Atlanta Interior Designers Atlanta, GA

Atlanta remodelers make green look good

by Nick McLain

For Mary Jo and Rodney Cooper, the same principles that have enabled them to have a successful marriage carry over into making their business partnership a successful one. "We each have our strengths, and together we produce a unique, well-completed project," Rodney says.

Starting Cooper's Creations LLC out of pocket 15 years ago in Atlanta, the Coopers relied on their reputation and contacts from prior careers. Mary Jo explored her passion for design and architecture as a regional manager for a fashion company while Rodney learned the ins and outs of home theater electronics at an audio and video store.

Rodney Cooper works on a client’s new home entertainment system. Photos courtesy of Mary Jo Cooper

Mary Jo says they prefer the greater impact they have now. "We like being a smaller business - we have control over the entire project," she says. "When you start to get too big, you lose control of quality." Cooper's Creations earned the Super Service award for Interior Design & Decorating in 2009 and 2010.

Member Jim Lyon of Acworth [Ga.] marvels at the work done by Cooper's Creations in a remodel and redesign of his upstairs bathroom. "They were very conscientious in wanting things to be right, kind of a perfectionist-type attitude they brought to their work," he says.

Mary Jo says they try to incorporate environmentally friendly products into their remodeling and interior design projects. "With more tax rebates and savings on energy use, and even getting back money from your local utility provider, the benefits outweigh the costs with green living," she says.

Carol Cronin of Marietta [Ga.] says Cooper's Creations used LEED-certified paint in a recent remodeling project in her home. "They were very clever in reusing several items that I already had rather than tossing them out," she says.

Beyond providing green products such as low-flush toilets, energy-efficient windows and appliances, and low-VOC paint, the Coopers recycle at home and carry that to the job site. "We try to recycle, repurpose and reuse whenever possible," Rodney says.

Mary Jo teaches color and decorating classes at Lost Mountain Paint & Supply in Marietta. The Coopers also donate to NSPIrE and Habitat for Humanity.