THE WORK OF THE ARTISAN IS CHARACTERIZED BY CRAFTSMANSHIP, ATTENTION to detail and the creation of handcrafted products with exceptional quality. An artisan’s skill often rises to the level of art, combining technical expertise with creativity and precision. Artisans of Atlanta owner Matt Johnson leads his company in a way that embodies that each day—building the business into one with a reputation for exceptional results, communication and trust.

“Our focus is on creating a relationship with our clients,” says Johnson. “We want to make the homeowner a client for life. We apply the mindset of the artisan in every aspect of the job, from attention to detail to the quality we stand behind and the way we communicate.”

The company’s “people-first” approach is also reflected in its online presence, where Johnson frequently appears on camera to describe the Artisans of Atlanta process. His goal is to educate clients throughout the construction journey, helping them feel informed, confident and empowered with a clear understanding of what to expect every step of the way. This includes guidance on key renovation milestones, such as establishing a budget, navigating the design phase, managing the construction phase and understanding the final completion process.

Johnson’s career path was shaped through early hands-on experiences that defined his passion for the trades. While he attended Mercer University he worked in several different trade fields, including electrical work, heating and air, and residential renovation.

“My father’s hobby was woodworking, so he was a big influence on me learning to work with my hands from a young age,” Johnson says. “While I enjoy all the trades, remodeling just stuck. I enjoy taking old things and making them new again.”

Artisans of Atlanta was founded in 1993 and has spent many years building a reputation as a trusted contractor in the Atlanta area. In 2007, Johnson took ownership of the company, guiding its evolution into a full-service design-build firm specializing in medium- to large-size renovations and custom homebuilding.

Today, the 16-person team serves clients throughout the Atlanta area and has recently expanded to serve Lake Oconee. For more than two decades, Artisans has cultivated a strong base of loyal clients, with the majority of its work coming from direct referrals, reflecting a consistent reputation for quality and trust.

“It all starts with a great team,” explains Johnson. “After an initial meeting with me for a project assessment, the estimating and pre-construction departments take over.” Estimator Jephunneh Van Der Decker provides thorough pricing that aligns with the client’s budget and goals. Director Jazeri McHenry leads the pre-construction phase, organizing the project details and managing the procurement of client selections, including fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, plumbing and countertops. Operations manager Daniel Johnson oversees all aspects of what unfolds in the field and is involved in the pre-construction process.

“I have four project managers,” say Johnson. “Every client, every home has the attention of a dedicated project manager on-site from start to finish. They’re a huge key to our success. They ensure the plans are being followed, everything’s done to the right specifications, while communicating with the client daily to make sure all their expectations are met.”

Artisans of Atlanta recently partnered with interior design firm Luxe Style Studio to transform the approximately 2,100-square-foot basement of a Sandy Springs home from a raw space into a family retreat, with an in-house theater, gym, sauna and hidden play area for the kids.

“The vision for the basement was to create a space that both adults can enjoy,” explains Johnson. “The homeowners wanted a space for entertaining, as well as accommodations for guests, so we built the basement to include two bedrooms and bathrooms, an office and a kitchenette.”

The homeowners’ vision for the children’s area was a Harry Potter-inspired theme tucked away beneath the stairs with a hidden door. “The dual-screen theater features 85-by-108-inch screens for private viewings,” continues Johnson. “With rich finishes, deep paint tones and a large arched entryway, the theater feels like a moody, immersive escape. We also installed a retractable pocket curtain system to fully close off the space during screenings.”

The gym was intentionally designed to feel open and connected to the rest of the basement. “We created a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass to open it up to the rest of the space,” Johnson says. “We installed custom cove lighting in the ceiling that cast a glow and made the room warm and inviting.”

The team extended the living space outdoors by opening the basement to an exterior patio with a large-scale sliding glass door, letting natural light fill the space and creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Outside, Artisans installed an under-deck waterproofing system to keep the area dry and enclosed it with motorized screens.

“Artisans of Atlanta completed a kitchen remodel for us. It was a great experience,” notes homeowner G. Bellamy. “Matt was great to work with from the original meeting and quote to final payment. A few additions were added throughout the project, and he quickly added changes and detailed quotes on those additions. Project manager Preston and his team provided updates every Sunday, explaining what would happening next, and always arrived at exactly the time they indicated. Everything was immaculately cleaned at the end of day. We are loving our beautiful new kitchen, and we look forward to a future master bath remodel.”

Artisans of Atlanta is listed with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, which provides education and resources and sets industry standards for its members. “The association has a code of conduct and business practices we’re required to uphold as members,” notes Johnson. “It’s part of our core. That membership provides clients with added confidence to know they’re working with an established contractor committed to integrity and professional standards.”

Artisans of Atlanta aims to live up to the meaning behind its name by building lasting client relationships and delivering work it can confidently stand behind. With each completed project, the team strives to meet and exceed homeowner expectations.

An artisan’s skill often rises to the level of art, combining technical expertise with creativity and precision.