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09-30-2023 10:43 AM
Birmingham, Alabama artist Patty B. Driscoll's house was hit by lightning while her family attended her daughter's Christmas concert, and the resulting fire devastated the structure and furnishings. They have been gradually bringing back the graceful Tudor Revival.
Patty B. says that the entry was almost untouched-- the historic banister, arches and doors all survived. She did the flower painting over the settee. She loves the icy lavender wall color here-- it looks whitish on my monitor, but is lavender.
She shows her grandmother's bench, which was "crunched" by firemen during the blaze. Looks good now!
The living room has been a work in progress. You hardly ever get to see distinctive Knole sofas (with the little spires at the corners) in the U.S. Very appropriate in an English Tudor!
Patty B. is an extraordinary artist-- a painter, weaver, sculptor. She uses part of the huge, 30 by 20 living room as a studio for her hardware designs. Here, behind the couch, a table of her doorknockers, knobs and handles. It doesn't seem out of place at all.
Patty did this poignantly unfinished portrait in her youth of a boy during an Ethiopian famine. Love her eclectic combination of all different art. The gilt frames on mantel are awaiting still lifes-- ones that she has done, I expect.
One of the sinuous metal handles she designs...
Inviting bay window...
This sunroom is in constant use.
It opens up to the herb garden.
The den is ultra cozy, with rich jewel tones.
Her horse painting is by a favorite 20th century artist, and echoes the horse sculpture in previous image. A textile maker herself, she collects global weavings, and a Peruvian one is thrown over the antique chair, for more textural richness.
The oval dining room has a custom Gracie wallpaper. Those Gothic arches throughout the house are so beguiling.
When Homeworthy was filming the video, Patty B. was planning a family celebration, and trying out linens and silver on the table. She has the southerner's appreciation of antique porcelains, silver and all manner of table wares. There isn't room to post all the glories of her cupboards!
Oh, boy, that heirloom silver punch bowl!!!
She always felt that the gilding on this exquisite mirror was too bright, but the fire solved that-- gave it this smoky, more muted patina!
The fire gave her a reason to try for a brighter, more functional kitchen.
She admitted to her weakness for silver, like these napkin rings. That flatware pattern, that looks like Royal Danish by Gorham????
Clearly, the art moves around-- the rose painting she had in the entry is now here... Love the substantive, paneled doors in the house.
I love that she has the artist's eye for the quirky. She identified this as a pottery pineapple she had found in Mexico, a beloved piece.
There was a conventional pool in the yard, with lots of surrounding concrete, but she had it reduced in size, and retrieved more land for planting around it. Now it feels more like a calm reflecting pool, more integrated into the garden.
I could go bonkers, posting more and more pictures from this vibrant house -- I love that it has come back, and that the homeowners have made it a kind of evolving laboratory for the way they like to live.
09-30-2023 11:42 AM
@Oznell Exquisite. Thanks for sharing.
09-30-2023 12:10 PM
@Oznell I much prefer your summary view to the over-long video. I've tried watching then with the sound off, but they are too boring, even when I like the house. So, thank you for your posts like this.
09-30-2023 12:58 PM
Unbelievable and gorgeous restoration and home to live in. Awesome! ![]()
09-30-2023 01:19 PM
Wow, you'd never know there was a fire. Great job!
09-30-2023 05:21 PM
There is so much to see here. I love her aesthetic.
The dining room with the gorgeous chandelier, lovely mirror, gleaming dark floor, eye catching wallpaper and amazing ceiling is my favorite although it's impossible to choose.
The entry is beautiful, I love everything especially the floor, the settee, pillows and the arch.
The portrait of the young Ethiopian boy is mesmerizing.
The white paisley fabric chairs in the living room caught my eye. I have never heard of Knole sofas so once again I have learned something new from you @Oznell
The pristine white kitchen is my dream kitchen - I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you so much @Oznell
09-30-2023 05:27 PM
@Oznell I love this gorgeous house , the furnishings, colors and decor. It would be very comfortable to live here, so lovely.
I love the garden cats by the pool.
09-30-2023 05:45 PM - edited 09-30-2023 05:46 PM
Lovely home, inside and out, though I'd personally choose not to hang some of the art she's chosen and I see a couple of tables that would go out the door. I'd also do a bit more with the kitchen. The exterior to the left of the front door as one looks at the pictures seems to be lacking something; perhaps it's foundation plantings, perhaps something else. I dont' know, but I do know that bench seems dwarfed there and that area looks somewhat barren. The pool area is lovely as are the felines.
09-30-2023 09:44 PM
What a beautiful home! I love all of the rooms and beautiful door ways. Her choice of colors are soothing and lead you from room to room.
I love all of the furniture except the seemingly modern coffee tables. They could have an antique French Country or something similar; so much thought was given to the other furnishings.
Love the beautiful refreshing dinning room and the kitchen.
10-01-2023 12:04 AM - edited 10-01-2023 12:06 AM
Wow, so pretty. Gotta love a tudor.
On the Inside, I especially like the dark walls and trim in the sunroom and the kitchen is lovely. Outside, the pool is gorgeous.
That sinuous metal handle she's showcasing is beautiful. I also really like the architecture, doorway arches and front door.
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