In the beautiful coffee table book, Heirloom Houses: The Architecture of Wade Weissmann authored by Steven Stolman, one of Nashville’s most uniquely situated properties is prominently featured with gorgeous photography and detailed descriptions.
While Weissmann operates multiple offices across the country, his Nashville operations have proven to be quite impressive when it comes to spectacular home design. In the latest edition of The Nashville Edit, evidence of his talent is creatively showcased in the feature on Roman Josi’s Southern Contemporary Home. While we fell in love with that home, it was this particular structure in one of the city’s most prominent neighborhoods that really got our attention, starting with the name.
In Weissmann’s description of the project, he tags it a Garden Folly. For those not familiar with this term when referring to architecture (we certainly weren’t), it stems from the Romanticism period in 18th Century England and largely referred to structures that were primarily erected to enhance expansive gardens and landscape design. In modern-day American terms, what was once termed a folly is now most often referred to as a gazebo or outdoor pavilion. Based on what we’ve seen of this design, it goes well beyond any image of what we think of as a gazebo, so a Garden Folly seems to be an appropriate name.
Weissmann had several structures included in this project, all designed to best enhance the property from different angles, as well as providing the owners with a multitude of year-round entertaining options. Constructed by The Wills Company, the centerpiece of the project is definitely a crowd pleaser and unlike anything else you would typically see near a pool in Middle Tennessee. Gracious outdoor terraces flow seamlessly to the pool and the artistic roofline of the folly, which is gorgeous both inside and out. This is definitely not a poolside cabana, but instead a dramatic space for gathering, entertaining and enjoying dramatic interiors. The interior design talents of Whitney Baldwin bring a lovely Southern feel to the space while the outdoor areas and garden designed by landscape architect, Scott Byron & Co. provide a gorgeous backdrop from every angle.
From the term “folly” to the truly unique design, this carefully crafted structure is an inspiration to all who visit and just one of the many gorgeous properties featured in this idea-packed book of extraordinary homes.
