12 Oct Mid century modern meets French on the water.
My husband and I were invited to a birthday party last year at a friend’s home on Lake Wilson in Florence, Alabama. I remembered the house being quite beautiful but in the light of day on a rare crisp October morning, it was even more stunning. I felt like I was at a waterfront resort as I looked out the living room windows.
This is Teena Tucker’s home, a mid century modern house that was built in the 1950’s. It was designed by well known local architect, Malcolm “Max” Smith who did a very avant garde style home. Teena purchased the house three years ago, and her love of all things french can be seen throughout.
The living room, dining area, and kitchen are open to one another. Rich, neutral fabrics fill the space, and many pieces tell a story, like the white pelican on the coffee table.
The bird was passed along by the original owner. It’s quite a fitting piece considering the fact that white pelicans migrate to this area in February and March each year, adding sparkle to the water during rather grey months.
The house reflects its owner’s passion for nesting. It is both comfortable and elegant with paintings from french inspired artists, including Robin Parker out of Little Rock, Arkansas where Teena lived for years. This was one of my personal favorites.
And other artist’s work adds bold color and joy to the home.
This fabulous painting by Marigail Mathis of Florence, Alabama greets guests at the front door, along with a ceramic bowl of fruit Teena found at one of her favorite haunts, “Antiques on Holiday,” in Destin, Florida.
Much of the furniture and accessories came from Teena’s sister’s former home store in Florence, called Halsey House. Other favorites of Teena’s are Birmingham Wholesale and Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta.
There’s a soothing quality to the house, especially on the main floor with the light and views of the water, but then there’s the lower level where you discover Teena’s other passion.
Yes, she’s a polo enthusiast, and besides playing, she manages the Blue Water Creek Polo Club, started by her family back in the 1980’s. At 85 years old, her father is the oldest polo player in the world, according to the Guiness Book of World Records. Three generations of the family play polo.
It’s such a handsome look in her downstairs den and guest bedroom.
This is a woman with many interests, and athletic ability. Teena takes advantage of her location on the water to kayak and recently started paddle boarding. Even her boat house is nice looking with the cupola.
My thanks to Teena for a fun Saturday morning visit and inspiration for when we get to rebuild our lake house that’s just a short boat ride away. It’s wonderful getting to know lake neighbors and seeing their special homes on the water.
Greg Phillips
Posted at 07:46h, 26 DecemberVery interesting piece on the house where I lived from my pre-teens until college. My parents commissioned Mr. Smith to design this house for them on land my father purchased in the early 1960’s. A few of their friends had done the same in previous years which resulted in Mr. Smith’s prolific work on Wilson Lake.
A bit of trivia about the design process involves my father’s own sense of design. Mr. Smith had a final proposal for a design, along with beautiful hand drawn perspectives of each elevation. I remember clearly that after much consideration of the proposal my father drew his own design that added the large waterfront deck among other changes.. I attended the meeting at which my father showed his drawing to Mr. Smith and said, “this is what I want”.
My father and mother had a wonderful working relationship with Malcolm Smith and had high regard for his talent. I am so pleased that their collaboration has withstood the test of time and is loved by the present owner. Thank you for the opportunity to relive some great memories through this story.