LISTED AND SOLD! REPRESENTING BOTH SIDES
COASTAL LUXURY C oastal Luxury has had the recent pleasure of representing both sides of several successful sales along the coast.
Our firm's unique targeted marketing efforts, strong database, and intimate knowledge of our listing inventory afforded us the opportunity of successfully procuring the Buyers, in-house, for each of these listings.
-Erin Oden SO LD $6 ,30 0,0 00
87 GREEN STREET, 30A EAST END
SO LD $2 ,60 0,0 00
51 PARK ROW LANE, WATERCOLOR
PE ND IN G
$2 ,37 5,0 00
8696 E COUNTY HWY 30A, 30A EAST END
CALL ERIN ODEN
850.502.1220
Erin@CoastalLuxury.com
CoastalLuxury.com
SOLD SOLD BY BY ERIN: ERIN: +$200 +$200 MILLION MILLION IN IN RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL SALES SALES TOP TOP 1% 1% OF OF ECAR ECAR REALTORS REALTORS
COASTAL LUXURY | 9961 EAST COUNTY HIGHWAY 30A, SUITE 1, SEACREST, FLORIDA 32461
LOVELACE expect the unexpected.
W W W.LOVE LACE I NTE R IOR S.C OM 850.837.5563 / 12870 U.S. HIGHWAY 98 WEST / MIRAMAR BEACH, FL 32550
A P PA R E L ,
J E W E L R Y,
H O M E
AC C E S S O R I E S ,
A LY S S H O P P E .CO M
A N D
G I F T S
MAKE IT MEMORABLE MAKE IT EXHILARATING MAKE IT ROMANTIC MAKE IT WILD MAKE IT YOURs!
Panama City Beach has so much family fun, heart-pounding action, eco-adventure and romance, the memories you make here will last a lifetime. Come make Panama City Beach your REAL. FUN. BEACH. and plan your getaway around our real FUN fall events.
VisitPanamaCityBeach.com
CHOOSE JOY!
gioiajewelr yandgifts.com
•
45 Central Square Seaside, FL 32459
•
850.213.4242
$25 Million Under Contract in 30 Days 8858 Co Highway 30-A
$6,750,000 | Best Buy per Square Foot on the Gulf | Sold
45 Abaco Lane
$4,850,000 | New Construction Luxury Home with Carriage House | Sold
95 Rosemary Avenue
$3,300,000 | Rental Machine with Pool & Carriage House | Listed & Sold
LINDA MILLER
Linda Miller is the Broker of Rosemary Beach Realty, which topped Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A market in 2016 with $250 million in sales for a single office. With 19 years of sales experience, she has been the number one agent since 2015 with $130,301,550 in sales, and since 2016 has sold $85,422,400 YTD on 30-A. Miller brokered the largest sale ever on 30-A at 24 South Briland in Rosemary Beach for $12.5 million and was the area’s number one agent in listings in 2016. Linda Miller has generated over $400 million in career sales with an average of $2,340,000 per sale. LindaMillerLuxury.com
#1 Sales Agent on Scenic Highway 30A
Real Estate Broker in Rosemary Beach®
#1 Sales Agent in Rosemary Beach®
(850) 974-8885
#1 Listing Agent on Scenic Highway 30A
Board of Regents is a global collection of the finest real estate brokers in the world. With an exclusive membership of more than 500 firms with 130,000 professionals in more than 65 countries, it collectively sells over $200 BILLION in real estate annually, with an average sale of $2,450,000. ROSEMARY BEACH® is a registered trademark owned by Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC and is used with permission pursuant to a license from Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC.
DINING
SLEEPING LIVE MODERN
In this issue On the Cover
An antebellum-style masterpiece near Georgia’s Atlantic coast, the Big House is the jewel of the Hampton Island Preserve private resort community. Historical Con‑ cepts designed the home and its ancillary buildings along the peaceful North New‑ port River. The island’s privacy and scenery
134
ENJOY THE VIEW
THE LUXURIOUS 1900 NINETY EIGHT IS DESTIN, FLORIDA’S NEWEST HIGH-RISE CONDOMINIUM. ITS ROOFTOP AMENITIES AND SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE BEACHES AND SPARKLING WATERS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO ARE UNPARALLELED. FLIP THROUGH “WHERE THE SKY MEETS THE SEA” TO FIND OUT WHY.
have made it a haven not only for owners and guests, but also for filmmakers who have used the setting in major motion pictures, independent films, and television series. Photo by Richard Leo Johnson
FEATURE
66 Old Is New Again: The Art of Craftsmanship
92 The Big House at Hampton Island Preserve:
72 BEAUtiful Blues
Historical Concepts Creates a Masterpiece
76 Hues of Blue: Coastal Beachside Living
C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION: CROWNING JEWELS 28
110 Timeless Elegance, Sophisticated Style
VOYAGER 35 36 The Debut: Kimpton Aertson Is Nashville’s
134 Where the Sky Meets the Sea 142 A Modern Gem in Historic New Orleans
New Luxury Hotel
154 Always Smiling
44 The Artistry of Architecture: Making the
SARTORIAL
World Beautiful PUBLISHED BY
122 Modern Workspace: Limitless Creativity
LA MAISON 57 58 The Gardener’s Tale 60 How Does Your Garden Grow? A Daily Dose of Goodness
84 Have Style, Will Travel: KREWE Is Everywhere
LA SCÈNE 162 AU REVOIR! 171
TheIdeaBoutique.com info@theideaboutique.com
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 13
CREATIVE TEAM FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LISA MARIE BURWELL LISA@VIEMAGAZINE.COM
FOUNDER / PUBLISHER GERALD BURWELL GERALD@VIEMAGAZINE.COM
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR JORDAN STAGGS JORDAN@VIEMAGAZINE.COM
CHIEF COPY EDITOR MARGARET STEVENSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANTHEA GERRIE, FRANCO GRIMALDI, LIZZIE LOCKER, HANNAH MCLEAISH,TORI PHELPS, N. S. RACHEOTES, JANET THOMAS
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY ART DIRECTOR TRACEY THOMAS TRACEY@VIEMAGAZINE.COM
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR LUCY YOUNG SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER RINN GARL ANGER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS OLIVIA PIERCE, HANNAH VERMILLION
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS OLLIE ALEX ANDER, SARA ESSEX BRADLEY, COLLEEN DUFFLEY, CAROLINE HAMBLEN, RICHARD LEO JOHNSON, L AURE JOLIET, ANDREA KINSEY, TIM KRAMER, NIC LEHOUX, STEVE MANGUM, JEFFREY NEIRA, SYLVIA PARET, MIKE PONT, ROMONA ROBBINS, TODD WILLIAMSON, BRIANNA WRIGHT, GIANT PROPELLER/SEBASTIEN MICKE, SARAH MYERSCOUGH GALLERY
ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR MEGHN HILL BRANCH OFFICE MANAGER – IRELAND SHARON DUANE CREATIVE STYLIST SUVA ANG-MENDOZA ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ABIGAIL RYAN BRAND AMBASSADORS LISA MARIE BURWELL LISA@VIEMAGAZINE.COM MARY JANE KIRBY MARYJANE@VIEMAGAZINE.COM
BRAND MANAGER RINN GARL ANGER CORINNE@VIEMAGAZINE.COM
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER TIM DUTROW DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR SHANNON QUINL AN VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2016 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published six times annually on a bimonthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or the Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Printed magazine – One-year $29.95; Two-year $54.95. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEmagazine.com.
14 | OCTOBE R 2017
Designer Touch There’s no better feeling than sharing time with those you cherish in the place you call home. This is especially true when that place is both stylish and comfortable. Our featured collection of current real estate listings exemplify what a designer touch can do for a home and its outdoor living areas. Sharing all that is on-trend in the indoor and outdoor design worlds on our site are some of area’s most sought after talents.
AWARD WINNING SHOWHOUSE Churchill Oaks
29 PARISH Recorded Details & Pricing 800.359.0527 x 9639 REPRESENTED BY Tanner Peacock
BEAUTIFULLY DETAILED MASTERPIECE WaterSound
Learn from these experts at: scenicsir.com/designer-touch/
40 SOUTH WATCH TOWER LANE Recorded Details & Pricing 800.359.0527 x 7569 REPRESENTED BY Chris Abbott
GULF VIEW HOME WITH DESIGNER DECOR
SOPHISTICATED BEACHSIDE RETREAT
WaterSound Beach
Destiny by the Sea
44 TIDEPOOL LANE Recorded Details & Pricing 800.375.9828 x 6129 REPRESENTED BY Tom Fitzpatrick
4796 OCEAN BOULEVARD Recorded Details & Pricing 800.214.5743 x 5779 REPRESENTED BY Jonathan Spears
MODERN WATERFRONT ESTATE
IMPECCABLE DESIGN
Blue Mountain Beach
WaterColor
1465 WEST COUNTY HIGHWAY 30A Recorded Details & Pricing 800.375.9828 x 9209 REPRESENTED BY Kim & Keen Polakoff
10 FLATWOOD STREET Recorded Details & Pricing 800.359.0527 x 4909 REPRESENTED BY Matt McGuire
30A Blue Mountain Beach | 30Avenue Inlet Beach | City Market Bayside Destin Information presented is subject to errors, omissions, changes, or withdrawals without notice. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
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Editor’s Note
OUR DAILY BREAD ALL THAT WE NEED
W
ith our world seemingly moving at the speed of light, it’s more challenging on a daily basis for me to master the art of remaining in a place of gratitude. Instant gratification reigns supreme over daily lives, making it easier to get more accomplished, but at what cost? The modern conveniences and technology that our Western culture offers us can be incredible benefits in raising the quality of life. But the frenetic bombardment of communication via text, phone, chat, e-mail, and other instant messaging platforms sometimes makes me long for days gone by when I had a sense of anticipation as I checked the mailbox for a letter from a friend or listened to messages on my answering machine when I got home from the office. I know I’m dating myself here, but there are enough of us who can relate to how quickly technology has changed and, consequently, how quickly those changes have impacted our society and diminished the quality of other areas of life.
When you have a moment to think, you can have a moment to walk in gratitude. That is the most important state of being—and the one I want to remain in. I love the idea of being easily connected to so many people, but on the flip side, I don’t care for the pressure that I feel to respond promptly to communications when I am fielding so many of them in one day. If I make the extra effort to respond quickly (and I usually do), it typically means that something in my personal life is going to take the hit—namely, taking the dog for a long walk, cooking a really good dinner,
Photo by Romona Robbins
setting aside time to talk to my husband, reading a book, getting more rest (and couldn’t we all use a little more of that!), or simply having time to think. That’s it! I can’t think when I’m constantly being interrupted, and that is when I ask myself, “Is it all worth it?” When you have a moment to think, you can have a moment to walk in gratitude. That is the most important state of being—and the one I want to remain in. I am grateful for my daily bread today, and I hope we all can pause, even if it is just for a little while, and be thankful for all the goodness we have. To Life!
—Lisa Marie Founder/Editor-In-Chief V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 21
T H E M O S T C R E AT I V E C U L I N A RY E X P E R I E N C E O N 3 0 A Open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 5:30 pm • Happy Hour 5:30–6:30 pm 8 5 0 - 2 1 3 - 5 7 0 0
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C A L I Z A R E S T A U R A N T . C O M
The Creatives
We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.
Existing color (beginning with red) slowly disappears the deeper you go, so I have to create lighting that will maintain that color as I descend. The elements of nature both challenge and inspire me. Its characteristics influence the direction and mood I want to take with my imagery. ANTHEA GERRIE Writer, “A Modern Gem in Historic New Orleans”
FOR THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE CREATIVES: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF SPACE TO WORK IN, AND HOW CAN IT AFFECT OR REFLECT YOUR CREATIVITY?
@aceglobetrotter
I work in a dedicated office in my own home, which, seeing as I live in a rural village, looks out on greenery; this is very important for my mental well-being. I like the fact that there are fewer distractions than in shared workspaces, that I can start writing in my bathrobe if the creative juices are flowing early, and that I can refresh them during coffee breaks by viewing the sheep at the bottom of my garden!
OPEN SPACE IS MY SPACE. WHILE THE STUDIO IS ALWAYS A FUN CHALLENGE, BEING OUT IN THE ELEMENTS IS WHERE I FIND MY PASSION.
LINDSAY MILLER Designer, Lovelace Interiors @lovelaceinteriors
GERALD BURWELL Publisher @thehairofmylife
I am and have always been partial to modern designs; this goes back to my time at Clemson School of Architecture during my master’s program. My thesis centered on how furniture makes the connection between man and architecture. I used to make furniture then, and it was always of the modern vernacular. I love clean and simple lines with proportions that are open and purposeful. It’s not always easy to master the art of modernity, but when it is done well, it is simply beautiful.
ROMONA ROBBINS Photographer, “Modern Workspace, Limitless Creativity” @romonarobbinsreynolds
Open space is my space. While the studio is always a fun challenge, being out in the elements is where I find my passion. Every setting is unique and each location presents its own set of challenges. For example, one of the main objectives in photography is mastering lighting, and that becomes an even bigger challenge in an underwater environment.
My favorite place to work is near our beautiful stretch of coastline since I draw inspiration from the beaches along Scenic Highway 30-A. How can you not be inspired with the beautiful Emerald Coast as your background? I enjoy working along this piece of Florida paradise—from Santa Rosa Beach to Grayton Beach to Alys Beach—by designing interiors that reflect the cool, coastal style here. From pops of color in original artwork to a soothing color palette of blues and greens, my personal design style is reflected in each project I complete. I especially love designing master bedrooms that reflect the clients’ individual styles and preferences. They are great opportunities to create relaxing, private retreats.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 23
2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED A BOHEME DESIGN, LLC AA 26001879 www.aboheme.com
Architecture designed around You and the things You love. .
A
BOHEME
DESIGN
Let u s h elp y o u w i t h y o u r n ex t h om e
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La conversation
READ ALL ABOUT IT WE LOVE TO COMMUNICATE AND INTERACT WITH OUR READERS! AND WE LOVE IT EVEN MORE WHEN THEY PROUDLY SHARE THEIR STORIES AND POSE WITH VIE FOR A CLOSEUP! THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT: SHARING, LOVING, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. WE THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND WE APPRECIATE YOU! @cameron_merill: You guys, it’s here. It’s really here. This is one of those “I don’t know what to say” moments because I don’t. Especially when @lukebryan is staring at me from the cover… You can read the entire Graceful Rebel article in @viemagazine.
@anyoldiron: Glitterati are out in force at the @viemagazine event in Nashville. Models from @amaxagency
Looks like one of VIE’s contributing writers, Chad Thurman, is enjoying the Adventure Issue on his adventure to Washington, D.C.
@heather_haynes_gallery: Copy in hand! @viemagazine @heatherhaynesartist #worldscollideafrica #onendoto #standwithcongo
LET’S TALK!
@billydawsonmusic: What an awesome magazine! Thank you! @viemagazine @alaquaanimalrefuge @ashcambanjo They have helped over 40,000 animals! @theideaboutique @saaconnects @lukebryan @hey30a @graytonbeach
@saaconnects: It was a pleasure meeting this beautiful lady, Laurie Hood, whose work with @alaquaanimalrefuge is setting the groundwork for a show on a huge network soon to be announced. Shhh, I promised I wouldn’t share yet! Her organization has saved over 40,000 animals!
Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by e-mailing us at info@viemagazine. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation!
VIEmagazine.com
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 25
www.geoffchick.com
790 North Highway 393, Suite 2E, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-0210
The Good Life
WaterSound Beach Club
Join today and enjoy access to extraordinary amenities at Camp Creek Golf Club, Shark’s Tooth Golf Club, Origins Golf Club, WaterSound Beach Club and Bay Point Marina. A membership with The Clubs by JOE offers a family legacy with a lifetime of memories along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.
STJOECLUB.COM | (850) 213-5181
CROWNING JEWELS
There’s no place like home. It’s a haven, where you spend time unwinding and forgetting about stress. Or at least it should be—if you design it that way. Why not go all out and make your house a private oasis you can truly call home? It’s time for a makeover where rich colors, luxurious textures, and natural elements play off each other harmoniously, giving your home a vibrant but classic look that won’t go out of style. The jewel tone trend is reflected in our latest curated collection; these products have a modern edge but with a decidedly regal flair—because everyone deserves the royal treatment. Wouldn’t you agree?
1
Off the Cuff
Monica Sordo Yma Cuff Bracelet in White and Grey $650 – curioconcept.com 28 | OCTOBE R 2017
3
Treasure Chest
Andu Malachite Boxes $450–$960 – annanewyork.com
2
The Hot Seat
Double Zero Chair by David Adjaye moroso.com
Let the Games Begin 5
Get Cracking
4
Lacquer Backgammon Set in Purple $395 – jonathanadler.com
Le Creuset Egg Cup $10 each – lecreuset.com
6
For the Birds
Zoology Parrots Throw Pillow $325 – jonathanadler.com
Lighten Up
7
FLOS Taccia Small Lamp in Violet $995 – flos.com V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 29
C’est la vie
Give It a Rest
8
Carmen Footstool $1,630–$2,095 – heatherlydesigns.com
9
Sleep In
Modern History Abstract Four-Poster Bed $4,056 – perigold.com
10
Tableside
Duresta for Matthew Williamson Nesting Tables $10,515 – matthewwilliamson.com
12
What’s Cookin’? Deco freestanding full-gas range by Tecnogas Superiore $5,499 – builderspecialties.net
Black Swan (Princess)
11
Elizabeth Kennedy Fall 2017 Collection, Look 21 elizabethkennedy.com
13
Splitter Splatter
Andy Stewart, The Other Side of Silence, Mixed Media on Canvas, 2014 sarahmyerscoughgallery.com Image courtesy of Sarah Myerscough Gallery 30 | OCTOBE R 2017
14
Golden Girl
Ulla Johnson Fall 2017 Collection, Look 20 ullajohnson.com
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 31
C’est la vie
Take a Seat
15
Duresta for Matthew Williamson Estelle Teal Tango Chair $1,705 – matthew williamson.com 32 | OCTOBE R 2017
SWIMWEAR + LIFESTYLE
seaside | seacrest beach and now in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin Shop online at OpheliaSwimwear.com
mikoh • vitamin a • mara hoffman • acacia • frankies • l space • for love & lemons • melissa odabash
*
wildfox • poupette st barth • tularosa • spiritual gangster • faithful • helen jon • camilla
Your Gateway to the Rhythm of Nashville Kimpton Aertson Hotel sways to a different tune in Music City, located in the Midtown neighborhood just beyond the glow of storied honky tonks and neon signs. • •
•
Rooftop pool overlooking Vanderbilt University Henley American Brasserie by James Beard award-winning chef RJ Cooper Private Balcony/Terrace in Select Rooms
• • •
Luxe rooms and suites One-of-a-kind art installations The most sincere hospitality you’ll find in Nashville
It’s all at your fingertips at Kimpton’s first boutique hotel in Nashville.
AertsonHotel.com
I 877.239.2269 I @AertsonHotel
Voyager
Learn more at GardnerMuseum.org and look for the museum in VIE’s upcoming Sophisticate Issue! Photo by Nic Lehoux
Voyager
SEE THE WORLD
Everyone loves a good heist story, and one of the most fascinating in recent US history is the 1990 theft of thirteen works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Two robbers dressed as Boston police officers tricked both guards on duty, handcuffed them, detained them in the basement, and then stole works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Edgar Degas, Johannes Vermeer, Édouard Manet, Govaert Flinck, and others. Today, empty frames and pedestals remain where the stolen works had been displayed throughout the museum, which was once the palatial home of visionary patron of the arts Isabella Stewart Gardner. The stolen works have yet to be found, and the museum offers a $10 million reward for their return.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 35
Voyager
debut THE
36 | OCTOBE R 2017
KIMPTON AERTSON IS NASHVILLE’S NEW LUXURY HOTEL
BY JANET THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURE JOLIET
YOU HAD ME AT THE FRONT DOOR. UPON APPROACH, I FROZE IN MY TRACKS, MESMERIZED BY THE BEAUTY BEFORE ME. MY EYES WIDENED AND A SIGH OF DELIGHT SLIPPED FROM MY LIPS AS I SPOTTED THE COOLEST MODERN CHANDELIER I HAD EVER SEEN. The stunning light fixture belongs to the sublime Aertson Hotel, Kimpton’s new chic boutique gift to Nashville. I had the good fortune of visiting this past June—it had just opened the doors a mere three hours before. Lucky me! The hotel was hosting its first signature Wine Hour with white and red offerings, plus light bites. What a welcoming first impression. The lobby area is smartly designed and has become an instant communal gathering place throughout the day and evening. Mornings are kicked off at the complimentary coffee and tea bar.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 37
Voyager
Far right: The espresso and tea bar at Caviar & Bananas, next door to the Kimpton Aertson Hotel, is a perfect spot to get your caffeine fix. The eatery also features cafeteria-style prepared foods, pastries and sweets, craft beer and wine, home goods, packaged foods, an evening wine bar, small plates, and more.
i
t had been several years since I’d been to downtown Nashville. As a young girl, visiting family near Franklin, Peytonsville, and Lewisburg, I loved Nashville as most did; the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland were every family’s dream. I even had “kinfolk,” Sam and Kirk McGee, who were some of the first members of the Grand Ole Opry, performing there often back in the day. Imagine my surprise when a relative recently pointed out their names on a yellowed concert poster adorning the walls of Nashville’s famous honky-tonk, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
years for the iconic Bluebird Cafe, and 25 at Tin Pan South. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the Music City Walk of Fame each celebrated their tenth anniversaries in 2016.
Fortunately, I was touring the “new” Nashville with the amazing Visit Music City to absorb a whirlwind update on all the news, activity, and growth. The vibrant Tennessee capital now has a hip vibe to it, and 2017 marks many a milestone: 125 years for Ryman Auditorium, 70 years for the Nashville Symphony, 60 years for RCA Studio B (where Elvis and a multitude of others recorded their hits), 50 years of Nashville Songwriters Association International, 50 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 35
THE KIMPTON AERTSON HOTEL IS AN INNOVATIVE ADDITION TO NASHVILLE’S LODGING AND DINING SCENE WITH A PERFECT MIDTOWN LOCATION NEAR VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY AND MUSIC ROW.
The Kimpton Aertson Hotel is an innovative addition to Nashville’s lodging and dining scene with a perfect Midtown location near Vanderbilt University and Music Row. The Aertson’s name pays homage to the Vanderbilt heritage: Jan Aertson of De Bilt, Netherlands, was an ancestor of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt.
The hotel anchors Aertson Midtown, a new mixed-use community developed by Buckingham Companies that also features 350 on-trend apartment residences and prime retail space. The vibe is effortlessly sophisticated with just the right amount of edge. The hotel also partners with the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), which is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade association. Together, these two organizations will offer NSAI’s Songwriter Rounds Experience as part of incredibly cool event packages. Let’s not forget the Kimpton Aertson’s dining experiences! Room service for breakfast? Check. Executive chef RJ Cooper, who has cooked his way from New York City to Anchorage to Nashville and worked with the likes of Günter Seeger and Eric Ripert, supplies breakfast, Sunday brunch, and dinner via the Henley restaurant. My pasture-raised egg frittata arrived piping hot and plump with farmstand vegetables and goat cheese. Add to that incredible Tennessee bacon (of course, I did what any respectable bacon-loving Southerner would do and 38 | OCTOBE R 2017
crumbled some of the crisp, salty succulence atop the frittata). To balance things out, my “dessert” was a showcase of seasonal fruits and berries. Don’t miss dinner at Henley in person. It’s lively and noisy—in a good way. The bar and restaurant blend to create an instant hot spot. Modern Southern specialties include Bear Creek Farm short ribs, okra and Appalachian tomato gravy, squash blossoms, and snap peas, plus hearty dishes like cobia, trout, quail, and a dry-aged rib cap with bone marrow. For lunch, Caviar & Bananas offers everything from fresh salads and amazing sandwiches to frozé, the cafe’s take on refreshing frozen rosé. Coming soon to the Aertson Midtown development are a modern Mexican eatery called Nada and The Ainsworth, a bar and restaurant with a neighborhood feel. Also at your fingertips will be the Woodhouse Day Spa, boasting more than seventy spa services. As for fitness amenities, the Aertson Hotel has a twenty-four-hour fitness center, offers yoga mats in each room, and provides complimentary bike rentals. The rooftop pool is the place to be on a warm, sunny Nashville afternoon, with wonderful lounging areas and views of the city. The hotel boasts 180 rooms and lots of meeting space (especially swanky are the seventeenth-floor ballroom and terrace) and is well equipped for groups, couples, and families. Even furry friends of all shapes and sizes are welcome at no extra charge. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 39
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40 | OCTOBE R 2017
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FROM THE COOL ENTRYWAY CHANDELIER TO THE FLOOR COVERING AND EVEN THE STAFF’S BUSINESS CARDS, YOU’LL NOTICE A PURPOSEFUL PLAY ON LINES.
eneral manager and seasoned Kimpton expert Mark Hayes opened the Aertson Hotel and agrees that the art installations are an absolute show-stopper and well worth a self-guided tour. Buckingham Companies enlisted Cynthia-Reeves, a contemporary art gallery, for the commissioned works of art. One of the first pieces you will notice is by JaeHyo Lee and is created with suspended stones and cable surrounding the double-sided fireplace. The work adds an earthy, textured, floating dimension to the lobby.
orange threads, which took days for the artist and her team to install near the first-floor elevators. Keep strolling for major pieces throughout the artsy Aertson.
From the cool entryway chandelier to the floor covering and even the staff ’s business cards, you’ll notice a purposeful play on lines. Add to that Anne Lindberg’s stunning installation of hot pink and
Janet Thomas is a longtime writer and editor and a former editor-in-chief of American Airlines’ luxury magazine, Celebrated Living. She is now joyfully beach-based along Scenic Highway 30-A in South Walton, Florida—when she’s not traveling the world for a good story.
Thank you, Kimpton Aertson, for creating a hotel that’s a rare and perfect blend of sophistication, innovation, and edge.
AERTSONHOTEL.COM | VISITMUSICCIT Y.COM
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BY J O RDA N S TAGG S
For admirers of modern architecture, there’s one American name that tends to stand out from the rest. Frank Lloyd Wright— born Frank Lincoln Wright on June 8, 1867, in Richland Center, Wisconsin—designed over a thousand structures before his death in April of 1959. Wright’s multifaceted talents as an architect, an author, and landscape designer, touched the lives of countless others in his lifetime. And, his influence is far from faded, especially in America’s heartland where the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail opened earlier this year. A project spearheaded by Travel Wisconsin along with Taliesin Preservation, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Visit Madison, and others, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail honors the architect with a ninestop tour of structures he designed, and it opened just in time to celebrate what would have been his 150th birthday. Monona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin, was first designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935, but was rejected and went through many drafts before his death. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the city built the structure, which was completed in 1997. Photo Courtesy of Visit Madison
Drawing discerning fans of architecture and visitors looking to experience the American Midwest (along with its beer and cheese!), the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail is a little-known gem that includes beautiful landscapes and coastlines, regional fare, metropolitan experiences, and, of course, breathtaking structures designed by Wright and others. The first stop for those flying or driving from the East Coast is Milwaukee. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 45
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HAR DY HO U SE Though it may not be an official stop on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, the Hardy House in downtown Racine is worth a look when on Main Street. Overlooking Lake Michigan, the home Wright built for Thomas P. Hardy and his family in 1905 looks somewhat like a box from the street side, but the expansive windows and partial basement overlooking the lake are real showstoppers.
BU R NHA M PA R K Though he was the master of Prairie-style architecture, Wright longed to develop sustainable homes for low-income families. His urban-planning model was known as the American System-Built Homes, the original six of which were built along Burnham Street in Milwaukee from 1914 to 1917. The idea was to build beautiful yet affordable homes in a community consisting of seven models from which residents could choose. Unfortunately, as the United States entered World War I in 1917, the lack of building materials and a disagreement with Wright’s partner on the project, Arthur L. Richards, brought the American System-Built Homes plan to a grinding halt.
Above: Frank Lloyd Wright Photo Courtesy of Taliesin Preservation Opposite: The Great Workroom at the SC Johnson Administration Building in Racine, Wisconsin, is a wonder to behold. The dendriform columns and custom furnishings reflect the building’s curvature. Photo Courtesy of SC Johnson
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Today, the six original Burnham Street residences are on the National Register of Historic Places, and tours of the Model B1 cottage are available most Saturdays and some Fridays throughout the year. The cottage exemplifies many of Wright’s signature traits, such as cantilevered rooftops, horizontal accent lines, and rows of windows wrapping the house. Just about twenty-five miles south of Milwaukee on the edge of Lake Michigan are the next few stops on the trail including the quaint downtown district of Racine. North Beach and the town’s charming harbor and marina, Wind Point Lighthouse, are reasons enough for visitors to seek a holiday on the Great Lakes, but those on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail will find architectural treasures hidden throughout the town. For the best view of the marina, stay at the newly renovated DoubleTree by Hilton Racine Harbourwalk, which is a short walk to downtown shopping and superb dining, such as local fare at Reefpoint Brew House and the Yardarm Bar & Grill.
Wright’s desire for every home to connect with nature as seamlessly as possible is evident in his use of glass, often even connecting glass panes to one another at corners for views unobstructed by pillars or beams. He was known for his use of glass and reflected sun rays to cast playful light spectrums onto floors and walls. “He had an uncanny sense of what light would do at different times of day,” says Mark Hertzberg, author and photographer of Wright in Racine, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hardy House, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s SC Johnson Research Tower.
SC J O HNSO N ADMI NI S T R AT I ON B UILD IN G AND R ESEARC H TOW ER Few outside the architecture industry are familiar with Wright’s Midwestern commercial projects at the SC Johnson campus in Racine. Its sleek brick facade—in Cherokee red, Wright’s signature color—might seem like a departure from the architect’s desire to fuse buildings with their natural surroundings, and that’s because it is. “Most of Wright’s residences faced ‘out’ into nature,” Hertzberg explains, “but his public offices often faced ‘in,’ toward each other.” This kept the campus unified and promoted a synergy between its buildings, essentially turning it into a gated community for employees. In 1936, SC Johnson leader H.F. “Hib” Johnson Jr. commissioned Wright to design a new worldwide headquarters that would reflect his third-generation family-owned company’s dedication to providing an exceptional work environment for its employees and exceptional products for its consumers. Wright’s plans for the SC Johnson Administration Building were met with challenges and some skepticism, especially
regarding the canopy-inspired Great Workroom. At only nine inches in diameter at the base and over eighteen feet in diameter at the top, the striking dendriform columns can support about sixty tons each and are a testament to Wright’s brilliance. “The only computer he had to work with was the one between his ears,” Hertzberg says. The administration building opened in 1939, followed by the adjoining SC Johnson Research Tower in 1950. The tower is one of the tallest structures ever to be built using the cantilever principle. A central concrete core thirteen feet in diameter extends fifty-four feet into the ground. The tower’s fifteen floors are built like the branches of a tree, supported by the core “trunk” which also contains the tower’s restrooms and elevator. Its windows, like those in the administration building, are made of Pyrex glass tubes, which refract light and cut down on glare. Still, the tower’s seventeen miles of windows meant sweltering temperatures and bright sunlight, prompting employees to nickname it the “Helio
“I WANTED TO BUILD THE BEST OFFICE BUILDING IN THE WORLD, AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT WAS TO GET THE GREATEST ARCHITECT IN THE WORLD.” Lab” and to wear sunglasses while working. SC Johnson scientists have created Windex, Glade, Pledge, and other worldwide household products in this tower. “Anybody can build a typical building,” said Johnson. “I wanted to build the best office building in the world, and the only way to do that was to get the greatest architect in the world.” That isn’t to say Wright and Johnson didn’t have any problems. The buildings’ construction costs went well over budget—a habit Wright was infamous for— and leaks in the ceiling and windows meant employees often had buckets strewn about on rainy days. The original three-legged chairs designed for the workspace notoriously tipped over, which happened often enough for Hib Johnson make Wright redesign the chairs. Still, the SC Johnson campus is notably one of Wright’s best and personal favorite works, as evidenced by his signature on a painted block gracing the main entrance
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map of its 1935 journey from Milwaukee to Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. At the campus entrance is the Golden Rondelle Theater, which was constructed by Taliesin Associated Architects for the company’s 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair exhibition. It offers showings of Carnaúba: A Son’s Memoir, the documentary film of Sam Johnson Jr. re-creating his father’s seaplane expedition, and the Academy Award–winning short film To Be Alive!, which debuted inside the structure at the World’s Fair.
WI N GSP R EAD ES TAT E Wright’s second design for Hib Johnson was the Wingspread estate in 1939, the home of Johnson and his family. Having fourteen thousand square feet of floor space, this pinwheel-shaped residence in Racine’s Wind Point neighborhood is the largest private residence designed by Wright. This stop on the trail is a treat for those who love stories, as docents recount the tales of Johnson and his family, along with Wright’s antics. A favorite among visitors is the time Johnson was seated at a dinner party when the roof began to leak. (Wright’s designs were innovative but not without flaws, and this seemed to be a common one.) The water was dripping right onto Johnson’s head when he yelled for someone to get him the telephone and barked at the operator to connect him with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. The dinner party was silent as Johnson berated Wright for building him a house with a leaky roof, telling him about the current situation. Then, they clearly heard Wright tell Johnson, “Well, Hib, move your chair.”
THE SC JOHNSON CAMPUS IS NOTABLY ONE OF WRIGHT’S BEST AND PERSONAL FAVORITE WORKS, AS EVIDENCED BY HIS SIGNATURE ON A PAINTED BLOCK GRACING THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. to the administration building. (He only signed the structures in which he took the most pride.) Also on the campus tour is Fortaleza Hall, home of the employees’ cafeteria and lounge, The SC Johnson Gallery: At Home with Frank Lloyd Wright rotating exhibit, a gift shop (in case you forgot to pack your Windex), and a beautiful re-creation of Hib Johnson’s twin-engine Sikorsky S-38 seaplane and a 48 | OCTOBE R 2017
The home and grounds are stunning, blending with the hillside and overlooking a pond. Its cantilevered “Romeo and Juliet” balcony was designed especially for Johnson’s daughter, Karen, of whom Wright was very fond. Perhaps the property’s most unique feature is the thirty-foot central chimney, which also has a glass-domed watchtower at the top. The main living areas of the house wrap the chimney, which contains four fireplaces, including an unusual one in which Wright suggested placing vertical birch logs. Sam Johnson Jr. said the first time they tried using it, a burning log fell into the room and had to be dragged outside and pushed off the balcony to avoid a house fire. Needless to say, that fireplace became purely decorative. Today the Johnson Foundation operates within the twelve-acre estate, using the property for conferences and workshops along with public tours. “It’s a place for us to bring people together,” says Roger C. Dower, president of the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread. “Day to day, we think about this place as a tool and how we can use it as a foundation.” Before you head out of town, don’t forget to stop by O&H Danish Bakery for some Nordic flair and the region’s most prized confection—the kringle! This flaky, buttery pastry will tide you over until lunch in Madison, where a stop at DLUX burger bar or The Old Fashioned tavern wouldn’t be complete without a side of Wisconsin cheese curds.
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FIRS T U N I TAR I A N S O CI E T Y M EE T I N G H OU S E One of Wright’s most personal projects, the First Unitarian Society Meeting House in Madison, is recognized for its significant role in shaping American architecture. Wright’s father was a preacher at the church, whose meeting hall roof extends like the bow of a ship, while windows below jut outward and down, coming to a sharp point like a plow. These were significant design elements of Wright’s Usonian designs, which he called “democratic architecture.” This meant they were built using locally sourced natural materials and, as he explained, “true to the time, the place, and the name”—Usonia being an acronym for the United States of North America.
Today the meeting house remains a gathering place for all sorts—with the First Unitarian Society graciously lending its halls to those in need and renting out space to other groups and events.
M O N O N A T ER R AC E Across the city from the First Unitarian Society, Monona Terrace is perhaps Madison’s most prized architectural possession, aside from its stunning (and imposing) Wisconsin State Capitol building. Wright first proposed the project of his “dream civic center” to the city in 1935, and the terrace’s design went through many iterations but was never realized in his lifetime. Its completion in 1997 created a gathering spot for all of Madison’s citizens to enjoy the views of Lake Monona, a café and gift shop, and space for meetings, events, conferences, weddings, and more. The surrounding walkways are perfect for cycling or running, while the rooftop terrace affords views of the lake and is ideal for spectators to
Opposite: The SC Johnson Research Tower, with fifteen floors, is one of the world’s tallest structures built using the cantilever principle. Photo by Brianna Wright/ Real Racine Left: This vertical fireplace at Wingspread Estate is a striking feature— despite its practical shortcomings. Photo by Jordan Staggs Right: Wright designed the First Unitarian Society Meeting House in Madison to resemble a plow, reflecting the city’s roots as a farming community. Photo courtesy of Visit Madison
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witness water sports, sailing, and the swim portion of the IRONMAN 70.3 Wisconsin triathlon. Worth another stop for travelers with children—or for those who are just young at heart—is the Madison Children’s Museum and its 2017 exhibit From Coops to Cathedrals: Nature, Childhood, and the Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, which tells the story of young Frank Lloyd Wright and offers several activities for kids of all ages. Middleton is a good headquarters for those staying overnight, conveniently located on the western edge of Madison, between the city and the beautiful rural landscapes of Spring Green.
TA LI E S I N E S TATE A ND T HE F R A NK LLOY D W R I G HT V I S I TO R CE NTE R Wright’s Wisconsin roots were strong as he was born and raised there, attended the University of Wisconsin– Madison, and lived and worked in the Spring Green area for many years. His private residence and studio and the Hillside architecture school lie spread across the eight-hundred-acre Taliesin Estate, just about an hour’s drive west of Madison.
Above: Monona Terrace hosts conventions and other events, offers dining on the rooftop terrace, and affords spectacular views overlooking Lake Monona. Photo courtesy of Visit Madison
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The first stop on the estate is the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center, housed in a unique bridgelike building overlooking a valley beside the Wisconsin River. Originally a fine dining restaurant, the Visitor Center still houses the Riverview Terrace Café and the Taliesin Bookstore, a gift shop containing everything from Taliesin T-shirts and novelty items to handcrafted replica light fixtures based on those at Wright’s home on the estate. The Visitor Center is where all tours begin, and visitors are guided by knowledgeable docents who are passionate about the estate and full of fascinating stories along with facts about the architecture. Taliesin Preservation has worked hard in a noble effort to keep the property running and to share its legacy with visitors and students. Hillside is a school designed in 1902, originally a gift to Wright’s aunts who ran an innovative hands-on learning center for children. It later became the site
of Wright’s architecture school, where his apprentices lived, worked, and studied. He carried on his aunts’ motto of “learn by doing”; his students designed and built structures around the property, repaired and improved existing ones, did all the chores and upkeep for the school, and even did farmwork and helped with the preparation of meals. Each time there was a banquet, Wright tasked a student with designing a new layout for the dining hall’s tables and chairs, all of which were designed by Wright, like most furniture in his buildings.
THE VISITOR CENTER IS WHERE ALL TOURS BEGIN, AND VISITORS ARE GUIDED BY KNOWLEDGEABLE DOCENTS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE ESTATE AND FULL OF FASCINATING STORIES ALONG WITH FACTS ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE. The Hillside School was a significant piece of work since it was the first time Wright “broke the box”—that is, designed a building to have non-load-bearing outer walls. Instead, the roof and ceiling are held up by interior support columns, which allowed Wright to wrap the assembly hall with large windows, blending the interior into the natural landscape and keeping the structure from feeling like an enclosed box. The drafting studio at Hillside is still in use: apprentices of the Taliesin architecture programs train there during summer to design impressive architectural works of art; in winter they work at the Taliesin West campus. The building also
includes a museum-like exhibit of photography by Pedro E. Guerrero, Wright’s personal photographer. Wright’s brilliant yet impulsive, and at times curmudgeonly, nature dictated that while his life was marked by great work and deserved fame, it was not without scandal, and some of the most scandalous events in it occurred at his home at Taliesin. After leaving his first wife, Catherine, and their six children for Europe with a woman named Mamah Cheney, Wright’s reputation as a ladies’ man took a turn for the worse. Cheney’s husband—a client of Wright’s— granted her a divorce but Catherine refused, and so when they returned to America, Wright and Cheney moved to his secluded country home at Taliesin in 1911, which was still under construction. Though they were never married, Wright and Cheney had a presumably happy relationship, and Cheney lived at Taliesin for three years before
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The dam at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin, was designed by Wright to create a scenic pond that can be seen from his residence and a waterfall, which pumped water to the house. Photo Courtesy of Taliesin Preservation
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tragedy struck both the family and the property. On August 15, 1914, a deranged former employee at the estate named Julian Carlton set fire to the home after locking all the doors but one. When Cheney, her two children, and four others tried to escape the burning building, Carlton murdered them all with a hatchet. The incident devastated Wright and severely damaged the residential wing of the home. A presumed electrical fire in April of 1925 again wiped out most of Taliesin’s living quarters, but Wright soldiered on to rebuild both his life and his home. The building stands proudly today as its name (Welsh for “shining brow”) is evidenced in the way it drapes across the hillside overlooking the river and the waterfalls designed by Wright. The fourhour walking Estate Tour of Taliesin also includes a look into Tan-y-Deri, the more traditional-style home Wright built for his sister Jane Porter, the nearby Romeo and Juliet Windmill, and a walk past the Midway Barn, which served as housing not only for livestock but later for architectural apprentices.
THE BUILDING STANDS PROUDLY TODAY AS ITS NAME (WELSH FOR “SHINING BROW”) IS EVIDENCED IN THE WAY IT DRAPES ACROSS THE HILLSIDE OVERLOOKING THE RIVER AND THE WATERFALLS DESIGNED BY WRIGHT. “Taliesin is not a museum, it’s a cultural center,” explains Erik Flesch, a former student of the Hillside architecture school and now director of development for Taliesin Preservation. Events and tours are held throughout the year, a fact that Flesch and events director Aron Meudt-Thering say most people don’t realize. Private dinners, talks in the Hillside Theater, educational and children’s workshops, al fresco dining experiences, and even horse-drawn carriage rides in winter are at Taliesin, waiting for locals and visitors to discover this culturally rich gem nestled in the hills.
T HE WYO MI N G VALLEY SC HO O L Just a short drive from Taliesin is another stop along the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, the Wyoming Valley School. The symmetrical building includes two classrooms and an assembly hall. It was a gift from Wright to the school district made in honor of his mother, Anna Lloyd Jones, in 1957. It is the only public school
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Taliesin was Wright’s personal residence and studio on the eighthundred-acre estate. Photo by Caroline Hamblen, courtesy of Taliesin Preservation
building designed by Wright and, although modest, includes many of his staple architectural elements— a central fireplace, windows wrapping the building, long horizontal lines, and a rural hillside setting perfectly suited to the design. Today, the building is home to the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, which hosts events and programs throughout the year. Head west for the final stop along the trail as the official tour ends in Wright’s hometown of Richland Center, Wisconsin.
A . D. G E R M A N WA R E H O U S E This four-story warehouse, commissioned by Albert D. German and completed in 1921, is Wright’s only commercial work in his hometown. A frieze of repeated cast concrete motifs rings the building’s rooftop, and the warehouse is considered Wright’s best remaining example of sculptural ornamentation 54 | OCTOBE R 2017
ALTHOUGH ONE COULD PROBABLY NEVER SEE ALL 532 OF WRIGHT’S COMPLETED WORKS IN ONE LIFETIME, THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TRAIL IS FAR FROM THE END OF THE LINE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO SEE MORE. since the demolition of Midway Gardens in Chicago and the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Originally used for the storage of sugar, flour, coffee, tobacco, and other commodities, today it houses a gift shop, a small theater, and an exhibit of large murals illustrating Wright’s architectural work. Although one could probably never see all 532 of Wright’s completed works in one lifetime, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail is far from the end of the line for those who wish to see more. Wright-designed homes and public buildings are open for tours around the world, but the most up-close and personal look into the architect’s brilliant yet controversial life is found in southern Wisconsin. Wright often said that his favorite design was “my next one,” and his legacy of looking into the future is alive and well in the people who work tirelessly to preserve his past.
Visit TravelWisconsin.com/Frank-Lloyd-Wright, SCJohnson.com, and TaliesinPreservation.org to learn more about the Frank Lloyd Trail and start planning your trip.
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For the Home and Garden Issue, featuring beautiful residences is a must— and there’s none more dignified than Buckingham Palace, the official home and administrative headquarters of Great Britain’s monarchy. With 775 rooms and 830,000 square feet of floor space, Buckingham Palace is not only home to royal state rooms and bedrooms, but also a swimming pool, a cinema, a medical facility, a jeweler’s workshop, a post office, and more. The Picture Gallery contains works by some of the world’s most notable artists, and various parts of the palace and gardens are open for public tours through the end of September. Learn more about touring and events at RoyalCollection.org.uk.
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BY N . S. RAC H E OT E S She bows nearly to the ground before the rock garden, As hymns and folk songs from the old country Run in an endless loop through her memory. A mockingbird is perched next door On an obsolete television aerial; His beak punctures a hole through the summer morning sky; He fills it with songs, Borrowed from other birds. She is wearing that straw hat and those scarred gloves That will the flowers into fragrant bloom. She names them like her children: Carnations smelling of the clove she knew on that Aegean island. Roses, mums, and peonies with such full faces, The passersby can envy. She calls the mockingbird Figaro because that’s what he sounds like to her. He doesn’t know what to call her because mockingbirds are sweetly unoriginal. The woman and the bird have paused to feed on July, To commingle their summer, To exchange melodies, And I know that all too soon, Both voices will be still.
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How Does Your Garden Grow? A DAILY DOSE OF
BY LIZZIE LOCKER
W
hat am I doing these days? Thanks for asking—I wish I knew. It’s some combination of nothing and everything, it seems. No, I’m no longer a professor, at least not for the moment; I’ve got all the right stuff, but I just can’t seem to land a gig. No, I haven’t even looked at my novel lately. It hurts to open the file and to stare at all the work I’ve done and no longer want to do. No, I’m not seeing anyone; dating is always a disappointment at best.
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I’m not avoiding people in general. Although I did skip Bay to Breakers, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and the How Weird Street Faire despite how much I love them all. And I did flake on Amy’s birthday party, Dan’s writing retreat, Jenni’s brunch, and Kelsey’s karaoke night. I had reasons, I’m sure, but I can’t recall them now. How did I spend my weekend? You know, I don’t really remember. I guess it wasn’t worth the memory.
D
ear God, depression is a bore. (Or whatever it is I have.) Whatever you want to call it: ennui, anxiety, malaise, melancholy, laziness, or maybe selfishness. Who knows where one ends and the other begins, or at what point my illness becomes an excuse? I surely don’t have the answers, and every therapist in the city has a three-month waiting list, so I don’t expect to get them anywhere else.
hurt. So I kept going: cook, clean, organize, repeat. No going to bars or parties, even though they had been my extroverted side’s cure-all before. Now it’s cook, clean, organize, repeat.
Self-medication is more my style anyway—honey and whiskey for sore throats, egg yolk for acne, garlic for infections. I only go to the doctor if the treatments still aren’t working five days later. But the brain is a secretive, inscrutable organ with deceitful, disguised ailments. Once you realize that whiskey and weed can only bandage and stitch, you dig up enough courage to look for better medicine.
By midnight that night, I had also made a lace skirt and cut out fabric for a pair of pajama pants. It was the first time in ages that I had something solid to show for myself. “Here, I am not a waste of space, for I have made something—and it is good,” I thought.
The first thing I did was try to write. It’s what I do. It’s supposed to be therapeutic, isn’t it? But when you’re a writer, it isn’t. When you’ve been studying writing in school for seven years and still aren’t done, or when you’ve been sending out stories for almost a decade and only ever received “Thank you, but…” e-mails in return, writing is no longer therapy. Writing is a punishment—torture in which you’re forced to stare at that innocent blank page, relive every pain you’ve ever felt in your life, and wallow in the feelings you’re trying—and failing—to capture. Eventually, the practical, motherly side of me decided that writing was about as helpful as whiskey and weed, so she said, “Why don’t you do something else?” I did little things at first; they say you should start small. I took a shower, cleaned my room, did laundry— stuff I’d been putting off in favor of lying in bed staring out the window with my head in the clouds. When I found that those little things didn’t feel too sharp against my frayed edges, I did some bigger things: rearranged my bedroom furniture, finished a few sewing projects I’d let fall by the wayside, baked a pie to share with my coworkers. And it still didn’t
The real healing started with a crop top. I had ignored my sewing machine for months until one afternoon I found myself sick to death of the smog in my head and the sound of cartoons. And I was hot. Instead of changing my clothes, I loaded a square of fabric into the machine, and a few minutes later, I was wearing a sleeveless crop top in place of my sweater. It was almost a surprise—I’d forgotten things could be that easy, that painless. And not just painless, but pleasant. When had I last felt anything pleasant?
When I found that those little things didn’t feel too sharp against my frayed edges, I did some bigger things: rearranged my bedroom furniture, finished a few sewing projects I’d let fall by the wayside, baked a pie to share with my coworkers. And it still didn’t hurt. I could still make clothes, despite my inability to make words stick to a page. There’s a right way to do measurements, lines, gathers, and pleats, and I know it. There’s also a wrong way, and I’m not afraid to do it. Garments are absolute, unlike writing; there’s no hidden meaning or subtext. There’s no audience to pander to, no stereotypes or tropes to subvert, no need for depth, complexity, or nuance, and no demand for tension, struggle, or conflict. I’m the only one who has to like what I’m wearing. Children play “house” so that they can be the mommy and daddy in charge of what the home is like: “My house is a rocket, and I make ice cream for dinner.” I similarly play house—if I wish a thing to be so, I can make it so because it is my home, and I have that power. It’s all about control; isn’t that usually what therapists tell us when we feel like our lives are slipping away from us? Around the same time that I found my sewing mojo again, my backyard seemed to spring into action, helping me by bringing forth everything it could muster despite the long California drought. The two stunted apple trees—which had never borne fruit before—became overburdened with apples that made for many tarts, pies, and muffins. The plum tree began to spit tart-skinned yellow fruits that my coworkers turned into small jars of preserves. Wild fennel sprouting in
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My kitchen, my garden, my sewing machine, all became allies. They built me up, and now I am stronger. corners of the garden made a delicate seasoning for homemade crackers, and the ragged, wild rosebush offered hips and petals for teas and tonics. My kitchen, my garden, and my sewing machine all became my allies. They built me up to make me stronger. My home is not a cocoon or a prison; it’s more like a fort or a tree house, something roughhewn and safe. In this shabby little house on the edge of the city or in my ragged backyard, I am the one who holds all the cards. With my needles and spoons, I’m the one who pins the universe into place, and who undoes it when she pleases—no one else.
What did I do this weekend? I made a pint of rose water and packed three days’ worth of healthy lunches. I threw together a dress to wear to Amanda’s birthday party in the park tomorrow and finished a jumpsuit for my sister. I didn’t do much. I missed a few outings this week (it was a hard week), but there will always be others. I didn’t write anything worth reading. But maybe I will tomorrow.
Lizzie Locker is a writer, instructor, and designer in San Francisco. She received her MFA in writing from the University of San Francisco, where she has also taught creative writing. Lizzie is currently at work on her first novel. Photo by Sylvia Paret – SylviaParetPhoto.com
I was one of our nation’s hungry kids growing up. Today, 1 in 6 children in America struggle with hunger. But when they get breakfast, their days are bigger and brighter. Learning, attention, memory and mood improve. Together, we have the power to get breakfast to kids in your neighborhood — let’s make it happen. Go to hungeris.org and lend your time or your voice. Viola Davis, Hunger Is Ambassador
Hunger Is® is a joint initiative of the Albertsons Companies Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
Photo By: Peggy Sirota
MAKE BRE AKFAST HAPPEN SO KIDS CAN BE HUNGRY FOR MORE
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2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SATURDAYS | YEAR-ROUND | 9AM-1PM GRAND BOULEVARD FARMERS’ MARKET
OC T OB ER 1 I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company
OC T OB ER 1 4 GISELLE presented by Northwest Florida Ballet
OC T OB ER 2 1 BEST OF THE EMERALD COAST benefiting Junior League of the Emerald Coast
OC T OB ER 2 6 BARKTOBERFEST DOGGIE SOCIAL benefiting Dog-Harmony
OC T OB ER 3 1 HALLOWEEN ON THE BOOLEVARD
N OV EMBER 1 8 – JANUARY 1 HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE BOULEVARD
N OV EMBER 2 1 TOWN CENTER HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
N OV EMBER 2 1 – DECEMBER 25 FESTIVAL OF TREES benefiting more than a dozen local charities
SATURDAYS | NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 16 FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA
D E C EMBER 7 -1 0, 14-17, 21-23
COASTAL C U LT U R E
ARTS AND E NT E RTAI NM E NT E V E NTS AT G R A ND BOULE VAR D
A WRINKLE IN TIME presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company
These events are presented as part of the Coastal Culture Calendar of Events made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program.
G R A N D B O U L E VA R D . C O M / E V E N T S
A Howard Group I Merchants Retails Partners Development
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Each piece in Armored Frog’s new Valor series of furniture is handcrafted and honors a person, past or present, who represents strength, dedication, and grit.
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T H E A R T of
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BY H a n n a h M c L e a i s h PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF A r m o r e d F r o g
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ver the last four years, Armored Frog, a luxury furniture studio located in Pensacola, Florida, has become increasingly popular for its expertise in fine carpentry and premium materials. Founder and president Joe Sinkovich and his team pride themselves on craftsmanship, “ making every piece a work of art and ensuring the best customer service possible. Armored Frog’s unique designs are sought by customers and trade industry professionals across the country.
Armored Frog has proven once more that it will never be like most.
Now, after a solid year of planning, designing, researching, and building, the former custom-only furniture makers have developed a full product line, the Valor Series. The series’ depth goes beyond what most studios would consider creating, but
We grow up under the guidance and care of our loved ones, and then one day, we’re grown up and our loved ones are no longer there to teach us the things that no one else ever would. People taught us things like honesty and turning your cheek but also
Think back to your childhood. When you were young, it may not have occurred to you that you were even paying attention to your dad as he tapped the side of his thumb on his desk to drive his ongoing thought process. Now, you do the same thing. Maybe your childhood vacations were laid out on a road map and the push pin marks are still impressed in the desktop, or the drawer on the right side is worn around the handle from years of opening and closing.
Beach Blinds draperies & More Serving the Beaches & Beyond
Roman and Natural Woven Shades Plantation Shutters • Custom Draperies Designer Wallcoverings • Motorized Treatments Solar Shades • Custom Bedding & Pillows
The crossings aT inleT Beach 13123 US Hwy 98E, SUitE A, inlEt BEAcH, Fl 32461 Destin: (850) 543-4424 inlet Beach: (850) 502-5401
Project Designers: Lindsay Miller & Karen Kearns of Lovelace Interiors
G R I T is living life like it’s a M A R A T H O N , not a sprint.”
Armored Frog’s Valor furniture series is for the ones who hope to have the stamina to work half
the E S P A D A
as hard as the ones who
I N S P I R E D them to do it all in the first place. things like how to tell white lies and to use frozen peas to reduce swelling on a new shiner. Where did you learn to tie a knot for fly fishing? Who taught you to remember to oil your tools? When did you learn to clean your rifle, and that a dull knife is only good for butter? Who taught us those things, and what can we do to make sure that kind of relationship doesn’t disappear?
the E L I Z A B E T H
Armored Frog plans to do that by honoring the art of grit and dedication that it takes to be successful. As researchers across the world are starting to discover, the most important of these early life lessons is grit. It’s tough to define, but it helps to make us the people we will become as adults. According to American psychologist and author Angela Duckworth, “Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Armored Frog’s Valor furniture series is for the ones who hope to have the stamina to work half as hard as the ones who inspired them to do it all in the first place. Reaching back in time, Armored Frog chose to honor people, places, and things with grit for the memories and lessons they have instilled in us, both as individuals and as a nation. Their stories serve to remind us of the work it has taken to be in the places we are, and the importance of their continued existence in our own lives. More and more, trade skills like carpentry are dwindling among average people. At the same time, more
and more heirlooms are being discarded, simply because the new owners aren’t aware of how to fix the problems or imperfections they might have. That’s the beauty of heirloom quality furniture; it’s meant to be fixed. Another mode of honoring grit and dedication came as second nature to Armored Frog in the form of the materials used to build the Valor series. Sinkovich has always impressed upon himself, his team, and his clients the imperative to use the highest quality materials and techniques available. That is how to create something truly special. Using raw woods, top-of-the-line tools, hand-forged
The idea of the Valor series is to remind buyers of the spirit of learning from those who came before. The heirloom desk called the Espada was inspired by Spanish matadors, while the Elizabeth was named for England’s Queen Elizabeth I.
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That’s the B E A U T Y of heirloom quality furniture; it’s meant to be F I X E D. hardware, and hand-rubbed oil stains and varnishes are just a few ways Armored Frog creates masterpieces. The studio’s craftsmen hand check every piece to ensure top quality. The Valor series includes pieces with names honoring such figures as Andrew Carnegie, Winston Churchill, George Gershwin, Queen Elizabeth II, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many more. Learn the story behind each piece when you discover the collection by visiting Armored Frog or contacting them today.
THEARMOREDFROG.COM
CONSTRUCTION BY COLE CUSTOM HOMES. ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN BY GEOFF CHICK & ASSOCIATES.
sal e s, s e rv ic e, and sat i sfact ion si nc e 1 9 92 .
497 Serenoa Road, Suite 5 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 (850) 231-1689 • NewViewWindows.com
w i n d ow s · d o or s · har dwar e · s h u t t e r s · g arag e d o or s
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BEAUtiful blues We’ve got the blues in the best way possible—with luxury furniture and home accessories from Beau Interiors in Grayton Beach, Florida! This relaxing coastal hue brings a sense of peace to any space and adds interest to an otherwise neutral palette when paired with white, beige, sand, or gray fabrics and natural textures.
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1. Limited edition Annieglass Anemone frosted sculptural vase 2. Original canvas Soft Landscapes – Coastal series by Elizabeth Chapman 3. Best-selling swivel glider chair, slipcovered in ice-blue linen/cotton blend. More slipcover fabric options as well as upholstered and stationary options available starting at $995. 4. Twenty-inch necklace with four layers of handselected aquamarine stones on silk and natural leather with pearl clasp. 5. Beau Bath & Body collection of premium products in two signature scents: Ocean Mist and Sea Grass 72 | OCTOBE R 2017
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VISIT BEAUHOMEINTERIORS.COM TO LEARN MORE OR SHOP ONLINE, OR CALL FOR PRICING AT (850) 534-0700.
6. Hand-knotted distressed Indian rug in 100 percent hand-spun viscose from bamboo, available in sizes up to 9’6” x 13’6” 7. Tall light-blue glass table lamp with acrylic base and white linen shade 8. Cassi Kreamer original beaded cross with vintage pearls, jewelry, and medals 9. Velvet-backed 16” x 20” throw pillow with uniquely glazed “sea glass” texture 10. Reclaimed pine antique reproduction buffet with light-blue distressing V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 73
REAL ESTATE O F F E R I N G S
ALYS BEACH
MM2
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13 SEA VENTURE ALLEY
Designed by Kinney Morrow Architecture, this home marries exquisite design with an abundance of outdoor and indoor spaces including two pools to choose from—one at courtyard level and the other on the 4th-floor rooftop looking out to the Gulf of Mexico.
A7 · 54 SEVEN WELLS COURT
A11 · 46 NORTH CHARLES STREEET
LUCIAN 401 · 29 N. SOMERSET STREET
This 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers a welcoming interchange of outdoor living and natural light. The first-floor master suite, living and dining rooms, followed by the kitchen, feature expansive windows that look upon the beautiful courtyard and pool.
This home is designed by Steve Mouzon and captivates you immediately upon entering the Zaguan to the courtyard. The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 2,584-square-foot courtyard home provides inviting indoor and outdoor living.
Indulge in Gulf views from the balcony of this new fourth-floor Lucian residence. Located on the top-west corner of the first building in the growing Alys Beach Town Center, the 3-bedroom 3.5-bath open-floor plan condominium has just been completed.
A L Y S B E A C H . C O M
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Alys Beach Properties, LLC, Licensed Real Estate Broker participation welcome. Equal Housing Opportunity. This is not an offer or solicitation in CA, NY, NJ or any state where prohibited by law. ALYS BEACH is a trademark of EBSCO Industries, Inc. © 2017
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Coastal Beachside Living
By Jordan Staggs Photography courtesy of Coastal Luxury 76 | OCTOBE R 2017
A quintessential luxury beach house in the coveted region of Northwest Florida’s Highway 30-A scenic corridor must have three things: classic coastal style, top-of-the-line amenities, and proximity to the stunning emerald waters and white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. This home located at 11 Town Hall Road in 30-A’s Rosemary Beach community, aptly named “11 Heaven,” has all that and more.
THE COURTYARD WILL FEEL LIKE AN OASIS AMONG SALTY COASTAL BREEZES AND THE ROSEMARY PLANTS THAT GIVE THE TOWN ITS NAME. The seven-bedroom, six-thousand-square-foot house, carriage house, and private heated pool are tucked among the greenery, charming homes, and walking paths of Rosemary Beach. This New Urban town concept is designed with shopping, dining, amenities, and, of course, a private beach all within walking distance of its residences, making it an ideal location for both vacationers and full-time residents. Melanie Turner Interiors and Cole Construction collaborated with architect Wade Squires of Stackable and Squires Design Group on the home’s design in 2015; they left no detail unattended. Wolf, Bosch, and Sub-Zero appliances, a wine chiller, custom cabinetry by Karpaty, and gleaming Castello marble countertops make the kitchen a chef ’s dream, while an elevator provides convenient access to all three levels. An open floor plan on the first level includes large windows V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 77
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JOURNEY UP TO THE HOME’S FOURTH-LEVEL ROOFTOP DECK AND TAKE IN THE PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE SHINING GULF OF MEXICO. A fully equipped, two-level carriage house on the property is perfect for guests, with a suite, bunk room, full kitchen, and living area. But the best is saved for last as you journey up to the home’s fourthlevel rooftop deck and take in the panoramic views of the shining Gulf of Mexico and charming town of Rosemary Beach. The community’s pools and tennis and fitness facilities offer residents and guests the best of everything.
EVEN ROUTINE D E S E R V E S A R E WA R D .
SerenitybytheseaSpa.com
Appointments 850.622.9595 4000 SANDESTIN BLVD SOUTH, MIRAMAR BEACH, FL 32550
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“11 HEAVEN BOASTS A SLEEK COASTAL SOPHISTICATION AND AFFORDS THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CAREFREE LIFESTYLE OF ONE OF 30-A’S MOST BELOVED WALKABLE COMMUNITIES.” Oh—did we mention this could all be yours? 11 Heaven is listed by Erin Oden of Coastal Luxury and is waiting for its new owners to come and enjoy all that the 30-A lifestyle has to offer. “This is one of our area’s most exquisite high-end residences,” Oden says. “11 Heaven boasts a sleek coastal sophistication and affords the experience of the carefree lifestyle of one of 30-A’s most beloved walkable communities.”
To learn more about 11 Heaven, currently offered for sale with established rental income over $300,000, contact Erin Oden via e-mail at Erin@CoastalLuxury.com, or visit CoastalLuxury.com to see more incredible homes in Northwest Florida. 80 | OCTOBE R 2017
Where beauty and luxurious comfort meet.
BEDDING | ANTIQUE TEXTILES | MONOGRAMMING
Pandora de Balthazar sets the standard for the ultimate in luxury Hungarian Down bedding. Our specialty and standard size pillows, comforters and mattress pads are like nothing else available.
418 E. Wright St. Pensacola, FL 32501 | www.PandoradeBalthazar.com | (850) 434-5117
Good Night & Sleep Tight An old Southern adage tells us that “the sleep of the righteous and the generous is very deep.”
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ensacola business woman and philanthropist Pandora de Balthazár embodies the saying and proves its wisdom. Her eponymous atelier in Pensacola, Florida, houses a collection of antique textiles and luxury bedding. Pandora invites all who visit to climb into bed and try out the European Sleep System (ESS), guaranteed to give a good night’s rest. They say the average person needs around eight hours of sleep per night to feel rested and ready to tackle the busy world we live in. With distractions such as smartphones and other technology, stress, and aching muscles or joints, getting that muchneeded sleep is not always easy. Pandora knows firsthand how difficult it can be. In the late 1980s, she had a near-fatal car accident that could have ended her life, and she was left struggling through treatments to no avail. Pandora found relief during a visit to Budapest, Hungary, where she received unique water therapy and began using a total sleep system of luxury bedding customized for her needs.
As a caring, nurturing person, it did not take her long to decide to share the beauty and the healing powers of the sleep system with friends and relatives, and ultimately with her clients. “Americans need to learn from the Europeans to rest their whole body, not just their heads,” Pandora says. That’s why she founded the store and began promoting the ESS and the entire lifestyle that surrounds it. Today, better sleep is the mission for Pandora and her team. “But we do it differently than most,” she adds. “It doesn’t end with the mattress—that’s just an infrastructure to begin with, certainly not a finish.”
The Pandora de Balthazár lifestyle means giving in to that ultimate rest and finding true inner peace while doing so. Pandora de Balthazár’s signature service is creating the “top of the bed” oasis for each client. This luxurious den of fine linens, temperature-regulated bedding, and Pandora’s signature Hungarian-inspired goose down pillows are the touch many people need to realize they can not only achieve a good night’s sleep—they deserve it. “You can fill your bedroom with pretty things, pretty pictures, and never experience true personal luxury in your own sleep life,” Pandora muses. “Why? Or better yet, why not? What does it take to allow yourself to sleep like a baby and stay there comfortably for eight or nine hours?” The Pandora de Balthazár lifestyle means giving in to that ultimate rest and finding true inner peace while doing so. “Whether you are age two or seventy-two, the benefits of a properly dressed and fitted bed with our European Sleeping System will help you sleep cooler, calmer, and longer.”
Well-known from coast to coast, Pandora de Balthazár provides quality bedding to designers in New York, Miami, Dallas, and San Francisco. The atelier in Pensacola is available for visitors to browse or setup an appointment for the full educational experience on the “better sleep” lifestyle. It’s an unconventional but exceptional stop for groups, from shopping fine bedding and custom-embroidered gifts to “browse and brunch” dates with the girls. Fine sleepwear and spa products are also available and make a perfect gift for bridal parties! Seasonal showrooms are also available for visitors to experience ultimate rest and start living the good life through the ESS. Shop the Round Top, Texas, location in September and March or the High Point, North Carolina, SALON SUITES in October and April. Visit Pandora’s website to shop online anytime, learn more, or request an appointment to take your first step toward the best sleep you’ve ever had!
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KREWE IS EVERYWHERE P H OTO G RA P H Y BY
OLLIE ALEXANDER, KREWE
COURTESY OF
KREWE, a New Orleans–based independent eyewear company, has taken to the road. In 2017, its newly crafted Tiny House made its official debut as part of a summer-long residency at The Alys Shoppe, a luxury boutique in Alys Beach, Florida.
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he Tiny House, a small mobile showroom of around 150 square feet, was designed as a replica of the iconic shotgun house, a symbol of New Orleans’ architecture and its AfroCaribbean lineage. While its outer design harks back to the city of New Orleans itself, its interior entirely matches the vibe of KREWE, which was founded in 2013 by Stirling Barrett, a New Orleans native and creative entrepreneur. His vision of the city as a thriving cultural hub, along with his passion for spreading that culture and its celebration of individual styles through modern, iconic frames, brought KREWE to life.
“Our goal at KREWE is to take the simple things we love and do them better,” says Barrett.
for a customized fit that lasts. Every frame style is named after or inspired by a notable New Orleans site or cultural reference, evoking the spirit and essence of the city where the brand was founded. Finding fans among the likes of Beyoncé, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Selena Gomez, KREWE is sold at many premier retailers globally. Now it’s on the road with the KREWE Tiny House, which sells premium handcrafted eyewear with the same welcoming hospitality found at the brand’s stand-alone storefronts in New Orleans and Savannah, Georgia.
Every pair of KREWE eyewear is designed by Barrett in the New Orleans studio, with each frame hand carved from lightweight, heat-sensitive acetate
“Our goal at KREWE is to take the simple things we love and do them better,” says Barrett. “The tiny house movement encourages the idea of living simply and through experiences that enrich our quality of life. KREWE has interpreted this into a nontraditional mobile retail experience, and we’re excited to reach our customers in a new way, wherever they may be.”
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KREWE Tiny House was in residency at The Alys Shoppe in Alys Beach, Florida, for summer 2017. Inspired by the shotgun-style homes of New Orleans, the Tiny House blended perfectly with Alys Beach’s pristine white walls and coastal greenery.
This idea of a unique way to shop eyewear isn’t entirely new to KREWE; in August of 2013, the brand debuted the custom-built KREWE Cart. Featuring a fully functioning bicycle attached to a lightbox, Barrett and the Cart were soon seen as a staple at New Orleans festivals. Later, the brand opened a glass cube— known as the Sunroom—that acted as a showroom and by-appointment-only store.
a charming town center with shops and restaurants and along pathways lined with neighborhood parks, pools, and event spaces. The KREWE Tiny House was open for business at 30 Mark Twain Lane in Alys Beach through the end of summer 2017.
Four years later, KREWE is eager to share its retail evolution with customers while working closely with the community-centric neighborhood of Alys Beach. Offering an unrivaled sense of escape, Alys Beach is nestled along Northwest Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A. Drawing inspiration from Bermuda, Antigua, and Guatemala, the town’s stark white walls and private courtyard homes create a harmonious New Urban environment characterized by peace and simplicity. A short walk takes one from the gorgeous white sand along the Gulf through
“This has been a fabulous partnership surpassing our expectations,” says The Alys Shoppe’s assistant general manager, Anne-Marie Lenton. “We’re already steeped in history with KREWE eyewear having been successfully showcased in our Alys Shoppe for several years, but when we saw the KREWE Tiny House and its architectural attention to detail, we
Shoppers can still find KREWE styles at The Alys Shoppe yearround! Pictured above: Louisa sunglasses in Black 24K.
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knew it was a winning combination for Alys Beach. We strive to deliver something completely different and unexpected in our homes and guest experiences at Alys Beach, and KREWE delivers undeniably unique eyewear. The KREWE Tiny House’s visit was so successful that they chose to extend it, and KREWE will continue to be a featured brand at the store. There’s even the possibility of a permanent return by KREWE as the Alys Beach Town Center is completed and the developers carefully select tenants.” Follow #KREWETinyHouse on social media for additional updates; it could be coming to a town near you!
KREWE.com AlysBeach.com
Now selling in the new Pathways Neighborhood HOMES FROM THE MID 400’S C U S T O M H O M E S I T E S AVA I L A B L E
on US 98 across from Camp Creek Golf Club 1.866.563.0070 | Watersound.com
L I V E W I T H N AT U R E !
Located on the waters of West Bay and Crooked Creek on CR 388 in Bay County. Visit our Model Home! RiverCampsFlorida.com
©2017 All Rights Reserved. “JOE®”, “St. Joe®”, “St. Joe (and the Taking Flight design)®”, the “Taking Flight” design®, “Watersound Origins SM”, “Origins SM,” and “RiverCamps SM” are registered service marks of The St Joe Company or its affiliates. The materials, and features and amenities described and depicted above are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. This does not constitute an offer to sell Watersound Origins SM or RiverCamps SM real property in any jurisdiction where prior registration or other advance qualifications of real property is required, including, New York. Void where prohibited by law. Equal Housing Opportunity. The St Joe Company and its affiliated companies do not guarantee the obligations of, nor provide any warranties for, homes built by unaffiliated parties who build homes or offer services in the WaterSoundSM or RiverCampsSM community.
Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any of this property.
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the
Big House at hampton island preserve Historical Concepts Creates a Master piece
By LISA M. BURWELL
Barely visible at the end of a stately yet rustic drive, this secluded home has a lot of presence. Upon seeing it, you are mysteriously beckoned to draw closer to marvel at its majesty. (But don’t—you’d be trespassing if you did.) This private home was owned by John Morgan, who became chairman of the board of Plum Creek Timber Company, and is now owned by one of Hollywood’s elite. Ben Affleck and his family have enjoyed privacy here over the past decade. This home has graced the covers of books and magazines with Savannahbased photographer Richard Leo Johnson capturing it in all its glory. It has also been in a movie or two, but more about that later.
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A CHAPTER ONE
s all good stories go, the stage must be set and the lead roles introduced. I met James ( Jim) L. Strickland, founder of Historical Concepts, in 2005 during a visit with his marketing team. We discussed a revolutionary idea to sell his firm’s predesigned house plans on the Internet to promote the growth of traditional towns and to beautify neighborhoods across the country (www.OurTownPlans.com). The plan’s ultimate goal was to affect 25 percent of all new homes built across the country. This visionary idea was just one of many that this graduate of the University of Georgia and Yale Graduate School of Architecture has had throughout his illustrious career. Historical Concepts’ pedigree and influence in the world of high-quality and purposeful architecture is a rare find, and the company mandate is to create timeless homes that embody traditional Southern culture, extolling and protecting the ideas of classical and traditional design. Since 1982, his firm has amassed an impressive body of excellent work.
Previous page: The nineteenth-century Greek Revival plantation homes of Louisiana and Mississippi became the inspiration for the Big House at Hampton Island Preserve designed by Historical Concepts. Photo by Richard Leo Johnson 94 | OCTOBE R 2017
In the thirty-five years since Historical Concepts was founded, Jim Strickland has met and worked with some incredible clients. “Many of my clients have been a great source of inspiration and support to the firm along the way,” says Jim. “However, I don’t think I’ve met a visionary quite like John Morgan, who entrusted us to design such an emblematic and enduring place.” In the mid-1990s—predigital days—Jim received a letter in the mail from John, who had purchased the property now known as Hampton Island. “It was captivating and poetic,” Jim continues. “I was immediately swept into his erstwhile vision of re-creating an antebellum estate along the banks of the Newport River, at the very site of a historic ferry crossing along Georgia’s oldest
road.” The result is a project that is symbolic of Historical Concepts’ design philosophy and ideals, and one that has helped chart the course for future generations of the firm. Enter the Big House. The design journey for this home took some unexpected turns that, in hindsight, seem rather serendipitous. “The original vision was for an elegant but understated dwelling in a simple raised cottage form,” says Jim “However, we soon learned that the home would need to be elevated more than ten feet due to the flood plain.” With a foundation of that height, the scale would no longer work, and Jim knew that he would have to design something of greater stature. “While it took some contemplation, we finally landed on the current design, which combines classical inspiration from the Greek Revival plantation houses of the Natchez Trace with the impeccable proportions of the mid-nineteenth-century raised cottages found in New Orleans,” Jim adds. Because all the elements are oversized—from the prominent square pilasters to the fluted Doric columns to the four-foot-by-ten-foot windows—the scale of the building is visually tempered. It’s not until you ascend the stairs and stand beside the windows and doors that you realize how grand the house is. This effect carries on to the interior, where eighteen-inch crown molding in the receiving room quiets the sixteen-foot ceilings and makes the huge room feel inviting. “Details aside, I think the success of this design is that it truly feels like an antebellum-era estate,” Jim says assuredly. “There’s an air of authenticity that comes from the scale, the materials, the ways it sits on the land, and the natural and not overly manicured landscape. These things lend a patina of age that has fooled visitors time and again into believing that they are experiencing a home of a historic era.”
While the main house represents the elegance of Southern classicism, the guest house is its counterpoint in rustic simplicity. It is appropriately named Oyster House in homage to its former life. “In our imagination, we repurposed an old post-and-beam oyster factory into a camp-style retreat for guests,” says Jim. The warehouse-turned-bunkhouse upper floor shades an open-air level below. “What once might have been a waterfront platform for shucking oysters is now a sheltered outdoor entertaining space that, in keeping with the spirit of vernacular architecture, was designed to enjoy the prevailing breeze.” Another charming but much more intimate home designed by Historical Concepts is about a mile from the Big House. “As the sentinel at the entry
Above: The late Robert Marvin, regarded as the father of Southern landscape architecture, designed the formal approach from the North Newport River to the Big House’s large veranda. Opposite: Four rooms radiate off the central receiving room to the Big House’s outer corners: a dining room, a gentleman’s study, the master bedroom, and the kitchen/keeping room (left), which is clad in reclaimed wood. Photos by Richard Leo Johnson
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to the site, we wanted to create a structure that was humble yet would foreshadow the implied history of the main house and ancillary structures,” says Jim. Butterfly Cottage, as it is called, is another Hampton Island club membership home—also photographed by Richard Leo Johnson. “The raised cottage form, a mainstay of vernacular Low Country architecture since the late 1700s, was a charming fit,” Jim continues. “I love how it has become integrated with nature over time, with climbing jasmine and fig vines softening the foundation and chimney.” Historical Concepts also designed Dr. Bradley Goldberg’s home on Hampton Island, which is a Low Country–style house that he and his family enjoy as a vacation home where they partake of all the amenities the club has to offer. “I love how free, safe, and happy we are as a family when we’re here,” says Dr. Goldberg. “We have such fond memories of all the good times we have when we are on the island.” Once you visit Hampton Island, it is hard not to be enthralled by her beauty. It is a place with a sacred past, where you can almost hear the trees whispering ancient secrets when gentle breezes tickle their 96 | OCTOBE R 2017
Above: Tapered architraves in the classical Greek Revival style frame the windows and doors of the receiving room, which fills the depth of the home. Photo by Richard Leo Johnson Left: Ron Leventhal, president of Hampton Island Management, Inc. and managing member of Hampton Island Preserve Photo by Gerald Burwell
development company acquired the island in 2006 to create Hampton Island Preserve. Coming from an impressive real estate pedigree is Ron Leventhal. As managing member and president of Hampton Island Management, Inc., Leventhal has weathered what few have been able to endure. Having a determined personality, this survivor of two plane crashes and five heart procedures, he has successfully steered the island away from the rocks of bankruptcy through the fury of an almost equally tenacious real estate storm. “Ron is a bulldog,” says former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski, who is also the honorary Hampton Island Club president. “He has the critical business sense and knew he was in for a fight to keep it out of bankruptcy. I honestly don’t know how he did it—it’s an amazing feat.”
“It’s a captivating place with Spanish moss, oak trees, and winding dirt roads in a surreally quiet rural setting. This privately owned island on Georgia’s Gold Coast is something to behold.” The Georgia Sports Hall of Famer took a great interest in the island’s golf course, designed by Davis Love III, and even wrote a synopsis for each of its eighteen holes. “It is a very challenging course on a spectacular piece of land,” says Bartkowski. Love designed the 7,512-yard course, aptly named the Ricefields, using the indigenous setting to accentuate the area’s history. He shaped the course’s unique path amid ancient oak forests, wild marshes, stocked ponds, and an equestrian center.
The Ricefields golf course, designed by PGA champion Davis Love III, is stretched over 7,200 yards and nestled among the island’s oak trees, marshes, ponds, and architecture. Photo courtesy of Hampton Island Preserve
leaves. Originally Native American land until the mid-1700s, Hampton Island was first settled by land grants and developed as a Southern rice and cotton plantation. During the Civil War, the island was a Confederate coastal defense post. It remained in pre–Civil War condition and untouched through the 1900s, under the ownership of Union Camp Corporation (International Paper). In 1997, it was purchased as a personal retreat by John Morgan, who commissioned Historical Concepts to design the Big House on Georgia’s coast. The current
The island has held many iterations over the years, but the story of a promise and a dream created in 2003, when it first bore the name Hampton Island Preserve, was one in which movies are made. Rich in history and beauty, this place is unlike any other. “It’s a captivating place with Spanish moss, oak trees, and winding dirt roads in a surreally quiet rural setting,” said real estate mogul John Williams, founder and chairman of Atlanta-based Post Properties (APTS: NYSE). Williams, one of the initial investors of Hampton Island, sold his shares to his long-time friend Leventhal more than a decade ago, but his fondness for her is still there. “Hampton Island is a natural beauty, and this privately owned island on Georgia’s Gold Coast is something to behold.” I was one of the fortunate ones to be there near the beginning, so I can tell you firsthand how dreamlike this island is. She has gifted me many precious memories V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 97
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Above: True timberframe construction and the sturdy simplicity of post-and-beam carpentry are evident in the Oyster House, the island’s riverfront sporting lodge. Photo by Richard Leo Johnson Right and opposite: A short stroll from the Oyster House and across a bridge leads to the island’s barn and farm, available for owners and guests to stop by and pick up fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Photos courtesy of Hampton Island Preserve 98 | OCTOBE R 2017
since 2006: luxuriously appointed club membership homes with amenities to match; exhilarating rides in an old-fashioned six-person open carriage drawn by two magnificent white Percherons in full black dress harnesses; private chef dinners for a family so large that they felt like banquets; a true outdoorsman’s mecca with golfing, fishing, hunting, and equestrianism; private and couples massages in a treehouse spa; exploring the island farm for fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs for family meals; and nightly fireside talks with family and friendly neighbors under ancient oak tree canopies and star-filled, pitch-black skies. The cataclysmic recession of 2008 put a damper on that dream, but somehow it lived on. Though not quite back to her former glory, Hampton Island has withstood the test of this time. My family is still in possession of our parcel on the island, and Ron Leventhal invited me back after a long hiatus to get reacquainted with her charm and to discuss her future. One of the club membership homes, Settler’s Rest—designed by architect Bill Foley—was our meeting venue. Returning to this splendid, charmingly rustic home made my heart flutter. Throughout lunch, and then dinner, Ron and I reminisced about the good times had by all on the island and discussed his renewed passion for the property. “It’s become my mission to protect Hampton Island and to right the original vision and intent, as well as to ensure that it does not foreclose,” Ron says fervently. “This will be my final legacy.”
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HER SOUL By Laurie Crowley Our souls were joined so long ago Young and immature We needed time to learn and grow Just so we could be sure And so the years quickly passed As they always do Life crept in to cause confusion Out with the old and in with the new Caught up with worldly treasures We drifted far apart I never lost that piece of her buried in my heart So when by chance our paths have crossed I feel my soul rejoice I thank the Spirit of the river and the power of the Oak For one more chance at life and love and hope I stand alone tall and strong On my own two feet My soul cries out for my other soul To make one soul complete Hampton Island Where it all begins‌ again.
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Her Story CHAPTER TWO
Along this tidal river, rice plantations once flourished and a ferry landing provided crossing for travelers on the state’s oldest road, a simple trail built by James Oglethorpe in 1736. Photo courtesy of Hampton Island Preserve
Set on four-thousand acres on the Georgia coast thirty-five minutes south of Savannah, Hampton Island Preserve is one of the few underdeveloped islands along the South’s Atlantic coast. A total of four hundred homesites, ranging from hundredacre horse farms to one-acre lots, and a private membership club for five hundred that includes golf, equestrian, boating and fishing, culinary services, an unrivaled organic farm, a treehouse spa, and horse stables, are all part of her story. Being able to stand the test of time through tough times is usually more relevant to an unbridled resolve. The dozen or so homeowners, membership owners, and past investors that I interviewed for this piece all had high praise for what Ron has both endured and accomplished with the island during an immensely difficult economic climate. His stewardship over preserving her and his vision so that she would be ready to walk into the next chapter of her evolution is outstanding. “His tenacity to hold this together with an unrelenting ability, enabling Hampton Island to now reach her potential to become something special, is a testament to Ron’s legacy,” says Frank Flautt, cofounder of Sandcastle Resorts and one of the original investors of the island. Homeowner Steve Cole who owns Morning Glory—a hundred-acre farm with sixty acres under conservancy—lauded the Davis Love III–designed golf course. “It is as good as it could be, and one of the finest I’ve ever played,” he says. “The bones and infrastructure are still there today,” he says of
La maison “I foresee today’s Hampton Island children returning one day with children of their own to continue a new tradition—becoming one with the flow of the saltwater marsh tide.” Hampton Island, “and it could be one of the nicest family-owned resorts in the world.” As an avid golfer who has played many courses in his lifetime, Steve revealed that a recent issue of Golf Georgia places Ricefields as one of four courses in the category of “The Greatest Course that Never Was.” Though the publication may not have the facts right, Steve didn’t feel that the categorization was necessarily a negative, but rather put an exclamation mark on how great the course’s design is. In actuality, Ricefields officially opened in September 2008 and, not only has it remained open while many other golf courses closed, but it has also played host to numerous charity tournaments over the years. Like the rest of the island, it could easily be brought back to its former glory, now that the economy is in a much better place and Ron has kept it out of receivership. Steve and I recounted the many fond memories our respective families have had on Hampton Island over the years, and like many, we have continued hope for brighter days ahead. Another homeowner James Freeman chimes in, “As a principal of Strategic Group of Companies, it was logical for us to look at coastal Georgia for building our home away from home here in Atlanta. Since that acquisition, my family and I have grown to love all the island has to offer and are appreciative of Levnthal’s vision and management of this beautiful place.” I commiserated with Ron about the age-old adage in real estate that he knows all too well: Never become emotionally attached to a piece of property. Of the litigation concerning the island that he has been encumbered with over the past decade, Ron says, “That is what actually broke me to fall in love with the island and to lead the charge to protect and preserve her. It’s my mission.” With a renewed energy and passion behind him, Ron is more determined
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INDIAN FOLKLORE I watched as the wise old leader, who had lived with me for one hundred years, called his tribe together. He was saying goodbye, but he was not sad. He had lived long and happy. He led his people with pride and honor, always fair and just. Seeking counsel when needed, he heeded his heart. After earning the respect of his people, he prepared them to thrive in his absence. He told them he would not be far, for his spirit would be ever present. The mighty oak would remind them of his age and wisdom. The grace and beauty of the white-tailed deer would be reminiscent of his youth and agility. One hundred years on this earth, he will not be missed. To live on the land is to be of the land.
The brick and oyster shell pathways of Hampton Island meander under live oaks and along the river’s edge. Photo courtesy of Hampton Island Preserve V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 103
La maison than ever to breathe life back into the vision of this enchantress. Steve Bartkowski, for one, would love to see Ron succeed. “There is something ethereal about it that I can’t put into words, but it makes me feel as though I belong there,” says Bartkowski. “I would love to see the club become all that it can be.” As one who has personally experienced Hampton Island, I couldn’t agree more. In speaking of his legacy for the island, Ron says, “I foresee today’s Hampton Island children returning one day with children of their own to continue a new tradition—becoming one with the flow of the saltwater marsh tide.” The following is a pictorial of the island in all her glory. Everyone that was interviewed for this story echoed high praise for Hampton Island manager Bianca Croft as well as equestrian manager Jennifer Williams, the caretaker of the most beautiful horses, which have been a centerpiece to so many families’ memories.
Above: Bonfires under the stars are better when shared with family and friends outside the Old Shed on Hampton Island. Photos courtesy of Hampton Island Preserve 104 | OCTOBE R 2017
Right: The Treehouse Spa offers massages, soaks, and other services in this whimsical reclaimed-wood retreat among the surrounding tidal marshes.
The Show must go on
By JORDAN STAGGS
CHAPTER THREE During the past several years, when the island was in somewhat of a financial holding pattern, a curious thing happened: Hollywood came calling. Its privacy and scenic vistas make Hampton Island Preserve a haven for filmmakers of all genres. (It doesn’t hurt that superstar actor and producer Ben Affleck owns a home there.) This enabled Leventhal to reinvent the island yet once again as she embraced the casts and crews of feature films and television series of various types. Take a look at some of the projects filmed on this quiet oasis in southeast Georgia.
Live by Night (2016) Ben Affleck wrote, produced, and starred in this feature film adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s 2012 crime novel set in Prohibition-era Boston, Florida, and Cuba. Joe Coughlin (Affleck) is the prodigal son of the Boston police chief who falls for the wife of a gangster and begins a not-soslow descent to the dark side. The film also stars Zoe Saldana, Sienna Miller, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, and Chris Cooper.
Ben and Ara (2015) Nnegest Likké directed this star-crossed romance about an African Muslim PhD candidate (Ara, played by Constance Ejuma) who falls for her agnostic classmate (Ben, played by Joseph Baird). Their budding relationship causes strains on their studies and explores the expectations and difficulties of interracial and intercultural relationships in today’s society. Ejuma and Baird cowrote the screenplay and scouted along the Georgia coast for locations. Many scenes were filmed at Hampton Island and in surrounding Liberty County, where Ejuma said,
The indie romance film Ben and Ara shot scenes in homes and on the grounds of Hampton Island Preserve. The film was released in September 2015 at the Miami Independent Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Constance Ejuma
This enabled Leventhal to reinvent the island yet once again as she embraced the casts and crews of feature films and television series of various types. The parts of Live by Night that take place in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa, Florida, were filmed on Hampton Island Preserve with Affleck’s home, the nearby Atlantic coast, and other parts of the island used as the story’s backdrop.
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starring Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, Vincent Piazza, Jason Ritter, Ben Schwartz, Alia Shawkat, and Cobie Smulders. Tensions rise and hard feelings come to the surface as the other couples admit to Ruby and Peter (Smulders and Piazza) that the trip was actually planned as an intervention to either save their marriage—or to finally convince them to end it and move on. Much of the movie was filmed in one of the homes on Hampton Island Preserve during the summer of 2015.
Anglers & Appetites (2017) David Zelski and former University of South Carolina offensive lineman Phil Proctor host this fun-filled travel and cooking series airing on FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Sun, and Destination America, a Discovery-owned channel. They visited Hampton Island in spring of 2016 for a day of fishing with the island’s resident fly-fishing and shooting expert, Roger Burge, then headed inside for a feast with executive chef Paddi Rossiter of Taste Liberated. The episode will air this November as part of Anglers & Appetites’ fourth season.
“It was probably one of the best days of fishing I’ve had. It’s peaceful and relaxing, but you can also make it as adventurous as you want.”
Ben Affleck, a Hampton Island homeowner, wrote, directed, and starred in Live by Night. The crime thriller also stars Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper, Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, and more. Photography licensed by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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“This view is to die for.” Ben and Ara won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Diaspora Feature, Best Director and Outstanding Feature Film at the Hollywood International Film Festival, Best Actress at San Diego Black Film Festival, and Best Actress and Best Picture at the Indie Film Festival Winter Film Awards, to name a few.
The Intervention (2016) A couples’ retreat takes a turn for the worse as friends reveal their true intentions in this indie flick
“It was probably one of the best days of fishing I’ve had,” says Zelski. When scouting filming locations with the help of Leah Poole at the Liberty County Chamber and CVB, Zelski and Proctor saw the glorious marshes, oak trees, and Spanish moss and knew the island was special. “It’s peaceful and relaxing, but you can also make it as adventurous as you want. You can rent a kayak or go fishing or hunting, but if you want to relax, you can prop up in an Adirondack chair and just hang out for a while.”
American Grit, Season Two (2017) This reality competition show, which recently completed its second season on FOX, is hosted by WWE superstar John Cena as he and four military mentors train seventeen competitors at “Camp Grit” on Hampton Island Preserve. Contestants battle it out to see who has guts and who can’t handle the heat as
they endure both individual and team challenges that test mental and physical strength. Cena, along with some of the Season Two cast, revisited nearby Savannah in June for a Grit Cares charity event benefiting CURE Childhood Cancer.
The Town (2010)
Season Two of FOX’s reality fitness competition series American Grit, hosted by WWE superstar John Cena, turned parts of Hampton Island into “Camp Grit” for filming. The season aired throughout the summer of this year. Photo by Jeffrey Neira/FOX
Affleck’s second directorial endeavor, The Town is a fast-paced, violent look at Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood and its criminal underbelly as a renowned team of bank robbers (played by Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Owen Burke, and George Carroll, better known as Slaine) set out for the ultimate score with a plan to rob Fenway Park. The film’s final scene, as Affleck’s character escapes from authorities and goes into hiding, was captured at “Jack’s Shack” on Hampton Island. How the story of Hampton Island Preserve will unfold from here is a mystery, but one thing we do know: Leventhal vows that she will live on.
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hese days, everyone wants to talk about interior design. At least, everyone Susan Lovelace interacts with. From her dentist to her nail tech, she’s constantly peppered with questions about what’s new, what’s hot, and, of course, any pro tips she’s willing to divulge. If you think she’s unhappy about that, think again. Lovelace is thrilled that her life’s passion has grabbed hold of the entire population (thanks, HGTV!) and has decided to make it easier than ever for people to indulge their decor dreams.
online experience for shoppers and a program aimed at fellow interior designers.
As owner of the Emerald Coast design and home furnishings institution Lovelace Interiors, Lovelace has been an interior designer for longer than she’s willing to divulge—at least in print. But she remains obsessed with the field and with creating new experiences. Among her latest projects: an innovative
The Lovelace Look offers the opportunity to purchase an entire room, from the sofa to the candles on the coffee table, exactly as Lovelace Interiors has it staged. It’s a fairly common occurrence in the brick-and-mortar store, Lovelace says, which is what sparked the idea for the online shop.
The Lovelace Interiors website has always been a source of inspiration, in a browse-and-drool kind of way. But Lovelace wants to make it possible for customers to shop the team’s professionally styled looks from home with an integrated online shopping cart. “You’ll be able to purchase single items—a lamp or a throw, for example—or get ‘the Lovelace Look,’” she explains.
Left: Design trends are steering toward midcentury modern flair mixed with a contemporary edge, as seen here in the Lovelace showroom. Changing the accent color can easily create a completely different look. Photo by Colleen Duffley
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Right: Shop the Lovelace showroom for statement upholstery in unexpected colors and textures. (Contrary to popular belief, velvet is a very durable fabric!) Photo by Colleen Duffley Below: Design associate Alden Lagasse (right) has a personal design style using a mix of old and new. She has a love for antiques and original art, forming character and design interest throughout her homes. Pictured here with principal designer Susan Lovelace (left). Photo by Romona Robbins
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he “looks” cater to multiple design aesthetics, offering groupings based around current color trends (this season is blush, by the way), as well as perennial Gulf Coast favorites such as cerulean blue, aqua, and teal. And customers will see styles ranging from transitional to ultracontemporary. Naturally, shoppers get the best deal on an entire look, but prices on single items are surprisingly affordable. “You can’t buy these high-end, premium-quality goods anywhere for the price we’re selling them,” she says. Which may be why fellow interior designers are dying to get their hands on Lovelace’s sources. And, incredibly, Lovelace is letting them. Through her new “Lovelace to the Trade” program, independent interior designers can access lines they wouldn’t ordinarily
FAMILIAR TO MOST AS THE WIFE OF CELEBRITY CHEF AND RESTAURATEUR EMERIL LAGASSE, MRS. LAGASSE NOT ONLY HELPS RUN THE COUPLE’S PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION, BUT SHE’S ALSO A POWERHOUSE INTERIOR DESIGNER WHO RECENTLY ADDED “LOVELACE ASSOCIATE” TO HER RÉSUMÉ. be able to—at exclusive, discounted prices—and even bring their clients to her resource room. Sound crazy? Not to Lovelace, who started out as a freelancer herself. “Most work out of their own homes and don’t have the volume for the 150 vendors that we stock,” she explains. That kind of generosity is typical of Lovelace, according to Alden Lagasse. Familiar to most as the wife of celebrity chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse, Mrs. Lagasse not only helps run the couple’s philanthropic foundation, but she’s also a powerhouse interior designer who recently added “Lovelace associate” to her résumé. The two women have known each other since Lagasse was a girl. After marrying Lagasse’s cousin, Lovelace became a combination big sister and mentor to Lagasse, who frequently stayed with her cousins while on breaks from Ole Miss. “I remember thinking, ‘I want a house just like hers when I grow up,’” Lagasse recalls. “And now I live in her house.” When the couples swapped houses a few years ago, Lagasse went to work making the long-coveted space her own. Rather than the Florida-Mediterranean feel common to the area, Lagasse’s house boasts an old-world New Orleans style that reflects her Southern roots. “She’s made it so beautiful,” Lovelace enthuses. “She’s incredibly talented.”
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Great design always uses a variety of textures and patterns. Lovelace designer Cara McBroom kept the colors cohesive yet eye-catching in this open-concept living space. Photo by Steve Mangum
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ovelace knew early on that her cousin had something special and has actively encouraged that innate talent. In recent years, Lagasse has turned into an in-demand designer, making an associate position a natural next step—even if it’s not full-time just yet. With a twelve-year-old and a fourteen-year-old in school and a husband always on the go, Lagasse’s time is limited. But design isn’t something she’s willing to give up. “I’ve loved design my whole life, and I’m constantly redecorating. My husband is like, ‘Thank God we have these restaurants she can do,’” Lagasse laughs. The Emeril empire now includes thirteen restaurants, and Lagasse immerses herself completely in their design—like Miramar Beach’s new Emeril’s Coastal Italian. Not surprisingly, she asked her favorite design partner, Lovelace, to lend a hand as well as her commercial design license.
IN RECENT YEARS, LAGASSE HAS TURNED INTO AN IN-DEMAND DESIGNER, MAKING AN ASSOCIATE POSITION A NATURAL NEXT STEP—EVEN IF IT’S NOT FULL-TIME JUST YET. Though the two have wildly different aesthetics, they work together seamlessly and joyfully. It took both of them, architects Geoff Chick and Jeff Margaretten, and a good chunk of the Lovelace team to create an interior that did justice to Emeril’s concept of Italian favorites meet coastal freshness. Lagasse started with what she knew for sure: the tone had to be casual but elegant. And because she was going for an Italian-infused ambience, she skipped the usual blues and settled on a palette of grays with pops of corn-silk yellow.
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It might be her name on the letterhead, but Susan Lovelace is the first to acknowledge that Lovelace Interiors is a group effort. And that confidence in her world-class team is what has finally allowed her to take time off once in a while.
W O R K
WHETHER IT’S A NEWBIE SHE GETS TO WATCH BLOSSOM OR A VETERAN WHO’S PART OF THE VERY FABRIC OF LOVELACE DESIGNS, LOVELACE IS LIKE A PROUD MAMA WHEN IT COMES TO HER TEAM.
But the show (or store, in this case) must go on. To maintain the firm’s iconic status, she relies on staffers like Brooke Williams, Lovelace’s assistant-turnedinterior design associate. “Brooke is so talented, and she’s the hardest-working person I’ve ever known,” Lovelace says. Then there are Bunny Hall and Helene Forester, the showroom designer and assistant, respectively, responsible for the store’s “wow” factor. “They make a great design duo, and the floor wouldn’t be as stunning on a daily basis without them,” Lovelace says. The rest of the team is equally impressive: fifteen-year veteran Cassidy Lyons Pickens (“executes high-end
projects with great ease”), Lindsay Miller (“a very talented designer who’s worked on some of the largest projects the firm has done”), Karen Kerns (“a great eye and very professional”), Cara McBroom (“when we all design our own homes, we want Cara to help us with the process”), Linda Holman (“tried to retire about three times now, but the projects just pile on heavier for her”), Brooks Logan (“a keen eye for detail, and her hand renderings are absolutely beautiful”), and Amber Miller (“my newest assistant, learning all the sides to residential design”). Lovelace says she is also proud to add three new designers to her roster this year: Donna Callahan, Joy Adams, and Stephanie Schefano. Whether it’s a newbie she gets to watch blossom or a veteran who’s part of the very fabric of Lovelace Designs, Lovelace is like a proud mama when it comes to her team. “The group of designers we have now is the most talented I’ve ever seen,” she raves. “They do an incredible job, and I never worry about taking a day off.”
Lovelace Interiors has over ten talented designers to assist with your design needs. Clients can purchase directly off the floor or special order exactly what they have in mind. Photo by Romona Robbins 116 | OCTOBE R 2017
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ut it wasn’t until she brought in artist Landon Lott that everything started taking shape. Lott, a family friend who had created stunning spray paint murals for their New Orleans’ restaurant, Meril, agreed to do similar large-scale artwork for Emeril’s Coastal Italian. From Lott’s concepts, Lagasse selected an octopus and langoustine, to which Lott added Roman architectural elements and fish found in Gulf waters. “They look 3-D—almost like Mardi Gras floats to me,” Lagasse says of Lott’s creations. “After Landon painted those, we really got inspired with things like Kelly Wearstler chandeliers that resemble gold sea urchins.” From the beginning, Lovelace was determined that the design and furnishings of Emeril’s Coastal Italian would be stunning. “It’s probably over-the-top beautiful,” she admits. “But Alden and Emeril have fabulous taste, and it had to be up to the standards of their other restaurants, which aren’t just about the food, but the whole experience. That’s why Emeril is the master.” And Lovelace, of course, is the master of design. Perhaps it’s because she’s so renowned for her skills that she still fights the misconception that Lovelace Interiors sells services, not products. The truth is that they do both. Yes, their crew of licensed
Use different patterns in a monochromatic color scheme for an intriguing design. The showroom always has a large selection of pillows in a variety of colors and patterns. Photo by Colleen Duffley
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“YOU WOULD THINK THAT I WOULD BE JADED AFTER DOING THIS FOR SO LONG, BUT THE DESIGNS JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL.” designers tackles massive projects for clients. But those same designers are available to help patrons shop the well-stocked showroom floor—at no cost. And that showroom floor, unparalleled in its selection, has never been more inspiring. “Right now, we have the most amazing products we’ve ever had,” Lovelace says. “You would think that I would be jaded after doing this for so long, but the designs just keep getting better and more beautiful.””
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L I M I T L E S S C R E AT I V I T Y BY FRANCO GRIMALDI PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMONA ROBBINS
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o, what does the publisher of a luxury lifestyle magazine do to commemorate a decade of storytelling? In the case of The Idea Boutique®—publisher of VIE, it has to be something spectacular. In the true pioneering spirit of the company’s owner, that celebration embodies increased publication frequency (from bimonthly to monthly), expanded distribution, and a national six-city Stories with Heart and Soul tour to Birmingham, New Orleans, Charleston, Nashville, Boston, and Miami in order to grow the regional magazine to national status. And, to celebrate the milestone in style, VIE christens a new office that reflects the brand and fosters enhanced team creativity. Owner/founder Lisa Burwell opened The Idea Boutique in 1994 as a brand and marketing firm in 1994. With the launch of VIE magazine in 2008, the company entered the world of niche publishing, and Lisa added the moniker of editor-in-chief to her résumé. VIE is now in its tenth year—no small feat considering the vast majority of magazines do not make it past their first year of publication and the economic collapse of a decade ago left dozens of well-established titles fallen sadly by the wayside.
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As part of the ten-year celebration, Lisa believed that the magazine needed a space to reflect not only the company’s core values, culture, and mores, but also VIE’s clean and creative look. Almost ten years had passed since the company’s last expansion, and it was key that the planning and design of the new space be contemporary to the latest technology and standards of corporate culture. When the tenant space adjacent to The Idea Boutique’s Florida office became available in early 2016, it seemed perfect timing to secure the space for VIE’s future headquarters. Lisa’s husband and business partner, Gerald Burwell, is also the founder and principal of Grayton Beach– based Burwell Associates, Inc.—a full-service architecture company that specializes in high-end residential and highly customized commercial design. Playing an integral role as a company leader and having designed The Idea Boutique’s first international office in Connemara, Ireland, just three years prior, Gerald was ideal in helping to bring the new vision to life. One of the initial inspirations for the new open-plan office came from the movie The Intern, starring Ann Hathaway and Robert De Niro. “I loved the look and feel of the open and modern hipster office,” says Lisa. “I wanted to take cues from the design acumen.” Filmed in a photo studio in the Bronx, New York, the set design for the large, modern, and open space of the make-believe start-up e-commerce company in the story line was modeled from numerous real-life businesses such as Google and Nasty Gal. “My job was to apply this office concept, which is utilized by large firms, and adapt it to our small and intimate company, which has a staff of less than fifteen,” adds Gerald. “I have always appreciated the clean lines and simplified volumes of modern architecture, a style that was conducive for the new office space that needed to imbue a free, open environment and a sense of accessibility between team members,” says Gerald. The European-style frameless glass partitions provide the necessary privacy for executives and meetings, yet gives the space a much larger, open feel. At the same time, staff members are afforded a sense of accessibility and a feeling that each of them plays a vital role as part of the team. “The open-plan design was intended to showcase VIE’s high quality and
“THE OPEN-PLAN DESIGN WAS INTENDED TO SHOWCASE VIE ’S HIGH QUALITY AND LEVEL OF CRAFTSMANSHIP,” GERALD CONTINUES. “ALSO, IT FOSTERS OPEN COMMUNICATION AND INCREASED CREATIVITY.” level of craftsmanship,” Gerald continues. “Also, it fosters open communication and increased creativity.” When it came to choosing a contractor, Gerald looked to Richard Abel with Kevrick Construction, LLC. “Richard was the project electrician for our office expansion ten years prior, so I knew that he could be counted on to do a great job,” says Gerald. A construction project never comes without its challenges, but the clean, precise lines and details took this to a higher level. “With an architect as a client, I knew there would be exacting standards and high expectations when it came to execution,” says Richard. Due to the simplified yet acute nature of modern architecture, the overall aesthetic of the design relies on the proper execution of several things. The quality of that execution is key to the success of any construction project. The resulting product is a testament to the dedication and hard work put forth by Kevrick. One of the most important design elements of the new VIE office are the chrome columns. “Designing a nine-foot six-inch-by-six-inch structural steel column is a pretty simple thing to do,” says Gerald. “What did not come easily was finding a source to chrome plate a column of that size.” Gerald believes that it was more than luck that he found Smith Chrome Plating of Montgomery, Alabama—the only plating service that could be found in the entire Southeast capable of chrome V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 125
La maison plating anything longer than seven feet. Contractors Steel Supply, Inc., also of Montgomery, fabricated the steel columns and coordinated delivery to Smith Chrome Plating twenty miles across town. “Though the chrome columns act almost purely in an aesthetic capacity, the money, time, and effort to get them was well worth it,” adds Gerald. The frameless glass was probably the next most prominent design element of the project. From initial inquiries with local glass contractors, it appeared that all possessed little to no experience with installing glass systems of this kind. Searching dozens of manufacturers of frameless glass systems on the Internet, and as many phone inquiries, finally yielded Klein USA—a glass system that could be installed in the Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, area within a reasonable budget. Though Klein did not have a history of installations with a local glass company, Area Glass, Inc. of Panama City Beach was open to the task. “We had never worked with a Klein system of this kind before, but I have to admit that we are impressed with the quality and would like to see more installations like this,” says Matt Rieser, general manager of Area Glass, Inc. “The Klein system is extremely good-looking,” says Gerald. “And having the sliding door option instead of the traditional hinge was an additional plus since we had to make every square foot count.” A project of this kind is not finished simply because the hammers and paintbrushes come to rest. A raw architectural space means nothing without relating to mankind. And, in this case, as is with most architecture projects, furniture is that bridge between man and his environment. Gerald worked closely with Todd D. Reeves, co-owner of Isidro Dunbar Modern Interiors, to bring VIE’s new space to life. “I enjoyed working with Todd, who understood my vision, and he selected furnishings with finishes and materials that built upon the established vernacular,” Gerald relates. Though Lisa is obviously a proud wife, she is a huge fan of Gerald’s design prowess and is always impressed with his craftsmanship and eye for detail. “What amazes me about both the satellite office in Ireland and the new VIE office is that they are a testament to his ability to make small spaces feel roomy,” says Lisa.
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The whimsy of a magnificent Ashley Longshore is an appropriate juxtaposition to the clean and simple lines in the lounge area.
ARCHITECT Burwell Associates, Inc. 114 Logan Lane, Suite 3 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 231-6377 www.BurwellAssociates.com HVAC Panhandle Comfort Services, LLC P.O. Box 1463 De Funiak Springs, FL 32435 (850) 880-6058 DRYWALL Finishing Touch Drywall 174 Watercolor Way Suite 103-429 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 588-5329 PLUMBING A & G Plumbing 111 Lynn Drive Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 267-1992 TILE City Home Tile 98 Highway 98 Suite 3216 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 687-5913
GENERAL CONTRACTOR / ELECTRICAL Kevrick Construction, LLC P.O. Box 1090 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 267-0222 www.KevrickCorp.com GLASS Area Glass, Inc. 17650 Ashley Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 215-4527 www.AreaGlass.com Klein USA 1 Madison Street East Rutherford, NJ 07073 (973) 246-8181 www.Klein-USA.com MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES Contractors Steel Supply, Inc. 5230 Old Hayneville Road Montgomery, AL 36108 (334) 284-8213 www.CSSfab.net Smith Chrome Plating 2781 Gunter Park Drive East Montgomery, AL 36109 (800) 467-6484 www.SmithPlating.com SECURITY & NETWORK Planet Secure 161 Goldsby Road, Suite H2A Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 278-6226 www.PlanetSecure.net INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT Scott Mullins P.O. Box 9547 Panama City Beach, FL 32417 (850) 972-9630 The Idea Boutique’s publishing, marketing, and advertising office in picturesque Clifden, County Galway, Ireland, was also designed by Gerald Burwell of Burwell Associates, Inc.
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hen it came time to furnish the new office, we turned to isidro dunbar Modern Interiors (idMI). The full-service design firm and showroom in Miramar Beach, Florida, has been named in Furniture Today magazine’s Beyond the Top 100 list of US furniture retailers for five consecutive years. Founder and co-owner Todd D. Reeves, along with his partner in business and in life, Jorge I. Saiz, incorporated office furniture, lighting, and accessories to make VIE’s new headquarters shine. Reeves catches us up on the inspiration and execution here:
VIE : Tell us a little about idMI, your background, and your company’s mission. TODD D. REEVES: The company was founded in October 1993, in Topeka, Kansas. I had previously been in women’s couture fashion for fifteen years in New York, where Jorge worked in advertising. We relocated to Topeka for family reasons and opened the store because there was not one store in the area that we would shop in. The mission of isidro dunbar Modern Interiors has always been to provide our customers and interior design clients simply the best in modern home accessories, artwork, furniture, lighting, rugs, and more. We provide “fashion for the home.” We have been in business for twenty-four years and are very proud of our store and our design work. We have done modern and only modern design for those twenty-four years, separating us from the pack. Wouldn’t you rather shop with someone who has the knowledge of the modern design world than someone that has just put a modern section in their business?
VIE : Have you designed many offices or do you typically work with residential clients? TDR: We have done everything from a community civic theater to offices for ad agencies, insurance companies, private medical teams, and even entire renovations for call and training centers in Independence, Missouri, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. And now, we have gotten to do the VIE office!
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La maison THE INSPIRATION IS VIE MAGAZINE AND LISA AND GERALD BURWELL’S DREAMS AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE PUBLICATION. We offer modern furnishings for both residential and commercial use and do a great deal of residential interior design, as well. We enjoy designing for and working closely with our clients to create spaces they love. We are not a cookie-cutter interior design firm; we are specific to each customer and his or her unique style.
VIE: What was the inspiration behind the VIE office decor? TDR: After meeting with Lisa, we knew the direction she wanted to go when decorating the new office, and it was what our store is all about—modern, clean, stylish, and sophisticated. We then sat down with Gerald to cover the specifics in the space and we “talked the office through.” He left me with architectural plans, and we pulled a presentation together for him to see and hit it right on the target. This happens a great deal when you listen to people and talk about what they want to achieve in their spaces. The inspiration is VIE magazine and Lisa and Gerald Burwell’s dreams and goals for the future direction of the publication.
VIE: How would you describe this project? TDR: This office represents VIE; it doesn’t clutter your brain with anything else. You know you have entered the headquarters of VIE magazine when you come in the door. That is how we design spaces to reflect the client. It represents what the magazine is doing with fashion, stories, outreach, and community. Allowing the employees to have clear heads without too much “stuff ” in the way promotes focus on their work and creativity. It is also a beautiful place to show various products that isidro dunbar Modern Interiors represents in the store and in our design work. The furniture is clean and simple, the artwork stands out, the space is not crowded with clutter, and the environment 130 | OCTOBE R 2017
is stylish, which is just one of the directions of VIE magazine.
VIE: What is your favorite feature of the VIE office? TDR: I love the glassed-in conference room and offices off the “design pit” studio area, and the entry is clean, crisp, stylish, and sophisticated. I had an enjoyable time working with Lisa and Gerald; they have discovered a new calmness that isidro dunbar Modern Interiors can provide. Less is more and simple is best—things really mean something in a clean space. I love it all!
VIE: How can new clients reach you or learn more about idMI? TDR: Our retail showroom is located in the Florida Panhandle along the Emerald Coast at 12170 Emerald Coast Parkway in Miramar Beach and our website is idmidesign.com. We can also be reached by phone at (850) 269-1699 or e-mail at idmi@idmidesign.com.
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BurwellAssociates 114 Logan Lane, Suite 4. Grayton Beach, Florida 32459 P. (850) 231-6377 E. gerald@burwellassociates.com BurwellAssociates.com
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BY J OR DA N STAG GS P HOTO GRAP HY BY T I M K RA ME R
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UCKED INTO THE WHITE SANDS NEAR HENDERSON BEACH STATE PARK IN DESTIN, FLORIDA, LIES A SLEEK, CONTEMPORARY TOWER CALLED 1900 NINETY EIGHT. This brand-new high-rise embodies the term “state of the art,” with its rooftop pool deck, two penthouses, and fourteen residence-style units with sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. Named for its address just off the area’s main thoroughfare of Highway 98, the development is the first new beachfront condominium in Destin since 2007. Luxurious finishes and top-of-the-line appliances in every unit reflect the development’s novelty. “In today’s market, people want new, clean lines, and this place checks all the boxes,” says listing broker Chris Abbott of Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty. Twelve of the building’s sixteen units have already sold. “Style and design trends have changed since other buildings in the area were completed over a decade ago. This building encompasses the simplistic, contemporary design elements that people want, with a midcentury modern style.”
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orcelain tile floors in all the common areas, quartz countertops in the kitchens, and marble vanities in the master bathrooms along with huge walk-in showers are enviable qualities in vacation homes or rental properties—but it’s the view that sets 1900 Ninety Eight apart. East-facing units overlook miles of white sand and the coastal dunes of Henderson Beach State Park, while western units boast magnificent Gulf views.
“THIS BUILDING ENCOMPASSES THE SIMPLISTIC, CONTEMPORARY DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT PEOPLE WANT, WITH A MIDCENTURY MODERN STYLE.” Even the master bathrooms have shoji doors that open to unobstructed views of the sparkling blue water and distant horizon. Each standard unit also has a 347-square-foot private balcony overlooking the beach and Gulf of Mexico. “With only two units on each floor, owners and guests can really feel like they’re coming home to a secure, private place,” Abbott says. “People like that it’s more intimate than most developments.”
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Left: Each unit’s open and spacious living area feels bright and airy with plenty of natural light and incredible Gulf views. Below: A Gulf-front master bedroom is the perfect oasis for relaxation.
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he two penthouses include 422 square feet of private balcony space and eighteen-foot ceilings, truly bringing land and sky together. Each residence floor plan has three bedrooms (the penthouses have four) and exclusive access to the building’s rooftop heated and cooled fitness center, swimming pool, hot tub, and spa. “From the top floor, you’ve got the best panoramic views of the Gulf, Henderson, and even the Choctawhatchee Bay to the north,” Abbott states.
“FROM THE TOP FLOOR, YOU’VE GOT THE BEST PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE GULF, HENDERSON, AND EVEN THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY TO THE NORTH.” The brainchild of developers Walt Chancey and Ricky Rookis, 1900 Ninety Eight was created with comfort, style, and privacy in mind; there are even climate-controlled elevators to stave off Florida’s sweltering summer heat and humidity. Rookis’s relationships with the highest-caliber designers and architects for over twenty years have benefited many of his clients but perhaps none more so than the owners and guests of 1900 Ninety Eight, who enjoy the building’s unobstructed balcony views and cutting-edge rooftop lounge area. Meanwhile, Chancey’s values of “creativity, dedication, passion, and fun” bring community spirit and a distinctive
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style to the building. Chancey’s wife, Sandra, was integral to creating the serene yet modern interiors with glass-tile backsplashes, custom cabinetry, and globe lighting in every kitchen, along with other sophisticated touches throughout each residence. Those who remember the 2008 housing market crash and subsequent BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 know that Destin’s first all-new beachside development is a big step forward for developers and investors alike. Those looking to make their home away from home at the beach can’t go wrong with one of 1900 Ninety Eight’s
Above: Textures and color palettes throughout the decor take cues from the natural coastal surroundings with a modern flair. Above right: 1900 Ninety Eight’s rooftop pool deck and fitness center are state of the art and truly where the sky meets the sea.
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CHANCEY’S VALUES OF “CREATIVITY, DEDICATION, PASSION, AND FUN” BRING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND A DISTINCTIVE STYLE TO THE BUILDING. cutting-edge residences, while those seeking an investment property can expect a generous annual rental income from the Emerald Coast’s newest Gulf-front high-rise. Either way, the promise given by Chancey and Rookis, along with Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty, is a pristine highend home at the beach with the best of the best amenities—and even better views.
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IN HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS BY ANTHEA GERRIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA ESSEX BRADLEY
ew Orleans architects don’t get much more legendary than Nathaniel Curtis, so it’s fitting that the home of the Superdome designer is now in the hands of one of his most respected successors. Despite its landmark status, the first midcentury modern house to be listed in the city is something of a hidden treasure in the historic Audubon district, says owner Lee Ledbetter. “This is a beautiful neighborhood of nineteenthand twentieth-century homes, but ours is set back behind a brick wall with an antique wrought-iron gate—so unassuming it’s easily mistaken for the garden wall of a neighboring house,” explains Ledbetter, one of the top architects in New Orleans. That is, the curbside view of the home seems unassuming until one looks through that gate to find a pair of single-story glass pavilions flanking the front door. Ledbetter caught glimpses of them as a child when visiting his grandparents one street away.
It was years before Ledbetter got his first up-close look at the house Nathaniel Curtis built for his family of nine in 1963. It was an encounter that entranced the architect, who had been practicing in New York after qualifying at Princeton. Soon after moving to New Orleans and living in more typical Crescent City homes, including two in the French Quarter, Ledbetter and his partner, Douglas Meffert, were invited to a party that overlooked the property built by Curtis.
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“As the sun went down, the glass pavilions began to glow, and the property came alive,” Ledbetter recalls. “These pavilions were planned with a series of four courtyards between them, two containing fountains. The interplay of the buildings and the open courtyards was intoxicating.” It would be yet another twenty years before the couple got inside the home, acquiring it in 2013 from the Curtis family. Despite having been well maintained, the landmark home required some sympathetic renovations. “They were all true to the original architecture,” affirms Ledbetter. “We updated the kitchen, restored the walnut millwork and shoji screen doors, and replaced outdated wallpaper with grasscloth. “Most of the work we did was at the back of the house, where we converted five bedrooms to three, each with a small sitting room, and a gym; one of the children’s bedrooms became the master bath and closet area.” The couple retained the slate and terrazzo floors, all the original bathroom tile, and most of the fixtures. “In the new master bath, we used a ceramic tile, which looks true to the period.”
“THESE PAVILIONS WERE PLANNED WITH A SERIES OF FOUR COURTYARDS BETWEEN THEM, TWO CONTAINING FOUNTAINS. THE INTERPLAY OF THE BUILDINGS AND THE OPEN COURTYARDS WAS INTOXICATING.”
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Left: A charming breakfast room features the home’s original built-in walnut credenza (refinished) and 1960s Charles and Ray Eames bar stools, Ion chairs by Gideon Kramer, Cyclone table by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll, Scissor chair by Pierre Jeanneret, art by George Dunbar, and sculpture by Pamela Sunday.
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Right: The home’s original Raak globe pendants shed light on the dining room with a table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, Napoleon III painted side chairs, original George Nelson CSS (comprehensive storage system) in walnut, and artworks by Jungjin Lee (Untitled IIV-7 vertical triptych) and Peter Lane (Scholar’s Lamps ceramic sculptures with bronze glaze). Opposite: Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a sunny Louis XVI carved and painted bench by Bardin Palomo, antique Khotan carpet, and original artworks including Grey Leaf glass sculpture by Ben Edols and Kathy Elliott, AAR Series drawing by Evert Witte, and Thirst gelatin silver print by Sally Gall. Teak sliding screens reveal courtyard views. 146 | OCTOBE R 2017
ALTHOUGH LEDBETTER NOW CITES THE LIVING ROOM AS HIS FAVORITE PLACE TO ENJOY THE HOUSE, THE ARCHITECT ADMITS HE HAD MISSED THE LARGE COVERED OUTDOOR SPACE AT HIS PREVIOUS HOME. Their first attempt at decoration had to be rethought, however, to complement the sensational views framed at every turn by the home’s glass walls. “The vibrancy of the blue skies and green plants and trees outside seemed to overpower the neutral tones of our fabrics, carpets, and furniture. So to rebalance the two, I had much of the furniture reupholstered in brighter colors, mostly blues and yellows,” explains Ledbetter. Although Ledbetter now cites the living room as his favorite place to enjoy the house, the architect admits he had missed the large covered outdoor space at his previous home—until a friend pointed out that he had not lost it. “She said, ‘But this entire room, with its continuous glass and outdoor patios, is your outdoor covered space,’” he says, “and I realized she was correct, and that what we had now was so much better.”
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The living room boasts painted steel columns and arches, painted brick walls, and white polished terrazzo floors. Furnishings include a custom cast glass and brass coffee table by homeowner Lee Ledbetter, vintage Florence Knoll sofa and Harvey Probber armchairs, vintage George Nelson lamp tables (original to the house), Louis XVI-style painted armchairs, and antique Oushak carpet. Artworks by Pamela Sunday and Robert Helmer complete the look.
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The walnut headboard bed cabinet in the master bedroom was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller and is original to the home, but Ledbetter had it reupholstered in a golden mohair plush fabric by Gretchen Bellinger. Opposite: The unassuming walls surrounding the home provide privacy for the hidden midcentury oasis within.
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La maison As a treasure on the National Register of Historic Places, this special house was never going to stay hidden from the public; it was celebrated by Architectural Record and Life magazine in the years following its completion, and next year it will feature in an international book by Rizzoli. But on a daily basis, it remains the owners’ secret retreat behind that unassuming brick wall, with a wonderful indoor-outdoor entertaining space cooled by cross breezes and what Ledbetter describes as “softly splashing water,” even in the height of the sultry Louisiana summers.
LeeLedbetter.com Anthea Gerrie is based in the UK but travels the world in search of stories. Her special interests are architecture and design, culture, food, and drink, as well as the best places to visit in the world’s great playgrounds. She is a regular contributor to the Daily Mail, the Independent, and Blueprint.
Origin
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Kitty Taylor, Broker, GRI, CRS, CIPS Catherine Ryland, Broker Associate “Grayton Girl Team” Selling Grayton and Beach Properties along 30A.
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A LWAYS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LINDA MILLER
When one of Linda Miller’s first customers bought a condominium on Highway 30-A in Northwest Florida back in 1998 and called to say, “I’m back on the smile,” Miller wasn’t sure what she meant. But the explanation changed Miller’s outlook on both life and business when her customer explained, “When my car turns onto 30-A, I just start to smile.” Miller couldn’t stop thinking about that simple, happy notion, and she’s used it as a mantra over the years. Now Miller is the vice president and broker at Rosemary Beach Realty and represents the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate Board of Regents in the area. Her brand has grown to one of the most successful real estate brokerages on Scenic Highway 30-A as Miller represents buyers and sellers of many of the area’s top properties—and she does it all with a smile and a red sofa resembling a huge pair of lips. We caught up with Miller to discuss her philosophy, living and working on 30-A, and some of the most beautiful residences on the market.
VIE: Your nickname is the Smile of 30-A, and customers are intrigued by the smile sofa that often travels to events and open houses with you. Which came first, the nickname or the sofa? Linda Miller (LM): After I spoke to my customer who said “I’m back on the smile,” I called her back— we were talking on car phones the size of shoe boxes— and asked for permission to adopt her phrase, and I became the “Smile of 30-A.” My slogan is “When you own property on 30-A, you’ll be smiling, too.” Denise Creehan created my logo, and the smile was born. If you use your imagination, the Scenic Highway does resemble a smile as it veers off of Highway 98 at the west end and back onto 98 at the east end.
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ow, the smile sofa is another thing. My dear friend and mentor, architect Darrell Russell, found the sofa online; it’s reminiscent of the Mae West Lips Sofa by Salvador Dalí. Darrell sent it to me with instructions to “Purchase this and get busy executing your logo more professionally with higher standards.” Now, that’s a real friend! Photographer Tommy Crow brought his magic touch to my branding images, and the smile reigns in its memorability to this day. Most men will refer to it as “the lips,” and I remind them that it’s an expression, not a body part! One of my favorite quotes is “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” So you might as well smile! A smile is very powerful. It provides the same brain stimulation as two thousand chocolate bars and can feel as good as receiving $25,000 in cash. Smiling reduces stress, affects hormone levels, increases endorphins, and lowers blood pressure. Your smile is a curve that can get a lot of things straight.
SMILING REDUCES STRESS, AFFECTS HORMONE LEVELS, INCREASES ENDORPHINS, AND LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE. YOUR SMILE IS A CURVE THAT CAN GET A LOT OF THINGS STRAIGHT. VIE: What is your favorite thing about living, working, and playing in the Northwest Florida area? LM: I love the pace of life here. Even in the busy tourist season, we still drive slowly on a two-lane scenic highway. I love seeing the eighteen-mile bike path full of families riding bikes, walking, and running, and most of them are—you guessed it—smiling! We have the beauty of a movie set to live and work
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in, among rare coastal dune lakes, sugar-white sand, state parks, and crystal clear water. I love the fact that we have all chosen to be here and there’s a camaraderie about that. There was this great guy from Grayton Beach named Tyrone who coined a phrase: “We are all here because we are all not there.” I think that about sums it up. There is also a nice diversity in the population here as more and more people work from home and can choose where they want to live. I’m very excited about the growth in the area. I realize some people want to keep it the way it is, but really, nothing stays the same. The only thing really certain in life is change. I’m looking forward to trying to make this the best scenic highway it can be. VIE: What is the “Linda Miller Phenomenon”? LM: I do my best not only to be the smile but to live it as well. A smile is priceless to the person who hasn’t had one all day, and yet it’s free to the giver. It only takes a moment to make someone’s day. I try never to be too busy to see a need in someone, to ask how their day has been, or to take a minute to look into a person’s eyes and listen to them. I strive to live my life based on four foundations that keep me grounded: faith, family, financial stability, and fun! I work very hard to be able to give back to my family and have financial rewards flow through me to those who need help. My daughter and son have honored me with six grandchildren, ranging from five to twenty-one years old, and I love the fact that my “grands” have grown up visiting their “Mimi” at the beach. They love this sugar-white sand as much as I do. My oldest will be graduating from Tulane this year as the youngest enters kindergarten at Bay Elementary. I also have both of my parents still living; Daddy is ninety-one, and Momma still won’t tell us her age. I am very blessed!
VIE: Can you tell us a little about your clients? LM: Most of my clients are looking for a good investment property or a beach home for their family to make memories. Sometimes they are looking for a permanent residence. Our market has a fabulous rental potential for those savvy investors who want to take their money out of stagnant bank accounts gathering dust and put it into a vibrant incomeproducing asset that they can also enjoy with their families. They get appreciation, depreciation, free vacations, and much more. Then there is the family who wants a second home just for their family to make memories and become
a legacy for their children and grandchildren to pass down through the generations. Even those permanent residents here are finding more “real” neighborhoods to live in as communities like Watersound Origins have grown to fill their needs. VIE: Have you had any celebrity clients looking in the area? LM: We love seeing some of our favorite stars living and playing along Highway 30-A, too. I got to meet Caroline and Luke Bryan when they bought a Gulffront house I had listed, and that was fun! I have some other celebrity clients, but they wish to remain anonymous for now.
With 19 years of sales experience, Linda Miller has been the number one agent since 2015 with over $130 million in sales, and in 2017 has sold over $86 million YTD on 30-A. She brokered the largest sale ever on 30-A at 24 South Briland in Rosemary Beach for $12.5 million in 2016.
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La maison RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, AND LODGING CREATE A SYNERGISTIC TOWN CENTER ALONG MAIN STREET, AND THIS IS WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT ROSEMARY BEACH. VIE: What do you love about the Rosemary Beach community in particular? LM: The luxury of a planned community—and especially one by Andres Duany, a pioneer of traditional neighborhood development—has proved that these communities deliver a higher return on investment than random developments. Everything you need is within a five-minute walk, and the beach is a short walk or bike ride from every home! Restaurants, shops, and lodging create a synergistic town center along Main Street, and this is what we love about Rosemary Beach. VIE: We know you are involved with a lot of philanthropic organizations in the area. Can you tell us a little about them?
850.267.3028 3295 W Count y Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
LM: My favorite experience was raising the most money to be crowned Prom Queen of the Seaside REP Theatre Prom in 2012. I am proud to say that Colby Mitchell is my beloved Prom King, and we reign in perpetuity! I raised over ten thousand dollars for the REP by twirling my baton in my old majorette boots, acting crazy, and making people smile. I love to twirl my baton in the Seaside parade and have for the past seventeen years as the “Twirling American Beauties.” Habitat for Humanity is another organization that is very dear to me. My real estate partner, Susan Sullivan, was tragically killed in a traffic accident in 2003. I had talked to her that morning on the phone and told her I loved her; that afternoon, I got the call that she had gone to be with Jesus. The only way to make the most of the situation was to “get busy” creating a memory for her, so I headed an effort by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors to build the Susan Toler Sullivan Habitat for Humanity house. It was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and we provided a home for a family. I knew she was smiling down from Heaven that day. When I found out about Food For Thought Outreach’s backpack program to help children with “food anxiety”
(not having readily available meals at home on the weekends) in this affluent county, I got very involved through our church, and we helped the program get off the ground several years ago. Food For Thought’s founder, Tiffany Shelton, was operating out of a temporary building at the time, and she has come such a long way with the help of our community! I still support this very worthwhile cause.
MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCE WAS RAISING THE MOST MONEY TO BE CROWNED PROM QUEEN OF THE SEASIDE REP THEATER PROM IN 2012. The arts are an important part of our community and Sinfonia Gulf Coast is also very close to my heart. I always support its Musicians in the Schools program through sponsoring the annual Wine Women and Shoes events. My son-in-law, who is a musician, was the guest conductor for the Alys Beach Memorial Day concert. The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County is another organization I’m happy to support. We’ve done South Walton Fashion Week photo
booths and had residences on the Valentine Tour of Homes circuit, among other things. VIE: What’s one of your top properties on the market right now? LM: There is a 150-foot Gulf-front lot near Gulf Place that’s just begging for a dream house. It is the largest parcel available to buy on Scenic Highway 30-A, with over an acre for $7,650,000. In Rosemary Beach, 267 West Water Street is a beautiful home that produces almost $300,000 in rental income per year. There are so many wonderful properties on the market in this area, and with market values increasing each year, there really couldn’t be a better time to invest in a home away from home or a new permanent residence by our beautiful beaches. VIE: Lastly, where can we get one of those couches? LM: Sadly, I don’t think they are available any longer, but if you find one, I need a new one—mine has many miles and many smiles on it!
LINDAMILLERLUXURY.COM V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 159
Louis Louis is the sister restaurant of Picolo's restaurant and the Red Bar in Grayton beach.
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THE LAST TYCOON Amazon Studios celebrated the Amazon Prime Video premiere of its new original series The Last Tycoon on July 27, 2017, at the Harmony Gold Preview House in Los Angeles. This adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s unfinished final novel is set in 1930s Hollywood, an era darkened by the Great Depression and the growing influence of Hitler overseas. Photography by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for Amazon Studios
The Last Tycoon stars Kelsey Grammer and Matt Bomer 162 | OCTOBE R 2017
Dominique McElligott, Kelsey Grammer, Lily Collins, and Matt Bomer
Ellen Pompeo
Lea Michele
Lea Michele, Ashley Madekwe, and Katharine McPhee
Kelsey Grammer and Greer Grammer
Jaime King
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 163
La scène
Donna Karan with grandchildren Sebastian and Stefania de Felice (and furry friend!)
Kelly Ripa
THE TWENTIETH ANNUAL SUPER SATURDAY On July 29, 2017, Donna Karan, Kelly Ripa, Gabby Karan de Felice, Rachel Zoe, and Molly Sims hosted Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance’s (OCRFA) 20th Annual Super Saturday. This day-long, guilt-free charity shopping event—complete with designer items, kids’ carnival and activities, and gourmet treats—is one of the most fashionable and successful annual fund-raising events in the Hamptons. This year’s Super Saturday raised over $3 million to benefit OCRFA with sales from Alice + Olivia, Bonpoint, Urban Zen, Brooks Brothers, Carolina Herrera New York, DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, French Connection, Sigerson Morrison, Theory, and many more. Photography by Mike Pont /Getty Images for OCRFA
Scott Stuber and Molly Sims with children Brooks Alan and Scarlett May Stuber
164 | OCTOBE R 2017
Eboni Williams
Rachel Zoe with husband Rodger Berman and sons Kaius and Skyler
Brooke Shields
Models from AMAX Talent make up designer Andrew Clancey’s “glitterati” as he debuts the new collection from his label, Any Old Iron.
VIE founder/editorin-chief Lisa Burwell with performers Emma Crowley and Bailey Trahant
VIE MAGAZINE'S NASHVILLE MEET & GREET
Alaqua Animal Refuge founder Laurie Hood
VIE’s 2017 Stories with Heart and Soul Tour hit Music City to celebrate the September issue’s travel spotlight on Nashville. The event, held at The Listening Room Cafe on July 27, included fund-raising efforts to aid Alaqua Animal Refuge of Freeport, Florida, where a new hundred-acre facility will feature space for over 350 animals, an arena for equine therapy that doubles as an event venue, educational workshops, and more. Performances by Ashley and Shannon Campbell, Billy Dawson, Stephen Ellrod, Scott Crompton, and more helped make the evening a huge success. Over $19,000 was raised for Alaqua, thanks to auction and raffle items from Annie Parker Jewelry, Graceful Rebel, KREWE, Caliza Restaurant, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, and more. Photography by Rinn Garlanger
Billy Dawson performs.
Flip-sequin jackets by Any Old Iron
Ashley Campbell performs music from her debut album.
VIE art director Tracey Thomas and designer Andrew Clancey
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 165
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The whimsical campaign showcasing designer Eric Brand’s new collection, Juniper, has us jumping for joy! The handcrafted collection—named for the coniferous tree common to the San Francisco Bay region where the furniture is created—is Brand’s first directto-consumer line. The pieces are inspired by the movement, strength, and beauty of the human body, with organic lines and specialty materials. That inspiration is reflected in the campaign: models dance, jump, climb, and recline with each Juniper collection piece. See more and shop now at LiveJuniper.com.
Juniper J17 side table, glass top with polished brass trim and base Photo by Giant Propeller/ Sebastien Micke
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