Chai Style: Winning Coach and Designer Team Up for Championship Home

Josh Pastner’s home doesn’t look like the typical coach’s abode. The Georgia Tech basketball coach bounded down the stairs, talking as fast as he was moving, while his wife, Kerri, was rearranging toys and baby bouncy seats, getting ready to face the day with a newborn son in tow. “I really have evolved in my own style here, which is basically laid back and in neutrals,” Kerri said. “I would call it a ‘casual coastal feel’ akin to a beach with a warm aesthetic.”

Designer Lisa Glazman accented the Pastners’ great room in neutral tones, with mustard and azure pillows. // Photos By Howard Mendel

At 44, Pastner is the youngest head coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Before becoming a coach, he was a player on the 1997 Arizona Wildcats national championship basketball team. During the 2020-2021 season, Pastner led the Yellow Jackets to the conference championships. And in April he will be honored as a “Hillel Hero.”

Coach Pastner’s home gym sports Georgia Tech mats for fun.

Interior designer Lisa Glazman worked with the original builder on the Pastner house. “This home was built as a spec house by Ted Jacobson in 2016, with 7,500 square feet,” she said. “We included very unique high-end finishes like Nova Blanca marble throughout the house — in the kitchen and master bath. I expanded the original plans, which did not have a sufficient French door expanse to enhance the ‘visual comfort’ in flow and light exposure, and above all, being able to peek out at the outdoor green space.” Read on to find out how it all came together.

The dining table is reclaimed wood from Restoration Hardware.

Jaffe: How would you describe the décor?
Kerri: We are practical and have pieces from Target, Restoration Hardware, TJ Maxx and Red Oak to Jonathan Adler. Some things are from Studio McGee online. Our daughter scribbled her own name across a contemporary painting. No one got upset.

Designer Glazman planned for an extra-large two-sided butler’s pantry and servery for entertaining.

Glazman: We knew that we wanted classic touches, nothing too crazy. In the guest powder room, I added a polished nickel free-standing washstand for interest. That room has an unusual vertical vestibule. I also put a great deal of thought into the great room shelving to not seem static. We selected Sherwin-Williams paint for gray hues and Benjamin Moore Silver Satin. Round penny tile worked well in the secondary kids’ bathrooms.

The Pastner daughters enjoy playtime in the parlor. Jody Goldstein’s flower photo adds whimsy to the space.

Jaffe: How does family life work around here?
Kerri: The three older (11, 9, 6) girls are at school. And you can imagine Josh’s excitement with our newborn boy. One might say, “He’s in heaven about it.” None of the girls are into sports as much as dance, so now he has a son. Although we have lots of space, we are still busting out at the seams. The girls do love hanging out in our front parlor in their own area. The colorful pink flower in there is by local artist/photographer Jody Goldstein. Much of the floors are hardwood, some carpet.

Glazman: When I designed the bones of this house, we did not know who the owner might be. As a mother myself, I felt the architectural plans needed some changing to make the home more functional for a young family. I moved the desk from the butler’s pantry and into the mudroom. This allowed for a larger servery and for “mom’s mess” to be hidden. Along with the desk, I added more lockers and a broom closet. I also added a full bath to the bonus room, which gave the potential buyers an additional bedroom, if needed, and made the room a more useful space for the kids to play and have friends over. I always have resale value in the back of my mind when designing … that’s why we have the marvelous trim and fireplace, too.

The kitchen counters are made of Nova Blanca marble.

Jaffe: That’s a very heavy-duty multi-burner Wolf range. What goes on in your kitchen?
Kerri: The girls love my spaghetti, thank goodness, and I make yummy eggs. Josh is proficient at takeout or ordering from Mirko Pasta and Chick-fil-A. Goldberg’s, often, for breakfast.

A Canadian native, Lisa Glazman (LMG Designs), works alongside high-end residential builders, architects and suppliers. Shown here in the Pastner kitchen nook overlooking the kids’ trampoline area.

Glazman: We made a very spacious, highly functional butler’s pantry. We wanted to make this spec home special by using Nova Blanca marble counter tops. This marble is uniquely beautiful with a gold thread and upscale patina. I also added more cabinets for paper goods and appliance storage.

Jaffe: How did this all come together?
Glazman: Before Josh and Kerri moved here, I showed the house to Josh’s mother. The instant she walked in, she exclaimed, “This house has Kerri’s name written all over it! This is her taste.” Pretty good for a mother-in-law.

The house is just a short walk from Chastain Park.

Kerri: She’s right. I wouldn’t change a thing. Exactly my taste.
Glazman: Don’t forget that the custom carved marble bench in the master bath is a work of art.
Kerri: It could be, but we use it for holding all of our shampoo bottles!

Pastner: I enjoy reading and supporting the Atlanta Jewish Times and contribute comments to the holiday editions. Also, I’m excited about my work with Hillel in different college cities following my career.