A Cool Atlanta Condo Retains Original 1950s Charm

Greer Homer has owned this Atlanta condo for 12 years, and shares it with Euclid, “an adorable chihuahua-terrier rescue weighing 18 pounds. He has an endearing underbite and proudly carries the namesake of the renowned mathematician. Throughout my house, he has a bed in every room, and when I’m working in my office, he enjoys sleeping on a heating pad like the prince he is.”

Located in the highly desirable and walkable Virginia Highlands neighborhood in the heart of Atlanta, the Greenmont retains much of its original charm from the 1950s. Originally an apartment complex, the building was converted into condos in the early 2000s and retains many original features like glass doorknobs, a wall niche for an old telephone, framed exposed-brick in the bedroom, and a built-in display for glassware in the kitchen.

The building consists of ten units, all currently owned by women. As the president of the HOA, I take pride in being one of the founders of our community garden project, which we launched during the pandemic. More than half of our residents actively participate in maintaining the garden, where we grow an array of produce, including tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, peppers, lettuce, and various herbs.

The true star of the condo is my 18-pound, 5-year-old chihuahua-terrier rescue named Euclid. Recognizable in the neighborhood by his endearing underbite, I call him my son. He sleeps under the covers with me at night and is featured in the professional portrait hung above our bed, where we are each dressed in our finest outfits. Euclid and I are inseparable, whether we’re cruising the neighborhood in our little red Miata or enjoying leisurely walks to Piedmont Park on beautiful days.

My home reflects my past and present self, and is continuously evolving alongside my personal growth. As a former math teacher and current data scientist, pole dancer, cosplayer, remote worker, gardener, and pet enthusiast, my space needs to be as versatile and flexible as I am, and accommodate all my diverse interests.

Among the rooms, my second bedroom has undergone the most transformations over the years. During my teaching years and while completing my graduate studies, I rented it out to supplement my income, so it reflected the needs and personalities of my tenants during that nine-year period. I considered listing it on Airbnb at one point. Although the pandemic hindered that side hustle, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise when my friend sought refuge from New York City and spent lockdown with me. Now that I live alone, the once-closed French doors remain open to the hallway where I’ve leaned an extra large, gold mirror against the wall along with some art. The room serves as an office and dance studio, proudly displays my degrees, and showcases my pansexual angel wings, which I hand-crafted from laminate underlayment for last year’s Atlanta Pride festival.

People who have known me for a long time might remember me as a bubbly blonde, but in my late 20s, I dyed my hair dark, started collecting tattoos, and never looked back. Playfully, I refer to myself as a “pinup vampire,” merging Bettie Page-inspired fashion with Morticia Addams vibes to reflect my persona. It comes as no surprise that my Instagram handle is @pinup.vampire.

Much has changed since my days as a blonde teacher, and I wholeheartedly embrace the fearlessly feminist woman I have become.

Every space in my home is intentionally designed to nurture and celebrate different aspects of my identity as a gardener, collector, and queer creative.

As a gardener, I embrace the color green and incorporate it into every room of my home. Green can be found in the cheetah wall mural, the living room rug, and the actual plants themselves. Another way I incorporate greenery is by propagating my monstera deliciosa using vintage Ball jars that belonged to my great-grandmother. It brings me immense joy to witness plants growing in her jars, as I inherited my green thumb from her. The development of the roots is truly stunning, and my friends express gratitude and excitement when I share cuttings with them.

I treasure my collection of vintage furniture. The huntboard in the living room originally belonged to my maternal grandfather and will accompany me wherever I live. My grandmother’s charming antique desk and delicate chair reside next to my bed, along with artwork that my mother grew up with beside her childhood bed. Although I rarely sit on the chair due to its fragility, I keep it as a reminder of the women in my life who helped shape the woman I am today. Alongside these family heirlooms I have acquired a vintage dresser from a small town in north Georgia, post-modern chairs from neighbors on nextdoor.com, and a raw-edge coffee table from Atlanta Used Furniture, which all add an organic element to each space with their curved edges.

In 2020, I painted the trim and beige walls a bright white to celebrate the natural light that streams through the 12 east- and south-facing windows in my unit. An added benefit of this paint choice is that it allows my art collection to truly stand out. Before I came out, much of my space was a shade of brown. Although I still appreciate a neutral palette, the art in my living room is vibrant like my queer pride. It consists of a mix of student gifts from my teaching days (such as a pink fox created by a 12-year-old student), prints of pinups, a pride fan, and an original design by an artist I discovered on Instagram, inspired by my Wonder Woman cosplay. I often indulge my vampiric urges to paint everything black by setting the color-changing lights to red at night.

Describe your home’s style in five words or fewer: Organic modern playground.

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room in my condo is hands-down the living room because it has the best light and vibe of all the rooms. Lilith, the pink cheetah, oversees the space from the breakfast nook through a white archway. A careful mix of family heirlooms and new/vintage pieces, this corner space boasts five windows, three facing south and two facing east, which means it gets a steady flow of natural light throughout the day. To keep things fresh, I added a sliding screen door to let in the breeze while keeping pesky Georgia bugs out.

In this cozy spot, you’ll find a mix of my favorite things. On my grandfather’s huntboard, between a smoke-less Lloyd fireplace and my super-comfy replica womb chair and ottoman, I’ve displayed a pair of math books as a nod to my passion for the subject. My beloved fiddle leaf fig tree thrives with the help of a dedicated grow lamp next to a south-facing window, getting all the TLC it needs after surviving a rough patch five years ago.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I recently updated my patio set and wish that I’d done it sooner. The combination of bamboo fencing, home-grown herbs, and assorted plants makes me feel like I’m in a tropical place in the middle of Atlanta. Here are the chairs and here is the table.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Take your time and be intentional.

When it comes to filling your home, prioritize items that align with your interests and bring you joy. Don’t rush the process; take your time to carefully select the right pieces for you. Personally, it took me eight years to choose, save for, and finally purchase my leather sofa, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision to wait for the right one. (Here is where I designed and purchased my sofa from.)

As you settle into your new place, you may find that people are eager to unload their unused items onto you. While it’s important to express gratitude for their generosity, remember that you don’t have to accept everything offered. If you find yourself overwhelmed with too many things, consider joining or even starting a Buy Nothing Group on Facebook in your neighborhood. This way, you can find new homes for those items, ensuring they go to people who will truly appreciate and cherish them.

Prioritize functionality and purpose when making design choices for your space. Consider how you plan to use each area and let that guide your decisions. For example, in my building, most people with the same floor plan opt for two chairs around a table in the breakfast nook. However, as someone who loves cooking for loved ones, I decided to use a rectangular desk on wheels as my table. This allows for a cozy arrangement of four chairs, fits snugly against the wall when not in use, and can easily be moved to accommodate guests.

Thanks, Greer!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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