80 Valley Road on the Buckhead in Bloom Home Tour

Blayne Beacham April 6, 2010

Last week my friend Rodolfo Castro let me know about the Buckhead in Bloom Home Tour, put on by the Atlanta Preservation Center. It takes place on Sunday, April 11th from Noon-5pm (the website says it was last weekend, but it just hasn't been updated). Check out Helen Young’s blog Whitehaven for more information.

You can buy tickets the day of the event at the first stop, 205 West Paces ferry Road.

This year one of our best listings is on the tour, 80 Valley Road. This graceful Southern estate is listed by Glennis Beacham. Clem Ford designed it, and it sits on more than 4 acres. Don't miss this once in a lifetime chance to tour the inside and the gardens of the home...

Check out some of the highlights:

Photo of the side hallway to the elegant curved staircase and foyer.

Detail shot of the foyer, right when you walk in the front door.

And the shot up the stairs...

Large formal dining room.

Detail shot in the Dining room. Photo by Rod Collins.

And a mirror shot. isn't this gorgeous?

Here is the formal living room.

Fireplace in living room.

Here is the other side of the room...

And here is a detail shot from the formal living room into the dining room.

And this is the chandelier at the top of the shot.

Hallway from the foyer to the main level office. This is the opposite view from the first hallway picture I showed.

Here is the half bath on the way to the office. Isn't this fancy!

And a little shot of what's on the vanity...

Here is the office with fireplace.

And the fireplace detail...

The formal living room, which spans the back of the home, opens to the grand back porch.

Since it’s on the Buckhead in Bloom tour, the gardens must be fantastic, and they are!

The porch overlooks the flat manicured back yard and aviary. Can you See the aviary? It's to the right. Can you imagine a better place to spend a lazy afternoon? I can't... but there's more!

This is a fountain between the back lawn and the pool.

And the pool, of course!

There is an elevated private garden with quaint wood fence and fountain just off the main lawn.

These photos came from that private garden, but to see the secret garden yourself, you will need to go on the tour!

See you Sunday?

Thanks again to Rodolfo for spreading the word about the tour!

Blayne

P.S. Right now I am in Birmingham getting "The Beacham Series" printed. I am working on a shot by shot explanation of how we get the magazine from the computer on to paper. It is very cool, so come back soon.

Pringle and Smith + John Oetgen + Mason Murer Fine Art

Blayne Beacham January 22, 2010

The Perfect Storm!

This classic Ansley Park home is truly unique. It was recently listed by Sally George of Beacham & Company, REALTORS. Click here to see the listing. It was built in 1928 and designed by the powerful architectural team of Francis Palmer Smith (1886-1971) and Robert S. Pringle (1883-1937), who are responsible for such classic Atlanta landmarks as...

Photo Source the Rhodes-Haverty Building (Atlanta's tallest skyscraper until 1954) ...

Photo Source The William Oliver Building (Atlanta's first Art Deco skyscraper),

Photo Source and the W.W. Orr Doctor's Building (an Atlanta skyscraper at eleven floors)

To read more about this pair and how the helped shape the Atlanta skyline, read this article on the Georgia Encyclopedia

Note: I could not find too much information about Pringle and Smith via Google. I know that there are stores of information out there, but I can't find them! If you know where they are could you point me in that direction?

So, back to the house that's the focus of this post.

211 The Prado Year Built: 1928 Architects: Pringle & Smith Interior Design: John Oetgen

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Full, 1 Half

The first time I went to the house was this summer to shoot it for "The Beacham Series" Fall 2009 edition.

I knew then that John Oetgen was the designer, but he had not finished. Since I walked into a work in progress, I was less concerned with the design and more focused on the architecture. The owner told me about how thy restored the home, and how many of the architecture details were original. Some are even signed and numbered on the back by the original construction team! (Things like that make me very excited). I was so impressed with the care they used in restoring it. The pictures I took for that shoot reflect my awe over the architecture. I am going to put up some larger pictures, so hopefully you can see the details.

This lines of this mantel are so clean and fabulous.

Look at that archway. I think this staircase looks a lot like some I have seen in Neel Reid homes. This one particularly (also listed by Sally George).

Study with one of the most beautifully carved mantels I have seen.

Porch framing Midtown views.

...

On Tuesday I went back to shoot the finished product. I was literally blown away. John Oetgen finished, and it is amazing. I think what makes it so amazing is the classic architecture juxtaposed with such modern design. The tension between those two creates something truly breathtaking. Just like icing on the cake, the homeowners have phenomenal art. YOU KNOW I LOVE GREAT ART! The homeowners are involved in Mason Murer Fine Art, and it looks to me like a lot of the art came from there, but I am not totally sure about that. (again, I would love more information about that) It's amazing anyway! Something about striking art placed within the context of classic architecture makes it even better. Get ready for an amazing tour. I know many of you like to know the floor plan, so I am going to try and show the photos and explain them in a way that demonstrates that.

Detail shot of the front door. Arch, which has been repeated in the window... low doorknob... no knocker. All things I love.

Foyer shot walking through the front door. Study is through the first door on the left. Stairs to upstairs through second arched doorway on the left. Kitchen through third doorway on left. Pantry area and keeping room behind the wall with the green painting. Living room through first doorway on the right, and the dining room is through the second doorway on the right.

Study. for those of you who want to see a transformation, scroll back up to the original study picture. Wow! Also, I know this artist! It's Steve Penley! In addition to flowers, presidents and a host of other items, Steve is famous for his scenes at UGA, especially the arch. We alumni love him.

Ok, here is the living room, which is across the hall from the study. There is a screened-in porch through the doors on the left. Again, scroll back up to the mantel in the before section, and look how much better it looks with the circular mirror.

Living room detail looking out the front of the house.

And here we are turned the other way... Do you know where you are now? (Don't forget to keep an eye on the molding)

And a detail shot. I am thinking this might be my favorite shot of this house, but I am not sure. (I have a few others I will mention as well).

This is a view from the living room into the dining room. You can see the keeping room just beyond on the right.

View from the keeping room.

And from this view you can see the doors, which are beautiful. They open to a patio with a huge fireplace.

So this is the view when you walk through the dining room. Isn't the color of these cabinets great. If you turned 90 degrees to the right you would see the keeping room...

Great fireplace, right?

And here is the kitchen. Love the subway tile and the hood. Obviously a place for some serious cooking, so sign me up. I am jealous of the cookbook storage. There is a laundry in that door to the right that you can just see...

Now we head upstairs...

So, I feel like this wallpaper was just an excellent choice. I mentioned earlier how fond (understatement) I was of this staircase. This wallpaper is so great because of the transition it created between the decor downstairs and up. To me, the downstairs is more refined and elegant, while the upstairs is just plain fun and fabulous (Carrie Bradshaw flashback).

So here we are in the upper foyer. Layout: room with fireplace and awesome red chair is to the left, room with the best ceiling I have ever seen (you'll see) is to the right. Master office/sitting room to my back right and master bedroom to my back left. Oh yea, that chandelier is... I am out of good words... beautiful, amazing, perfect... take your pick.

Here we are in the room with the best ceiling ever. No explanation needed.

And the detail shot... I actually love this both as a painting, and as a photograph of a painting. I like the detail in the radiator (I think that's what it is) and the window treatment.

Here is a little detail shot of the master office. It is actually a large room, but I took this so I could remember the rug. It is straps of leather that run horizontally, and they are held together with metal rods running through them vertically. Hope I didn't confuse you :)

And here we are in the master! Look at the walls! I can't even describe them, but I think they are some type of faux leather (I mean, I don't know, it might be real! or it might not even be leather at all... I'm just a photographer, what do I know?)

This is what you would have seen if you turned just a little to the right. Those mirrors almost seem nautical to me.

This quilt was behind my back when I took both of those pictures, but it was so beautiful I couldn't resist showing it.

This is the master bath looking into the master from the room with the awesome red chair (see below). This is my second picture in the running as possibly my favorite. I like the geometric pattern of the tile and the reflections in the surfaces. There is one more, so stay tuned!

Finally, the famed red chair. Was I right, or was I right? It's awesome! Of course, I like the rest of the room too.

This is a piece hanging behind the sofa. Does anyone know the artist? It is one of my top 10 favorites of all time. Not to be strange, but this is my third option for a favorite photograph. Ii it a little awkward when you take a picture of someone's art. The focus is supposed to be their art, not yours. I absolutely respect that, and would never try to claim any of the glory, but I do love the photograph. I love the way it is situated within the frame. I love how clear the dog is, but my very very favorite part is that you can see the rest of the room reflected. You can see the window on the left side of the piece, and then you see the light streaming in right above it. Sorry to get off track.

Here is the back of the home. The homeowner told me that where I was standing was actually part of the battlefield of Peachtree Battle. If I got this wrong I'm sorry. I think I remember his saying that!

There is a guesthouse to the right. You can just see the brick corner.

Here is a picture from the living room of the guest house. It is great too!

And finally we end back at the patio and the stately fireplace. I could sit there for hours.

I hope you all enjoyed the tour of this home. I'd love to stay and chat more, but I am going to an opening at Huff Harrington Fine Art tonight, and I am very excited. Did you know? They started a blog! I can't wait to start reading it! See you next week :)

-Blayne

Every perfect day should include Neel Reid!

Blayne Beacham January 19, 2010

Some days are perfect. The only come every so often, and usually when you least expect it.

This was one of those days!

I had to drive out to LaGrange to shoot a house. I was told the house was beautiful, but that was about it. I am one of those people who loves a good drive by myself, so I had already started on the right foot. a few miles before I reached LaGrange I realized I was famished. Now, you may not know this about me, but I am a barbecue nut!! Literally! I stopped at "Roger's Pit Cooked Bar-B-Que" for lunch. It was great BBQ, and they let me take pictures of the pit for this pet project I'm doing.

After eating my pulled pork sandwich I headed on to LaGrange to photograph an amazing Neel Reid house.

(By the way, while I was there I met the couple who owns the house. They are such wonderful people, and the wife is a writer. Of course I sent her to my blog, and she encouraged me to write more. I have always thought of myself as just a photographer, but thanks to her, I have started trying to write more. I am enjoying it, so thank you!)

First, a bit about Neel Reid:

Excerpt from the Prelude of "J. Neel Reid Architect: of Hertz, Reid & Adler and the Georgia School of Classicists" by William R. Mitchell, Jr.

"For Neel Reid ... we must think back seventy years and more, to another time -- of portye cocheres and sleeping porches, French doors and parterre gardens ... We must look back through the latticework of time into the 1920s and earlier ... when Hertz, Reid & Adler came into being during the revived classicism of the beaux arts ... We must envision an (always) ambitious, growing Atlanta ... this world that Neel Reid helped to build and to give form and style ... a genius who was first and foremost an artist and tastemaker ... Let us reacquaint ourselves with this champion of architecture, gardens, and interior decoration ... who helped establish architecture and landscape architecture as a profession in his region. And let us be aware that he and his partners ... founded a Georgia school of classicists ... and set lasting professional and aesthetic standards. We recall and celebrate these achievements, especially this legacy of the artistic leader and legendary hero of the Georgia school of classicists, Joseph Neel Reid."

- See the book

William Mitchell says it better than I ever could. Neel Reid was the father of the Georgia school of classicists. He was a master of his craft and left a tremendous mark on architecture in Georgia. I remember the first time I went in a Neel Reid house. It's a strange feeling... the homes transport you back to an earlier time. They are classic and perfectly proportioned. The homes are just as beautiful and functional today as they were when they were built. The true mark of a Neel Reid home is the interplay between the home and the gardens. There is no line, no boundary. The feed off of and lead into each other. Of this, he was truly the best.

And now, on to the house. Erin Yabroudy and Jim Warwick of Beacham & Company, REALTORS have it listed. 1002 Broad Street

This Georgian Revival home was built by Jean Clavin Farmer in 1922. It was designed by Neel Reid and built by Daniel Lumber Company.

View in through the front door. As expected, the gardens are visible through the study and out the French doors. The living room is to the left, and the dining room is to the right.

Living room with the two sets of French doors leading out to the sun porch.

Beautiful mantel detail from living room fireplace.

Beautiful light-filled sun porch. My back is to doors leading to the pool.

Detail shot in sun room.

Another view of the living room ... we turn right to go back into the main foyer...

So, here is a foyer view looking back into the living room. The Dining room is just to my left, and the study is to my back/right. (Don't miss those floors!)

View as you walk into the study at the back of the home.

This is a photo showcasing the built-ins, fireplace, and doors framing views of the back gardens.

Here is the view back through the foyer.

Dining room

Dining room fireplace detail.

and another...

This is the breakfast area, which would be just off the dining room, behind where I was standing on the overview photo of the dining room.

And the kitchen... If you had taken a right from where you were standing in the breakfast room, you would have opened into this kitchen. I could do some serious cooking in here!

These are some beautiful detail shots of the upper level Bedrooms.

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom detail.

Master bath into master bedroom.

These are photos of her dressing area.

This is a photo of the attic bedroom.

This is a view down the back staircase, which ends in the hallway between the study area and the breakfast room.

This home is featured in the book "Private Gardens of Georgia," by Polly McLeod Mattox. Right after I left this house I went down to the Hills and Dales estate down the street and bought this book for myself. It is amazing!

That's right, The Hills and Dales Estate is right down the street!

Here is some information on the estate from the website.

The Fuller E. Callaway family home was designed by the noted architectural firm of Hentz & Reid from Atlanta. Mr. Callaway commissioned Hal Hentz and Neel Reid in 1913 and the design was completed in 1914. The home was officially opened on June 15, 1916 when Fuller and Ida celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Hentz & Reid decided to locate the home on the site of the old Ferrell house which sat on the crest of the hill overlooking the garden and the surrounding countryside. Hentz & Reid were classically trained architects and drew their design inspiration from the Italianate character of the existing terraced boxwood garden. The Italian elements of the home were carefully blended with Georgian architectural details to create what Neel Reid called “Georgian Italian”. The use of stucco, Indiana limestone, and terra-cotta roof tiles for construction further accentuated the Italian villa look.

The 30-room home encompasses approximately 13,000 square feet of living space. Mr. Callaway hired Adair & Weinmeister to oversee construction. W.J. Clecker served as the building superintendent and his son Forrest D. Cleckler served as the timekeeper who kept track of numerous laborers who worked on the project. Mr. Callaway’s personal secretary, Ab Perry, handled correspondence and did most of the administrative work required to secure supplies and materials to build the home. Detailed records of the building process survive and provide much insight into the construction process. Construction was scheduled to begin in 1914, but was delayed due to the outbreak of WWI. Construction began in March of 1915 and the entire project was completed in 15 months at a total cost of approximately $125,000.

The exterior of the home has remained essentially unchanged since 1916. Hills and Dales is considered to be one of the finest homes designed by Hentz & Reid. The success of the project greatly advanced their careers and secured their reputation as one of the most important architectural firms in the Eastern United States. - Source

Please visit the website to learn more about this amazing house. They offer tours daily (I think). If you go, ask for Sue Ellen. She was so nice and gave me my very own tour of this magnificent estate! I think I may have overwhelmed her, because I was absolutely giddy!

These are not the best pictures I have ever taken, and you can only take pictures on the outside, but I know some of you (Terry!) will want to see them anyway...

After the amazing tour and photo ops at Hills and Dales, I headed back to Atlanta. Of course, I was hungry after a long day of work, so I stopped at Sprayberrys. A full day of Neel Reid and barbeque is about as good as it gets for me!

Flashes of Hope - Isabelle's Family

Blayne Beacham January 11, 2010

As many of you know, Flashes of Hope means so much to me! I went on my 26th birthday to take pictures of the most amazing children. It literally changed my life. The other day I got to my desk and found they had sent me this...

It sits right by my phone on my desk so I can see it every day.

After it came I looked to see if any of my photos were on their website... and they were!

I am so proud!

The thing about taking pictures for Flashes of Hope is this. Anytime I take a picture, I make a connection with the subject. I learn about it, and I feel like I know something about it, even if it's only for that split second. That happened with these children. it is so amazing to see them through a camera. For one second they are not sick... they are children. All their sickness is lifted, and for that moment they shine. it is an amazing thing to see.... The hard part is that I made a connection with each of these children, and that was it. I had to pack up my things and we all had to go back to our own lives. it's not fun. I had to go back and work on the photos for hours and hours, wondering all the time what was going on with the children.

I was especially taken with one child. Her name is Isabelle. I actually had her pictures ready before anyone else's. I adored her. She was so happy. She laughed and was all smiles. She got this little rattle and was playing with it. There was so much joy. Her dad was there with her. You could tell how close they were. He was watching her with these eyes brimming over with love and admiration. Isabelle was not shy. She was enjoying her time in the spotlight, and you could just tell what a happy child she was. When I photographed I thought, "this child is loved."

Isabelle is always in the back of my mind. I think about her every day. I always wonder how she is doing. Isabelle changed my life.

As you all know, I am not a writer.... I am a photographer. I hope these photos show how much love I felt for this child.

As if my prayers were answered, Isabelle's cousin contacted me through my giveaway.

I was so excited. I actually ran to show my boyfriend the comment. I couldn't even talk I was so excited. I said "flashes...you know the girl I love..." and he said "Isabelle?" and I threw the computer in his lap....

Then, Isabelle's mom left a comment on my Top 20 Photographs post.

My prayers were answered.

The problem is that I can't get back in touch with them.... If you are out there and reading this, please please send me an e-mail.

[email protected]

I want to send you more pictures!! I had a limit on what I could send. I really want to know about how she is doing...

ALSO, if anybody out there knows any of the children I photographed, can you please ask them to get in touch with me? I think about all the children every day. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I really connected with each and every child. Please send them my way. I really want to know how they are doing.

With the most joyful heart,

Blayne

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway

"Shutze Award" Winner 2008 - 981 Davis Drive

Blayne Beacham January 5, 2010

Photo by Rod Collins

Every year the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America hosts The Shutze Awards. They are named for Philip Trammell Shutze, "the Atlanta architect whose work is revered internationally as one of the twentieth century's most devoted Classicists. The award will recognize similar individuals who are contributing to the creation of twenty-first century classical and traditional architecture."

Glennis Beacham just listed the 2008 Shutze Award winner for Residential/Single Family - Over 10,000 Square Feet