Architect : Philip Trammell Shutze

Philip Trammell Shutze Designed Home in the Druid Hills Neighborhood

I made a point of stopping at an estate sale on Clifton Road in Druid Hills on Friday, held at a house that I've passed by weekly and admired for over a decade.......   Truth be told, I was more interested in seeing the home & gardens than actually shopping the contents of the sale. This very special home was designed by one of Atlanta's noted architects, Philip Trammell Shutze (1890-1982). I was told by one of the organizers of the sale that the home was built around 1928 and sits on 5 acres of park like land, thoughtfully designed with dynamic stonework, fountains and detailed landscape. When I asked about its current ownership status, I was happy to hear that neighboring Fernbank Museum of Natural History bought the entire property -- records show that a sale was completed in December 2015 for $2.5 million.

I do hope that Fernbank will take great care in protecting & maintaining the architecture of this historic jewel..... The most recent Shutze design, known as The Maddox House, was torn down in February and it still stirs me up every time I think about it! I am absolutely dumbfounded as to why these important living relics, documents of Atlanta's history, are not painstakingly preserved!!

In addition to a number of residential projects Shutze designed around the city, he was responsible for a collection of commercial buildings as well......  Including The Swan Coach House, the original Rich's department store downtown, East Lake Golf Club clubhouse, and Atlanta International School.

*My images above & below of the Shutze designed home on Clifton -- architectural details and glorious grounds.....  The hidden Gazebo garden was truly a spectacular treat!

This had to be the most special hidden garden.....  Imagine seeing this in its heyday!  You approached through this shaded area, following stones steps to view the most beautiful Gazebo.....

The left and right are original fountains and beyond the steps, are divided by a centered fountain, leading the way to the Gazebo beyond.....

The highly ornate stone Gazebo, surrounded by foundations, with access by large stones.....  Absolutely dreamy storybook style!

**Totally random.....  But these details, handwritten notes & newspaper clippings taped to the inside of kitchen cabinets (above).....  And the interior of a closet door in the Boy's room covered with a collection of stickers (below).....  THESE artifacts pull at my heart strings.....  Even when walking through a house that is no longer occupied by its longtime owners and their "stuff" is up for sale, these are reminders that a family lived in and loved this home.....