Metro Atlanta-based Handcrafted Homes, Inc. has received a prestigious National Chrysalis Award for Remodeling Excellence for a one-of-a-kind remodeling project undertaken for a Midtown Atlanta homeowner.  Handcrafted Homes, Inc. won in the category of Residential Specialty Item over $50,000 for designing and creating a beautiful and functional Carving Studio in what was once an under-utilized garage.  The project has received several local and national awards, including a National Contractor of the Year award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

The Chrysalis Awards began in 1993 and include 28 categories of residential and commercial remodeling.  The competition is open to any professional remodeler or designer.  Winners are selected in each of four geographic regions throughout the country, and then national honorees in each category are chosen from the regional winners.

“We are extremely proud to win our first-ever National Chrysalis Award,” said Judy Mozen, president of Handcrafted Homes, Inc.  “The honor is especially rewarding because the winning projects are selected by a panel of editors and writers from some of the country’s top consumer magazines.  They judge not only on the creativity and quality of the entries, but they also select remodeling projects they believe consumers across the country will want to see featured in home improvement magazine stories.  Our entire team is honored to have been chosen as one of this year’s winners.”

The idea to create a carving studio came about while Handcrafted Homes, Inc. was undertaking a whole-home renovation for an Atlanta client.  The homeowner carved wood as a hobby, and had created a space to enjoy the pursuit in the basement.  Recognizing that the single-car garage in the older home was too small for its intended use, Mozen suggested transforming the garage into a dramatic, light-filled, functional carving studio.

“Handcrafted Homes, Inc. has been in business for over 40 years, but this is the first carving studio we’ve ever designed and built,” said Mozen.  “The homeowner is thrilled with the end result -- a unique and beautiful space -- but it was quite a challenge for my team and me to design and create it.  First of all, we had to work within the footprint of the original garage, which was only 10 feet, six inches wide.  The client wanted the design to reflect his love of wood, but also provide him with ample storage, specific HVAC capabilities, plumbing and various work stations.”

The new space now contains its own HVAC system, tankless water heater and fine particulate air filter to take care of airborne sawdust.  Light and security are provided by carriage doors with windows.  Functional additions include a sink, workbench, spot lighting and custom cabinets where the homeowner can store his hand tools.  One of the more innovative features is a custom-designed, remote-control insect screen that can be used when the carriage doors are open.  The upper portion is insect netting to let in the air and light, but not the bugs.  The bottom portion is opaque, so the homeowner can partially lower the screen with the carriage doors closed to block the windows and provide privacy.  When not in use, the screen retracts into a pocket above the doorway.  Decorative touches include the bookmatched hickory cabinets, Bubinga plank style countertop and Western Red Cedar soffits and beams, which are both structural and decorative, reflecting the homeowner’s love of various wood types, colors and finishes.