but is also practical, as sound as a hurricane
shelter.
When building the foundation, the
pilings were driven 80 feet deep, Black
says, so the ground floor, main floor
and upper levels are set on enough
concrete to anchor a skyscraper. The
stucco exterior, slate roof and copper
guttering encasing the house are
timeless attributes that echo true
construction.
Even the old live oak tree received
the white glove treatment. It was
the selling point for the owners and
they took every step possible, with
a tree doctor on call, to ensure its
branches, roots and life stayed strong
in between those years of heavy construction.
When the owners moved
into the house two years ago, Black
had numerous boxes of lights strung
around the old oak for a Christmas
party. The lights remain on the tree
today because, as she says, “it creates
such a memory that you never forget.”
Opposite: A handmade mirrored bed
in the master suite is paired with
custom-painted chests amid bursts of
pink in her en suite bath, above.
74
WBM june 2012