Bobby McAlpine!!!! Need We Say More?



He came, he talked, he conquered. The buzz about our latest visitor was loud. It seemed everyone was as excited as us to hear what Bobby McAlpine had to say. And he had a lot to say. We talked for over an hour and 1/2, but of course, Linda had to edit it down somewhat.

He's a true Southern Gentleman - soft spoken and polite with a slow drawl AND a little bit of a potty mouth!!! His IQ must be in the stratosphere. He is VERY cerebral. And he is very nice.



He talked about his new book - THE HOME WITHIN US. He talked about this house he lived in for years - the one on the cover of the book and above.

We talked about how well written his book is - it's not just a bunch of pretty pictures, though there are tons of those too.

He talked about how he completely redid this house several times. He talked about who lives in it now. He talked about what he prefers to do - architecture or interior designing, because he excels at both descriptions.

He talked about the beauty of using the finest materials - like steel windows. McAlpine made everyone in America want steel windows (until we found out how much they cost!)


He talked about this major project - adding a dining hall onto a large house. Here is a picture of his solution to that dilemma. He talked a lot about this house and its owners and the chapel he built for them.

Here's what that dining room addition looks like inside.
 
 and the chapel on the same estate


We want to extend a huge thank you to Bobby for joining us on The Skirted Roundtable. It was a thrill, it was humbling, it was a dream. It's not every day you get to talk to one of the best architects America has.

And - another huge thank you to Bobby for offering his book THE HOME WITHIN US for a giveway. Be sure to enter by leaving us a comment with your name and email address.

To order this wonderfuly well written book with its gorgeous photographs - go HERE.

And as always, we appreciate your continued support.
       

Comments

Perfect. That is all I can say about Bobby McALpine. He has done so much for Montgomery, ALbama and so many others! Talented doesn't do this great interior designer justice. LOVE this post.
Teresa (Splendid Sass)
Just about to listen to the SR - would love to enter the giveaway, have not bought the book (yet...). Browsed through it at my architect's office, and looks wonderful!
Byron B Blake said…
That dining room is heavenly! I can only imagine enjoying the changing seasons while sharing it with friends--I'd go broke just throwing dinner parties! Gorgeous!
Great to hear another master talking in depth about his life and career.
Doug Davis said…
I love hearing the design perspective of those I admire...thank you for sharing another great interview!
James said…
Excellent interview. Glad you left in the more "human, down to earth" comments from Bobby. I love that he seems so approachable. I wish I had made it to the Atlanta book signing...
Mona Thompson said…
Loved the interview. He is such a genius, you can't really get in his head. I've read his book twice. Am working on a project for a client that just purchased property in the country. The entrance of their home is inspired by the book as well as a built-in nook on the veranda. It almost makes you feel like a fraud when you hear someone like Bobby say that he is not inspired by anyone but himself. To have that kind of talent, wow! Joni you said it well. The true genius is the creator and other talents follow their lead. I guess we can take some consolation in knowing who to follow. As usual, you all did a great job. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks so much. Mona
Windlost said…
Can't wait to listen. Have heard every SR so far but was away from the computer the last two weeks and so delighted to come back and find new SR's!!

Terri xo
Megan said…
That was a fun listen - he is charming but cheeky at the same time! Waving my currently broken hand in the air to be in the draw for the book. Reading, podcasts and blogs are the only things keeping me from going completely bonkers at the moment!
Terry said…
Thanks so much to Mr.McAlpine and the GSO's.

Working fast at the first client meeting rings true from a what a classmate of Mr.McAlpine told me about doing renderings. Paraphrasing: "Whatever project we did, Bobby could whip out something at the last minute that was way better than everybody else's no matter how much work we put into it.

My favorite quotes:
24:00 (when design looses it way)
"Everything that becomes mature and becomes heritable is subtle ... it takes a real strong and smart appetite to try to develop what's going to last."

25:54 (what is "American" style)
"American is a dream sewn up in cotton, it's not silk or wool or stone or anything else. It's sewn in a common material that is provincial and it's lovely because it's so pure of heart. Maybe a little lacking of resource, maybe a little lacking of background, or credential, or bloodline or whatever. But there is something lovely about it ... it's loveliest architecture shows up through the naivety of it's natives."

33:35 (speaking about expensive steel windows)
"It's ironic ... humble is always the most expensive thing you can do."

40:50 (Choose great space or great decor/furnishings?)
"As an architect I would chose the space first ... really really right ... gorgeous ... poetry ... something heart-full (heartfelt?) to it ..."

"If I can't(get the right space) ... I would certainly decorate the #@!!% out of something that wasn't right..."

42:54 (do you have a favorite room?)
"No ... I love sequence; I love for things to unfold..."

43:00 (what is really, deeply important to me)
"The minute you crack open the container (meaning the house) I want you to be destroyed ... disheveled by the level of intimacy, what's being offered you has got to bring you to your knees. It's not to impress you; it is to tell you how badly wanted you are and how long we've been waiting for you."

47:40 (after visiting the Lutyens house on which he modeled a home, the one of the book cover)
"Lutyens ... mine is so much better."
Tableau Vivant said…
Bobby comes across as a profound thinker, an intelligent dreamer, truthful, and delightfully down to earth.

I loved the richness of his language and the way he uses the language in original ways (like a author of literature would), ex. being "destroyed" by design.

I really like how Bobby wanted to be pushed in the conversation. So refreshing!

Joni, great interview questions!

niya niya441@aim.com
greg tankersley said…
Joni, Megan & Linda:
Thanks for setting Bobby a place at your table. I know he had a blast and we appreciate the audience.
karen carroll said…
He is just absolutely brilliant. Thanks for a great interview!
Unknown said…
I have been to parties at this estate. The dining room extension is INDEED heavenly. The chapel is brilliant too!
niartist said…
FANTASTIC! How could I not comment for a chance to win this book!?!!? It's been on my to buy list for weeks now!! Fingers crossed, off to re-listen to the interview! Isn't it wonderful how our childhood shapes our futures, sometimes? Love his approach: "It's always interiors first!" YAY!
"...I am a romantic by nature, a minimalist by training, but by choice a classicist." -John Saladino

"There's a kinship between antiquity and modernity. They're both strong and silent." -Bobby McAlpine

How interesting to consider that the 'Villa' within John Saladino is an inspiration to 'The Home Within' Bobby McAlpine!

I'd love to win the giveaway for a copy of McAlpine's book!
Anonymous said…
It has already been said, but certainly should be repeated . . . brilliant! I learned so much - thank you to Bobby and the SRT for another great interview.

Would LOVE to win the book!

Jennifer
joejen92@yahoo.com
Wow, that guy can talk some heart felt feelings. I was hanging on to every word. Great interview! Keep it up Ladies. Hope to win.
Karen
Anonymous said…
Brillant and definetly potty mouth!
Tina Ramer
Tramer6@hotmail.com
gayle pickering said…
What a beautiful book and I love his comments. Your blog is a great resource for the design community.
an inspiration to all design professionals!
gayle pickering

gcp@pickeringarchitects.com
Shari Hunt said…
I never get tired of looking at his work. It is incredible. Thanks for the article.

shari hunt
sstack@keplp.com
I haven't listened to the interview yet, but want to enter to win that luscious book right now!
Dana said…
Thank you for sharing as he truly is one of the best architects around. I could study his work for hours-
PEGGY IN ATLANTA said…
EYE CANDY!!!! WOULD LOVE TO WIN!
Anonymous said…
I LOVED this interview. Thank you so much for posting it. Really rich, thoughtful and thought-provoking. I'm getting the book from the library!
Rebecca Vizard said…
What an inspiration Bobby is! Love the fact that he's had so much success especially being from a small southern town and not the so called design meccas...proves that real talent, hard work, and love of what you do pays off....I just wish we could see the other 500 projects he's done. Thanks so much for bringing Bobby McAlpine to the table.
Rebecca Vizard said…
And I left out...it probably helps to be a genius!
Thanks so much for this interview. Even though I've read his book, I'm always greedy for more detail and insight. He is so right to influence the interior space too.
Ane said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ane said…
Amazing book! Would love to read it and show the photos to my boyfriend.

Best wishes from Ane, Norway.
You know...It was like reading a great modern poem. Such deep and real beauty in his words. I really enjoyed this peek into the soul of his brain!Refreshing!

I wanna hear the other half hour!
Glo said…
Brilliant!

My daughter is an aspiring architect and interior designer and would be very interested in his book. I'm definitely going to get it for her.

KDiGnazio@verizon.net
Great interview. He is brilliant, soulful, eloquent and funny all rolled into one. Loved it and would love even more the book. :)xo
Laura@LauraJens.com
Shauna said…
love him. and his filthy mouth! too precious otherwise!
Lauren said…
just bought the book and can't wait to listen!! so excited!!!
xoxoxo
What a fun and refreshing conversation. Love his passion that really comes through in this discussion. Now I'm dying to get my hands on his book!
Deborah L said…
I sooo enjoyed listening to this interview - Bobby's comments were intelligent and inspiring and he has such a refreshing take on design. Genius!

Thank you,

Deborah
luckings@sbcglobal.net
Anonymous said…
There is a McAlpine home in my neighborhood. The home is lovely. Somehow the inclination for arrogance which follows McAlpine is seen as humility here. I think this is a consequence of our living with a pop culture mentality. The architect/philosopher/artist/smoozer is one hard act to follow.
james and glenn said…
Love your website! I also love Bobby McAlpine. For years, I have been admiring the projects that he has had published in the various shelter magazines. I think he is an amazing architect and designer and would love to win his book. Thanks so much for the chance!
Anonymous said…
Could there have been more preening here - I doubt it. Makes me long for Charlotte Moss. Ladies you "cracked open" the container and a little genie with an ego of epic proportion jumped out. McAlpine demands a lot from his clients. He is ferried about in celebrity fashion and by the time the project is finished, he thinks the client works for him. It's sad to see the someone of talent become such a preening peacock.
carissakk said…
Great interview. I listened to it twice. Thanks so much!

Christa
christamloar@yahoo.com
jlonit said…
Non Americans like myself love listening to a Southern accent. It's like syrup, I could listen to him for hours. I notice Joni turned up her own Southern accent to match his!! More please.
Anonymous said…
Be sure to check out Bobby McAlpine Home/MacRae for the Oak Leaf Wing Chair. I wonder what the inspiration was for this design. Was it Robin Hood and his merry men or a knock off of a chair from the Alabama State prison. It would definitely have been worth a conversation with Bobby to find out.
Fascinating interview. I listened twice and understood and enjoyed it much more the second time around. I appreciate Mr. McAlpine's honesty...so refreshing. I'm thankful there is someone out there designing/crafting real homes...the inheritable kind.
Susan
I love everything he does! Such a talented person!
ChampagneMaker said…
OMG! I LOVE THIS MAN...I was sad when this interview was over!!! Potty mouth and all!
What an amazingly talented man. We Southerners are so proud to call him one of our own. Most importantly, the combination of aesthetics and truly living are blended beautifully. Bobby, you make us look so good!
Anonymous said…
I truly enjoyed the interview. Was a little puzzled as to why no one mentioned the thatched roofs that are all over Carmel, California. The town is famous for them!
Shannon Fricke said…
the pics of that gorgeous house has left me breathless!
MY dream man... would love to have the book!
This was a very interesting interview! I really enjoyed it!
To me Bobby is really inspired by European architecture : tatched roofs,steel windows. He is unbelievable talented and besides he is a very warm person. I loved hearing his voice!
Greet
Anonymous said…
"I'm a hard whore to find." hahaha
Love this!
Love him.
Love the book.
Thanks for sharing!! :)
There is a picture of the crazy interesting 'christmas tree shoppe' which Linda mentions on my blog at this link here.
http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2009/02/crazy-store.html
Late to the party. But, oh, THANK YOU! What a wonderful interview, it truly was a thrill and a dream. Thank you Mr.McALpine, for sharing your work and yourself in this interview for us. The glimpse into how you work, and your passion for all you do is quite inspirational. Lidy
Cyndia Montgomery said…
I cannot believe it's taken me this long to listen to this, considering your guest is one of my favorite architects/designers! I was privileged to attend the same high school as Bobby, and it is forever my regret that I did not know him well back then. I guess I was busy "looking in" as well. I heard him speak at Nashville's Antique & Garden show a few years ago, and was captivated. This interview was icing on an already deliciously rich cake! Thank you so much!
amy pools said…
I cannot agree more - steel windows look so classy that it's impossible not to fall in love with them. And the pricing... well, at least it's for sure that they'll last for a lifetime.
Unknown said…
Looks like a great book. I'll have to check it out... too bad I missed the give-a-way but I'm new here and catching up :) (excellent give-away idea by the way!)

Michelle Jamieson
Michelle Jamieson Interiors
www.jamiesoninteriors.com