Atlanta's Colaw House to debut with open house Saturday

[April 04, 2014]  ATLANTA — After two years of restoration, Todd Parks is putting the finishing touches on the Colaw Rooming House in Atlanta. The vintage 1893 Victorian house at 204 NW Vine St. has been restored to resemble the house as it appeared in the 1940s. It was initially a single-family home, then converted into a rooming house with art deco touches.

No detail has been overlooked, including the gleaming hardwood floors, vintage bathroom fixtures and actual 1940s kitchen appliances. Parks found the stove in Colorado and did a two-day road trip with his wife to pick it up. The 1940 refrigerator was found in an Atlanta garage and still works.

The eye-catching exterior colors will be hard to miss. Parks wanted it to stand out.

As a rooming house, no food will be served. Those spending the night will receive a certificate for breakfast at the Palms Grill Café.

The house is being marketed to Route 66 travelers as an overnight destination. It also may be rented for parties and wedding receptions. Parks pointed out that even if one person rents only one of the three bedrooms, no other room will be let for that evening. This ensures that no one will spend the night in the house with someone they don't know.

Kayla Craig, Todd's daughter, will manage the house.

The website is www.thecolawhouse.com, and questions about reservations may be addressed to Kayla at [e-mail] or by calling 217-671-1219.

[By CURT FOX]