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Archive for May, 2012

Miraculously Saved

Posted in Authentic Design, Thoughts, What is Composed, tagged , , , , , on May 20, 2012 | 2 Comments »

The craziest thing happened to me the other day.  I was a little early to a committee meeting that was being held in a local architectural firm’s office so I took my seat at the conference room table hoping to catch up on some e-mails when an amazing photograph caught my eye.  You see, this Home has been one of my family’s favorites for years.  It had stood out as a crowning jewel on the waters.  {My wife will tell you that it had been her favorite first and that I just merely stole it ~ but, don’t believe this, it’s completely untrue}. 

Lake Burton Masterpiece

Sorry ~ I took these photos back in 2010 (before I started blogging and before I understood the importance of conveying a story through photography) and I totally missed the boat house. 

Side View!

 Just the other weekend, we were talking about how we wished we knew who had designed such a beautiful Home.  And then, there it was.  Hanging on the wall of Harrison Design Associates.  Turns out, this was a project in which Greg Palmer and Bulent Baydar had worked on together back in the mid ’90s.  Bulent happened to be in the office at the time and so he came up to give me the skinny.  The home was also one of his favorites, but, he shared with me the challenges they faced especially with restoring the existing boat house to conform with current lake regulations.  And, I’m thrilled that they didn’t relinquish the fight one bit.  For most us who frequent the lake, we have come to love the way this beauty stands out proud on the point as you turn the corner to get to Anchorage.

After the Storms

Then the storm of 2011 plowed through.  A miserable tornado, reaping havoc and crushing everything in sight.  Coming up Wildcat and Moccasin Creek jumping over to the open channel, picking up speed, and then pounding the point of these banks head on before tearing all the way down to the marina.  You’ll notice that both of the homes to the left are completely gone as well as the one to the right.

There’s the Boat House

In some unbelievable manner, this home was miraculously saved.  Incredible!  Maybe it was due to superior design.  Maybe it was particularly well-built.  Maybe she was just lucky ~ lucky beyond belief. Or maybe, just possibly, it was spared on pure beauty alone. 

We may never know, I’m just absolutely thrilled she’s still around!

All my Bests,

Kyle

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Here’s a secret…

Posted in Thoughts on May 20, 2012 | 4 Comments »

I came across a post today that struck such a chord with me that I felt compelled to share some thoughts on it here.  Ever wonder what it is about those that seem to be at the top of their fields.  Those that have achieved that pinnacle mark and are esteemed above and beyond the majority of their peers.  Those that are striding ahead, even in difficult times, as millions of others appear to be stuck in the mud.  I think you can boil it down to this one singular approach.  Check it out.  That’s it; (more…)

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Which one would you pick?

Posted in Authentic Design, Thoughts, Well Composed, What is Composed, tagged , , , , , , on May 14, 2012 | 7 Comments »

I Love to find patterns.  Patterns in the marketplace.  Patterns in emerging developments.  Patterns in people’s behaviors.  The crazy thing is though, so often I fail to see any of the patterns in my own life.  While driving from one project to another last week, I began to connect a few of the dots.  You see, I’ve never considered myself to be defined by one single architectural style.  In fact, I can find beauty in a home regardless of being a part of any particular vernacular.  I’ve adored some Greek Revivals.  Pined over the beach cottage bungalow.  Respected true southern estate homes.  And, revered the English Country Manor.  But lately, I find myself piling up a collection of similarly styled homes while trying to articulate my own future Dream Home.

Some of these you may recognize from previous posts.  Check out here, here and here.

McAlpine Tankersley Masterpiece

McAlpine Tankersly Masterpiece

Peter Block Beaut

 While these are relatively famous, there are others that consistently distract me as I shoot around town.

Brookhaven Baby!

Hidden on Blackland

Such Subtle Style

Now this one is quickly becoming my favorite.

So Perfectly Situated

A Pure Delight

 

Everything about this home is just simply comfortable.  I love the low roof lines, the beautifully shaped dormers, the offering of the shaded recesses, the strength and refinement of the masonry and the mixture of both colors and textures.  And then there’s the magnificent landscape…so well taken care of.  For me, the home states to the world that you’ve made it and yet you have the least little desire to flaunt it.   The whole ensemble makes me feel at ease. 

I think if you wanted to get technical, each of these homes would fall into the category of the French Country genre.  labeling them though, is not much of a concern to me.  What is of interest is that there is a common thread running through the entire collection.  It is the way they make me feel.  Perfectly at peace.  Now that’s how I want to spend my days.

All my Best,

Kyle

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Well Worth the Ticket

Posted in Authentic Design, Events, Well Composed, tagged , , , , , on May 4, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Hey All ~ Quick post here about an outstanding event that I went to last Thursday evening.  It was the Atlanta Symphony Associations Decorators Showhouse.  These are always incredible tours, not only because of the unsurpassed talents of the participants involved, but also, because of the spectacular venues which they are able to showcase.  And this one was nothing less than amazing.  We were lucky enough to actually have a private guided tour put on by the ICA&A and led by none other than Jonathan Lacrosse.  If you want to get the skinny on anything pertaining to Atlanta Homes, History and Heritage, go to Jonathan.  It’s incredible how much he knows about the Icons, the family’s, the stories and the legends that went into the formation of this fine city.

This Home, originally designed in 1929 by none other than Phillip Trammell Shutze, is affectionately known as Knollwood.  In reality, it would be better to refer to her as Knollwood II.  James L. Dickey Sr., an early Atlanta business giant, bought approximately 400 acres here and had several buildings constructed on the property.  Could you imagine, 400 acres right off of West Paces Ferry Road, a stones throw from the downtown.  Crazy.  Over the years though, pieces of the land were broken off and subsequently changed hands.  Mostly from friend to friend (I love that…shame that it somehow seems to have faded away with the years).  In 1911, William Kiser took ownership of about 18 acres of the land and the former version of Knollwood.  He elected to have the original “summer house” demolished and began establishing the plans for his families dream Home.

Now, on with the tour. 

Approach from Woodhaven Road

An aspect common to signature Shutze site planning, is to have the driveway sweep through the landscape, often approaching from the rear of the Home, winding around the side to a comfortable drop zone in the front, allowing every side there a share of character and dignity.  Often making it difficult to distinguish the true front from the rear. 

First Stop…Headed to the Garden

 

Thought the kids would love this shot

Gotta Love a Great Gate

Ahhh, the gardens.  That’s good stuff. 

Cabana

View back toward the Home

And the Pool.

If you zoom in, you will notice the molded brick surround on this side facade.  No lack of detail here.

 

Venturing into the side yard

I love to explore…

Gazebo

 Cool

Limestone Chairs

Very Cool

Not bad.

Wow!

And then; there’s the limestone porte cochere…Incredible!!!

Yep, evey piece of the ensemble is limestone.   Really, really, really Cool.

I would love to share with you some photos from the interior, but, out of respect for the ASA Show House team and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle Magazine, who will be running a future piece on the designer spaces, I’ll refrain.  It is something else though.  As you could imagine, a tremendous effort was made through the design process for transforming each of these interior rooms without compromising the integrity of the original design intent. 

The tour will be open up until May 13th, so if your looking for a great Mother’s Day idea, don’t say I never gave you anything.  Or, if you just want a chance to take in the sites of a true Atlanta landmark, check it out before the opportunity is gone forever.  Certainly well worth it.

All my Best,

Kyle

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