CENTER STAGE

By Sundi Rose • Photos by R. Caligaris

Built in 1961, this idyllic residence is situated in a quiet, central position in Green Island. The original floor plan included only two bedrooms with matching dressing suites, one guest room and servants’ chambers. It was renovated in 1999 to update the home to accommodate a modern family’s lifestyle, and then again in 2003 to make it an exceptional residence for the current generation of the family now residing there. Johnny Cargill implemented both phases of the renovations and Jack Jenkins, a local architect, designed renovations to match seamlessly with the original material and feel of the house. Johnny also reworked the exterior entrance to create a more timeless feel with hopes of moving away from the dated style of the original architecture. However, the home still retains a good bit of its original charm. Original hand-colored botanical plates by George Cooke hang over the family piano and are part of a larger collection hanging throughout the house, while the framed linen ensign hanging above the mantle was presented to a Welsh family member upon discharge from service by the Women’s Royal Navy during WWII. The home’s close ties to its past are evidenced inside and out. The screened porch off of the master bedroom overlooks a rose garden originally planted by the homebuilders. Four generations later, it is still going strong after a recent renovation by Lee and John Swift and maintained now by Gil Cargill Landscaping. Originally planted with hybrid tea roses, it now features a collection of English roses and other perennials for a more relaxed “cottage” garden feeling. svm

The rug in the exquisite living room is white wool from the Floor Studio and the curtains are silk fabric from Carleton V designed by Ashley’s Interiors. The eight-foot windows offer a view of the river and flank the raspberry chenille sofa. The room also contains antique French chairs from That Added Touch and a collection of antique intaglios purchased at Columbus Museum’s Antique Show.

Scalamandre printed silk slipper chairs adorn the original marble fireplace in the formal living room. The tufted citrus silk ottoman adds a punch of color as does the Jill Stenhuis painting above the mantel.

The marble-topped demilune chest sits under an antique French mirror from That Added Touch and the entrance walls are Sutcliffe Green by Farrow & Ball. The beautifully arranged orchids are from Betsy Illges.

The soothing natural themes continue into the dining room, which has three 8-foot windows overlooking the property and river and a rock outcropping. The table and buffet are family pieces and the antique Tabriz carpet is from Antique Rugs in Montgomery, AL. The antique chandelier was a gift to the original homeowners from their daughter and the oil pastel by noted artist Leon Danchin is of a lapdog eyeing a pair of bees, giving the room the right balance of elegance and personality.

This cozy bath features a vanity made from an antique walnut chest with plumbing fixtures from E&E and installation by Lovelace Plumbing. Antique wooden bracket light fixtures with brown silk shades provide the most flattering light for the space while the charming antique cane ladder serves as a towel rack. The whimsical wall coverings are by Schumacher.

This is any little girl’s fantasy room and once served as the homeowner’s own bedroom as a child. It was originally a guest room when the house was built, but has since turned into a dream space. Fabric is by F. Schumacher; wallpaper by Waterhouse. Vintage French bed from Frederica Antiques. All draperies and bed treatments by Mary Miranda.