Cottage Chic
By Ashlee Duren | Photos by Jane Kortright Photography
Nestled high on a hill in Five Points is the picturesque home of Gena and Davis Knox. The couple purchased the stately Tudor cottage, which was built in 2000, in 2005 before they had children.
“We fell in love with this house when we first saw it,” Knox says. “But it wasn’t like this then. As our family grew, so did the house.”
The first project the couple tackled was the basement, which was converted into a guest suite. The next big renovation came when they turned the attic space above the garage into a playroom and large laundry room. After welcoming baby number four, the pool and pool house were added. The ease with which Knox details the scope of their various projects, all the while raising four children, is nothing short of amazing.
The homeowner also has an inclination for marketing, design and real estate, and has turned her passions into a career. “I love helping people find their perfect home,” she says.
This month, Knox will launch her own real estate brokerage with fellow Realtor Cheri Cherry, aptly named Dwell Real Estate. She will continue to help others on their journey to finding the perfect living space by taking inspiration from her home’s many transformations.
In 2021, the Knoxes decided to tackle another remodel with the addition of their family room, mudroom and kitchen expansion.
When it came time to decorate her newly designed spaces, Knox turned to her friend, Atlanta-based interior designer Jane Goetz. “Jane and I have worked together on several projects and she knows what I like,” she explains. “She’s great to work with.”
Natural light is plentiful throughout the spacious home, and each room is curated to achieve the perfect balance of functionality and elegance. Bold colors, whimsical wallpaper and textured flooring work in unison to create warm and inviting spaces.
With each renovation, the Knoxes wanted to make sure each space was not only beautiful, but also practical for their family. The mudroom, strategically located between the kitchen and the family room, features a herringbone brick floor and individual built-in lockers serving as an ideal drop zone for kids returning from school and sports activities.
The classic white kitchen with clean lines and a large eat-in island is the focal point of the home. Just off the kitchen is an informal sitting room and dining area, an ideal spot for after-school homework. A large butterfly collage, commissioned by fellow University of Georgia graduate Carrie Penley, is the star of the room.
A lover of country music, Knox has skillfully incorporated artwork of a few of her favorite artists throughout the home. In the kitchen, felt portraits of Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton from Charleston-based artist Sam Sidney keep watch with fellow crooner George Strait overlooking the breakfast table in the adjacent sitting room. “I’m a huge country music fan and thought it might be fun to incorporate these (works of art),” Knox says.
From an origial art piece of Taylor Swift in the girls’ room to inviting fabrics and appealing aesthetics, the Knox home has been thoughtfully designed with a mix of tried-and-true function that embraces modern touches.