Lindsey and Marshall Magaro are the epitome of a power couple: she’s a successful attorney and he’s a successful real estate broker. They live in the popular Virginia-Highland neighborhood of intown Atlanta in a chic, new townhouse adorned with stylish furnishings and nods to their love of travel. From vintage-style prints of Chamonix, France and downtown Chicago to a gallery wall of travel photos, they’ve managed to infuse their story into a sleekly designed space. Even their skis serve as decor in their downstairs guest bedroom.
Whether they’re hosting a Kentucky Derby-themed birthday party or an intimate dinner on their back deck, the Magaros are always excellent hosts. But it doesn’t take long to figure out who really rules the roost–it’s their dog, Chloe. (You might spot her in a few of the photos below!)
Name: Lindsey L.G. Magaro
Age: 35
Current job: Corporate Associate at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Educational background:
- JD, Indiana University Maurer School of Law – Bloomington
- BA in Peace Studies and Spanish, Manchester College
Name: Marshall M. Magaro
Age: 35
Current job: Associate Broker at Ansley Atlanta Real Estate
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Educational background:
- JD, Indiana University Maurer School of Law – Bloomington
- MPA, Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- BS in Economics, Manchester College
How would you describe your design style? Did you have to compromise on any major design choices?
We’d describe our design style as “transitional” – traditional bones with contemporary accents. We favor clean and simple lines. Our living environment has always been a priority and designing is a team effort. Remarkably, our styles have meshed, and evolved, in near perfect unison from the day we met, which was over 16 years ago. It is rare that we struggle to find a piece of furniture, work of art or decorative touch that fails to satisfy our collective taste.
What’s your favorite souvenir from a trip? How have your travels influenced your home decor?
Without a doubt, photographs! You’ll see our “Magaro originals” adorning our walls, from vacation vistas and landmark locations, to neighborhood haunts of prior residences.
Why did you choose a townhouse over a condo or detached home? Any advice for someone trying to decide between a multifamily residence and a single family home?
Prior to our Virginia Park townhouse, we spent our entire post-graduate lives in either apartments or high-rise condominiums. While there are many things that we loved about condominium living, the townhouse is a perfect compromise. Where else can you find the style, livability, comfort and warmth of a single family home, with many of the conveniences offered by condominium living? We travel a great deal, and enjoy a leisurely lifestyle during our free time (which is of precious quantity these days), so flexibility and lack of maintenance are very important. Living in a townhome allows us to live in a true “lock and leave” environment.
As Atlantans, we are fortunate that most of the desired neighborhoods and school districts offer both multifamily (condominium and/or townhome) and single family options for would-be buyers. Ultimately, a homebuyer should carefully weigh the following criteria when deciding between a multifamily residence or single family home: lifestyle; location; desired maintenance costs; desired rules of ownership and level of autonomy; lending; and monthly fees. If space is not a huge factor, you do not mind some light restrictions on your freedom, and are looking to be in the heart of the action with very little maintenance to worry about, then perhaps condo living is right for you. On the flip side, if you have four Golden Retrievers and love mowing the grass on Saturdays to prepare for that evening’s garden party, then you will likely prefer a single family home.
What is your favorite room?
Lindsey:
Our dining room. It’s inviting, cozy and reminds me of good times with family and friends. We absolutely love to entertain. Dinner parties, holiday parties, birthday parties and “just because” get togethers. Marshall is a fabulous cook, and while I unfortunately have no cooking-related talents, I excel at table setting and visual aesthetics.
Marshall:
One of the selling points of our townhouse, aside from the clean, transitional style, was our back deck. Essentially, it is a wonderful extension of our main living space. We are fortunate to have it partially covered, as it provides the perfect outdoor oasis during all seasons and in any weather.
How did you settle on the Virginia-Highland area? What’s your favorite neighborhood spot?
When we relocated to Atlanta from Chicago in 2014, we moved into an apartment in the heart of Buckhead. We loved its central location with easy access to a variety of Atlanta’s neighborhoods, as well as its proximity to restaurants, shops and work.
One day, Marshall was looking for townhomes for a client in the Virginia Highland/Morningside area and came across Virginia Park. Little did he know, but Lindsey was running her own searches at the same time and also came across Virginia Park. We knew at that time that we wanted to join Ansley Golf Club, and Virginia Highland was an ideal location for club members. That weekend, after tennis and brunch at Rosebud (now Morningside Kitchen), we went to the sales center and were under contract on Monday.
We absolute love Italian food, and you can often find us enjoying Molto Mondays at La Tavola.
Describe your ideal Atlanta weekend.
Saturday begins with a delicious cup of Lavazza coffee and a “walkie” with Chloe, our Westie, down Springdale Road. It inevitably includes a stop and roll in the grass (for Chloe) at Rest Haven, the classic revival designed by Neel Reid in 1918 for William Candler. In the afternoon, you’ll find us at Ansley Golf Club – Marshall on the golf course and Lindsey playing tennis. In the evening, we’ll be prepping for a dinner party or meeting up with friends at Umi, Sotto Sotto or the Optimist, followed by an evening with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
After an early service at the Cathedral of St. Philip on Sunday, we’ll hop on our bikes and ride around Buckhead. We met on our college cross country and track team, so fitness has always been a part of our routine. In fact, one of our favorite ways to explore a new location is to strap on our running shoes and go. We finish every run (even if it starts as a leisurely run) in a dead sprint. Guess it’s hard to strip the competitive nature from an athlete!
Resources
Living room
- Sofa: Williams Sonoma Home
- Coffee table: Williams Sonoma Home (similar here and here)
- Leather bench: Williams Sonoma Home
- Arm chair: Williams Sonoma Home
- Floor lamp: Restoration Hardware (similar)
- Rug: Surena Rugs Atlanta (similar)
- Fiddle leaf planter: Saint Tropez Fiberglass Planter
- Bar stools: Room & Board (similar)
- Gallery wall frames: CB2
Dining room
- Table: West Elm
- Chairs: West Elm
- Hutch: Williams Sonoma Home (similar)
- Horse print: Restoration Hardware
- Westie painting on bar: Suzy Mellott
Deck
Master
- Bed: Williams Sonoma Home
- Bedding: Ralph Lauren Home (similar)
- Dresser: Room & Board
- Bedside tables: Room & Board
- Chicago print in hallway: gift, framed at the Great Frame Up of Chicago
Office
- Desk: Williams Sonoma Home
- Desk chair: Herman Miller, Eames Collection
- Bookshelves: CB2
- Sofa: Room & Board
- Chair & ottoman: Herman Miller, Eames Collection
- Prints: Grandfather’s collection
- Chamonix Mont-Blanc print: similar here
Other home tours
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