One Man's Folly - (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

When it comes to interiors style, antiques, and Southern vernacular architecture, Furlow Gatewood is a one-of-a-kind classic-this book presents his magical private enclave for the first time. Antiques expert Furlow Gatewood's highly personal property in bucolic Americus, Georgia, where he has meticulously restored his family's carriage house and added intimate dwellings and outbuildings-several rescued from demolition-has evolved over decades to become a sublime expression of stylish living. The structures exemplify various architectural traditions-from mid-nineteenth-century Gothic to Palladian. He has collaborated with local craftsmen to create these follies and takes delight in designing the picturesque grounds and plantings and in devising comfortable areas for his beloved dogs and peacocks. A gifted designer and longtime associate of antiques dealer John Rosselli, Gatewood has a talent for discovering singular pieces with a poetic patina, composing custom paint finishes and subtle palettes, and knowing how to incorporate distinctive architectural elements. To accompany the book's atmospheric images, close friend Bunny Williams writes about the lessons she has learned from this master of discernment. Gatewood's seductive and hospitable Arcadian oasis, with its exquisite and timeless design, will have an enduring impact on the design community.

Review Quotes

Garden Book Pick from HGTV.
"Whether you're looking for homesteading wisdom or design-inspiration..." -HGTV Gardens

"The multi-structured estae has been meticulously restpored and decorated to the nines...we know this will be a design book for the decades." -Domaine

"One book we could never live without is Furlow Gatewood's One Man's Folly--the very definition of timeless!" -Lauren Deloach of Lauren Deloach Interiors (Veranda)

"The book tours each of Gatewood's four homes and beautiful gardens, his collections of pagoda figurines and blue-and-white porcelain, and lessons on antiquing. There is so much to see and learn from this self-taught designer. The book bursts with pictures and fondly recalled memoires." -Romantic Homes

"...a glorious compendium...a glimpse into the private and enchanted world of Furlow Gatewood...a must-have for designers and dreamers alike!" -What is James Wearing?

"One Man's Folly is a fascinating look at how the nonagenarian had deployed his vast trove...the rooms are held together by Gatewood's masterful approach to texture, color, and scale, and by his abiding principle that he only buys what he loves." -Elle Décor

"...One Man's Folly is as much a visual treat as it is a lesson in southern hospitality. All I could think as I read it was that I was equally eager to read it again...One Man's Folly will dazzle your senses and make you reconsider how you entertain, what possessions you accumulate and how you spend your days." -Life in a Venti Cup

"European elan and southern charm define a Georgia cottage. Plants don't normally have enchanting Gothic houses designed for them, nor do peacocks. But both certainly are treated to this service in Furlow Gatewood's universe--an unlikely compound of five houses and an array of outbuildings..." -Veranda

"You will want to move into the incredibly charming home of Furlow Gatewood. With evocative text by follower southerner Julia Reed, there are few more irresistible volumes around...staying true to one's vision never looked so good." -Quintessence

"Julia Reed showcases Furlow Gatewood's exceptional houses in all their architectural and detailed splendor." -Flower Magazine

"Inveterate collector Furlow Gatewood rescues not just objects but entire houses and has conjured his own magical world in rural Georgia." -House Beautiful

"In this hardcover beauty, for the first time, well known antiques expert Furlow Gatewood takes readers on an intimate tour of his personal estate..." -Serendipity

About the Author

Writer Julia Reed is a contributing editor to Garden & Gun and has authored several books. Bunny Williams is an acclaimed designer and author. Lifestyle photographer Paul Costello's work appears in many publications. Rodney Collins is a regional architectural photographer.