Morningside home embraces art and nature

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With help from architect Jim Winer, sculptor Chris Lewis and her husband, attorney John H. Johnson, built a contemporary home in Atlanta's Morningside neighborhood. The exterior reflects Lewis' love of nature and her belief that folks should stay outside as much as possible.

Sculptor Chris Lewis and her husband, attorney John Johnson, chose Jim Winer of Menefee and Winer Architects (www.menefeeandwiner.com) to design their 3,600 square-foot home that includes four bedrooms. The contemporary home, located in Atlanta's Morningside neighborhood, reflects Lewis' love of nature and her belief that folks should stay outside as much as possible.

A screened porch overlooks the lush front yard and a tranquil cul de sac.

Inside, the home's modern architecture creates a dramatic centerpiece in the living room. It's an inviting space that still attracts Hayes and Drew, the couple's grown children, as well as their friends.

A coffee table by Leslie Harris adds "beautiful industrial style," Lewis said.

Lewis defines her own decorating style as eclectic, and whatever she comes up with that's cheap or free.

The home is filled with Lewis' artwork, including this sculpture called "Beamer" (on top) in the dining room.

This whimsical sculpture, called "I Do My Own Stunts," also adorns the dining room. The ceramic goblet is by Andy Nasisse.

At night, this Lexan wall produces a lantern effect.

A partition serves two roles: It separates the dining room from the foyer and displays Lewis' colorful pieces.

Lewis says her work is figurative and represents questions and contradictions that confuse, astound, delight and disturb. She calls this sculpture "Hand in a Box".

This art deco cabinet was a wedding gift from Donna Aldridge. The wire sculpture mounted above it is by Lewis' son, Hayes Johnson.

Chris Lewis designed and laid the mosaic floor in the guest bath.

Shelves in the living room display some of Lewis' work, including "Cheshire Cat" (top) and "Fertility Goddess."

Handcrafted in Italy, the expandable dining room table is "the most expensive piece in the house," Lewis said.

Chris's favorite painting is an oil on canvas by Terry Turrell (right) that greets everyone when they enter the front door. The stairwell also makes a nice architectural statement.

Look closely, those bar stools are made of pitchfork parts.

A nook and storage area beside the kitchen displays a colorful group of sculptures Chris calls "Family Portrait" that represents her brood. "The red one is John."

A silk screen work by John Merino graces the stairwell between the main level and bedrooms.

A Lexan wall marks the master suite entrance.

The spacious master bath offers a view of the lush grounds.

A wall of windows in the master bedroom gives the couple a year-round view of the woods.

The Lewis-Johnson residence was one of Winer's first residential projects. He was more comfortable at that time using monochomatic colors, so Lewis chose the primary exterior trim colors.

Winer also created this cozy setting that is reminiscent of vernacular architecture. "We eat breakfast out here every morning," Lewis said.

The backyard patio serves as a cozy dining space.

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Sculptor Chris Lewis and her husband, attorney John Johnson, chose Jim Winer of Menefee and Winer Architects (www.menefeeandwiner.com) to design their 3,600 square-foot home that includes four bedrooms. The contemporary home, located in Atlanta's Morningside neighborhood, reflects Lewis' love of nature and her belief that folks should stay outside as much as possible.

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