The Porchfest home profile project was produced by University of Georgia students in Lori Johnston’s journalism seminar on home and garden writing and Katie Marages’ vernacular architecture course. The students interviewed homeowners, researched the residences and neighborhoods, and captured photo and video of the homes. The residences featured will host bands during Historic Athens Porchfest on Oct. 20.

The home of Craig and Kristen Landry is a testament to his passion for music and her passion for interior design. Eclectic decor — ranging from the records room to the built-in bookshelves — fills the Arts & Crafts-style residence.

The custom-built home in the Boulevard neighborhood features four bedrooms and five bathrooms to accommodate the family of four. The open floor plan has built-in bookshelves and a centered fireplace, which is typical for this style. The interior is described by Craig as open, beautiful and comfortable. 

Passion and Design

The Landry’s home is more than just a place to live, it is a reflection of their passion and identity. 

Kristen is an interior designer, and Craig enjoys playing music with his two bands aside from being an economist at the University of Georgia. Two of Craig’s bands — Wet Meadows and The Rishis — will play at his Easy Street home for Historic Athens Porchfest. The soundproof music studio comes in handy for Craig when it comes time to practice with his bands. 

The couple put together a home with dreams of visitors appreciating the cozy vibe that this home brings. Comfort was the word that came to Craig’s mind when asked what he wanted visitors to think when they came into his home. 

The front porch is a prominent feature with notable square columns and dormer windows fitting with Arts & Crafts homes. Another feature is the fire pit area, a prime hang out spot.

Music Meets Productivity

One feature of the home is a records room on the first floor that doubles as office space for Craig. The record collection is something he is most proud of in his home. 

“I have a lot of records and CDs, and when I work at home, I just kind of listen to music all day because I’m working,” Craig said.

Materials with a Story

One intriguing element is the use of wood from Jittery Joe’s, an Athens-based coffee shop. White oak used in different spaces throughout the house brings character to the home. This connects the home to the community, and it is a reminder of the importance of sustainability from locally sourced material turned to home design. 

Kayda Hammock is a journalism major at the University of Georgia. 

Hidden Gem: Basement is ‘Pretty Sweet Deal’

Basements may seem like a modern luxury, but they haven’t always been so glorious. Historically, basements were used as a storage space for food, washers and dryers or as a safe place from inclement weather. Now, basements have evolved into an integral living space. Whether homeowners turn it into a she-shed, a man cave, a craft room or extra living quarters, basements allow for endless possibilities.

Craig Landry’s favorite part of his Buena Vista Heights home is the basement, where the musician and music lover has his studio. 

The Landry family purchased the home for $564,116 in 2015. Craig says that a home like this, in a location as great as this one, would sell for at least $1 million now. The Landry family chose their floor plan and added a basement for about $30,000, which was “pretty sweet deal.”

The basement combines functionality with personality. On one side, there’s a closet filled with the children’s toys, a perfect place to store Nerf guns and create secret passcodes. A pool table is in the center of the room, but the true heart of the basement is Craig’s man cave: his music studio.

The room is carefully crafted to keep sound isolated, allowing him and his two bands to practice without disturbing the rest of the house and the neighbors. It fits a full drum set, guitars, and all the equipment his bands need to rehearse. The walls are pinned and taped with posters from his favorite artists.

The basement isn’t just for play; it’s also a place of productivity. Craig’s office on the main floor houses his vinyl record collection, and the basement serves as an extension to store more records. The built-in wall shelves are filled with colorful vinyl covers. With a small workstation tucked into one corner of the basement, he uses the space to edit music and work on projects.

Avery Cameron is a journalism major at the University of Georgia.