16 Feb Artful retreat
If you can imagine, a sixties style ranch house with a beauty shop in back used to stand in the spot where this modern dwelling is now situated. It’s a very desirable neighborhood near Montgomery Bell Academy in West Nashville.
Today there are two very similar homes on this long narrow piece of property, but it was far different when Joe Rowland jogged by many years ago. He knew it was a great location and knew he wanted to buy it. He was patient and waited til the homeowner was willing to sell her house. Rowland wanted to develop the property with two units and the ideal situation presented itself when he met the architect who had a similar vision. Price Harrison designed and managed the project and the houses have very similar footprints.
Rowland’s retreat is full of light and the perfect size for a single man who works alot and enjoys traveling. Designer David White worked with Joe on the interior space. It has a large living room with a dining area and great built-in cabinetry, a guest suite downstairs along with a huge master suite on the second floor and a fabulous pool. But I’ll get to that in a minute. First the main living space and the art! Rowland has collected so many pieces in his travels.
This painting of colorful balls reflecting in a pool of water is by John Gibson. Joe spotted it in a San Francisco gallery and loved it. What’s ironic is that he had torn a page out of Architectural Digest of a painting by Gibson but didn’t realize that til later, so it was meant to be.
Local Nashville artist Kit Reuther is another favorite of the homeowner’s. The one below with muted colors features grapes. But there’s so much more going on in this piece filled with light.
For a house that has mostly white walls and a white exterior, l love the unexpected pop of color on this wall in his foyer, again with more interesting pieces that he’s collected. You’ll notice the use of some color on specific walls that provides a more dramatic background for the art.
The piece over Rowland’s fireplace is by Alexander Calder, a mid century American modern artist. Joe owns three Calders.
In the master suite, an accent wall behind the bed gives the room alot of pizazz and highlights the objects he’s collected in the built in shelves.
In his master bath, over the tub, is a piece of art he bought off the street in Rio.
Isn’t she lovely, and doesn’t she transport you to a far away beach???
Notice the treetops through the window that brings the outside into his spa like bathroom. And the darker wood accent just across the two sides is a nice touch.
Back downstairs on his living room coffee table is a whimsical object I had to know more about.
These acrobatic musicians on strings represent real life performers in Mexico that do this very thing. He bought it in San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-era city in Mexico’s central highlands. He found it in front of the neo-Gothic church Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, whose dramatic towers rise above the main plaza, El Jardin.
I happened to be visiting a friend who has a home there with my Nashville girlfriend Beth Molteni and we got together with Joe who was also vacationing there. We were invited to a party hosted by another Nashvillian and had our picture taken. It was a gorgeous and memorable night in this magical city.
Ahhh, memories.
That’s what I love about traveling. Finding small treasures to place around my house that always remind me of the adventure I had. I’m sure that’s how you feel too as you look at art and other things you’ve found in your travels.
I purchased a small rug in a market while on this trip. It adds alot of color to our pantry.
And I’ll always treasure a necklace I bought ten years ago from the place where Virgins, Saints and Angels jewelry was made.
My dear friend Kim Collins has a vacation home there so she’s introduced me to so much culture and beauty in this special city.
I’m so fortunate to have friends that are willing to share their getaways with me. And friends with pools. Like Joe.
Now if only they would invite me over for a dip this summer…but in the meantime, I’ll enjoy the view. Thanks to Joe for having us over for some great cocktail parties and for sharing his cool home with Stylish Retreats.
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