One of the huge perks of being a design blogger is getting opportunities to visit places that I might not otherwise see. Even though I grew up in Atlanta, I had never been to Christmas at Callanwolde. I had heard about it and knew that it must be a delightful event for the holidays, but just never made it down there.
When I got an email recently with a personal invitation to tour Callanwolde and take photos, I jumped at the chance. I decided that my birthday would be the perfect day to go. What a treat for me and my sister! We went to Callanwolde in the morning, stopped in at Mary Mac’s for lunch, and took a stroll through Ikea on the way home. Quite a fun birthday outing! I’ll report in on those other events later too.
Callanwolde is in the Druid Hills area of Atlanta, the same area that Driving Miss Daisy was filmed and it is truly gorgeous. My sister and I got a personal tour from Jerry Poole, the President of the Board and it was such a fun treat. We enjoyed every minute inside this beautiful Tudor mansion. In case you didn’t know that The Coca-Cola Company was started right here in Atlanta, Georgia, this house is associated with that family.
I’ll share some of the history from the Callanwolde Christmas brochere I received:
This 27,000 s.f. historic mansion was transformed for the holidays by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers. Period furniture, designer treasures, fine art and breathtaking Christmas trees reflect a glorious era when the Candler family lived in the mansion from the 1920’s to the 1950’s. With music playing on the Aeolian pipe organ, it’s a sight to behold.
The magnificent Gothic Tudor mansion, set on 12.5 acres in Atlanta’s Druid hills neighborhood, was built in 1920 as the home of Charles Howard Candler, the eldest son of The Coca-Cola Company founder, Asa Candler. The mansion, centered around a large courtyard, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The immaculate attention to detail throughout the home is evident in the excellent craftsmanship of the walnut paneling, stained-glass windows, bronze balustrades, delicate ceiling and fireplace reliefs.
This is the back side of the magnificent house.
A greenhouse and pottery is in the back also.
Front doors of the house. Isn’t this gorgeous?
Inside the house are trees everywhere. This one is a beautiful example of the trees you’ll see in the house.
The foyer is filled with trees too.
Part of the gorgeous vignettes in the Great Hall.
Beautiful walnut paneling and priceless antiques are in the house. Loved this special piece, a bar with running water.
Another sideboard filled with bountiful splendor for the season.
We loved this moss bowl.
Looking towards the grand stairway.
Close-up look at one of the natural trees decorated by designers.
Love the hydrangea, ribbon and natural feel.
See, they do paperwhites too!
A wall in the hallway. Decked out for Christmas.
This side area is called the Porte Cochere, coming in the side door.
The winter living room. No furniture in here, but there is a magnificent fireplace and what a view with those windows.
Breathtaking fireplace.
This is one big living room, with all the beams on the ceiling, quite a sight to behold.
Original floors have seen a lot of love and families living here.
The library is off the main hallway and it was decorated beautifully.
Sofa table with natural greens and glitz.
The fireplace mantel was so beautiful.
Draped natural greens, stockings and a lot of natural elements.
So pretty, don’t you think? Mercury glass is popular with this designer too.
This purple centerpiece was so delightful to the senses.
Purple ribbons add a festive touch.
One bookcase all decked out for the Holidays, with live poinsettias and lots of pretties.
Another live natural tree in this room was bedecked beautifully.
Lovely ornaments.
We will stop the tour here for the moment and I’ll be back this weekend with Parts 2 and 3. This house is so magnificent and I don’t want to leave anything out, so breaking it up in 3 parts will work best.
If you live in the Atlanta area and have never been to Christmas at Callanwolde, I would strongly urge you to do so. It’s $20 for the tour and you will be delighted with this grand house, especially at the most wonderful time of the year.
It is open through this weekend, December 18th for the Holiday season and you can check out the Callanwolde Fine Arts website for all the details. I’m so appreciative to Katie, who is on the board and invited me for a personal tour of the house. We SO enjoyed every bit of it and I’m so glad I finally got to see this fabulous Atlanta mansion in person.
Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3 coming this weekend!
Designers on this part of the tour:
Entrance Foyer: David Williams D’Ambrosio, Redefined Home Boutique
Great Hall: Sharon Anderson, Allied ASID, Sharon’s Interior Images
Library: Lathem Gordon, Allied ASID, Clayton Bond, Allied ASID, John Ishmael, Nandina Home & Design
Living Room and Main Entrance: Sumaya Maghariaf, Julep’s Home decor
Porte Cochere: Ann Wisniewski, ASID; Theresa Druckenmiller, IFDA, DOWNsize Design
Porte Cochere Florals: Cornelia Ohl, Cornelia Design
Arlene @At Home with the Grimms says
Eye candy for sure Rhoda….I love that part of Atlanta!! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the next parts as well!
[email protected] says
It really is a beautiful mansion and reminds me of the luxury we saw in the old governor’s mansion that I wrote about yesterday. I can’t wait to see part 2. I thought the sheet music on the back of one shelf was a look we could do here in blogland.
Kathryn Dillon says
Deb & I went yesterday to see the house & it really is beautiful! There were so many things I wanted to photograph, but they had their little signs out everywhere prohibiting any photography. I am so glad you were able to capture the essence of the home with all the different trees & table vignettes. I look forward to your next couple of posts! I’m hoping you got a picture of the breakfast room table centerpiece, it was wonderful!
Amanda Eck says
Wow!! just jovely!! what a special treat for you and your sister!
Amanda Eck says
umm that would be Just LOVELY not jovely! 🙂
judi says
Love this house…thanks for sharing. Can you imagine what the area must have looked like at one time before so many of the older grand homes were torn down?
Amanda, I thought you’d coined a new word – jolly + lovely – jovely:)
Kelly @Eclectically Vintage says
Love those grand old houses! Fab tour
Kelly
Babs says
Rhoda,
Thanks for sharing your photos of beautiful Callanwolde. Can’t wait to see parst 2 and 3.
Belated birthday wishes. How much fun to have lunch with your sister at Mary Mac’s.
Kat says
Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!
Christmas hugs,
Kat
ColleenwithMurals&More says
Oh, Rhoda! How perfectly lovely this is. I’m so grateful to you for posting this. First, because it’s stunning, and a part of history. Secondly, because it reminds me of when I used to decorate showcase homes for Christmas. I ♥ decorations that are large, but to scale with a grand room, and definitely have a theme. And thank you, thank you, thank you for crediting the designers. (I might, just possibly, have an *issue* with not receiving credit as a designer 😉
What a treat this was! Mwah!
janet metzger says
Rhoda…that was fun..beautiful place indeed!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Janet xox
The Empty Nest
adventuresindinner says
Wow! Those shots of purple especially. What a lovely spot.
Alanna says
Thank you for sharing! We attended a wedding at Callanwolde in May, it’s so fun to see it decorated for Christmas 🙂
Katherine @ Grass Stains says
Rhoda, I grew up in Marietta and used to sing every year at Callanwolde during the holidays. It was beautiful then, and it’s beautiful now! Thanks for sharing.
Pam says
That home is absolutely gorgeous. I love that beautiful stairway. I love to go on those types of home tours and see how each of the different designers have a unique take on the decor.
Ad K. says
Thank you for the blog tour of the beautiful Callanwolde all decorated for Christmas! It is truly lovely and I love that you share these trips with us. Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays to you and yours!
Kim Rowell says
What a fabulous birthday agenda! I live in metronome Atlanta too and would thoroughly enjoy spending a day that way. I look forward to your next posts!
I work for Emory University and Asa Candler built the home that is now the President’s mansion and its also Tudor style. It’s in Lullwater Park on the campus and I enjoy walking there on my lunch break. Try to.visit sometime
Kim Rowell says
Please excuse the typos in the previous post. I’m trying to type on a Kindle Fire. The space is next to the period – can you tell? 🙂
and that should be metro Atlanta…blame that one on autocorrect!
Lana says
DOUBLE WOWZA!!!!
Now THAT is the way to spend a birthday!!!!
I’m thrilled for you that you got invited to go!! I LOVE Tudors!!!!
Love/hugs/blessings,
Lana
jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof says
Holy smokes Rhoda this place is amazing! I love the fireplace and the front entrance with the christmas decor! Yozzaaaaa! Good find & share!