In Ansley Park, the most memorable homes aren’t always the loudest—they’re the ones that feel certain. At 29 Walker Terrace, that confidence is immediate: a historic bungalow with Folk Victorian character, layered interiors, and a calm sense of place that feels both rooted and refreshed.

Homeowners Jeffrey Baker and Christopher McKinley have lived in the neighborhood for six years, drawn to the very thing that makes Ansley Park so special—its quiet charm paired with daily access to the best of Atlanta living. 

“What we love most is the neighborhood’s quiet confidence—tree-lined streets, beautiful homes that have evolved over time, and a strong sense of community,” they share. “The walkability is especially meaningful to us.”

With Christopher originally from Boston—and both having lived in walkable cities like Manhattan, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.—they describe Ansley Park as one of Atlanta’s most livable neighborhoods, where a daily stroll to Piedmont Park, the Botanical Garden, The High, and Midtown feels not only possible, but natural—often with their dogs, DC and Palmer, in tow.

Jeffrey and Christopher purchased the home in April 2020, and as they began learning its story, they discovered a fascinating architectural evolution. According to early newspaper records, the house at 29 Walker Terrace was developed and built by Forrest & George Adair in the early 1910s as a six-room brick bungalow. Like many homes of that era, they believe it originally featured a more prominent front porch—an architectural gesture reflecting the social, outward-facing nature of early 20th-century neighborhood life.

Over time, the home evolved, and the porch was removed or absorbed into the structure, giving way to the more compact façade seen today. What remains is a thoughtful blend of its original bungalow form and subtle Victorian-era detailing—seen in the steep front-facing gable, the bay window, and the careful proportions of the façade.

Understanding the home’s origins guided their approach. Rather than attempting to return it to a single moment in time, they focused on preserving its architectural continuity—allowing it to feel well maintained, intentional, and true to its history. Every surface and the overall flow were carefully updated to support modern living, while respecting the craftsmanship, scale, and quiet character that have defined the home for more than a century.

The home’s overall vibe is layered and expressive, shaped by a mix of patterns, textures, and materials that feel considered rather than precious. On the exterior, they stayed true to its Folk Victorian roots—restoring period-appropriate windows, honoring the original proportions, and embracing the gentle asymmetry that comes from a house shaped by more than a century of change. Rather than aiming for strict historical accuracy, they allowed for moments of playfulness that acknowledge those layers of evolution.

One standout detail helped guide the direction from the beginning: Art Nouveau railings by metal artist Ivan Bailey, preserved and celebrated as part of the home’s identity. As scuba divers, Jeffrey and Christopher were immediately drawn to the starfish, fish, and coral motifs woven into the design—an unexpected connection that felt like kismet from the first day they were introduced to the home.

Inside, the traditional framework gives way to interiors organized around use and flow—spaces that support gathering, work, and entertaining in a way that feels comfortable, intuitive, and lived-in rather than formal. Jeffrey and Christopher love to cook, and the kitchen has become the heart of daily life: a place to gather, linger, and connect.

A secondary, darker back kitchen allows everyday mess and cleanup to happen out of sight, keeping the main space calm and open. A trapezoid-shaped island was designed to maximize functionality, accommodating a small dining area for four while preserving space for bar seating and multiple uses.

From the moment you step inside, the home delivers what they believe every great house should offer: a sense of arrival. The mahogany-lined entry is a detail they added, inspired by traditional New England homes that have long shaped how they think about warmth and craftsmanship. The bronze front doors, which they designed together, bring depth and richness against the darker exterior palette, while stainless steel gas lanterns introduce a subtle modern note, referencing the historic streetscapes of Boston and the enduring appeal of gas-lit neighborhoods.

That same attention to sequence and experience continues inside. Door openings along the main level were carefully adjusted and aligned to improve circulation and create a more fluid connection between entertaining spaces, allowing historic and modern elements to coexist naturally.

Details matter—how trim meets walls, how light moves across surfaces, and how art and furniture are integrated so spaces unfold gradually rather than all at once. Their art collection spans several centuries, from pieces dating to the 16th through 18th centuries to contemporary photography and painting, and that dialogue mirrors their broader approach to the house.

True to how they approach interior design professionally, the furnishings are a mix of vintage, antique, and modern pieces chosen to reinforce the home’s character. Favorites include a 16-foot curved bench by Thos. Moser in the gallery; a pair of bronze and cast resin stools by Draga & Aurel in the breakfast room; and a custom sectional they designed for the library to fit two walls precisely, upholstered in a mix of dye-matched Savel mohair, Sandra Jordan alpaca, and shearling.

The gallery offers a more elevated yet comfortable setting, one they feel fortunate to have and to share with family and friends. The living room is equally cherished, whether it’s spent reflecting on the day, watching a game or a movie, or simply piling up pillows for a quiet evening in. Ultimately, it’s the way the house supports these everyday rituals that makes it feel like a personal oasis—something that looks different for everyone, and something they’re always mindful of in their work with clients.

The greatest challenge, they say, was restraint. They wanted the updates to feel almost questionable—so subtle it’s difficult to tell what was always there and what was thoughtfully introduced. Their goal was for the home to read primarily as a well-kept, over-100-year-old house, with every decision guided by longevity, comfort, and clarity.

Flooring transitions were carefully considered, combining French oak herringbone, a five-marble mosaic at the entry porch that continues through the main hall, and terrazzo in the kitchen. In the living room, leather-wrapped millwork and a media wall clad in Caffè Amaro Extra marble add warmth and depth, while walls are finished with a contemporary mural on woven Japanese paper. Lighting is predominantly vintage; the entry hall fixture—a Julius August Kalmar green Triedri Murano Sputnik chandelier, signed and dated to the year of Jeffrey’s birth—holds particular meaning.

In the gallery, the fireplace was carved from a single cube of Calacatta Vagli marble sourced through a stone carver in London, treated as both architectural element and sculptural focal point. Outdoors, the pool was designed to mimic a Moroccan fountain and incorporates a scupper wall of local Lithonia Granite—a detail that makes the backyard feel like a private retreat.

Most gatherings are informal—friends gathered around the kitchen island, casual dinners, or quiet evenings by the fire. They’ve hosted interactive dinner parties where couples laugh while—successfully or not—rolling out their own pasta and cooking together, as well as low-key nights spent listening to moody music, enjoying good conversation, and sharing the moment with friends and their pups.

The backyard feels surprisingly private, and they often grill out and host friends and their children while taking in views of the Atlanta skyline—the King & Spalding building, the Mayflower, and fireworks rising from the park.

There are no major renovations planned. They see the house as something that continues to evolve through small, thoughtful refinements over time rather than large-scale changes. At the back of the property, there is an original garage with a small room and screened porch, which may one day be converted into an apartment, but for now, there are no defined project plans.

“Take your time, pay attention to details, and listen to what the house needs. Thoughtful decisions add up.”

Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs & BSPK Build
1904 Monroe Dr. NE, STE 140, Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 351-1232 | contact@jeffreybrucebaker.com
jeffreybrucebaker.com | Instagram: @jeffreybrucebakerdesigns

Photo Credits: 

Portrait: Lou Freeman

Home Images: Robert Peterson