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The rear garden of Dr. Cooley's residence.
Photo: Andrea Zucker
Memphis Magazine. |
Anyone doubting that Global Warming is upon us has not been to Memphis in the past few miserably hot summers. A swimming pool is a much-appreciated amenity in this climate, and a particularly refreshing pool is one feature of a house with six landscaped courtyards that is presented in the article "
Cool Oasis" by Anne Cunningham O'Neill in the October, 2012, issue of
Memphis Magazine. Although I am friends with the homeowner, John Tackett Design had nothing to do with the property. My associate
Hector Alexander Samada had revamped the garden, however, refining the planting to give more interest to the Brutalist architecture of the house.
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The entrance of Dr. Cooley's residence.
Photo: Andrea Zucker
Memphis Magazine. |
At the end of the 1970s, the deep garden of a neo-classical mansion was subdivided, providing four additional building lots along the side street. The three other houses are typical suburban types, but this one is a complete departure, stylistically, for the neighborhood. Since this house was built in 1980, the neighborhood primarily of early 20th century houses has been designated as a National Conservation District known as Central Gardens. Although the house might not fall within the design guidelines for the district today, it is much admired though shielded from the street and is often overlooked, in fact.
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The Great Room of the Cooley Residence.
Photo: Andrea Zucker
Memphis Magazine. |
The house was designed by Memphis interior designer J.O.E. Beck as his own home. It includes a feature that Mr. Beck often employed, panels of a coromandel screen are hinged to fold open to reveal a bar. Knowing that, it may be made out in the background of the photo above; the lamp is on a table at the end of the sofa and the panels are partially open to reveal that the back wall of the bar is mirrored. A glimpse through the doorway on the right reveals the galley kitchen with the original flame-red cabinets. The central doorway leads to the entrance hall with a spiral staircase to a second bedroom and the door to the left opens into the master bedroom, giving a clue to the compactness of the plan.
A satellite view may be seen on Bing Maps. Sorry, I could not get the link right, but you may search the address 684 South Willett Street, Memphis, TN. The mansion from which this lot came is Beverly Hall, located adjacent at the corner of Central Avenue and South Willett Street.
Those who enjoy satellite viewing might be interested in a John Tackett Design project nearby at the southwest corner of South Willett Street and Goodbar Avenue. The 1910 Neo-classical/Colonial Revival brick house already had a one story flat roof addition from the 1970s that was improved. But the main scope of work was the new two story addition to the northwest. It will be featured in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe rear garden landscape design is simply stunning. From the simplicity of the pool, to the patterning of the pergola, and the restrained use of dark green plantings, it's a lush oasis. And I imagine that is especially so on a hot day, as you mention.
ReplyDeleteGlamour Drops, it also helps that the house to the west of the pool throws shade during the hottest time of the day. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI like the idea of a coromandel screen to hide a bar. I've seen one used as a hidden door, (from the dining room to the kitchen), in a house that was substantially decorated by David Hicks; but I'm not sure whether he was responsible for that, but it is quite likely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Columnist. I'll keep a look-out for that. I am a fan of David Hicks' work.
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