Stephen Valenti builds heirloom-quality homes that are inspired by the grandeur of America’s finest residences. The classic architectural styles include Colonial, Charlestonian, Federalist, Italianate, and Victorian periods. By combining these classic styles, lasting functionality catered to the family’s needs, and a high level of detail, Mr.Valenti has won numerous gold and silver awards at the annual Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association Professionalism Awards.
Studying antique architectural books and traveling to cities such as Charleston, St. Augustine, and Savannah to study homes built from the late 1600’s through the 1800’s continuously serves as inspiration for Mr. Valenti. His studies and experiences have taught him the importance of bringing together a superior group of talented craftsmen to recapture the old techniques and style that made those homes distinctive and elegant. The details of his homes resurrect the craftsmanship of another era when homes were beautiful as well as functional.
Before Valenti begins thinking about the drawing board, he examines each of his client’s lifestyles, needs, desires, and dreams; this step is very important to make the home as functional as possible for the current family and for future generations. By discovering that a child would inherit a home one day Mr. Valenti created an extra master bedroom, which could be easily converted and decorated into what they would someday want after the inheritance had taken place. During the planning stages of one home, he realized that the parents of the home owner would be moving in, which brought him to the conclusion that it would be best to integrate an elevator to help accommodate them. Some people also have hobbies that require a special space, such as a basement room with a kiln for pottery and a space to accommodate a stained glass artist, which he has also integrated into two of his previous homes. After to speaking with one couple who enjoyed cooking together Steve Valenti designed a kitchen that was custom built for two cooks to easily move around the kitchen with ease, while enjoying their Italianate kitchen that was authentic to the last detail.
In order to maintain this high level of design and construction, Valenti handpicks the subcontractors to assist in the building process. Exterior details can include unique cupolas and flemish-bond brickwork, which can have grapevine joints and brick columns and arches just like the Romans built; the brickwork sometimes includes limestone jack-arches and window sills. Windows can be arched, elliptical, or segmented Palladium. Solid eight foot mahogany leaded-glass doors are a very popular addition to many of his homes. Wall trim can add beautiful detail to any room; therefore Georgia Heart pine wainscoting or extensive architecturally correct trim work, sometimes including back band and plinth blocks, with wide door and window casing are great options. Ceilings can also add a great amount of detail to a room such as 12′ tall ceilings with detailed multi-layered crown moldings or trey and coffered ceilings. Circular staircases with elaborate pickets, marble back-splashes or floors, and fireplaces with, stone, brick, granite, or marble lacing are also a favorite addition to Mr. Valenti’s homes. The homes also feature high-tech integrated wiring for control, security, and access.
He also does everything necessary to stay “green.” All waste is recycled onsite. All brick, stone, sheet-rock, and wood are mulched on the lot and mixed in with the soil to enrich and nourish it, which also eliminates costly gas consumption.