After more than 27 years in the industry, architect Bobby McAlpine has carefully culled a list of the top artisans, shops, and studios he turns to when designing his French-influenced homes. Assembling such a thorough lineup takes time, patience, and a lot of trial and error, but McAlpine isn't the type to keep it a secret. Here, he shares some of his favorites with Veranda.
1. Architectural Heritage (Birmingham, AL) is our source for mantels, architecture artifacts, and so much more. Its kind, generous, and enthusiastic owner Roy Morton scours the globe - especially Europe - for the very best to bring home.
2. Artist David Braly (Montgomery, AL) is famed nationwide for wall and whole-room murals, screens, paintings, and creations of architectural fantasy. He's created many of my personal projects as well as John Saladino's. He is a gift to know and his work is a gift to own.
3. Jan Hale of Jan Hales Studio (Montgomery, AL) is a flawless master of complex and subtle paint finishes and has done many of our projects. In fact, she travels with us from coast to coast. Her finishes create the most perfect backgrounds for our interiors. Her new line of painted fabrics and furniture pieces has great promise.
4. Herndon & Merry (Nashville, TN) is a primary source of custom and vintage ironwork. They are a phenomenal talent and owner Keith Merry is capable of creating anything.
5. Peacock Pavers creates very beautiful yet modest concrete pavers that have been a staple in our architecture for 30 years. Owner Don Gordon is hands-on at the Atmore, Alabama factory. He oversees every phase of the process, ensuring a quality product.
6. Woodworking Dynamics (Montgomery, AL) proprietor Ken Jones is an internationally studied mill worker and master carver. This house of talent is capable of making anything you are capable of dreaming.
7. Vintage Millwork (Nashville, TN) is a world-class source of antique wood. Ask for James Dunn - he has a master's talent for authentic millwork.
8. Elegant Earth (Birmingham, AL) is a fruitful source for props and products cast in concrete and stone. It's a great place to find pots and tabletops.
9. Munder Skiles (NY) and John Danzer are the source for classic and scholarly rediscovered American garden furnishings. Benches, tables, chairs, planters are all present in their thoughtful collection.
10. Treillage (NYC) is a grand source for antique and reproduction goods for the table, terrace, and garden. Bunny Williams and John Roselli's work is so masterful that the pieces can work just about anywhere in the home, actually.
11. Chateau Domingue (Houston, TX) literally has an unfathomable inventory of antiques and artifacts.
