half bath, whole hog

July 24th 2012 Comments: 5

The simple pedestal sink and squeaky medicine cabinet of old has been replaced by garden urns, stone troughs and ornate gilt mirrors. The modern powder room is a miniscule exercise in set design, evoking everything from scared baptismal fonts to the natty English yard man’s garden room. As designers, it’s … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Bathroom Design

pool liner notes

July 17th 2012 Comments: 1

It’s not often you see a swimming pool immediately upon entering the house. This Mediterranean house, located in Nashville, Tennessee is a far cry from that sea of inspiration. Being welcomed home by crystal clear water seemed a requirement. Landscape Architects Page Duke worked with us to seamlessly integrate this … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Outdoors

granger carr: remembered

July 10th 2012 Comments: 10

David Granger Carr (pictured left and in front in a 1996 McAlpine Tankersley staff photo) worked alongside us for many years. His wicked sense of humor and Southern gothic charm kept us in smiles and tears for a youthful period in our firm’s history.  He began working as an assistant … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Team

built on the fourth of july

July 3rd 2012 Comments: 3

Like the can opener, the credit card and musical theatre, these styles are distinct American inventions. The following houses are are some of our designs which represent our rich American history: CARPENTER GOTHIC Carpenter Gothic, also called Carpenter’s Gothic, and Rural Gothic, is a North American architectural style-designation for an … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Style

I know a place

June 26th 2012 Comments: 2

Sometimes when I am lost I fall into a kind of trance as if sleepwalking find myself unconsciously falling toward a place known by few though by some Its architecture began long before I get there, for it transcends the physical. Though I go alone, I always carry someone with … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Blount Park

court/house wedding

June 19th 2012 Comments: 3

In residential design, much emphasis is given to the entrance sequence, mainly the door and the foyer just for this reason. It’s the designer’s opportunity to play an overture to introduce the play within. In most instances, however, the visitor’s welcome to the home is not arrival by foot at … [read more]

Wall to Enthrall

June 12th 2012 Comments: 8

“If you see a wall that needs something on it, let me know.” Those were the parting words of our friend and host last fall as Mark Montoya and I left the villa he and his sister have on the Amalfi coast of Italy. And, so began one of the … [read more]

enchanted garden

June 5th 2012 Comments: 17

When the collaboration is at its best, your host offers himself up and, in the end, teaches you more.  Such was the case of this client and his Lake Martin, Alabama home.   He came prepared for our first meeting with scores of sketches and even more ideas.  With this … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Gardens

ascending order

May 29th 2012 Comments: 4

On the contrary, stairs can be fluid, poetic gestures in the architectural landscape, waiting patiently to whisk you away. The act of ascending (or descending) stairs is really a vertical crossroads in the journey. Traversing to another viewpoint; a new perspective is added to the walk. Crawl atop to the … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Giles Home

on finding home

May 22nd 2012 Comments: 5

I rest along the way in this beautifully set camp of my making But it is only a marker of what I know now it is not meant to hold For I love to fall through water in the moments when rush parts And brushes back to touch and accept … [read more]

McAlpine Journal: Fireplace
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