2025 Spring HOMES - Savannah Magazine by Savannah Magazine

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TABLE CONTENTS of

A HOUSE UNITED

It’s been moved. It’s been split into two. Now, this historic house in the Ford Field and River Club has been reimagined in a manner worthy of its unique American legacy.

Written

Kathryn Drury Wagner

Photographed by Andrew Frazier

SECOND CHANCES

Acquiring a spacious rural property allowed this couple to pursue their passion for rescuing at-risk animals.

Written by Mary Cornetta

Photographed by John Alexander 78 BEST

OF SAVANNAH HOMES 2025

Our annual reader-voted poll of top contractors, designers and more across 80+ categories

Photo by ANDREW FRAZIER

The word “fiduciary” goes to the heart of what we do and how we do it. We are a team of highly skilled professionals with deep expertise in the fields of finance, business, accounting, and law. We have passion for what we do and discipline in how we do it. Our allegiance flows in one direction: to the needs and best interests of each client. It’s in our name and it’s what we do.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS that pops into my mind when I hear the word “spring” is color.

I envision the crocuses and daffodils my mother planted as they burst forth with purples and yellows in defiance of the snow in my Northern hometown. I picture the cotton-candy pink of Easter dresses and the hot pink of azaleas in Savannah’s squares. The bright green of fresh grass. The blue of robins’ eggs. This spring, color is popping up in exciting ways in our homes, too. Check out “Hue Did It” on page 30 to see how vibrant colors are trending for home decor — and in unexpected ways, such as on plumbing fixtures.

In our new gardening column, Ms. Grow-it-All, Sara Jane von Trapp provides colorful plant suggestions for creating a sensory garden, raising the bar with plants that will also appeal to the senses of touch, taste, smell, and hearing (page 45). Sensory gardens, she points out, are designed to be inviting to people of all ages and abilities, and have shown beneﬁts for people with conditions such as dementia and ADHD.

On page 64, take a visit to Peterson Pines Farm Sanctuary, founded by Pam and Sue Peterson. To pursue their passion for animal rescue, the couple found the perfect piece of property — just outside of Savannah — where

they now house rescued horses, a feisty chicken named Mrs. Jones, ducks, and other animal pals. Pam is also a real estate investor and associate broker with Seabolt Real Estate, and she shares her expertise on how to buy a farm.

Meanwhile, on page 115, we ask local real estate experts for their take on how the housing market is doing in Savannah.

Over in Richmond Hill, the magniﬁcent Cherry Hill House — once owned by Henry Ford — has undergone an extensive renovation. Take a tour of this circa-1870s home in “A House United,” on page 48. It will have you thinking, “If only those walls could talk!”

If all this spring color and rebirth has you ready to feather your own nest, you’re in luck: Our hotly anticipated “Best of HOMES” list starts on page 78. This is our 17th annual readers’ choice survey, which celebrates the very best local home experts.

Congratulations to all our winners! Your expert knowledge, professionalism, and creativity are all integral to our blossoming community.

Kathryn Drury Wagner Editor in Chief

Spring Home Trends

Associate editor Mary Cornetta recently joined our team. Mary has extensive experience with home and garden editorial, and previously owned a home organization company. We asked her to pick out a few of the top trends she’s seeing this season:

SCALLOPED EDGES: “This playful detail softens the edges of traditionally straight-lined objects like coﬀee tables, trays, lampshades, rugs, and, yes, even my dog’s crate.”

ORGANIC MATERIALS: “Rattan, seagrass, wicker, jute, and bamboo accents eﬀortlessly add texture and a breezy, coastal aesthetic to any space. And when I look around, I’m blissfully reminded that summer in Savannah is just around the corner.”

VINTAGE PIECES: “Thrifting has not only become a hobby (Spend a Saturday afternoon sifting through Picker Joe’s Antique Mall & Vintage Market? Yes, please!), it’s a way to intentionally — and sustainably — choose unique furniture and home decor.”

WALLPAPER: “ It’s clear that we’re currently witnessing a wallpaper revival (see page 37). And there’s no better way to celebrate spring than with a pop of pattern and color. Try it on an accent wall or even on the ceiling.”

ARCHES: “ This is an alternative way to tone down sharp lines, something that feng shui experts say is essential for energy flow. If you have arched doorways, dress them up with architectural molding or add curved pieces, such as an oversized hutch or entryway mirror.”

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SCAN TO VIEW HOMES

PUBLISHER Anita Hagin

EDITORIAL & DESIGN

EDITOR IN CHIEF Kathryn Drury Wagner

DIGITAL & DESIGN DIRECTOR Andrea Burg

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mary Cornetta

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelly Thompson

GUEST COPY EDITOR Zach Hayes

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Britt Scott

ADVERTISING

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Jane Townsend

ADVERTISING MANAGER Jill Strauss

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Lane Pelliccione

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE s Corinne Karmiel & Kasey Huggins

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Holly Todd

EXECUTIVE

PRESIDENT Tina Battock

VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & OPERATIONS Scott Ferguson

DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION Sherry Brown

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Veronica Brooks

CIRCULATION BUSINESS MANAGER Michelle Rowe

MORRIS COMMUNICATIONS

CHAIRMAN William S. Morris III

CEO Craig S. Mitchell

ESTABLISHED MAY 1, 1990

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CONTRIBUTORS

Britt

Scott Designer

Britt is a freelance art director and graphic designer who calls Savannah home. After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, she jumped headﬁrst into the local editorial world. Formerly the art director of Savannah magazine, Britt has also worked for Connect Savannah, Skirt! magazine and South Magazine.

Sara Jane von Trapp

Writer

Sara Jane von Trapp began gardening as a young child, leading to a degree in plant and soil science and a career in

landscaping and garden design that spans ﬁve decades. Author of several how-to books, she has contributed to Martha Stewart Living and This Old House magazine. She spent several years as CEO of Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford, Connecticut, before continuing her practice as a garden designer and lecturer and serving as a volunteer at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens.

Brynn O’Connor Writer

Brynn is a journalist who writes, edits, and reports on a variety of topics including health, human interest, and business. She began her career in Boston where she earned her degree from Emerson College, and has been featured in publications such as The Boston Globe and YourArlington.com. Brynn now is writing from Savannah and has been working on lifestyle and culture stories published in Visit Savannah and Savannah magazine.

Andrew Frazier Photographer

Andrew has a passion for interior and architectural photography, and it comes through in his work at the helm of Voyage Creative. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Skyler, and they have a young son. When not photographing homes, Andrew and Skyler keep busy renovating houses on Skidaway Island.

JJ Hubal Writer/Artist

“I write what I live,” is the motto of bestselling author and artist, JJ Hubal. Whether drawing a cartoon or writing an essay or a book, her goal is to provide the reader

with her signature mix of humor, hope, and practical advice. JJ’s latest book is the high-energy “Goodbye Old, Hello Bold: A Joyful Leap into a World of New Possibilities as We Age.” Learn more at jjhubal.com.

John Alexander Photographer

Originally from Columbia, Maryland, John has been a photographer in beautiful Savannah since 2005. His formal training is from University of Maryland Baltimore County, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography. Areas of expertise include special events, portraiture, commercial, and fine art. On the off hours one can find (or not find, rather) John losing himself in one of the countless dreamscapes this amazing place has to offer — exploring, hiking, kayaking, cycling, or just spending the day in Forsyth Park and wandering the squares.

New & Noteworthy

Dream Finders Homes has placed its stake in Pooler’s Savannah Quarters with the introduction of Westbrook Retreat. New construction, single-family homes are now for sale in the 2,588-acre neighborhood available in ﬁve design layouts ranging from 1,495 to 2,500 square feet. Residents can enjoy the perks of resort-style living while being only a short drive from downtown.

Hoping to spruce up your outdoor space this season? Archadeck recently opened a Richmond Hill location aimed at serving Savannah and surrounding coastal Georgia communities. They build custom-designed decks, patios, pergolas, sunrooms, and more. … Much of the Hostess City’s charm today can be attributed to the efforts of the Historic Savannah Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving local buildings for the past 70 years. HSF recently welcomed six new members to its board of trustees and introduced its executive committee for 2025–2026, with Austin Hill of Corcoran Austin Hill Realty serving as chairperson. Alongside the fresh faces is the addition of the Endangered Places Program, aimed at bringing attention to overlooked properties. If you know of a building within Savannah’s city limits that is at risk of deteriorating or being demolished, HSF encourages you to fill out a property nomination form on their website. … Real estate investment firm Kingdom Estates has just broken ground on Hutchinson Island. The Isling at Savannah Harbor will welcome 198 homes, 30 of which are expected to be

available for sale before the end of 2025. Southern Coastal Homes builders and A Classical Studio architects have joined forces to design Lowcountry-style singlefamily homes, row homes, and duet homes, some situated on an 18-hole golf course or the waterfront. The 36-acre property will feature residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. … The Fancy Pheasant offers a selection of delightful home and garden accessories, including gardening gloves crafted specifically for women by Womanswork. They’d make a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift. … A new boutique, located on the ground level of the Riverworks apartment complex at Eastern Wharf, will inspire you to level up your own home. Founded by interior designer Sylvia Skylar, Foreign Native Interiors offers a selection of furnishings, decor, and accessories — including vintage pieces — and a gallery featuring local artists. … In Richmond Hill, the Bryan County Senior Center and Carrington Town Centre are now open to the public. The mixed-use development offers affordable housing along with a suite of amenities, resources, and group activities that benefit those who are 55 and older.

Happy Anniversary!

Pride Pools, Spas & Leisure

Products is creating a splash with its 50th anniversary. The company — which builds and installs above- and in-ground pools and luxury spas — has grown over the years to two retail locations (in Claxton and Savannah), as well as a service location in Savannah.

Responsible for restoring some of Savannah’s most iconic buildings, like The Marshall House, as well as schools, churches, and libraries throughout the city, Hansen Architects is celebrating its 80th anniversary. The ﬁrm has also contributed to the community by way of new construction designs, including Memorial Park, the Savannah Convention Center, and the Jepson Center for the Arts.

Creators of custom awnings, motorized screens, storm protection and more, Coastal Canvas is made in the shade for its 50th anniversary. It employs more than 40 people designing, sewing, welding, painting, and installing its products out of its 37,000-square-foot production facility.

Christy Moore, Realtor

SPRING

APRIL 4-5

Gather your fellow green thumbs and join the Deep South Orchid Society at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens for an event devoted to the exotic plant. Jewels of the Forest will be held 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday and 12–3 p.m. Sunday.

APRIL 11-25

Perhaps pottery is your cup of tea. In that case, check out “SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show,” hosted by the Savannah

Clay Community at Ology Gallery in Thunderbolt. The exhibition is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will feature more than 200 ceramic mugs, tumblers, and other types of drinkware designed by clay artists from near and far.

APRIL 12

Experience the beauty of one of Savannah’s most idyllic neighborhoods while contributing to its upkeep. The annual Ardsley Park Chatham Crescent Tour of Homes and Gardens provides a peek into six stunning private residences and their accompanying gardens surrounding Kavanaugh Park. There are two scheduled tour times (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) as well as giveaway raﬄes from local sponsors. All proceeds from the $50 tickets will beneﬁt the community,

allowing the Garden Club to continue its preservation and education eﬀorts.

APRIL 16

Flex your floral design skills with an Easter Egg Flower Workshop at Syd Nichole Fashion & Flowers. The Eastern Wharf boutique hosts a number of themed classes each month, guiding you through the creation of unique fresh or dried floral arrangements. Visit their website to reserve your spot, and be sure to keep an eye out for their upcoming Margarita, Mother’s Day, and Bridgerton & Coffee Tasting workshops in May.

APRIL 26

The Georgia Historical Society (GHS), Oﬃce of the Governor, and leaders from across the state will induct

the 2025 Georgia Trustees: Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso Jr., a banker, attorney, and civic leader; and Craig Menear, former chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. Held at the Hyatt Regency Savannah, the elegant, much-anticipated Trustees Gala will include cocktails, dinner, and an inspiring conversation with Deriso and Menear.

MAY 10

Find inspiration and new artwork for your home by attending SLAM, the Savannah Local Artist Market. Taking place 10 a.m.–4 p.m. in the Salvation Army Corps Community Center’s baseball ﬁeld, this familyfriendly event will have food trucks, live music, and more than 80 artistic vendors specializing in photography, textiles, and more.

Syd Nichole Fashion & Flowers

For this renovation in Kensington Park, Ellsworth Design • Build created a fresh look with clean lines, midmod seafoam green, and large windows.

Hue did it

A vibrant new chapter of home decor has colors showing up brighter and bolder than ever.

Written by BRYNN O’CONNOR

SAVANNAH’S INTERIOR DESIGNERS are having their Wizard of Oz moment: Like Dorothy, they are delighted to ﬁnd themselves in a world of bold color after years of cool whites and washedout grays. Minimalist, muted tones are out, and colorful, curated palettes are in. Whether it’s a pop of accent color or a completely color-drenched space, we’ve entered a vibrant chapter that embraces a homeowner’s unique sense of style and self.

“Color can really elevate a place and make it feel dynamic,” says Kelly Waters, interior designer for Ellsworth Design • Build. “I think that’s why we’re moving away from neutral palettes. They were commonly used and weren’t reﬂecting people’s individuality.”

This desire to rejuvenate our homes with daring pigments can be traced back to the era of COVID-19 quarantines.

“People were looking at their spaces and thinking, ‘I want something diﬀerent; I’m tired of the gray,’” explains Brittany Andrae, showroom manager at Sandpiper Supply. She is seeing a shift toward warmer colors and earth tones. Picture rooms bathed in rich browns and elegant beiges, embellished with details like emerald pillows, cerulean lamp shades, or lively indoor greenery.

KEITH MORGAN

Sandpiper Supply incorporated these vivid new palettes when it joined forces with Ellsworth Design

• Build in August 2024 to help redesign a midcentury home in the Kensington Park neighborhood. Abigail Powell, a designer with Ellsworth, says the team wanted to honor the integrity of the 1950s home — opting for clean lines, functionality, and simplicity, as well as the integration of natural surroundings via large windows. Powell notes that midcentury houses naturally call to mind color choices such as seafoam green, golds and yellows, and warm woods.

Still, designers also have to ensure color compatibility. “Make sure the colors play well together,”

advises Waters. “You don’t want to put two fully saturated colors next to each other.”

Powell suggests factoring in how much time is spent in a particular room as well as the kind of feeling you want to evoke.

For example, she notes that in a bathroom, yellow can be a chipper morning wakeup call, but you might not want that same color in a bedroom where you are trying to wind down.

Ellsworth wanted to brighten the Kensington Park home with color without overwhelming it. To ensure this, plumbing ﬁxtures were chosen to complement each rooms’ main color. Sandpiper Supply provided

This soaking tub, by Native Trails, exempliﬁes the trend of using color in unexpected parts of the home.

specialized hardware and plumbing ﬁxtures for this renovation, including sinks, mirrors, tubs, and faucets.

“In the kitchen, because there was a lot of color, we chose a white faucet — which is a really clean and modern look,” says Powell.

Gold, brass, and bronze also oﬀer neutral tones that can complement bold colors.

Even so, many of Sandpiper Supply’s customers want their ﬁxtures to draw attention, choosing details such as a bright red sink or faucets with chunky handles. These pieces are often ordered by those looking to “color drench” a room — this an aesthetic where overwhelming vibrancy is

not a concern.

“Color drenching is where you take one color and paint literally every surface in the room that same color — from walls to ceilings and door trims,” says Christy Ellis, Sandpiper Supply’s director of showroom marketing and communications.

While such a design choice welcomes creative liberty, Sandpiper Supply notes that this practice is mainly done in conﬁned spaces, such as in a powder room. It’s where homeowners can have the most fun and “do a crazy color,” says Andrae.

A half-bath is the perfect opportunity to wow your guests, so don’t be shy to

experiment with edgier trends, such as the “dark academia” aesthetic, with a deep, brooding palette built around rich plum or royal purple.

Whether you’re dipping your toes into the world of color or diving in headﬁrst, the designers we spoke to agree on one key thing: The space should reﬂect whoever calls it home. As Ellis says, interior decorating is not about following trends. It’s about following your heart.

“It’s your home; you’re the one who has to be happy with it. If a pink faucet is what is going to make you happy, by all means put the pink faucet in!”

This Kensington Park remodel features a lively new bathroom by Ellsworth Design • Build.

TOP AND BOTTOM: More options in colorful bathrooms abound.

Roll With It

Few trends are as strong right now as wallpaper, which is enjoying a serious renaissance.

Written by MARY CORNETTA

IT’S SAID THAT TRENDS — fashion, home decor, and even music — operate in a 30-year cycle, also referred to as the ‘nostalgia pendulum.’ It makes sense, then, that wallpaper is making its comeback after falling out of favor in the 1990s. If the mere mention of it gives you ﬂashbacks of messy installations or nearly impossible removals and has you dismissing the idea of adding wallpaper to your home today, there’s good news. Technology has drastically improved these processes, making it easier than ever to turn walls into a style statement.

Local wallpaper suppliers, installers, and enthusiasts have shared their thoughts on the current wallpaper resurgence, along with tips on how to incorporate it into your space this season.

Wall-saving Technologies

Known for its modern coastal aesthetic, Broad Street Interiors has embraced using wallpaper in its recent projects. Joe Gallo, who owns the full-service interior design ﬁrm with business partner Pat Portera, explains why they’re not afraid to suggest it to clients when revamping their spaces. “The new wallpapers are great because they are easy to remove, as opposed to the old papers that would pull down half your wall with it,” he says. “The new papers are like works of art.”

Knowing that removing wallpaper is not as labor intensive as it once was may give you the confidence to choose something out of your comfort zone. Gallo finds that bold colors and textures are popular at the moment, but other options abound. He suggests accent walls, or using wallpapers on the back wall of a bookcase, or even on the ceiling. So, if you want to try something new, consider first doing a test run on a smaller scale.

Infusion of Personality

The current state of wallpaper trends makes it easy to experiment. “In my opinion, wallpaper trends have evolved over the years with many styles that have gained popularity due to the ability to transform a small space,” says Curry Salandi, owner and principal interior designer of Curry & Co., a residential design consulting and home staging studio located within Cohen’s Retreat.

“My favorite small spaces to install wallpaper are powder rooms,” she adds. Most half baths are notorious for their cramped layouts and lack of natural light. But a bright, eye-catching

pattern on the wall is sure to attract the attention of guests and infuse personality into an unexpected place. According to Salandi, other areas in the home that beckon for wallpaper include entryways or hallways, wet bars, laundry rooms, and ceilings if the height allows.

Look Up

Beaufort, South Carolina-based wallpaper installer Edwina Scarboro agrees that ceilings are a hot spot lately. “Ceilings are the trend,” she affirms, adding that it’s particularly impactful in a tall room as it helps to create a warmer atmosphere. Recently, she has worked on projects that include wallpapering a coffered ceiling and another that added a blue and gold constellation pattern to the living room ceiling. “It’s new and different,” Scarboro says. “It’s a way to give a contrast of color without needing to paint.”

A Tastemaker Talks

Color isn’t something that Emily McCarthy, clothing designer and owner of Emily McCarthy Shoppe on Victory Drive, ever shies away from. One step into her store, and you’re met with vibrant pinks, blues, greens, yellows, and reds. But you’ll also spy leopard print wallpaper peppering accent walls, such as near the dressing room and the Joy Club wine and coﬀee bar. “Wallpaper is a wonderful way to add punch to any space,” says McCarthy.

She’s also on board with papering small areas, like the powder room and the ceiling, to add a touch of delightful drama. “I prefer larger scales with wallpaper in addition to textures like grasscloth,” McCarthy says. “My new oﬃce features a metallic grasscloth, which adds a layer of richness to the room.” Other trends that she’s currently loving are botanical prints, mixing paper with painted trims or paneling, and color-drenching a room by using wallpaper.

The consensus among the experts is clear: Wallpaper is back and better than ever. Take it from them and use it as a tool to spice up the corners — or ceilings — of your home, creating a stylish and polished aesthetic.

“The new wallpapers are great because they are easy to remove, as opposed to the old papers that would pull down half your wall with it. The new papers are like works of art.”

— Joe Gallo, owner Broad Street Interiors

Emily McCarthy turned her signature clothing prints into wallpaper, like this leopard motif spotted in the Shoppe’s Joy Club.

ICONIC PAIRING

A local architectural firm merges legacy with vision.

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, Gerry Cowart has been shaping the architectural landscape of the Southeast, designing, renovating, and preserving homes that feel timeless yet deeply connected to their surroundings. His work has helped deﬁne Savannah — not just through buildings but through his commitment to the city’s history, sustainability, and forwardthinking design. Now, he’s stepping into a new chapter, one that allows him to continue doing what he loves while securing the future of his ﬁrm.

Enter Dallas based SHM Architects, or professionally known as Stocker, Hoesterey, and Montenegro Architects, PLLC . When Cowart started looking for the right partner to carry his ﬁrm into the next decade, SHM was the clear choice. Based in Dallas, SHM has built a national reputation for boutique, custom residential design, spanning architecture, interiors, and landscapes. But beyond their portfolio, what truly set them apart was a shared approach — honesty in design, humility in practice, and a belief that

great architecture should enhance the environment, not ﬁght against it.

“The Cowart Group is the perfect partner for SHM as we grow,” says SHM founder David Stocker. “They have a long history of thoughtful, client-centered design, and their expertise in Lowcountry architecture strengthens our ability to serve the Southeast in a meaningful way.”

For Cowart, this partnership isn’t just about scaling up — it’s about reﬁning the experience for clients. Building a custom home can be overwhelming. There are

Gerry Cowart

budgets, timelines, and countless decisions that can make the process feel daunting. But Cowart has always believed it doesn’t have to be that way. “A great team makes all the diﬀerence,” he says. “With the right people behind you, those worries start to fade.”

With SHM’s expanded resources and cutting-edge visualization tools, clients now have an even clearer picture of their home from the earliest stages. And for Cowart, that means he gets to focus on what he does best — working closely with homeowners to bring their ideas to life. “Sitting down, understanding a client’s needs, sketching out concepts — that’s what I love,” he says.

For SHM, this collaboration is about more than just adding another location. It’s about deepening their roots in the Southeast and continuing to build homes that feel like they belong — architecturally, historically, and environmentally.

“There are practical aspects to architecture, and then there’s the poetry of it,” says SHM architect Philip Pitzer, who recently moved to Savannah to help lead the transition. “A house that doesn’t respond to its surroundings will always feel out of place.”

With the launch of SHM Cowart Studio, one thing remains unchanged: the ﬁrm’s deep connection to Savannah. “We’re still the same team, working from the same city, but now with even more resources behind us,” says Cowart. “This is about ensuring our clients get the best experience possible, while also strengthening our commitment to the land, its history, and its future.”

‘‘

Sitting down, understanding a client’s needs, sketching out concepts — that’s what I love.

‘‘

– Gerry Cowart

Gerry Cowart and The Cowart Group donated time and talent toward the design of Skidaway Farms’ Skidaway Audubon Pavilion in 2012.

With SHM’s expanded resources and cutting-edge visualization tools, clients now have an even clearer picture of their home from the earliest stages.

Gardening for All Five Senses

Our gardening expert shares what to plant in a sensory garden.

Written by SARA JANE VON TRAPP

A SENSORY GARDEN is a place of refuge and delight for people of all ages and experiences, featuring plants that stimulate the senses of touch, smell, sight, hearing, and taste. In studies, sensory gardens have been shown to oﬀer enriching and therapeutic beneﬁts for people with dementia, autism, and ADHD. They can be enjoyed by people who are blind or vision impaired, and they are also an excellent way to introduce young children to the pleasures of gardening.

TOUCH

Few plants are as tactile as lamb’s ears. Lowgrowing, silvery-green foliage with a velvety texture covers the front of the perennial border and blooms with tiny pink ﬂowers during the summer. Pair it with the soft, fragrant foliage of lavender or the intense aromatics of rosemary to engage both the senses of touch and smell, creating wafting scents that could evoke memories for people with dementia.

HEARING

GROW PROS TO KNOW

Herb Creek Landscape Supplies

Create serene soundscapes by including plants that attract songbirds, hanging a wind chime from a tree branch near the garden, or adding a small fountain that trickles water into the planting bed. That relaxing fountain sound can be especially calming for those with autism or with diminished eyesight. Butterfly weed and black-eyed Susans attract insects that finches and chickadees are mad for, and you just might lure a few hummingbirds and butterflies while you are at it.

SIGHT Interesting plants with spiky ﬂowers or bright leaves oﬀer a dazzling display in any garden. Flashy gingers with their striking broad yellow stripes and yellow polka-dotted aucubas make for commanding performances. Or try something more subtle, but just as eye-catching, like coral bells. They are an evergreen or semi-evergreen groundcover that maintains a tidy clumping shape. Roughly 50 varieties are available to choose from, in every shade of pink to purple to almost black with silvery markings, as well as yellow with rippling wavy leaves. They also work well as container plants in sun or shade, depending on the variety.

TASTE

Introduce the sense of taste to an ornamental sensory garden with flavorful herbs and edible flowers. Although tasty mints can be pesky because they spread furiously, the stems are fun to introduce to a young child’s fingers because all plants in the mint family have square stems, a unique trait. Crush a few leaves into sweet tea for a cool, minty refreshment. Peppery nasturtiums can be plucked, leaves and all, to jazz up salads and sandwiches, and they are perennial in our climate.

SMELL

Lilacs and roses — especially the older varieties, which were bred for their intense aroma — appeal to most everyone’s sense of smell. ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ and the climber ‘Madame Alfred Carriere’ are heritage rose varieties with strong, spicy perfumes. Warm Savannah evenings on the porch will tease out their heavenly essence. Scented geraniums can be easily grown in pots in the garden bed and come in many scents, including notes of lemon, chocolate, peppermint, rose, cinnamon, or apple. Rub the geranium leaves to release oils that will linger on your ﬁngers all day.

Tip: When designing your sensory garden, also consider that wide paths and raised plant beds make the garden more accessible for those in wheelchairs. With sensory gardens, part of the pleasure is that they can be enjoyed by so many people in different ways.

Carries a variety of greenery, including shrubs and trees; herbs and vegetables; palms and tropicals; and annuals and perennials. You’ll also ﬁnd pottery, fountains, statuaries, landscape management products, and garden tools and supplies.

Savannah’s Secret Gardens

Features a wide variety of plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, exotics, and more. They also have wind chimes, bird houses, planting pots, and delivery/planting services.

TideWater Landscape Management

Provides a range of services, including landscaping designs, project installations, irrigation, landscape management, lawn care, brick and paver design, and aquatic care.

Victory Gardens

Offers landscape designs and installation, irrigation and water catchment, ﬁre pits, hardscapes, lighting, and landscape maintenance.

Lamb’s ears

Coral bells

Lilac

A House United REAL HOMES

Written by KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER

Photography by ANDREW FRAZIER

The home overlooks Lake Clara and the verdant Ford Field and River Club golf course.

INDUSTRIALIST HENRY FORD AND HIS WIFE, CLARA, ﬁrst started buying land and property in Southeast Georgia in the 1920s, including the stately Cherry Hill House. The circa-1870s home served as their Lowcountry retreat for 12 years while they oversaw construction on their nearby 7,000-square-foot Greek revival mansion. Now called The Main House, that grande dame was completed in 1937 and today serves as the Ford Field and River Club community’s main gathering space. But what became of Cherry Hill House?

Rest assured, the home is getting its next chapter.

Trip and Ashley Addison had been eying Cherry Hill House for some time. “It wasn’t an eyesore, but it just wasn’t the beauty it deserved to be,” says Ashley. The home had been turned into a duplex and had then fallen into disuse. “We’d go by it and say, ‘If we could just get our hands on it,’ or, ‘What if the club bought it and did this or that?’ It was the potential of it that attracted us.”

The Addisons were already living in the Ford Field and River Club in Richmond Hill, where they had built two homes. They love the area’s outdoor recreation opportunities and sense of community. It’s a place where their two elementaryschool-age children can come home, ﬂing oﬀ their backpacks, and go have adventures with friends until supper time.

TOP: Cherry Hill House circa 1940

ABOVE: In this 1915

photo, Henry Ford (right) is with fellow inventors Thomas Edison and Luther Burbank, in Santa Rosa, California.

LEFT: Clara Bryant Ford, wife of industrialist Henry Ford, in 1915.

IN THE FOYER: After dismantling the home’s two staircases, Hansen Architects incorporated a single large L-shaped staircase, which is closer to the original home’s design. The stately mahogany front door has a clear coat to show off the wood’s natural color. A custom painting of the marsh view was done by Kelley Fielden of

Mason Brookes Designs.

RIGHT: Henry and Clara Ford with others at Cherry Hill House, circa 1938.

The couple first met as students at Georgia Southern University, where Trip now serves as vice president of university advancement. Trip has a degree in construction management and a master’s degree in business administration; Ashley is a CPA and the owner of her financial services company, Abbott Lane, as well as her design firm, Abbott Lane Interiors.

The Addisons put out some feelers, indicating that if the Cherry Hill House were to ever come to market, they’d be interested. And in 2022, the call came.

“When I received the call to list the property, which had unfortunately fallen into disrepair, I immediately knew Trip and Ashley were the perfect ﬁt for the project,” says Kacey Howard, a realtor with Seabolt Real Estate/Christie’s International Real Estate. “They enthusiastically embraced the challenge of restoring this historic property, seamlessly blending modern elegance with its rich heritage. The renovation was a time-consuming and thoughtful endeavor, and the results speak for themselves.”

As the new stewards of the home, the Addisons sought to restore it back to a single-family home. “When we bought it, there were two kitchens, two stairwells — the house was completely divided in half,” explains Trip. So not only was the structure old, but they’d also have to move every single interior wall. Adding to the home’s unusual history, it had been moved around the Ford’s property twice; the Addisons believe the last time was in the late 1980s.

The couple set forth on their project with Erik Puljung, principal at Hansen Architects, with whom they previously worked on their new-build projects.

“I’d always seen this home as a sleeping beauty,” Puljung says, noting that he was familiar with it from having worked with other homes in the area. “It had a rental house feel; it didn’t feel like it had life in it.” In addition to his architecture degree, Puljung has a degree in historic preservation, giving him a special sense of appreciation for this older structure.

No matter how you design a house, Ashley notes, “Everybody gathers in the kitchen. So we went for it in terms of size. The table seats eight. And still, everyone stands around the island!” She used a wood island to contrast with the cabinets, painted in Benjamin Moore “Elmira White.” A built-in china cabinet and Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances add to the utility of the space. An additional space for kitchen duties, a scullery kitchen area, has a dishwasher, refrigerated drawers, a pantry closet, and a stacked washer and dryer.

OPPOSITE PAGE: This cozy seating area is part of the spacious kitchen and a perfect spot for enjoying the view from the home.

The living room features many antiques that were original to the home — such as the leather-topped table in the corner — as well as pieces that have been in Trip and Ashley’s families for years. The vibrant peacock painting was done by Mary-Catheryn Baker of Copper Corners. The ﬁreplace is original to the home, though it was refaced with new brick and a new mantel during the renovation. The velvet couches, the couple notes, have held up surprisingly well to the rigors of young children. “We’re on these all the time,” Ashley says. “It’s where we hang out, talk, and play.”

In the mudroom, cabinets keep “drop zone” clutter at bay, shoes are stashed in metal-grate-fronted drawers, and even the dogs live in style with their own custom dining section. “We had extra marble so I had them cut little circles for the dogs’ bowls,” says Ashley. A pot-ﬁller keeps fresh water handy.

“The division into a duplex had been done in such a way that you couldn’t quite ﬁgure out the original ﬂoorplan,” Puljung says. “We took that as an opportunity to start from scratch.” He prioritized views from the home, which include lush, coastal scenes overlooking Lake Clara and the well-manicured greens of the Ford Field and River Club golf course, and moved the living spaces around accordingly.

To create additional living space, the center three bays of the back porch were enclosed. And a big “bump out” on the back added room for a gourmet kitchen.

Still, Puljung notes, the renovation continued in the character of the original home, keeping the signiﬁcant components and authentic elements on the exterior, which allows it to feel integrated with the neighborhood.

Ashley and Trip’s past experience with building and renovation deﬁnitely helped. With a project like this, Ashley says, “It’s very easy to get in over your head. Whether it’s not realizing how big the project

is or how much it will cost or the sheer number of decisions that have to be made.” She recommends reaching out to people in the trades to understand what you’re getting into before you dive in. But, she advises, “Don’t wait to renovate until you’re thinking of putting your home on the market. If you’re thinking of a renovation, even if it’s a small one, do it, so you can live with it and enjoy it. Do it for you.”

At the same time, Trip says, once you make the decision to do a renovation, time is of the essence. “We tried to really be on top of decision making to keep things on target,” he says. For example, they took delivery of their appliance package far in advance and stored it.

The renovations, which were completed in 2024, balanced the needs of a busy modern family with the home’s historical roots. The home is getting ready for another new chapter, too, as the Addisons have put it on the market. As much as they love Cherry Hill House, they love embarking on a new project even more.

In the upstairs primary suite, Ashley chose a statement-making bed from Front Gate. “I love the lines of it, and while it’s not simple, it’s also not too extravagant.” Their en suite bathroom has a wetroom, marbled from ﬂoor to ceiling, with a shower and a Signatures Hardware Henley 66-inch cast iron pedestal tub.

“I had a lot of fun picking out this green” says Ashley. It’s Benjamin Moore’s “Sussex Green.”

Everard Auctions is always accepting quality consignments, from single items to large estates and collections. Our online format allows your items to reach a global audience. Send photos of your items to info@everard.com or call to schedule an appointment.

The home has two primary suites, one on each floor. The Addisons use the one on the second floor because they enjoy the views, but they also wanted to have another option on the first floor to accommodate the preferences of future owners. This second primary suite serves as their guest quarters with an Arhaus couch, a coffee table from Scott’s Antique Market, and a TV, providing a cozy space for lounging or watching a movie.

DETAILS

Homeowners: Trip and Ashley Addison

Neighborhood: The Ford Field and River Club

Year built: circa 1870

Year purchased: 2022

Timeline of renovation/construction: architectural work, 6 months; construction, 14 months

Number of bedrooms: 4

Number of bathrooms: 4.5

Square footage: 4,215

Architect: Erik Puljung, Hansen Architects

Interior designer: Ashley Addison, Abbott Lane Interiors

Builder/contractor: Brian Grant, Grant Homes

Landscape architect: Wallace Milling, Milling Land Design

Kitchen design: Ashley Addison, Abbott Lane Interiors

Cabinets: Robin and Chris Brinkley, Brinkley Cabinets

Countertops: Counter Fitters

Appliances: Wolf and Sub-Zero sourced from Ferguson Enterprises

Lighting: Visual Comfort & Co.

Paint: Benjamin Moore

Tile: Garden State Tile

Hardwood ﬂoors: installed by Roma Hardwood Floors

Drapery and roller shades: Lori Jacobs, Laurel Home Furnishings

Fabric: sourced from Schumacher

Windows/doors: Marvin Windows and Doors from Coastal Sash and Door

Second Chances

Acquiring a spacious rural property allowed this couple to pursue their passion for rescuing at-risk animals.

Written by MARY CORNETTA

Photographed by JOHN ALEXANDER

ALL STARTED WITH THE FOSTER DOGS.

Then came the chickens and ﬁnally, Petunia the pig. Pam and Susan Peterson hadn’t set out to establish an animal sanctuary in Midtown Savannah, but that’s precisely what happened on the 9,000-square-foot lot of their property. Per city ordinances, Savannah residents are permitted to have a pig so long as it’s under a certain size. One chicken per 1,000 square feet is also allowed. The couple abided by the law, but still, they felt concern over their rapidly expanding menagerie. “I was constantly worried,” Pam recalls. “Are the chickens too loud when they’re squawking? Are the dogs barking too much?”

Sue adds, “We didn’t want to be bad neighbors.”

Margo, front, and Mrs. Jones aren’t usually allowed up on the table. This was just for poultry portrait fun.

The couple did their best to win over those around them by handing out fresh eggs, and they were never the subject of complaints. But, ultimately, they knew they were outgrowing the space. As an associate broker and top producer at Seabolt Real Estate, Pam has deep roots in the local real estate market and kept an eye out for the perfect property.

A year of searching paid off. “We were waiting for something special that would make the move worth it,” Pam recalls. When a listing in Bloomingdale came on their radar, they realized it checked a lot of boxes. “It was close enough to Savannah for a reasonable commute to work, it had enough land for horses, fencing already in place, a barn, a chicken coop, and a pond, plus the home itself was move-in ready and did not need an

immediate renovation,” she says. “We could pick up and move with our existing rescue animals, and everyone could fit in seamlessly.”

After only 10 minutes of touring the property, they made an oﬀer and later wrote the seller a letter expressing how they wanted to use the 5-plus-acre property, a gesture that ultimately worked in their favor thanks to a previously unknown connection. The homeowner, it turned out, also owned Faulkville Animal Hospital in Bloomingdale, which provides discounted veterinary services for One Love Animal Rescue. Sue was the event coordinator for One Love Animal Rescue in 2023 and 2024, and the couple have been taking in foster dogs since 2021. Pam is currently a member of the organization’s board of directors.

Pam Peterson, left, with wife, Sue Peterson

After their oﬀer was accepted, Peterson Pines Farm Sanctuary was born. In addition to the 2,867-square-foot home, the lot also includes a barn for hay and Petunia, a chicken coop, a greenhouse, and a well-water pump. A climate-controlled, detached garage creates space where foster pups can spend time, and a new shed will soon become a duck house.

In addition to quelling their noise concerns, Pam and Sue felt conﬁdent they could now open their home to more animal friends. Pam, who’s originally from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, grew up riding horses, and Sue, who hails from Kansas City, Missouri, previously worked as a veterinary technician. “Together, we knew we had the skills to help horses and other farm animals in need of rehabilitation,” Pam says.

Today, Peterson Pines is home to 43 furry, feathered, or fourlegged friends, including four horses, two donkeys, one pig, ﬁve dogs, one cat, 17 ducks, and 13 chickens, each with its own unique backstory. Mrs. Jones, for example, is a chicken who had been

found pecking around Jones Street in Savannah’s Historic District. “A good Samaritan posted on Facebook asking for a rescue to help capture her, so we jumped in the car with a pool skimmer net,” Pam says. “A few neighbors came over to help, and we were able to follow her up on someone’s stoop and net her. We brought her home, where she now rules the roost.”

While most of their animals are rescued locally, like the dogs from One Love Animal Rescue, others come to the sanctuary from farther away. One of the horses, Billy the Blind, a 15-year-old roan Appaloosa, came to Peterson Pines from North Carolina.

Through their network of other rescue organizations, Pam and Sue learned that he needed a safe place to live out the remainder of his life and welcomed him in. Since his eyesight is gone, possibly due to cancer, it’s hard for Billy to communicate and interact with the other horses. So they decided to keep him close to the donkeys, Charlie and Winnie, who act as his seeing-eye animals. “He follows them around and listens for their hooves to direct him and rests

Starting Your Own Sanctuary

Pam and Sue’s dedication to Peterson Pines Farm Sanctuary and its many inhabitants serves as an inspiration, especially to those with an afﬁnity for animal rescue. Want to start your own farm or have plenty of room for animals? Here are some tips.

“When you’re ready to ﬁnd a ‘home’ for your rescue or just decide you need more space for your own family and animals, ﬁnd a local realtor who is familiar with zoning and understands your vision,” explains Pam. If your goal is to tend to farm animals, the property will need to be zoned for agricultural purposes.

The size of the property is also dependent on your plans, though Pam and Sue point out that you may not need as much land as you think. “It’s more about how you use the space,” Sue says. “You can do so much with 2 acres or 5 acres like we have now, and you can really have a nice farm.” According to Pam, a good guideline for estimating acreage is to own at least 1 to 2 acres per grazing animal (like a horse or cow). “You can certainly operate with less,” she says. “But if grass is going to be one of the primary sources of forage in their diet, you will need enough pasture to support them.”

Also consider how owning a farm will impact your lifestyle. The more land and animals you have, the higher expenses will be in the form of fences, food, insurance (as is the case for some outside structures, like a barn), medical care, and more. If you, like Pam and Sue, intend to work while running a farm, factor in the location. While Midtown was an ideal location for both of their jobs, they had to be prepared for longer commute times once moving to Bloomingdale. The trade-off was owning more land that allowed them to do what they love every day.

his head on Winnie when they are eating,” says Pam. “It has become a beautiful relationship and provided the comfort he needs to settle in here!”

As rewarding as it is for them to watch the animals bond, heal, and thrive, Pam and Sue acknowledge that owning a farm and sanctuary comes with a set of challenges. The ﬁnancial needs are high, especially for larger animals like horses. According to Pam, one of the primary reasons horses end up homeless is the cost of feeding and veterinary care. Continuing to work fulltime, with Pam selling real estate and Sue employed as an anesthetist within the St. Joseph’s/Candler network, allows them to keep up with the expenses.

Then there’s the demanding schedule that comes with working and running the farm. “There are truly no days oﬀ, as the animals depend on us,” explains Pam. “We are up every morning feeding and giving meds before we go to work, and we’re back again every evening.” Before bed, all of the farm animals must be secured to protect them from potential predators, like red foxes or coyotes.

There’s also the weather to contend with, especially during storm season. Hurricane Helene, for instance, delayed the

“... when you’re united toward a goal more important than yourselves, to improve the lives of these animals, it’s truly a bonding experience.”

— Pam Peterson

Petersons’ plans to build new shelters and fences in the yard. “We have learned to take it all in stride and work through the unexpected challenges,” Pam says. “The farm has been a good lesson in being more ﬂexible.”

The couple admits that some days feel long and tiresome, but ultimately, the farm has brought them closer together. “We are working harder than we have ever worked, but when you’re united toward a goal more important than yourselves, to improve the lives of these animals, it’s truly a bonding experience,” says Pam. Overall, they say the most gratifying part of owning Peterson Pines is witnessing the transformation of the animals as they move from “fearful and unhealthy to happy and carefree.”

Despite the land and accommodations, Pam and Sue anticipate outgrowing this space, as they had once done with the Midtown property. But for now, they plan to use every inch of it and will consider eventually purchasing neighboring properties. Another vision for the future of the farm? Hiring help so they can conﬁdently travel — another one of their shared passions — even if only for short trips. “When we ﬁrst met, we were in our travel era, and we’ll get back to that,” says Sue. “But, for now, we’re in our farm era.”

& WHERE BEAUTY

With more than 150 winners and runners-up, our 17th annual readers’ choice survey celebrates the city’s esteemed design community. Whether you want to redo your backyard, buy or sell property, or create the kitchen of your dreams, these are the local experts who people in Savannah and the Lowcountry trust to get the job done best.

And the Award

Goes To...

The welcoming entrance hall of a home in The Landings, winner of Best Planned Community Development

HOMES

HOW THE LIST WORKS:

The Best of Savannah HOMES winners were determined by reader votes alone. Only one ballot per voter was accepted; duplicate ballots and those without a verifiable name and address were disqualified. Savannah magazine does not control how honorees campaigned.

BEST ANTIQUE FURNITURE STORE

Jere’s Antiques jeresantiques.com

RUNNER UP:

Seventh Heaven Antiques antiquesinsavannah.com

BEST ANTIQUE MALL

Picker Joe’s Antique Mall & Vintage Market pickerjoes.com

RUNNER UP: Tapley’s Mercantile & Antiques tapleysmercantile.com

BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX Merritt at Whitemarsh themerritt.org

RUNNER UP (TIE): The Ellis theellissavannah.com

Riverworks Easter Wharf riverworksapts.com

BEST APPLIANCE STORE

Livingood’s Appliance and Bedding livingoodsonline.com

RUNNER UP:

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery ferguson.com

Joseph Gallo, Broad Street Interiors

WINNER, BEST INTERIOR DECORATOR

BROAD STREET INTERIORS, WINNER, BEST WALLPAPER SUPPLIER

BROAD STREET INTERIORS, WINNER, BEST OUTDOOR FURNITURE STORE

If there’s one thing Joseph Gallo knows, it’s that decor trends will come and go. “Everything was gray for years,” says Gallo. “[It] was kind of cold and sterile.” Thankfully, he notes, that trend has died out in favor of brighter colors and bolder decorating choices in recent years.

That’s one reason he recommends avoiding fads and choosing simple, high-quality pieces instead. “Don’t buy stuﬀ you’re going to have to replace in a few years,” he says. That way, you can build oﬀ of that stylish foundation and incorporate trends through accessories such as lamps, pillows, and artwork that can easily be swapped out in the future.

“The fashion industry really dictates furniture,” says Gallo. “Trends go in and out so quickly, so be aware of that, and choose simple pieces that are going to stand the test of time.”

It’s hard to go wrong with timeless elements such as brown tones and natural fabrics like leathers, rattans, and linens, which can make a space feel warm and welcoming.

“Invest in good pieces. Don’t follow trends. Do what you love in your own home.”

— JOE GALLO, INTERIOR DESIGNER

Gallo used these very principles for this waterfront dining room. He notes it’s a “coastal, modern room with hints of tradition,” bathed in soft, neutral tones of beige, taupe, and warm brown. A vibrant, eye-catching peacock painting, bold wallpaper, and unique light ﬁxtures give the space a chic, contemporary facelift.

Closets By Design — Coastal South Carolina

WINNER, BEST CLOSET COMPANY

Looking to fulﬁll their organizational needs, this family hired Closets By Design to upgrade not one or two, but six rooms for their new-construction home.

“We created organization spaces that reﬂected the homeowners’ personal style, while maintaining the architectural integrity of the new home,” says Bart Strong, sales manager of Closets By Design. “While this project was larger than most homeowners embark on, we can customize much smaller areas to maximize every inch of space, within a customer’s budget.”

LOOKING TO REVAMP YOUR CLOSET?

Here are five tips from the Closets By Design team:

1. Organize accessories with belt and scarf racks and handbag shelves. Emphasize a special cabinet with LED lighting to showcase that special designer piece, such as a handbag.

2. Adjustable shelves and cubbies allow you to arrange shoes by type — such as sneakers, heels, and sandals — keeping shoes from falling through a rack.

3. Jewelry drawers help prevent tarnishing while keeping rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces organized so you don’t forget about that fabulous necklace purchased 10 years ago. These drawers can also be equipped with a lock.

4 A tilt-out hamper can keep laundry out of sight until wash day.

5. A pull-out rod can help you visualize your best look for the day.

HOMES

BEST ARCHITECTURE FIRM

Hansen Architects hansensavannah.com

RUNNER UP: Lynch Associates Architects lyncharch.com

BEST ASSISTED LIVING/ RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Marshes of Skidaway Island marshesofskidaway.org

RUNNER UP:

Thrive on Skidaway thrivesl.com/skidaway

BEST BATH DESIGN COMPANY

Ellsworth Design · Build ellsworthdesignbuild.com

RUNNER UP: Custom Cabinets custom-cabinets.net

BEST BATH SUPPLY COMPANY

Sandpiper Supply sandpipersav.com

RUNNER UP: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery ferguson.com

BEST BLINDS/ SHUTTER COMPANY

Savannah Blinds Shutters and Shades savannahblinds.com

RUNNER UP: Budget Blinds budgetblinds.com

BEST CABINET MAKER

AWD of Savannah awdsavannah.com

RUNNER UP: Custom Cabinets custom-cabinets.net

BEST CARPET CLEANING SERVICE

Culver Rug Co. culverrug.com

RUNNER UP: Crystal Clear Cleaning Company crystalclearcarpetcleaning.com

BEST CARPETING COMPANY

Culver Rug Co. culverrug.com

RUNNER UP (TIE): Eckard’s Flooring Design Center www.eckardsﬂooring.com/ carpet-savannah Poppell Brothers Flooring poppellbrothers.com

BEST CHIMNEY SWEEP T.D. Anderson LLC

Chimney Sweeps gaslogspecialties.com

RUNNER UP: The Chimney Guy

BEST CLOSET COMPANY Closets by Design –Coastal South Carolina closetsbydesign.com

RUNNER UP: Closet & Cabinet Experts closetspecialist.com

BEST CONCRETE COMPANY

Waters Construction and Concrete watersconstructionandconcrete.com

RUNNER UP: Thomas Concrete thomasconcrete.com

BEST COUNTERTOP COMPANY Counter Fitters counterfitterssav.com

RUNNER UP: MultiStone; multistoneinc.com

BEST CUSTOM ART FRAMING COMPANY

Savannah Framing Company savannahframing.com

RUNNER UP: Friedman’s Framing friedmansframing.com

BEST CUSTOM HOME BUILDER

Alair Homes Savannah alairsavannah.com

RUNNER UP: Brooks Construction Group brooksconstruct.com

BEST DOOR RE TAILER

Coastal Sash & Door coastalsashanddoor.com

RUNNER UP:

HomeSouth Architectural: A Division of Guerry Lumber homesoutharch.com

BEST ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Braddy Electric braddyelectricco.com

RUNNER UP: Ocean Electric Contracting Inc. On Facebook

BEST FABRIC COMPANY

Sherry’s Honey Pot Fabric & More sherryshoneypot.com

RUNNER UP: Culver Rug Co. culverrug.com

One Fish Two Fish

WINNER, BEST HOME ACCESSORY STORE

Even a small piece can make a bold statement in your home.

One Fish Two Fish owner Jennifer Grayson says clients are looking to infuse style on smaller surface areas, such as on side tables or book shelves. Delicate and dainty accessories are trending, she says.

“Tiny travertine bowls and small trays are gaining popularity for their understated elegance, oﬀering a raw, earthy appeal while adding a sophisticated touch to any decor.”

Grayson, who has impeccable taste, takes extra care to keep her finger on the home a essori ing p lse Here are three trends that have a ght her eye:

1. “Faux olive trees and branches are making waves, bringing a touch of Mediterranean charm and greenery into interiors without the maintenance,” Grayson says.

2. Organic and sustainable materials bring warmth and texture into modern spaces.

3. Miniature, stylish lamps are both convenient and chic. “These lamps not only brighten a room but also elevate its aesthetic, turning functional lighting into an art form,” she says.

Kitchen Design Solutions

WINNER, BEST KITCHEN DESIGN COMPANY

For this kitchen, the homeowners sought a true transformation. They wanted to open up their kitchen to the living area while closing it oﬀ from the hallway to increase their wall space.

“The original kitchen featured a traditional design with dated, builder-grade white cabinetry,” explains Jennifer Dainelli, marketing director of Kitchen Design Solutions. “A wall separated it from the living space, and a counter-height bar — along with an additional doorway to the hallway — created a conﬁned, galleystyle layout.”

In order to accommodate the new design elements, including dual pantries, ﬂoating shelves, and an oversized kitchen island for

entertaining, the team had to ﬁgure out the best way to create a more open and functional layout for the space.

KDS’s remodeling team found the perfect solution to these problems through an innovative new design that references the lush, retreatlike atmosphere of the home’s neighborhood, located in The Landings.

The final design incorporated reclaimed wood and drew inspiration from nature, featuring hues of hunter and sage green, tobacco, ember gold, and beige. The quartzite slab on the island tied everything together, a refined finishing touch that would impress even the most discerning dinner party guest.

Livingood’s Appliances and Bedding

From grills and sinks to outdoor beverage centers, your backyard barbecue area could be looking much more vibrant this summer.

What’s trending in the world of interior decor is making its way outdoors, and homeowners want color not just inside their kitchens, but in their outdoor kitchen setup, too. Livingood’s owner Todd Livingood noticed a colorful chapter in indoor kitchen appliances almost 10 years ago — bright reds, oranges, and blues were favored among manufacturers to give the cooking space a pop of color. These days, he reports, they are requesting pastels — like pale yellows and light blues — when shopping for a barbecue grill, seeking to match their umbrellas,

lounge chairs, and other outdoor furniture.

While traditional stainless steel has always been a preferred material for outdoor appliances due to its rust resistance, Livingood says the added color actually increases that resistance. Still, Livingood emphasizes the importance of cleaning outdoor appliances, especially in coastal Georgia.

“Our air is salty, so it’s important to keep appliances clean and polished,” Livingood said. “Use an oil-based polish; that’s going to help keep the luster and resist the salty air. We tend to think stainless steel will withstand the heat, but it still needs to be cleaned to maintain its appearance and integrity.”

The Landings Company

WINNER, BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT, CHRISTY MOORE OF THE LANDINGS COMPANY

WINNER, BEST REAL ESTATE COMPAN Y, THE LANDINGS COMPANY

WINNER, BEST REAL ESTATE TEAM , THE ANCHOR GROUP WITH THE LANDINGS COMPANY

“Savannah is a primary draw because of the city’s historic charm, coastal beauty, and vibrant cultural scene,” says Christopher Harmon, president of The Landings Company. The plentiful amenities at The Landings help seal the deal for buyers.

“Buyers are seeking homes that enhance their quality of life,” he notes.

The Landings’ Golf and Athletic Club — recently named a “platinum club of America,” an honor awarded to the top 150 private clubs in the country — is home to six golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, ﬁve pools, 10 restaurants, and a wellness center.

Want to make a move to The Landings? The market remains competitive, especially for high-demand properties. Harmon and The Landings agents advise buyers to act quickly.

“Buyers need to be prepared to make their best offer first,” says Harmon. “Good properties that are well kept and priced sell quickly and typically with multiple offers.”

HOMES

BEST FENCING COMPANY

JDH Decks and Fences jdhdecksandfences.com

RUNNER UP: Savannah Fence Company savannahfencingcompany.com

BEST FURNITURE STORE – NEW Whelan’s Furniture whelanshome.com

RUNNER UP:

One Fish Two Fish oneﬁshstore.com

BEST FURNITURE STORE – OUTDOOR

Broad Street Interiors broadstreetinteriorssav.com

BEST FURNITURE STORE – USED

Clutter Furnishings & Interiors cluttersav.com

RUNNER UP: Cents and Sensibility facebook.com/centsandsensibility

BEST GARAGE DOOR COMPANY

Overhead Door Company of Savannah overheaddoorofsavannah.com

RUNNER UP: Padgett Overhead Garage Doors facebook.com/padgettgaragedoors

BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Alair Homes Savannah alairsavannah.com

RUNNER UP (TIE): American Craftsman Renovations americancraftsmanrenovations.com

Tollison & Co. tollisonandcompany.com

BEST “GREEN” BUILDING COMPANY

Ellsworth Design · Build ellsworthdesignbuild.com

RUNNER UP: Robin Restoration robinrestoration.com

BEST “GREEN” DESIGN COMPANY

Greenline Architecture greenlinearch.com

RUNNER UP: Felder & Associates felderassociates.net

BEST HANDYMAN

Mr. Handyman of Greater Savannah and Hilton Head mrhandyman.com/ greater-savannah

RUNNER UP: Georgia Handyman Experts georgiahandymanexperts.com

BEST HARDWARE STORE

Islands Ace Hardware acehardware.com/ store-details/14407

RUNNER UP: Maycrest Hardware maycresthardware.com

BEST HARDWOOD FLOORING COMPANY

Culver Rug Co. culverrug.com

RUNNER UP: Olde Savannah Hardwood Flooring facebook.com/ oldesavannahhardwoodﬂooring

BEST HEATING/ AC COMPANY

Byrd Heating & Air Conditioning byrdheatingandair.com

RUNNER UP (TIE): Canady’s Heating, Air & Plumbing canadys.com

McDevitt Air mcdevittair.com

BEST HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMPANY

Ellsworth Design · Build ellsworthdesignbuild.com

RUNNER UP: Robin Restoration robinrestoration.com

BEST HOME ACCESSORIES STORE

One Fish Two Fish onefis store.com

RUNNER UP: Clutter Furnishings & Interiors cluttersav.com

BEST HOME CLEANING SERVICE Hubbard’s Maid Service hubbardsmaidservice.com

RUNNER UP: Merry Maids of Savannah merrymaids.com/savannah

BEST HOME INSPECTION COMPANY Capwell Home Inspections facebook.com/ capwellhomeinspections44

RUNNER UP: Savannah Home Inspection

great product with even better customer service. Highly recommend

through the whole process

WITH OVER 200 HAPPY CLIENTS - SEE WHY WE’RE RATED 4.9

installation! My blinds are absolutely beautiful and I would highly recommend Savannah Blinds

was easy from ordering to installation. Highly recommend

Recognized as the Best in Savannah for Blinds & Shutters – 4 Years Running!

BEST HOME INSURANCE AGENT

Timothy Blanco, Hub International

(formerly Chatham Insurance Partners) hubinternational.com

RUNNER UP:

Declan Finnerty, State Farm declanﬁnnerty.com

BEST HOME INSURANCE AGENCY/COMPANY

Hub International

(formerly Chatham Insurance Partners) hubinternational.com

RUNNER UP:

State Farm

statefarm.com/agent/us/ga/savannah

BEST HOME SECURITY COMPANY

ADT Security Services adt.com/local/ga/savannah

RUNNER UP:

SafeTouch of Savannah safetouchsavannah.com

BEST INTERIOR DECORATOR

Joe Gallo, Broad Street Interiors broadstreetinteriorssav.com

RUNNER UP: Stephanie Kisgen, Coastal Staging & Design Co. coastalstagingco.com

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM

Curry & Co. currysalandi.com

RUNNER UP:

Anne Pappas Interiors annepappasinteriors.com

TideWater Landscape Management

WINNER, BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN COMPANY

WINNER, BEST LAWN CARE COMPANY

The hottest trends in landscape design right now are also the simplest and most sustainable.

“Both homeowners and businesses are selecting native plants that require minimal water and upkeep, which ultimately decreases overall water usage and reliance on chemicals,” says Frank Hawthorne, TideWater Landscape Management’s regional manager. “This is not only beneﬁcial for the environment, but also aids in conserving resources and can lower long-term costs.”

In the past, large ornamental features and intricate lawns were in high demand. These days, clients prefer functional outdoor living areas that encourage relaxation and socializing.

“Property owners now favor practical components such as outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and inviting seating arrangements that significantly improve the utility of their landscapes,” says Hawthorne. “This shift showcases an increasing desire to effectively blend indoor comforts with outdoor spaces.”

WATERING TIP:

“It’s best to irrigate either early in the morning or late evening hours to reduce evaporation loss during the hottest parts of the day. Using mulch around plant beds can aid moisture retention within the soil, thus cutting down how often one needs to water.”

— Frank Hawthorne, TideWater Landscape Management’s regional manager

from left: Rita Slatus, Director; Ruth Collins; Betty Vickery

Left to right: Tanner and Meghan Reed, Tonya and Todd Reed

HOMES

BEST KITCHEN DESIGN COMPANY

Kitchen Design Solutions kitchendesignsolutions.com

RUNNER UP: Jamestown Designer Kitchens jamestownkitchens.com

BEST KITCHEN SUPPLY SHOWROOM

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery ferguson.com

RUNNER UP: Sandpiper Supply sandpipersav.com

BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN COMPANY

TideWater Landscape Management tidewaterusa.com

RUNNER UP: Beckler Design Studio becklerdesignstudio.com

BEST LAWN CARE COMPANY

TideWater Landscape Management tidewaterusa.com

RUNNER UP: Hester & Zipperer facebook.com/zipperergardens

BEST LIGHTING SHOWROOM

Pace Lighting pacelighting.com

RUNNER UP: Visual Comfort & Co. visualcomfort.com/savannah

BEST LOCAL FURNITURE MAKER

Brian Rickenbacker rickenbackerfurnitureandrepair.com

RUNNER UP: AWD of Savannah awdsavannah.com

BEST LUMBER COMPANY

Guerry Lumber guerrylumber.com

RUNNER UP: Gaster Lumber & Hardware gasterlumber.com

BEST MARBLE/ GRANITE COMPANY

Counter Fitters counterfitterssav.com

RUNNER UP: MultiStone multistoneinc.com

BEST MATTRESS STORE

Livingood’s Appliances and Bedding v n oo son ne.com

RUNNER UP: Green Frog Sleep Center greenfrogsleepcenter.com

BEST METAL FABRICATOR

Forsyth Metal Works forsythmetalworks.com

RUNNER UP: Savannah Metalworks smwog.com

BEST MILLWORK COMPANY

Guerry Lumber guerrylumber.com

RUNNER UP: Custom Cabinets custom-cabinets.net

BEST MORTGAGE/ LENDING INSTITUTION

BankSouth an sout .com ocat ons savanna

RUNNER UP: New American Funding newamericanfunding.com/ branches/savannah

BEST MOVING COMPANY

Two Men and a Truck t omenan atruc savanna .com

RUNNER UP: Washington Movers & Delivery Service

BEST NEW HOME BUILDER

Alair Homes Savannah a a rsavanna .com

RUNNER UP: Brooks Construction Group brooksconstruct.com

BEST NURSERY/ GARDEN CENTER

Herb Creek Landscape Supply herbcreek.com

RUNNER UP: Hester & Zipperer facebook.com/zipperergardens

BEST ORGANIZING COMPANY

House of Von ouseo von.com

RUNNER UP: Orchid Organizing orchidorganizing.com/servicessavannah

BEST OUTDOOR LIGHTING INSTALLATION COMPANY

NiteLites — The Outdoor Lighting Professionals n te tes.com ocat on savanna a

LIVE THE LANDINGS LUXURY LIFESTYLE

Stunning Georgian-style home in Midpoint at the Landings features reclaimed heart pine hardwood floors, and a gourmet kitchen with Thermador gas appliances. The two-story living room and library have charming fireplaces, while the rear of the home offers a beautiful wall of glass overlooking lush gardens. Craftsmanship is evident throughout, from custom built-ins to exquisite millwork. The luxurious Primary Suite on the first floor includes a custom closet and lavish en suite bathroom.

Providing expert representation for both buyers and sellers.

The property’s elegance is further enhanced by a formal side garden, impeccably maintained landscaping, a ﬁre pit and a Koi pond on the raised terrace for alfresco dining and entertaining. The Landings Resort-style amenities include 6 golf courses, 9 restaurants, 5 clubhouses, 2 marinas, tennis courts, pickleball, bocce, pools, trails, and more for a luxury living experience (some amenities may require additional fees). Enjoy the Landings Lifestyle in this exceptional home.

Tollison and Co.

WINNER, BEST REMODELING COMPANY

RUNNER UP (TIE), BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR

This woman-owned business has been constructing, renovating, and restoring properties for happy customers since 2013 — but one of their most transformative projects of late was personal. Tollison and Co. remodeled a deteriorating house, turning it into a modern and vibrant oﬃce space for their company.

After some trouble ﬁnding a commercial real estate listing that suited her company’s needs, founder Tracey Henry Tollison began driving around town, scouting for a suitable property. And there it was: 5728 Skidaway Road, where she encountered an old house with a sinking roof and broken windows. It was perfect.

“We completely gutted the house and added on to it, which required a whole new roof to accommodate ductwork for the HVAC system,” Tollison says. “The challenge was reframing the roof while protecting and saving the existing original wood ﬂooring.”

Tollison and Co.’s oﬃce took seven months of work to complete and features two types of Marvin windows, as well as V-groove ceilings and custom paneled walls and shutters. The former home was further alchemized with gas lanterns, unique light ﬁxtures, and colorful wall art.

Tollison notes, “The key was to make a functional work space and incorporate lots of details for our clients to touch and see to potentially use in their own projects.”

To do list: Soak in the notes.

One of our residents’ favorite events is an outing to hear the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra. And as anyone who’s joined us will tell you, it’s a rst-class trip all the way. We start with a delightful dinner here at The Marshes and then we transport you to and from the concert. We even purchase the tickets for you. Which means all you have to do is sit back, relax and savor the music with your closest friends. It’s an evening to remember.

To schedule a visit, go to marshesofskidaway.org or call 1.866.905.4446.

HOMES

BEST OUTDOOR SHADE/AWNINGS

Coastal Canvas Products coastalcanvas.com

RUNNER UP: Savannah Awnings & Outdoor Comfort facebook.com/savannahawnings

BEST PAINT STORE

Spectrum Paint spectrumpaint.com

RUNNER UP:

Sherwin Williams (on Victory Drive) sherwin-williams.com/store-locator/ paint-store/savannah/ga/702345

BEST PAINTING CONTRACTOR

Sharpe Painting

RUNNER UP:

Gene Knight Painting geneknightpaintingllc.com

BEST PEST CONTROL

Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control yates-astro.com

RUNNER UP: Bee Green Pest Solutions beegreenpestsolutions.com

BEST PLANNED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Landings thelandings.com

RUNNER UP: Savannah Quarters savannahquarters.com

BEST PLUMBING CONTRACTOR

Hutson Plumbing Company hutsonplumbing.com

RUNNER UP:

Henry Plumbing Company henryplumbingco.com

BEST POOL INSTALLATION COMPANY

Clearwater Pools & Patios clearwaterpools-patios.com

RUNNER UP: Pride Pools, Spas & Leisure Products pridepools.com

BEST POOL MAINTENANCE COMPANY

Pride Pools, Spas & Leisure Products pridepools.com

RUNNER UP: Year Round Pool yearroundpool.com

BEST PRESSURE WASHING COMPANY

Soap on a Rope soaponaropeinc.com

RUNNER UP: Mr. Wright Pressure Washing https://mrwrightpres28.wixsite.com/ website-1

BEST PROPERTY MANAGER Lanier Management laniermanagement.com

RUNNER UP:

Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty danielravenelsir.com

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

Christy Moore, The Landings Company thelandings.com/real-estate-team/ christy-moore

RUNNER UP: Brooke Powell, Ashley Brooke Properties ashleybrookeproperties.com

BEST REAL ESTATE APPRAISER

Dewitt, Cook & Associates dewittappraisals.net

RUNNER UP: Stephen Ham Appraisal Company colliers.com/en/experts/stephen-ham

BEST REAL ESTATE CLOSING ATTORNEY (TIE): Joel Gerber, Brannen, Searcy and Smith brannenlaw.com

Matthew R. Toler, Toler Comer, LLC

RUNNER UP: Harris G. Martin, Bouhan Falligant bouhan.com

BEST REAL ESTATE CLOSING FIRM: McManamy Jackson Hollis m firm.com

RUNNER UP: Toler Comer, LLC

BEST REAL ESTATE TEAM

The Anchor Group, Gus Moore, Christy Moore, and Bob Jennings, The Landings Company facebook.com/theanchorgroup31411

RUNNER UP:

The Ezelle Strong Team, Carolyn Ezelle and Lavinia Strong, Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty facebook.com/ ezellestrongrealestateteam

HOMES

BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY

The Landings Company thelandings.com

RUNNER UP:

Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty danielravenelsir.com

BEST REMODELING COMPANY

Tollison & Co. tollisonandcompany.com

RUNNER UP:

American Craftsman Renovations americancraftsmanrenovations.com

BEST RESIDENTIAL AUDIO/VIDEO COMPANY

Rody’s Audio Warehouse rodysaudiowarehouse.com

BEST RESIDENTIAL GLASS COMPANY

Rick’s Glass Company ricksglass.com

RUNNER UP: J & L Glass jlglassinc.com

BEST RESIDENTIAL MOSQUITO CONTROL COMPANY

Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control yates-astro.com

RUNNER UP:

Mosquito Joe of Coastal Georgia coastalgeorgia.mosquitojoe.com

BEST ROOFING COMPANY

Grassi Roofing rass roofin .com

RUNNER UP:

Michael’s Rooﬁng michaelsrooﬁngsavannah.com

BEST RUG COMPANY

Culver Rug Co. culverrug.com

RUNNER UP: The Rug Shoppe rugshoppeﬂooringamerica.com

BEST STAGING COMPANY

Coastal Staging & Design Co.

coastalstagingco.com

RUNNER UP:

Staging-By Design staging-bydesign.com

BEST STONE/ HARDSCAPE COMPANY

Savannah Hardscapes Construction

savannahhardscapes.com

RUNNER UP:

Garden State Tile gstile.com/location/savannah-ga

BEST TILE COMPANY

Garden State Tile gstile.com/location/savannah-ga

RUNNER UP: Savannah Surfaces savannahsurfaces.com

BEST UPHOLSTERER

Taylor Upholstering Co. taylorupholstering.com

RUNNER UP: Davis Upholstery

BEST UTILITY COMPANY

Georgia Power georgiapower.com

BEST WALLPAPER INSTALLER

Mike Holcombe, Mike Holcombe Wallcoverings

RUNNER UP: Edwina Scarboro

BEST WALLPAPER SUPPLIER

Broad Street Interiors broadstreetinteriorssav.com

RUNNER UP (TIE): Culver Rug Co. culverrug.com Curry & Co. currysalandi.com

BEST WINDOW RETAILER

Coastal Sash & Door coastalsashanddoor.com

RUNNER UP: Window World of Savannah windowworld.com/stores/ georgia/pooler

BEST WINDOW TREATMENT COMPANY

Savannah Blinds Shutters and Shades savannahblinds.com

RUNNER UP: Palmetto Shutter Company palmettoshutters.com

BEST WINDOW WASHING COMPANY

Soap on a Rope soaponaropeinc.com

RUNNER UP: Clearview Coastal clearviewcoastal.com

Editorial project manager: BRYNN O’CONNOR

Peak Season

As

often happens in the spring, Savannah’s real estate sector is buzzing with activity.

Written by KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER

WITH A ROBUST LOCAL ECONOMY and a desirable lifestyle, Savannah has seen a steady uptick in real estate values.

Still, after a prolonged, heated market during the COVID years, the local market has stabilized, says Ruthie Lynah Whitlow, a real estate broker associate at Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty. Whitlow — who is a sixthgeneration Savannahian — explains that “Properties are staying on the market about 55 to 60 days, which is considered a medium amount of time,” she says. “That indicates a balanced market where supply meets demand.”

She says that March to June is considered a favorable purchasing time. “Historically there is increased inventory, which

is good for buyers,” she says. She recently worked on the sale of a townhome on West Taylor Street listed at $1.875 million. The home has a main residence with hardwood ﬂoors, an elevator, and a private courtyard. The garden level includes a separate 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment with its own entrance, while the carriage house also includes a spacious 1-bed, 1-bath apartment.

“Downtown is always interesting, because there is such a mix of architecture; that’s one of our highest price point districts,” she says. Isle of Hope is very desirable with locals, she says, and she’s ﬁnding properties at The Landings draw interest from buyers across the U.S., as the amenities are “very attractive especially for people who are retiring.”

Her advice to sellers: Understand the current conditions. “If you haven’t been paying attention to the market, you might still be thinking the homes are moving like they did four to ﬁve years ago. You have to set the price at true market value and have a realistic time frame.”

Her advice to buyers: “If you’re waiting for interest rates to go down, I would say it’s smarter to get the home now when the inventory is there. We like to say you’re married to your home, but you date your rate. You can always reﬁnance. Because oftentimes when interest rates go down, property prices will go up.”

Brooke Powell, a real estate broker at Ashley Brooke Properties, reports that the market in Savannah was a bit unusual last fall and into the early winter. “After the hurricane and then the snow, it really slowed down for the most part. People were like, ‘What other apocalyptic event is going to happen?’ A lot of listings, if you were on the market before the hurricane, you were probably sitting for a minute.”

However, she closed almost $6 million in sales in January, making it her best month ever. For example, she recently helped a client buy an 1875built, 4,579-square-foot townhouse on East Gaston Street, which sold for $3.5 million.

Powell, who recently bought a twostory Georgian in The Landings and sold a previous home, oﬀers ﬁve tips:

1. Price it right, stage it right and listen to your realtor.

2. Right now, buyers do have a slight advantage for negotiating closing costs.

3. Maintain your home. “I put in the landscaping, a circular driveway, a garden, and the right staging. When I sold my home, I got the absolute top dollar.”

4. If you’re thinking of renovating, she recommends padding your budget with an additional 10% to 20% to cover whatever issues may arise during the project.

5. Get used to the interest rates. “These really are normal interest rates, when you look at it historically,” she says. Five percent is where people are comfortable. Go ahead, purchase what you need now, and you can always reﬁnance it later on.”

MARKET STATISTICS

The latest Savannah area numbers for the month of January 2025, courtesy of the Savannah Area REALTORS®:

544

$350,000

RETIREMENT HAVEN

3,193

26%

Savannah was named among the best cities to retire in Georgia by RetirementLiving.com. It based this on ﬁve factors: the percentage of seniors, median home sale prices, median rent, poverty rate, and sales tax. The group praised Savannah’s wildlife preserves, budget-friendliness, and strong presence of seniors, with about 14% of residents aged 65 and older.

Of real estate purchases in Savannah are made in cash, says Brooke Powell. You’re competing with buyers who may have recently sold a home in another, more costly market, and they have cash to spend.

1,066

THE NATIONAL PICTURE

U.S. home prices were up 4% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $418,478. The number of homes sold was up 3.1% year over year and there were 300,196 homes sold in January this year, compared to 291,147 homes sold in January 2024. The national average 30-year ﬁxed rate mortgage rate is at 7%, up 0.3 points year over year. — Source: Redﬁn, January 2025 data

MODERN LUXURY

444 Port St, Savannah, GA 31401

CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALISTS

STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT: Laura Celaya, Sam Florance, Dawn Morgan, Andresa Mueller, Susan Ross, Kati Ann Wright

SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT: Rebecca Wayman, Susan Dailey, Allison Jett

*Listing courtesy of Allison Jett

SAVANNAH MARKET PLACE

1111B Bay Street - Tybee Island

Enjoy unparalleled luxury at this exquisite, fully furnished 4 BR/4 BA contemporary beach house with an in-ground pool, hot tub and active ST certificate, ideally located just steps from the beach on Tybee Island’s desirable North End! This turnkey property offers private beach access, stunning views, gorgeous interiors, an open floor plan and inviting indoor/outdoor spaces for entertaining. arage parking for vehicles, fire pit, deck, storage and much more.

Offered for $2,800,000.

Staci Donegan

C: 912.247.2052

O: 912.233.6609

staci@stacidonegan.com

510 E McDonough

4-story Crawford Square Beauty.

Elegant, stately 5 BD/5BA newer built home offers multigenerational living opportunity. The expansive 1st story 1500’ 4-car garage provides immediate elevator access. The 2nd story boasts high ceilings and open airy plan ﬁlled with natural light complete with chef’s eat-in kitchen, deck and 1/2 BA. The 3rd story has 3 BD/2BA, laundry room and new Primary Suite with soaking tub. crawfordsquaresav.com

Liza DiMarco

Compass liza.dimarco@compass.com 805.450.3795 lizadimarco.com

23 & 25 Brady Street

Stunning 6BR/2BA with 2 half baths, spanning 3,168 sq. ft., circa 1918! Situated in Savannah’s vibrant Starland District, live on one side and rent the other as an owner-occupied STVR or long-term rental. Features include gorgeous hardwood floors, lofty ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Each unit offers formal dining, granite kitchens with farmhouse sinks, spacious bedrooms with private porches, and original fireplaces. resh interior exterior paint. Units 23 & 25 can be sold furnished or unfurnished!

Offered at $1,150,000

Catherine Cooper o. 912.234.3323

c. 912.663.5526

113 Grays Creek Court

Stunning 5-bed, 5-bath property nestled in the gated community of Long Point. Boasting 4,233 sf, this marshfront home offers breathtaking views of the ilmington iver. nside ﬁnd spacious living areas with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and elegant ﬁnishes. The kitchen features high-end appliances and custom cabinetry. The primary suite is a true sanctuary, complete with a spa-like ensuite. Outdoor living is unparalleled, with expansive decks, a screened-in porch, and a beautifully landscaped yard. Offered at $1,749,000.

The owan Stallings Group c. 706-566-5235 o. 912-398-5510

1217 Bay Street

Don’t miss this bright and cheerful 1BR/1BA turnkey condo on the 3rd ﬂoor of Savannah Beach & Racquet Club! Just steps from the ocean, this community offers private beach access, a pool, and tennis/pickleball courts. The open ﬂoorplan boasts an updated kitchen with granite counters, engineered decking, and added storage. The living room opens to a charming porch. Move-in ready with beautiful furnishings and a strong rental history—$32K in 2023! Walk or bike to Tybee’s restaurants and shops! Offered at $365,000

The Ezelle Strong Team o. 912.234.3323

c. 912.272.9711

c. 912.272.3250

2713 Bismark Avenue

Tucked away at the end of a quiet gravel road in Bonna Bella with a blend of historic character and southern charm. This 3 bed, 2 bath home features original craftsmanship with exposed tongue-andgroove walls, antique ﬁve-panel doors, original hardwood ﬂooring, and coffered and bead board ceilings. With a 30-yr architectural roof, new HVAC, and 2,372 sq. ft. under roof, this coastal retreat is a perfect mix of history, charm, and modern comfort. For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit coastalprettyhomes.com.

Offered at $398,000

o. (912) 445-2230

SAVANNAH MARKET PLACE

205 E. 44th Street

This Ardsley Park Estate commands 5,115 square feet, with a guest house of 714 square feet. 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms. This home was made to entertain with an open floor plan, a back deck, an in-ground heated pool and an astroturf lawn. The first floor showcases a radiant living room with oak floors, coffered ceiling, and European casement windows. The second floor features a spacious master ensuite with a soaking tub, uropean vanities, a walk-in shower, plus three more bedrooms, laundry facilities, and access to a third-floor space perfect for a playroom or workout room.

Offered at $1,795,000

Ben Bluemle

C: 912-210-4767

O: 912-202-2042

20 West Gaston Street

This grand, impeccably restored c. 1857 treasure overlooking Forsyth Park stands apart as one of Savannah’s most sophisticated private residences and offers 5 bedrooms, triple Charleston-style side porches, museum-quality architectural details, 15-foot ceilings, a private brick side yard & elevator. Enjoy a lavish, open-concept chef’s kitchen with spacious family room, state-of-the-art media room, elegant wine/cigar room, connected carriage house and more. Offered at $8,500,000.

Staci Donegan

C: 912.247.2052

O: 912.233.6609 staci@stacidonegan.com

To participate in the next issue or to fin out more contact our rector o vert s n .

jane.townsend@savannahmagazine.com

Forever Home

Written and illustrated by JJ HUBAL

“My theory is the heartbeat of a home can be contained within particular objects, items that provide comforting links to a previous experience or relationship.”

MY FIRST HOME AS AN ADULT was a tiny studio apartment in Chicago. With a turquoise refrigerator and stove, it was a 1960’s dream come true. I wanted to live there forever.

Then life happened. My spouse’s unexpected military deployment, the demands of our rapidly growing family, and an assortment of career opportunities quickly racked up the miles between the familiar and the frighteningly new as I packed up and relocated, over and over.

It didn’t take long to realize that a change of residence was more than buying packing tape and ﬁguring out what would ﬁt in the back seat of the car; moving was like putting my entire life into a blender and hitting the start button. Will my new doctor be as good as the old one? How close is the nearest elementary school? What’s a condo association?

These days, my husband, Jim, and I live in Savannah with our cat, Mango. Jim and I recently added up how many addresses we’ve had from birth until now. The total was 40 … each! If nothing else, this means we’ve had to ﬁgure out how to turn on the light in 80 diﬀerent bathrooms.

Research tells us that most people will change homes at least 12 times in their lifetime. Whether your address count is higher than ours or still in single digits, it’s clear that most of us will need to navigate a personal landscape dotted with housing change — the apartment downtown, the ﬁxer-upper by the beach, the subdivision Colonial — while trying to keep the practical and emotional parts of us intact. To do this, I believe we have to ﬁnd the heartbeat of each space and take it with us.

My theory is the heartbeat of a home can be contained within particular objects, items that provide comforting links to a previous experience or relationship. It’s these special things that transform a generic living space into one of personal connection. It might be a favorite coﬀee cup, a grandmother’s quilt draped over the sofa, a glass container of seashells you collected together, or well-worn tools lined up exactly where we want them on a workbench. These welcoming bits and pieces of our history tell us that where we are at this moment is uniquely ours.

One of my most treasured “heartbeat objects” is a colorful portrait of our beloved dog Holly that I painted years ago to brighten up the dingy farmhouse where we were living when we adopted her. After Holly passed away, we continued to carry her portrait from place to place. Each time the familiar painting was unpacked and hung, it brought a sense of completeness into our most recent version of home and turned down the volume on my panic-ﬁlled thoughts about ﬁnding a new dentist, new friends — new everything.

Even now, looking at Holly’s painting on the wall across the room, I can almost hear the jingle of the tags on her collar assuring me once again that everything’s going to be all right. I’m home.