About the 2010 Senoia Idea House

Southern Living magazine has been highlighting unique off-the-beaten path southern towns for decades. For more than 20 years, Southern Living has built its Idea Houses on the lake, on the beach and in town to cover the many interests of its more than 16 million readers.

“With the growing attention on small town life and family-oriented, walkable communities, we set our sights on finding a historic town under revitalization,” said Kristen Payne, Director Southern Living Homes Group.

Enter Senoia, a small Georgia town where the main street looks like a scene out of Driving Miss Daisy, but look deeper and you will find a community committed to eco-friendly construction right down to the electric cars parked in front of the diner.

“This town is blending the best of today with the nostalgia of yesterday,” adds Payne. “It’s why we chose this location to tell our story with this year’s Idea House.”

The home in Senoia will be the first ever Southern Living brownstone project. It was designed by the noted team of architects at Historical Concepts from the neighboring town of Peachtree City. The house will open for tours June 12, 2010 with ticket proceeds benefitting The American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball 2010.

Jamie Elliott McPherson, CKD, Allied ASID and principal of Hearth and Home Interiors was selected by Southern Living as the interior designer for the project. Jamie’s own home was featured in the November 2009 issue showcasing his nod to comfort, style and a “southern feel,” undeniably influenced from his roots in nearby Newnan, Georgia. His sophisticated style and unique ability to blend antiques with urban style is simply innate. Jamie’s work as a noted kitchen designer has earned him recognition both locally and nationally.

Completing the team is John Bynum Custom Homes, Inc., one of the Atlanta area’s premier custom home builders.

About Senoia

The Historic Senoia Project is a downtown redevelopment initiative within the Historic District of the City of Senoia, Georgia, undertaken by the principals of Riverwood Studios Inc. It is located just south of Atlanta. “25 miles and 100 years from Atlanta” is the official mantra by residents and revivalists. The Historic Senoia Project is an in-town urban living, dining, and cultural experience that includes shopping, attractions and historic ambience. Many of the vacant parcels of land in Senoia's Historic District have been acquired for the purpose of constructing period infill development, designed to blend seamlessly with the town’s existing architecture set between the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s.

Senoia’s charm has been the backdrop for more than 24 film and television productions over the last 20 years, including “Fried Green Tomatoes”, “The War,” and even the recent Lifetime Television series hit “Drop Dead Diva”. Riverwood Studios, whose roots go back 3 generations in Hollywood, has ensured that planning and design for the historic infill project will make Senoia even more conducive to serving up its brand of Southern charm for future projects as well.

The scope of Senoia’s revitalization includes retail/commercial, office/professional, and in-town residential elements, master planned to offer modern amenities and technology within the context of a historic sense of place.

About Historical Concepts

Historical Concepts is a multi-discipline firm recognized for its traditionalist approach to architecture, land planning and design. The firm strives to create new homes and communities that pay homage to existing historical precedent. This approach results in timeless designs that look and feel as though they have been part of any given setting for generations. With clients across the nation, the firm’s work has been featured in many national publications, and its traditional design philosophy and commitment to quality has also resulted in numerous awards for design excellence, including multiple Southern Home Awards from Southern Living magazine.

Historical Concepts has a long history of collaborating with Southern Progress, creating Idea Houses for Coastal Living and other sister magazines. Historical Concepts is especially pleased that Southern Living chose to bring its Idea House program to Senoia, Georgia. The design of the Idea House complements the firm’s ongoing contributions to revitalizing and protecting the historic community, which is located in close proximity to the firm's offices. Founded in 1982, and with offices in Atlanta and Peachtree City, Georgia, Historical Concepts is led by Jim Strickland and partners Terry Pylant, Aaron Daily, Andrew Cogar and Todd Strickland.

About Southern Living

Southern Living, the premier lifestyle and entertaining magazine of the South and the sixth largest monthly consumer magazine in the U.S. (based on readership), reaches more than 16 million readers each month. Published 12 times a year, Southern Living celebrates the heart of Southern life.

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