A Mediterranean estate in the heart of Cobb County, “Villa de Cielo” was crafted with old world charm—from its hand-chipped limestone exterior to its Venetian plaster interior walls. Melanie Thurmon built the home with her late husband, Scott, who had traveled extensively in Europe and had a particular fondness for the architecture of Spain and Italy. Melanie’s mother-in-law, an architect, took her son’s ideas and translated them into the couple’s dream home.
Melanie says she was on an afternoon drive in Kennesaw 13 years ago when she spotted a sign advertising 20 acres for sale on Tarpley Road. She immediately called her husband and told him she’d found the perfect site for their next house. “I knew it the moment I saw it,” she said.
Although the 11,200-square-foot home was built in 2004, it feels as if it has been around for centuries. The attention to detail is evident throughout the house, which features flash-fired terra cotta clay shingles, hand-painted frescos, and hand-carved mahogany doors. Rough-hewn beams in the main hall came from the Savannah Harbor.
The house has six bedrooms, a large dining room, exercise room, and home theater. The spacious master suite includes a 144-square-foot custom closet. The chef’s kitchen features solid walnut custom cabinets, an oversized island, and farmhouse sink. French doors in the breakfast room open onto a covered patio overlooking the pool. Melanie’s favorite feature is a free-standing curved staircase with intricate ironwork that leads from the foyer to the second floor.
And, then, there’s the view. Kennesaw Mountain provides an inspiring backdrop, along with a nearby lake and expansive lawn. An organic garden and orchard add to the property’s tranquility.
Although Melanie has decided to downsize, she says it will be hard to leave her beloved home. “I have so many wonderful memories of family gatherings in this place.” She plans to stay in the area, though, where she and daughter Britteny own and manage Medalyn Salon & MedSpa.
This Kennesaw estate is on the market for $2,700,000. For more information, contact Diane Tatum of Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage at 678-640-4758 or dianta@comcast.net.
