedicated to the spaces we cherish—the walls that hold our memories, where meals are shared, conversations flow, and creativity is sparked. This month, we celebrate design extraor dinaires shaping how we live in and love our homes.
Meet Decatur-based architect, Robert Koch, who blends tradition with innovation to design homes that reflect his clients’ dreams. His passion for pushing creative boundaries ensures that every project is not just a structure, but a reflection of the people who live within it.
Claudia De La O of D&D Total Construction proves that high-end design and expert craftsmanship don’t have to be out of reach. De La O and her team bring beauty and functionality to every project with an unwavering commitment to quality.
Shawn Vinson reminds us that home is also a feeling, as he curates art that reflects history, culture, and personal expression at The Sun ATL. By celebrating the work of impactful artists, he creates spaces that tell stories and invite us to see the world through a different lens.
And if you’re looking for trusted individuals to nourish, upgrade, and improve your life at home and beyond, look no further than the local advertising partners you see in these pages month after month. Their passion and expertise transform visions into reality, solving challenges with personalized care to create a home that brings you peace and comfort.
So, as spring settles in and new ideas take root, we invite you to step inside, gather inspiration, and find joy in the place you call home. No matter where you live or how long you’ve been there, there’s always an opportunity to make it feel even more like yours.
Welcome home, Decatur.
Warmly,
March 2025
PUBLISHER
Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Natalie Fox | natalie.fox@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION MANAGER
Brooke Felder | brooke.felder@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Natalie Fox, Brooke Felder, Sue Collins
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Caroline Ficken, John Wachs
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 Hannah Leimkuhler
inside the issue
Co-Create Your Space
Robert
Art in the Heart of Atlanta
Find
How
Organizing
business monthly
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CO-CREATE YOUR SPACE
Robert Koch Designs delivers on stylistic dreams.
ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN WACHS
As a young, prospective architecture student, Robert Koch was shown an image of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Designed in 1935, the Pennsylvania house sits atop a waterfall and is widely considered a masterpiece of organic architecture. Koch was deeply impacted by how the structure pushed boundaries in a way he had never seen before. This moment of inspiration created a reverence for exciting spaces that appears in his design work and specific brand of creativity to this day. With a portfolio full of styles (Craftsman, Modern, Tudor, and everything in between) he is particularly interested in interpreting traditional styles in a new contemporary way. A deep appreciation of stylistic details and passion for the progressive side of architecture allow him to explore innovative ways to tackle every project.
Robert Koch cultivates relationships with clients that are not merely transactional; he is dedicated to ensuring each homeowner is as happy with the process as they are with the final product. He sees the value in a personable approach and takes seriously his responsibility of educating clients on the best ways to go about the changes they need to make. After receiving each requirements list, Koch begins researching and is always on the hunt for inspiration. From specified online searches to walking
down the street and taking photos of structural details, ideas spring forth, propelling creative ways for how every specification can come together cohesively. A lover of all types of architecture, Koch believes that “all styles are possible” and a style-specific architect isn’t needed. “Each project is an opportunity to fulfill the needs of the clients - which transcends style,” he says. He assesses a project as successful less on how he thinks it looks and more on whether the client is happy with the result.
A lover of all types of architecture, Koch believes that “all styles are possible” and a style-specific architect isn’t needed. “Each project is an opportunity to fulfill the needs of the clientswhich transcends style,” he says.
Koch understands the personal nature of remodeling a home. He truly cares about the impact a beautifully and thoughtfully built residence creates and derives satisfaction from two aspects: one, the process of imagining something and then seeing it come into existence. Two, granting homeowners the opportunity to live in that dream. He and his family have lived in their home since 2015, and continually strive to make improvements to make it their own. Their absolute favorite space is the back patio: the ultimate hosting area, it was dreamt up from scratch, as he and his wife selected every finish. There’s nothing they would change about it. Koch seeks to bring that same sense of total satisfaction and serenity to every home he designs. A Decatur neighbor dedicated to bringing his client’s practical and stylistic wishes to life, you can truly love the space you’re in with Robert Koch Designs.
Purvis Young
Raphael Bahindwa
Harry Underwood
ART IN THE Heart OF Atlanta
Shawn Vinson describes himself as “drawn to the image.” You might know him from the Different Trains Gallery in downtown Decatur. Opened in 2017, it’s an intimate operation where they show one or two artists at a time and provide personal art consultations. Longtime collector Sarah Garvin always dreamt of living in a gallery and purchased the townhome with a work-live model in mind, soon after asking Vinson to run it. He hopes this new gallery, The Sun ATL, can specifically serve as a place to learn about Black culture and Atlanta’s history. It is 8,000 square feet of impactful art in Atlanta's literal (and spiritual) center. He fell in love with the city as a young adult while working as a photographer for a friend’s band, where he would screenprint his photos onto t-shirts and flyers for promotion. This talent for artist advocacy is ever-present today, and it’s a joy to hear the admiration and knowledge he has for every artist he shows.
Find artistic connection and expand your collection at The Sun ATL.
ARTICLE BY NATALIE FOX
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE FICKEN
CONTINUED >
Ruth Franklin Shawn Vinson
Art permeates Vinson’s entire life, including his marriage to Ruth Franklin, an English painter he met while working for a wholesale art dealer. He describes her taste as “immaculate”, and she serves as the final word on who to display in their galleries and home. Her pastel originals and charcoal pieces emote evocative and compelling themes. One painting, “Farm”, is currently for sale at The Sun ATL, and depicts a moving scene from growing up on her family farm in East Anglia.
Vinson’s curation choices seek to celebrate the neighborhood they’re in. One of their permanent fixtures is the art of Pervis Young, currently displayed in a room directly facing the original Ebenezer Baptist Church. Young was a self-taught artist from Miami who learned to paint in prison. His epically powerful pieces depict horses running through the Wild West - the ultimate representation of freedom. Jim Alexander is another permanent fixture. An Atlantabased photographer, he’s been photographing musicians and civil rights movements since the 1960s. Most of his civil work is in The King Center but you can find his music and culture documentary-style photos here.
Artwork will rotate every two months. Certain artists will always be present (like Franklin, Pervis, and Alexander) while others will cycle in. The massive building includes a conference room that can be rented by the hour and day; a hand-carved print gallery room available for shoots and trainings; and, you can rent entire space for fundraisers or events. Previously an architecture firm, the upstairs features skylights, a kitchen, and an available office space.
Vinson serves as a guide for collectors. Based on a person’s style, taste, and budget, he gets an idea of what they like to introduce them to artists and pieces they might enjoy. He often links the experience of art with the experience of music: the way they both need to speak to you, in a way you might not be able to describe in words, but that you’ll recognize intrinsically. “You know that old question, what kind of music do you like?” he asked me. “There’s only two types: good and bad. I like good, and I feel that way about art.”
The
Art of Math: An Exhibition of Mathematical Art
March 7-April 26
Mathematical genius transforms into visual poetry at "The Art of Math," a groundbreaking exhibition celebrating the extraordinary realm where numbers and creativity collide. Inspired by Martin Gardner's revolutionary thinking, this exhibition showcases world-renowned mathematical artists who reveal mathematics as a profound artistic language.
Purvis Young
Harry Underwood
LATINA-LED LUXURY CONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE BY BROOKE FELDER
HOW CLAUDIA DE LA O IS REDEFINING HIGH-END CONSTRUCTION WITH HEART, EXPERTISE, AND ACCESSIBILITY.
Photo by John Wachs
Crafting and curating a forever home takes time, attention to detail, and expertise that often feels unattainable. Claudia De La O, the founder and creative director of D&D Total Construction, understands this and redefines what it means to create well-executed construction without exorbitant costs. "I want to add value to the properties I work on—not just through renovations, but through design," De La O explains. "Highend design and well-executed construction should be within reach for everyone."
Originally from Colombia, De La O immigrated to the United States with humble beginnings to build a better life for her two daughters. "I started in construction by developing a directory for companies. Through the years, I learned every trade from painting to laying tile,” she explains. “Eventually, I started my own company and focused on renovations. I’ve always had a goal to be better each year.”
D&D Total Construction specializes in kitchen and bathroom renovations and home additions. De La O considers her construction team like family, a group she’s worked with for nearly 15 years. They share her commitment to excellence that delivers results—sometimes in half the time of most projects. “What might take six months, we do in three. The work is seamless, and clients feel taken care of.”
Being a Latina woman in a male-dominated industry has not come without challenges. De La O used that as an engine to develop a deep understanding of the industry – not just for her, but for her daughters. "I want to be an example for them and show them that as a Latina, it’s harder for us to be successful,” explains De La O, “I need to show them that you can do whatever you have in your mind if you work hard and if you’re disciplined and consistent.”
But, the greatest gift De La O offers her client is her ability to make a house feel like a home. “I always include design,” she says, “That is a gift – having the opportunity to envision what the client wants and enhance that through design, construction, and finishes because I have all the resources to get it done at a good price” De La O is redefining what it means to build luxury—and proving that with the right vision and dedication, it’s never out of reach.
Tidy is Trending
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-on-one 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 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. “Simply call our call center or visit our website to set your appointment, and our customer service representative will schedule you with a highly trained designer in your area.”
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.
ARTICLE BY SUE COLLINS
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!
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 even dedicated spaces for hobby supplies. The company offers garage flooring options too, durable and easy to maintain, giving your space a polished look while standing up to the wear and tear of daily use.
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 drawer’s 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. As we embrace the future of remote work, the right home office products and trends can make a world of difference in enhancing storage, versatility, and productivity.
When we think of home design, laundry rooms often take a backseat to more glamorous spaces like kitchens and living rooms. 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 boards 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, we have something to suit every taste. 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 https://atlanta.closetsbydesign.com/
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INNOVATION MEETS
ARTISTRY
Kitchen design has entered a transformative era, where innovation meets artistry to create spaces that are not only functional but also personal and sustainable. With advancements in technology, materials and craftsmanship, today’s kitchens are tailored to meet the evolving needs and tastes of homeowners.
According to interior designer Laura McCroskey, kitchens today are about more than just cooking—they’re an expression of personal lifestyle.
“Kitchen design has entered an exciting time where the possibilities feel limitless,” says McCroskey. “For me, the design process starts before lines are ever drawn on a construction document. I believe in creating spaces that enhance life, both functionally and aesthetically. The design process begins with a discussion about what a space needs to do, and what aesthetic will bring a spark to the homeowner. I also firmly believe that when designing a kitchen, one should walk out a recipe to make sure everything is in the right place to
suit one’s lifestyle. Cooking zones are imperative to a well-designed kitchen.”
Modern kitchens emphasize zoning, or the creation of dedicated areas for preparation, cooking and storage, to enhance workflow and functionality. These zones not only improve efficiency but also contribute to a cohesive and visually appealing aesthetic.
Cutting-edge rendering software, utilizing technology similar to that used in gaming, allows homeowners to visualize their dream kitchens in hyper-realistic detail. While these tools inspire creativity, McCroskey advises balancing ambitious ideas with practical implementation to achieve the best results.
Technology, sustainability and customization are driving the revolution in kitchen design. Advanced appliances are at the forefront, enhancing convenience while aligning with a growing emphasis on eco-friendliness.
“From vacuum-sealing drawers that preserve food and reduce waste to smart appliances controlled by your
THE HEART OF THE HOME
phone, the emphasis is on efficiency and sustainability. Functional storage built seamlessly into marble countertops and oversized workstation sinks are making daily tasks easier and more enjoyable. Thoughtful features like composting compartments and advanced food preservation methods reflect a broader effort to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact.”
Custom cabinetry that maximizes every inch of space minimizes waste while optimizing functionality.
“Forget the limits of traditional cabinetry. Blind corners, tiny nooks and hidden areas are now designed to maximize storage. Automated drawers and pop-up outlets are becoming increasingly common, marrying convenience with sleek aesthetics.”
Design trends have also evolved, becoming more flexible to reflect individual tastes.
“While white kitchens remain timeless and black adds drama, bleached woods continue to be popular. Style trends are no longer as rigid—whether you prefer modern, transitional, or traditional designs, you can create a kitchen tailored to your unique vision. There’s no limit to what you can achieve with today’s tools and technologies. The goal is to create spaces that resonate deeply with the people who live in them.”
The kitchen is the heart of every home and represents a space of endless possibility. Whether your aesthetic leans modern, farmhouse or somewhere in between, the tools and technologies available today make it easier than ever to bring your vision to life.
events
FEBRUARY 28TH
RISING By Lori Lejeune
Hyatt Cottage at Legacy Park | 6:00 AM
Final days to see RISING! This exhibition by Lori Lejeune, presented by the Decatur Arts Alliance, runs through March 9. Featuring her Flight Series and signature large-scale wall installations, the work explores resilience and transformation. Visit Friday–Sunday, 1–5 PM. Learn more: studiolejeune.com. Volunteer: decaturartsalliance.org/volunteer
MARCH 8TH
Oakhurst Wine Crawl
Oakhurst Village | 4:00 PM
Kick off spring at the annual Oakhurst Wine Crawl in Decatur’s Oakhurst Village! Sip 100+ wines at 20+ neighborhood businesses with your OWC souvenir glass. Proceeds support the community and fund Oakhurst PorchFest. Tickets sold out last year—don’t wait! Join us for the most fun Saturday afternoon in March!
MARCH 15TH
The 23rd Annual Tour deCatur!
Decatur High School
Decatur’s largest 5K happens Saturday, March 15th at Decatur High School! Choose from the Peachtree Road Race-qualifying 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run, Tot Trot, or the new “None Run” for non-runners. Register by Feb. 26th to guarantee your t-shirt. Proceeds support local students—join this beloved community tradition!
MARCH 15TH
Wylde Goes WILD
Wylde Center Sugar Creek Garden, 415 East Lake Dr | 4:00 PM
Join us for an intimate evening at Wylde Center, where nature lovers can sip curated wines in a serene garden setting. Meet rescued wildlife from AWARE Wildlife Center and learn about co-existing with native animals in our urban environment. A unique experience blending conservation, community, and connection.
MARCH 22ND
Fair on the Square
Downtown Decatur Square | 12:00 PM
Join the Decatur Youth Council and Teen Leadership Team for a fun-filled, carnival-themed festival this March! Enjoy live music, games, and great food—fun for the whole family. Entry is free! Stay tuned for event details and get ready to leap into spring on the Square!
MARCH 29TH
Grand Reveal: Decatur’s New Track & Field Facility!
Decatur Legacy Park
The long-awaited 8-lane, lighted track at Legacy Park is becoming a reality! Featuring a synthetic turf field for multiple sports, plus areas for pole vault, long jump, and more, this $7M project is funded by the City of Decatur & Decatur Board of Education. Get ready to hit the track!
