The Artful Home on the Hills of Park Drive

NNestled among a grove of trees atop a hill on Park Drive in Oxford, Mississippi, stands a hidden gem of architectural and design excellence. Constructed in 2016 by Lloyd and Missy Hewitt, with the artistic touch of architect Tim Taylor from Jackson, MS, this home has been transformed into a serene oasis by its current owners, Clarence and Jane Chapman. The journey begins with the

Stepping through the front door reveals a meticulously curated interior that balances modern luxury with timeless charm. Clarence and Jane’s vision for their home was clear: they wanted a exterior, where the house seamlessly stands out among its natural surroundings. The architecture, characterized by clean lines and expansive windows, invites the outdoors in, creating a harmonious connection between the interior and the lush greenery outside. It’s a design philosophy that emphasizes fluidity and tranquility, setting the tone for what lies within. Clarence and had lived in the convenience of downtown Oxford but both were seeking more green space and trees. space that not only reflected their personalities but also celebrated the beauty of nature that surrounds them.

One of the most striking features of the home is its back porch, a sanctuary where the boundary between indoors and outdoors dissolves. Almost every room spills onto this outdoor space, creating a seamless transition that amplifies the feeling of being enveloped in a peaceful forest. Here, homeowner Jane Thomas Chapman has orchestrated a symphony of design elements that blend seamlessly with the natural environment. The furniture, not limited to outdoor pieces, brings the comfort of the indoors outside, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and contemplation. She has created an outdoor retreat with indoor elegance.

The interior design narrative unfolds with a delicate balance of old and new. Jane’s keen eye for detail is evident in every corner, part of the charm when purchasing the home was the details of the reclaimed white and red Oak floors that echo the natural surroundings to the Cypress wood interior doors that add warmth and character to the space. Jane’s blend of antiques with modern elements creates a curated aesthetic that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Color plays a pivotal role in defining different areas of the home. Upon acquiring their home,

The interior design narrative unfolds with a delicate balance of old and new. Jane’s keen eye for detail is evident in every corner, part of the charm when purchasing the home was the details of the reclaimed white and red Oak floors that echo the natural surroundings to the Cypress wood interior doors that add warmth and character to the space.

Clarence and Jane found its predominantly white palette charming yet in need of a vibrant touch. Enter Sarah Smythe from Lainappe Interiors of Oxford, a visionary in blending colors and textures. Collaborating on the study/sitting room adjacent to their master suite, Sarah introduced Benjamin Moore’s Jamestown Blue in a high gloss finish—a subtle yet daring departure from the monochrome. Complementing this choice, Sarah meticulously curated monochromatic drapes with a complimenting tape, enhancing the room’s cohesion and elegance. Her adept blend of hues and materials breathed new life into the space, transforming it into a captivating retreat. The monochromatic drapes streamline the room, accentuating the cypress doors and highlighting a stunning

Salvador Dali print, which serves as a captivating focal point. Jane infused pizazz into two more spaces: the wet bar, adorned with an array of family photos, and the powder room. Both areas feature vibrant wallpaper, injecting a burst of color that beautifully contrasts with the serene white walls.

Carefully curated artwork graces every wall, infusing the home with personality and visual intrigue. Among these treasures, a standout is the Marie Hull painting adorning the family room’s fireplace. This piece not only celebrates Mississippi’s rich artistic heritage but also injects vibrant colors into the room, transforming what was once a neutral space into a captivating showcase of artistry. All of Jane’s artwork tells a story, contributing to the overall narrative of the home as a space that celebrates art, history, and culture.

Like most houses, the heart of the home lies in the kitchen. The interplay of cream cabinets with glass fronts not only creates a visual feast but also allows for treasured items to be displayed like works of art. Subtle hints of the Cypress wood within the cabinets add a touch of natural elegance to the space, enhancing its overall charm and appeal. The open floor plan is a perfect flow into dining, living, and outdoor aesthetic. During the Covid lockdown, Jane took the opportunity to make subtle yet impactful changes to the home. She said it was nice having something to do. Updating every light fixture throughout the house added a touch of modernity and sophistication, enhancing the overall ambiance. These thoughtful updates reflect Clarence and Jane’s commitment to creating a space that evolves with their lifestyle while retaining its timeless appeal.

The upstairs guest suites, including a separate mother-inlaw suite with a self-contained den, kitchen and bedroom, offer private retreats for family and friends. Each room is thoughtfully designed, blending comfort with elegance, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and pampered with total privacy.

In essence, this home on Park Drive is not just a physical space but a reflection of Clarence and Jane’s journey, values, and passions. It’s a testament to the power of design to transform a house into a home, a place where every corner tells a story and every detail evokes a sense of beauty and serenity.

As a designer, it’s a delight to collaborate with clients, like Jane, who possess an exceptional eye and a strong sense of design. Acting as more of an editor and guide to a homeowner is particularly special, resulting in completed projects that authentically reflect the individual’s distinctive style. Jane Thomas Chapman’s home stands as a testament to her innate design talent, showcasing a style curated by Jane herself. The execution is exquisite, making it a true joy to behold and a testament to her exceptional eye for design.

As we wander through the rooms, admiring the interplay of light and shadow, the textures and colors, we are reminded of the magic that happens when design and nature coalesce. It’s a reminder that amid the chaos of the world, there are spaces like this, where time stands still, and every moment is a celebration of life’s simple joys.

In conclusion, this home on Park Drive is more than just an oasis; it’s a testament to the transformative power of design and the enduring beauty of nature. It’s a space where dreams are nurtured, memories are made, and lives are lived to the fullest.

WWhen she moved to Oxford in the late-1980’s, Wendy Jean Garrison said she really didn’t know anything about playing ‘bottleneck’ slide guitar - a style often found in blues music.

It wasn’t until connecting with Walter Liniger, an acclaimed scholar and lecturer on the blues genre, and a student of slide guitar.

In 1984, Liniger received a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission to have an apprenticeship with Delta blues great James “Son” Thomas, and spent seven years playing alongside him at festivals as well as participating together in music education programs.

Liniger got Garrison going to all of the local blues festivals, including one at Rust College in Holly Springs, MS, which featured a number of the great Hill Country Blues musicians. She recalled that it was a time when a younger generation of North Mississippians were beginning to take a greater interest.

“So I just started listening and trying to play,” said Garrison. “I was always trying to get people together, and learning any which way I could.”

Many who play slide guitar prefer to use open tunings, and Garrison is among them - and she particularly prefers the open E tuning.

Open E is considered courageous to some slide players, because it involves tightening half the strings on the guitar, which risks the brief terror of popping one in the process - depending on the natural tension of the neck.

Others prefer dropping a few strings to make open G or D tunings - also ideal for slide, but with looser overall tension than open E, and less chance of breakage.

“A lot of people don’t like to tune to E. They’ll tune to D and ‘capo’ it up to E. I just crank the thing up,” she said, with a laugh. “It’s not really great for the guitar, but…”

Aside from having an illustrious history of local live shows - in some cases at bygone venues, such as Blind Jim’s, which was located where Summit Lodge Bar is now, above Venice KitchenGarrison is more devoted to returning the musical guidance she’s been fortunate enough to receive.

Although she spent decades playing the local bars on the Square, with bands like High Watermark, Bad Luck & Trouble, and most enduringly the allfemale group Maybelle’s Lovers, her passion increasingly lies with education and mentoring.

Much of Garrison’s recent work has been in connection with the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC), an organization which carries out and funds grassroots public humanities programs, a lot of which encourage creative development on a middle and high school level.

Garrison proudly holds a spot on the MHC Speaker’s Bureau, which is a collective of Mississippi’s finest storytellers and writers, covering a vast array of topics including music.

In partnership with local actress Rebecca Jernigan, she put together a retelling of the story of Delta blues singer-songwriter/guitarist Robert Johnson, who legend has it, sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for profound musical ability.

Jernigan tells the story and acts out parts while Garrison accompanies with instrumental guitar.

Most recently, the pair performed “The Legend of Robert Johnson” for This Is Noteworthy (TIN), another non-profit organization aimed at fostering creativity in the community, based in Water Valley, MS.

“It was such a great audience,” said Garrison.

“And with good questions.”

She also visits Boys & Girls Clubs and local public schools, including in Como, MS, which has a rich history in the blues.

Garrison got the idea from fellow musician and collaborator Andrea Staten to bring along a “travel guitar,” which allows her to put it in the hands of the kids.

“They loved it,” she said. “People at that age, they’re so interested in anything, and they just wanna do it, and just can’t wait to get their hands on it.”

Garrison said the children love to feel what it’s like to play the slide, and they’ll all line up just to play for a few minutes.

Just Keeping It Simple

Aside from playing guitar in an open E tuning, which Garrison finds easier than standard tuning, because “everything’s where you expect it to be,” she also uses a steel socket wrench for a slide.

Although she loves the classic Fender Blues Deluxe amplifier, Garrison opts for a much smaller and portable Roland Acoustic-90 for most engagements.

“I mean, I like a tube amp but it really isn’t practical for me to take her out to gigs,” she said, with a chuckle, explaining that the big amp is only used for certain occasions.

In 2021, Garrison began recording a handful of original solo instrumental songs, produced at a studio on campus by music professor, and director of percussion studies at U of M, Ricky Burkhead. Burkhead also guided her in releasing music online, and she’s become astounded at its vast reach through platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok.

“It’s wild,” she said, about first seeing her music used for homegrown videos by strangers on the hugely popular application TikTok.

Garrison also said she loves making her own videos, although she prefers the Instagram app. “The music is out there, for somebody who wants to listen to it.”

She credits some encouraging songwriting engagements over the past few years, including a weeklong workshop in Nashville, for her growing enthusiasm for the craft.

Although her beloved husband, Dr. Richard “Rich” Raspet passed away in March, Garrison feels that she may be ready to continue sharing her music by summertime, after a healthy hiatus.

Also, in light of losing Como bluesman R.L. Boyce and international blues ambassador Bill “Howl-NMadd” Perry in 2023 - both role-models to Garrison - she feels a renewed drive to mentor others.

“I’d like to help pass this on, and to keep playing myself. That's the one thing I'm really interested in.”

ARTS & CULTURE