PTC’s Strickland adds distinctive chapter to Southern architecture

For nearly 30 years, Historical Concepts — headquartered in Peachtree City — has designed country houses, mountain retreats, and coastal cottages that “pay homage to the South’s deep sense of place.”

Now, in “Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House,” this award-winning firm’s talent for translating traditional architecture into inviting homes is showcased with a selection of timeless designs inspired by gracious Southern living. The book will be in bookstores this week.

Folks in this area know the lead author as longtime Peachtree City resident Jim Strickland, architect and developer of some of the area’s most distinctive homes. During the 1980s, Strickland served on the city’s Planning Commission.

Time-honored materials, artisanal craftsmanship and interiors that reflect the region’s architectural traditions evoke an atmosphere of comfort and hospitality. Whether drawing from the refined residences of Charleston and Savannah, or the rural farmhouses and rustic cabins in the Blue Ridge Mountains, these homes capture the spirit and essence of Southern style.

Beautifully photographed, the book offers readers a wide range of Southern inspiration. A Beaufort-style house combines formal classic revival details with casual painted plank walls; a barrier island retreat mixes eclectic elements from Southern coastal cottages with whimsical Caribbean details; and a guest home constructed with salvaged beams and weathered finished resembles a converted barn. Elements of traditional Georgian, Federal and Greek Revival styles, as well as examples of southern vernacular architecture can be found in the homes featured in “Coming Home.”

About the author: James Lowell Strickland is the president and senior partner of Historical Concepts. Established in Atlanta in 1982, the firm has designed homes and buildings for the South’s most respected communities. Their work has earned prestigious design awards and has been featured in numerous magazines. Author and journalist Susan Sully is one of the leading experts on Southern regional architecture and design.