Excitement Is In The Air As We Prepare For My Fabric Photoshoot

We have been scouting locations for a photo shoot for my new fabric line that will hit the market the first of January but in my heart there was really only one place that would do. We paid a visit today with the Governor’s representative and discussed the possibilities. Not only does it thrill me to simply walk the grounds but tears fill my eyes as I remember the kindness of Mr. Red Blount. He made his fortunes the old fashion way- hard, hard work and long hours. Then he spent his latter years giving back. And, oh, how he gave. Without this precious man there would be no Shakespeare Theater in Montgomery. The Montgomery Museum of Art certainly would not be what it is today. There would be no Blount Park and now the state is the guardian of the incredible home, conservatory and chapel that Mr. and Mrs. Blount built and their children donated for the State’s use.

As you drive onto the estate you cross this charming bridge/

Looking to your right you see this lovely bridge.

The trees still had some pretty color.

There were no trees at all on this property when the Blounts bought it. Don’t you love people with vision?

Just being on the property made me happy.

From the motor court you walk down a couple of steps into a formal garden.

And then… the pièce de résistance…. the conservatory

Be still my soul.

Bobby McAlpine, you out did yourself. Josh Moates of Kim Box Photography tells me the light in there is amazing.

Then you walk inside… and lose your breath.

David Braly did some amazing work also in the painting of the walls in the stair hall.

The pool and pool house are beyond the conservatory.

I really hope we can make this work. I can’t quite figure it out in my head yet but I have some talented friends that I am sure will help me.

Thank you Blount family for making my city beautiful. We appreciate you.

If you would like to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

Kudos!

Congratulations are in order for  my friends Greg Tankersley and John Sease whose architectural firm,  

McAlpine Tankersley,

was named to Architectural Digest’s AD100 list.

“First published in 1990, the AD100 is known as “the list that Matters,” and features an international fellowship of trailblazers and standard bearers whose work is imaginative, intelligent and inspiring.”

What an incredible honor.

Pictured here are architects  Chris Tippett, Greg Tankersley and John Sease with Architectural Digest’s Margaret Russell.

The party was held at the Guggenheim Museum and included an A-list in the world of design.

Among those in the design world honored were: Martha Stewart, White House decorator Michael Smith, and architect, author and dean of the Yale School of Architecture Robert A.M. Stern, whose firm boasts the George W. Bush Presidential Center as one of its latest projects.

According to Deborah Hayes Moore in Southern Hospitality: “Other design world luminaries in attendance included interior, garden and furniture designer and author Bunny Williams; Martyn Lawrence Bullard, a favorite interior designer to Elton John, Cher and Sharon and Ozzy Osborne; and Mario Buatta, a fixture in the world of residential design, who was long known as the “Prince of Chintz.” Observing his 50th year in business in 2011, Buatta is developing something akin to a Southern drawl as he works on several current projects in Alabama, South Carolina, Texas and Florida.”

Pictured with Greg is his equally talented wife and fellow architect Mary Robin Jurkiewicz. They are standing in front of one of the white custom columns that bore the names of the honorees. (I’m sorry this picture is so grainey. The original was so small you couldn’t see it.)

 I am so excited for y’all and so happy that once again the spotlight shines on some of the talented folks that

Auburn’s design schools produce every year.

Well deserved.

And if you would like to say,”That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

 

House Tours

The only thing that makes a weekend at the lake more perfect than normal is the opportunity to visit Bobby McAlpine’s newly finished private residence. From the massive black planters filled with boxwood balls out front to the mirror frames constructed from corrugated cardboard (that’s right) each room offered something that made you stop and reflect.

I loved this not so kid friendly table in the entry hall. The top was formed by layers of black river rock; An orchid  in front of the black art photo the only pop of “color”.

I don’t know who had the patience to make this mirror but I have to tell you that the chair I had to make in school out of corrugated cardboard looked NOTHING like this. LOL

Thanks for sharing Bobby.

 Auburn turns out some fine designers.

And if you want to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at www.cindybarganier.com