J.B. and Diane Horst

29674 South Bayshore Drive

Orange Beach

 Located on Bayou St. John, the Horst home rose from the destruction of Ivan into the architectural wonder that it is today.  A salvaged brick driveway leads up to a contemporary, two story structure of cedar and shaker shingles.   The two story living room features the oval white brick fireplace preserved from the original summer cottage and incorporated into the new home.  Of special interest are the up-lighted dormer windows that overlook St. John’s Bay and the unique lighting of the shelving sections that flank the fireplace..  Warm earth tones compliment the white walls and contemporary art work in the living area, and eight foot mahogany French doors open on to the expansive porch.  An inviting corner of the living area is the cream toned sun room with its windowed view of the bay.

Floor to ceiling white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a working island help make this the center of the home.  The dining area opens into the living area and provides a formal setting lighted by a massive pewter chandelier and encompassing a bar area crafted from sunken “dead head” cypress.  Mirrored walls are repeated in the master suite with a marble floor bath.  The open stairway of antique hard pine leads to an inviting balcony parlor.  Off the balcony is the guest suite and bath.  A small back hallway leads from the guest suite to Diane’s contemporary office in beige and gray.  An interesting feature of this home is that each room features a view of the water including this office with its oddly shaped window.

The guest house on the property was built for the temporary home while the main house was being constructed and served as the prototype for the major construction.  It now contains a full woodworking shop, a guest suite, and J.B.’s office.

 Together the main house and the guest house offer a glimpse of custom architecture that reflects the gentile life on St. John’s Bay.

Bruce and Angela White

8069 Bay View Drive

Foley

 The patterned driveway foreshadows the use of shapes used in the Whites’ home that was designed and built by Troy Barrett.  To the right of the entry hall is the Wednesday night poker room outfitted in black leather and featuring a reverse table top ceiling with indirect lighting.  To the left is the formal dining room a massivechina cabinet where Angela’s mother’s Barvarian china is displayed.  The pattern seen on the driveway is repeated in the recessed ceiling.  Niches placed in the front hallways provide showcases for Raku pottery.

 The great room encompasses the open kitchen with a butcher block island and stainless steel appliances.  The living room is finished in tones of red and gold anchored by a black area rug.  Between the two areas, a suspended tray ceiling denotes the bar area with recessed lighting and seating for nine.  The living area is graced by a boxed recessed ceiling and a corner fireplace.  Sliding doors lead to the tiled pool area with old world landscaping, an outside kitchen, fireplace, and seating area.

 Dropped ledges abound in the master suite that includes the master bedroom, bath, and office.  A Jack and Jill bath connects the two guest rooms, and a third bathroom is located off the pool area for easy access from the outside.  The upper level of the home has been made into workout room complete with the latest in exercise equipment.  Off the workout room is a full bath.

 From the tiered fountain in the expansive front yard to the meticulously maintained pool garden, this home is an example of serene “country” living.

Karen and Keith Harmon

5629 Millhouse Road

Gulf Shores

The Harmon home has the distinction of being the first home built in Martyn Woods; in fact it was designed and built by Mr. Martyn himself.  All of the wood used in the original house was from the timber on the Martyn Woods land.  When the Harmons purchased the house in 2009, the home was expanded to accommodate their young family.  Guests will be directed to enter the rear entrance because, according to Karen Harmon, “The best company comes in the back door.”  The hallway from the entrance contains a children’s art gallery that displays the latest and greatest creations of the resident artists.  To the left of the hallway is the master suite that consists of a large office, the bedroom, and the bathroom.  The vaulted ceiling like the ceilings throughout the main living areas of the home are cypress which compliments the brown tones used in the décor.

 A charming guest bath features a window seat perfect for use by a mother while her child is visiting the room.  The compact kitchen area has brick flooring and back splashes, marble countertops, and antique white cabinetry.  The great room is divided by the original brick fire place with the front section containing the formal dining area and a long bar for more casual meals.  What was the front porch is now a windowed sun room with brick flooring and a large sectional where the family can gather to watch television.  The back half of the great room is a formal living room   An original painting of  Karen’s grandmother’s home hangs above the fireplace and family photographs are displayed on the walls.

The children’s bedrooms and baths are part of the new addition to the home.  Their daughter’s bath is identified by whimsical plaques of a giraffe and a zebra.  A perfect room for a small princess is next to the bath and contains a trundle bed and a flock of white butterflies on one wall.  Silk butterflies accent the corners of the room.  Their son’s bath has a lion and an elephant gracing the wall while his bedroom is decorated with license plates from many states and a large bunk bed.

 The front entry hall offers a view of the large landscaped pool area.  To the rear of the house is the garage and its connected one bedroom guest apartment.  What once was a small wooden cottage has been transformed into a unique and cozy home.

Greg and Susie Leatherbury

29512 Canal Road

Orange Beach

Designed by Lea Vernuenille of Walcott, Adams, Verneuille Architects and built by Randy Crocker of Fairhope, the Leatherbury home represents southern living at its finest.

The green and white exterior of the home was designed to blend into its surroundings.  The entry hall with its antique heart of pine flooring hints at the art treasures that his home holds.  The formal dining area features an ultra-modern table with Queen Anne style chairs.  Focal points in the room are the Chinese screen above the cherry wood buffet and a vibrant contemporary painting.  Chinese red cabinetry, black granite counter tops, and a center island blend form with function in the working kitchen.  An antique table and cabinet share the breakfast room with contemporary paintings and pieces of artistic glass.  Floor to ceiling windows overlooking Bayou St. John begin in the breakfast room and continue throughout the living room and study.  A cozy screened in morning porch decorated in black, white, and lime green features an outdoor fireplace used on cool evenings.

Shades of deep red and gold flow throughout the living room and repeat the colors of the vintage Oriental rug.   The Leatherbury’s love of the Orient is seen in decorative pieces throughout the room.  A small antique secretary that belonged to Susie’s grandmother rests at the far end of the room, and to its right French doors open onto the covered porch and small outdoor dining area.  The study area features a hidden entertainment center and displays collections of china animals and silver ink wells.  An oriental chest serves as a coffee table.

 The antique heart of pine stairs with wrought iron balusters lead to the three guest bedrooms with attached baths.  The master suite has a large sitting area as well as an attached laundry room.  Stone tile steps surround the whirlpool tug in the master bath. Off the bath is an outdoor shower that overlooks a huge magnolia tree.

 This home truly offers a combination of comfort and elegance.  When it was featured in Décor magazine, Susie Leatherbury stated, “Living here is like being on vacation 365 days a year.”

Wayne and Dorothy Lampshire

8712 Bay View Drive

Foley

 A winding tree lined driveway leads up to the ranch style contemporary home of Wayne and Dorothy Lampshire.  The entrance way reveals a home of international appeal.  A wooden sculpture of a horse carved in Mexico welcomes visitors; on the wall are pen and ink sketches of scenes in Colombia, South America.  Many of the treasures found in this home were acquired while Wayne was employed as a field geologist for Chevron.  The living room is decorated in cool pastels and displays original art work all painted by friends of the family.  A massive wood and marble fireplace is flanked by shelving that contains items from South American and Caribbean cultures.  From a lamp found in Trinidad to a carved tusk from West Africa, from a round coffee table purchased in Colombia to the three wise men on the drapery sconces, there are items of interest at every turn.  In the hallway leading to the master suite are family portraits above and antique cobbler’s bench.  The master bedroom is finished in soft shades of grey with accents of red and black,   A stained glass window  above the tub adds color and light to the master bath.  One guest room has a mural created by a local artist that compliments the green and yellow color scheme used in the furnishings.  Indian puzzle tables flank the twin beds.  The second guest room features a bench housing Wayne’s 78 record collection and a drawing of “Lampshire Castle – Wayne’s family homestead in Nebraska.  In the guest bath is another example of stained glass crafted by a family member.

 To the left of the living area is the built in bar area and the casual dining area.  A collection of Peruvian carvings of fish grace the wall of the bar, while examples of the Republic of Congo carvings are displayed in the dining area.  Off the dining area and living room is the screened in sun room that faces the bay.  The expansive kitchen with its white appliances and marble countertops is a chef friendly area.  A walk in pantry, a spice drawer, and roll out shelving areas provide storage for the kitchen.  The cabinetry is done in sun washed pecan with stained glass fronts on the back wall cabinets.   The family room off the kitchen features two seating areas, a brick fireplace with pecan shelving, and the entertainment center.   A hallway behind the kitchen leads to an office with extensive collections from South and Central America.  The formal dining room is centered by an oval table with black leather and fabric chairs.  An antique marble topped break front with glass rounded sides and matching mirror  and a tea cart from Trinidad complete the furnishings in the area.

 Set on two acres, this lovely home provides a glimpse of the counties that have been home to the Lampshires.