Page 91 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2019

THE PIANO ROOM has
two built-in couches that hug the walls and many
pieces of outstanding artwork.
“The first
architect my parents
hired designed a ranch style
house,” Bill said. “My mom said ‘no.’ She was
glitzy — that’s the word she used. She called Bruce Goff and he incorporated their lifestyle into the design. She wanted it different, open and purple; she loved purple.”
The house is supposed to look like an orchid from the air. On the ground, there are a variety of shapes. Micha says some people think the front facade looks like cat eyes. The swoop of the roof evokes sails on the nearby bayou. There are softening touches of shrubbery and a water lily pond at the front entrance.
Bill says the purple color will not be changed, and the house is painted every
THE
GRYDER HOUSE has a circular theme and
unique angles throughout the property. LEFT TOP: A STUNNING
VIEW of Old Fort Bayou from the hot tub and pool. LEFT MIDDLE:
THE TUBULAR ENTRANCE WAY with circular front door invites
you across the re ecting lily pond lled with ornamental sh. LEFT BOTTOM: WINDING
STAIRCASE leads from the pool area to the bayou.
eight years.
He laughs when he mentions the
home’s built-in furniture, including bed headboards and banquet seating. “Mom kept moving things around and Dad never knew where his bed would be. The built-ins made it easier.”
Understandably, this unusual house was a construction challenge. After several construction crews started and gave up, Goff sent architect Bob False to supervise the work. False, who
later became head of the architecture department at Auburn University, lived in a house trailer on the property during the 18 months of construction.
Bill and Micha, along with daughter Garlyn and son Neil, have lived in the 3,600-square-foot house since 2000. “It’s a fun house and great to live in,” Micha says. “The kids have enjoyed it and especially like being on Old Fort Bayou.”
Although the structure of the house can never be changed, Micha has done some updating, mainly to the flooring and in the kitchen. The kitchen, like the living room, takes advantage of the gorgeous view on the bayou. The dark granite counter tops and gray cabinets add sophistication to the room’s atmosphere.
In the living room, the large gold chimney is anchored by guide wires >> and soars through the ceiling.
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February 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 91