Gordon Stringer, Friend, Designer, R.I.P.

He said, "It needs something yellow down there." Then he proved it.

Earl Gordon Stringer, Jr., 1938 - 2013, died a couple of weeks ago. Do you mind a few random memories? After 25 years we have so many. If you have memories, I hope you'll share them in the comments.

Gordon didn't like his picture taken but we have a few. We even have Gordon in time-lapse action at the bottom of this blog post.

Gordon hung every picture in our house, picked every color, every fabric, nearly every piece of furniture. He arranged. And when he thought we needed it, he re-arranged. As much as anyone he was and still is in our house. We had some greats times in the process.


If Gordon wasn't sitting down, he was probably moving things around.

Over time we thought of Gordon as the designer in the family, our colorful uncle.  He saw our children grow up. He knew us. He knew when to push and when to back off. And he really knew how to return a favor.

He was my favorite architecture tourist companion. He knew great potential, great houses, great landscapes, and great details all over Atlanta. Here's how it often went: He'd say, "You need to do this to your sidewalk." We'd think, "That's crazy." Then he'd take us to see what he was talking about. We'd say, "Why did we doubt you?"

Gordon's talent and experience demonstrated the value of designers: For the same money you can have a space that sucks or a space that delights you every day. Gordon could "see" potential, "see" outcomes, and he knew how to make it happen.

Gordon worked by the hour, handshake deals, no contracts, word of mouth marketing, many long-term clients. Wise realtors gave him a bonus when a house sold. No days off, no vacations. He loved to do it.

But even Gordon tired out once in a while. He certainly enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation, a meal, a movie after the work was done.

All Gordon's friends knew "Gordon Time." Gordon was perfectly predictable if not perfectly punctual. He liked to finish with you before the next appointment.

Another "Gordon Time" meant unexpected visits; but after a while you expected unexpected visits. We'd spot him from the window and announce, "Gordon's here."

The third "Gordon Time" involved extended evenings. He enjoyed winding down his evenings with folks he knew. Sometimes it dragged on but he was good company. Finally he'd say, We'll I'd better get our of your way."

Everybody has Gordon stories. One of  my favorites and I don't know where it came from was something like: "If Gordon had a good agent/manager, he'd have been a millionaire." I believe that's true.

But measured in terms of doing what he enjoyed and in the delightful places he designed for clients and friends, he was a rich man.



Gordon took great delight in using what you had. Moving stuff, composing on the fly was one of Gordon's fortes. It was a sight to behold and it got instant results.

He wouldn't stop until he'd done the very best with the material at hand. He'd raid other rooms looking for "material at hand." On the next visit he might have a lamp, a pillow, or a throw that pulled it together.


This was June 3, 2012 our last project with him. Gordon had already perfected our green "jungle" office. In June he was determined to make it better.

All who knew Gordon learned what "epic" means. Gordon could - and did - work ordinary folks into physical, mental, and exasperation-al exhaustion. 

For example: We put our house on the Morningside Tour in 1990. JoAnn and I had no idea, no idea at all. Gordon got our house ready, keeping us all going until 4am. He went over every inch of the house, adjusting things by inches.



We met Gordon in 1988. We asked Crythis Bristow (a leading real estate agent in our neighborhood) if she knew anyone who'd advise us on remodeling or moving so we'd have room for our child #3. Gordon was Crythis's not so secret weapon: Gordon staged houses long before there were TV shows about it.

Gordon's advice about his staging: "Get Ready to Move."



We'd need a trilogy to tell it, but that started our 25 year friendship / relationship.

Gordon was 50 then. However talented he was, he already had 30+ years of experience.


Design is so personal that you end up inviting the designer for holiday meals.

On that thanksgiving dinner Gordon ate at a table he'd picked out for us 20 years before. It's our laundry room table. We move it to the big room, unfold it and have a table for 8. We had no idea, but Gordon had been at it for decades.


We even put him in the family picture.



Your designer is more intimate than your doctor. A doctor see's you naked, but he doesn't look in your messy closets.

It's not getting into an argument WITH the designer, it's getting into an argument IN FRONT of the designer.

Once you develop a relationship with a designer, you stick with him. That was certainly true with Gordon. When clients transferred to other cities, they'd fly Gordon out to pick their house.



See these bookcases with ovals? Gordon always had his eye out for you. He spotting these while shopping for other clients. They were cheap, beautiful, and met a practical need. He called, we bought. Why would we doubt him? This was a great day.

I'm wearing you out with Gordon so just one more.


Color was Gordon's thing. He was an Olympic level athlete with paint chips. On this day Gordon was picking out exterior colors with JoAnn. After all we WERE going to repaint one day. And this was pure pleasure for Gordon, and even more fun with the stone to consider and the trim, shutters and mullions.

	Cabin Fever 4B 1540 House
	Jackson Tan HC-46 Mullion
	River Gorge Gray 2B 15 Trim
	Sharkskin 2139-30 House
	Durango 2137-30 House
	Norwich Brown HC-19 Mullion
	Amazon Green 2136-30 Mullion
	Warm Tan 2162-30 Mullion
	Dark Olive 2140-30 House
	Glocester Sage HC-100 House
	Cromwell Gray HC-103 House
	Crownville Gray HC-106 House
	Charleston Brown ext rm Mullion

The next step will be to narrow down and test.

But Gordon won't be here to see how beautiful.

Gordon in time-lapse action.

Jaw Drop: Emory's new Marble Clad Brumley Bridge is a Drive-Thru

I'd seen the steel structure go up and thought, "Cool, a bridge." But university building is so common who pays attention?

 
So on this gloomy Saturday morning I was driving to Jonathan LaCross's Shutze Lecture. I turned down Haygood Drive in front of Druid Hills High School.

THEY COVERED THE BRIDGE WITH MARBLE!! I hope it's Georgia marble, a theme for Emory's buildings. By by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP (ZGF).

"A working bridge connecting a new Health Sciences Research Building to the Emory-Children's Center will be named in memory of George W. Brumley, MD." - Emory University News July 28, 2011

I guess folks will work on the bridge. That sounds good to me. 


The clerestory look and overhanging roof in the building to the left is a theme for Emory's more modern buildings.

See it when you are in the neighborhood. It's a drive-through.


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If there is a grand opening / ribbon cutting, let's go.

Nine Teardowns Done

These Atlanta teardowns mostly South of Buckhead are done There are more of these than ever in the intown neighborhoods. Somebody's got some money. The spec houses sell fast, most before they are complete. A few of these are custom designs.

One was a poptop:


Morningside






Lake Claire:






Buckhead






Morningside




 

Sherwood Forest






Midtown







Lenox Park (Morningside)







Winnona Park Decatur






Argonne Forest, Buckhead

Let's Help Save This Capital View 1903 Victorian Damaged by Fire

It's hard to tell from the street. After 109 years it burned on February 8, 2013. It's at 1474 Metropolitan Parkway at the intersection of Deckner (see the map below). In fact this is the a Deckner House in the Capital View Neighborhood.

Thanks to Pitgrrrl for this, more in the comments: "Hi Terry, thanks for this post! This is actually not THE Deckner house, but it is one of them. The Deckner house is located next door to this one at 1488 Metropolitan Pkwy SW and it was built in 1870, by Charles Deckner..," more in the comments below.


This heroic red roof and curvy porch are welcome landmarks on the mostly grim Metropolitan Parkway, Highway 41 south of the Dome. It's a sign of life, history, and hope for this part of Atlanta.

The Creatives Project was in the process of buying the place, turning it into an art and cultural center: The HeArt House. They are still determined to do it. You can help:

1. Get the word out. Share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Emails.
2. Find out about the The Creatives Project, one of many great things in Atlanta. It's easy on Twitter @creativespro @theHeARThouse and Facebook.
3. Help them out if you can.
4. Visit the house and Capital View in person. I'll go with you and we can explore Pittsburgh, Avery Park, Sylvan Hills, Hapeville, and the BeltLine while we're at it.

There isn't a perfect example of in intact, preserved Victorian. Folks have added on, replaced the rot, and lived here.


Ugh.


This is the view west from the front steps.

These few blocks of Metropolitan are the handsome, somewhat weary public face of Capital View whose quiet streets and parks lie mostly west of Metropolitan.


This is the view if you are heading north. Capitol View Elementary School now closed is on the left of this picture.


When you hear 100-year-old-Victorian, you imagine a preserved gingerbread masterpiece built for the gentry. It's not that kind of Victorian.


As you get close you can see the wear, tear, and repair of the decades.


Getting close enough to see the smoke line is a heart breaker to Architecture Tourists and everybody else.


There's a non-Victorian wing to the south.


The half-moon widow in on the rear of the south addition. The rear (east) side addition looks sturdy and practical.


Some joists and stud walls don't look too bad. I'd worry about the roof structure.


It remains a mighty handsome place. At 45 mph you won't notice the scars.


But you'll certainly enjoy the roof.


Park on Deckner where it T-bones Metropolitan from the west.


You'll be rewarded with  "Young Americans" by Sheila Pree Bright, one of my favorites for Living Walls, 2012.

Find your way:

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