by Jon David Conolley | Photography by Jean Allsopp
In the pastoral community of Shoal Creek, an idyllic town along the banks of one of Alabama’s finest shoals, this pristine home serves as a place of tranquility. What began as a carte blanche has morphed into a sophisticated balance of quiet femininity and unpretentious strength. The warm ivory walls of the home’s interior float effortlessly along the vistas of the residence and the home’s earthy tones pay homage to the private, serene landscape of the property. The soft and simple curves of the interior are juxtaposed in a stark contrast to the stately exterior with its hard lines and European-inspired parapets.
When Jeff Dungan of Dungan & Nequette Architects designed this home, his goal was to create a timeless elegance that matched the homeowners’ personalities. “With all of the heavier architectural features outside, we wanted to balance that with a light airiness,” Dungan says. “So when we started in the living room, we designed the entire space to be transparent.” Working alongside Dungan was a duo from Richard Tubb Interiors, Gary Olivieri and Richard Tubb. Olivieri adds, “The living room is a very large space, so everything needed to be comfortable.” Tubb anchored the room by centering four antique mirrors above one of several seating arrangements. He also chose dark iron chandeliers to add a raw, unadulterated strength to the room. Dungan praised Tubb and Olivieri’s design, saying they complemented his vision effortlessly.
All of the home’s artwork is original and designed by some of the South’s finest artists—a Ben Carlisle landscape acrylic gives tribute to a picturesque Alabama; a piece from famed potter Alexander Walker provides a soft welcome at the entry, and even Cal Breed’s Chihuly-inspired glass was made specifically for the homeowners. Tubb adds that he and Olivieri “didn’t want any of the rooms to appear too busy. The feel of each room needed to entice the senses but still feel personal to the homeowners. That’s why we believe in finding signature pieces and unique artwork.”
Perhaps the home’s most stunning custom-made features are the leaded-glass windows. “Each pane frames the scene of the outdoors,” Tubb says. And the scene is superb. Bathing in the luminous beauty of surrounding countryside, one can almost hear the sounds of the lapping creek water as it meanders past the peaceful property.
