that will rise when needed. The zebra rug in the library is reprised with another in the exquisite master bathroom, redone by Nevinson in a wealth of white marble, mirror glass, and exotic dark wood. It segues into an opulent sanctuary of a walk-in closet whose cupboards and drawers are decorated with fauxglazed Venetian paintwork. Imhoff no longer spends a portion of every year in Africa, where he was involved with a conservation project, but he loves the way his property in Georgia reminds him of that landscape. “Because of the tides here, I overlook every day the kind of savanna that reminds me of Africa, and at another time of the same day, I see nothing but water. The views over the marsh here are unique.” Hunting, now limited to birds, still has enough hold on Imhoff ’s heart that the game room and kitchen of his Sea Island home are decorated with trophy heads. He enjoys cooking indoors as well as out and hosts dinners in his grand formal dining room. “This is a great house for entertaining,” he says, pointing out the excellent flow from the deck to the pool and the marsh overlook. There is also considerable privacy, ensured by an eight-foot-high brick wall around the property. The formal garden, by comparison, is a more intimate space for contemplation. Nevinson explains, “I put in a fair amount of hardscape to give some order as
well as create focal points on which to install the Japanese-inspired ipe display tables.” A grand second-floor balcony with a new roof of Vermont slate, new balusters, and hurricane shutters overlooks the new deck (also trimmed in ipe) and the marsh beyond. Heralding that view is a cast bronze fountain depicting Castor and Pollux mounted on a limestone plinth that stands in a small angular pond. To the left are the fire pit, dining area, and that full outdoor kitchen where Imhoff so likes to sit and remember the Serengeti—although here on Sea Island, he is truly out of Africa.
Visit ArchitecturalAccents.com to see more of Nevinson’s work.
Above: “The secondfloor library, John’s favorite room, is paneled in quartersawn white oak, polished but left unstained to reflect more light,” says Nevinson. “Despite the lack of visible knobs, pulls, or hinges, the paneling conceals cupboards and a television to minimize clutter and provide a better showcase for John’s collection of Moulthrop bowls made in Georgia.” Above left: Nevinson built Imhoff a new deck overlooking the marsh; the outdoor fireplace is where he likes to spend time after dinner.
Anthea Gerrie is based in the UK but travels the world in search of stories. Her special interests are architecture and design, culture, food, and drink, as well as the best places to visit in the world’s great playgrounds. She is a regular contributor to the Daily Mail, the Independent, and Blueprint.
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