A great house is built and designed by great minds! Southern Living assembled some of the best minds across the region —  we like to call them the “Dream Team” — to design, build, and decorate the 2013 Idea House. So without further aideu, let’s get to know this talented foursome: designer, Phoebe Howard; architect, Historical Concepts; landscape architects, Page Duke; and builder, Castle Homes.

Designer: Phoebe Howard

Photo Courtesy of Jessie Preza

(Insert Mozart’s “Hallelujah Chorus”) What can we say? We LOVE Phoebe Howard. Every room she touches with her magical wand turns into creative brilliance at its best. But don’t take our word for it, let these pictures of Phoebe’s past projects do the talking:

Photo by Laurey Glenn

Photo by Laurey Glenn

Photo by Laurey Glenn 

In addition to her thriving interior design business, Jacksonville-based Phoebe runs design stores, Mrs. Howard and Max & Co., in Jacksonville, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia. She also recently launched a furniture line with Sherrill Furniture, and just wrote her first book, The Joy of Decorating (Stewart, Tabori, and Chang).

Photo Courtesy of Abrams Books

Phoebe’s design work is timeless, Southern, and endlessly inspiring. We cannot wait to see how she decorates this year’s Idea House!

…

Architect: Historical Concepts

Photo Courtesy of Historical Concepts

These Atlanta-based architects  are returning to design their second Southern Living Idea House in a row! With a portfolio so thick it could rival a phonebook, Historical Concepts is synonymous with traditional Southern architecture. Since 1982, the firm’s founder Jim Strickland and his team have been designing quality buildings that fit seamlessly into the Southern landscape. It’s no surprise that they were tapped onto the “Dream Team” to build this year’s Idea House — a timeless farmhouse. Take a peek at some of the homes already under their belts:

Photo Courtesy of Historical Concepts

Photo Courtesy of Historical Concepts

Photo Courtesy of Historical Concepts

We cannot wait to see what they have in store for this year’s Idea House!

…

Landscape Architect: Page Duke Landscapes

(Ben Page and Gavin Duke)

Photo by John Chiasson- Courtesy of Page Duke

The Page Duke Team has long been considered one of the Nashville Darlings in the landscape architectual world. Although they are based in Nashville, their projects extend all across the country, garnering national attention and having just about every top design magazine feature them in dazzling glossy spreads. (Trust us, if someone offers for your yard to be overhauled by the Page Duke team, consider yourself VERY VERY lucky, and then start planning that patio party to show it off!)

Take a look at this gifted duo’s work:

Photo by John Chiasson – Courtesy of Page Duke

Photo by John Chiasson – Courtesy of Page Duke

Photo by John Chiasson – Courtesy of Page Duke

We’ll be looking forward to seeing what they have in store for the Idea House. Expect to be very impressed!

…

Builder: Castle Homes

Photo Courtesy of Castle Homes

And last but certainly not least, Alan Looney and his expert building team at Castle Homes round out this talented group. One look at their craftsmanship reveals their spot on the Dream Team.

Photo Courtesy of Castle Homes

Photo Courtesy of Castle Homes

Photo Courtesy of Castle Homes

Castle Homes has an unprecedented reputation in Nashville for building quality, outstanding structures.  In addition to already building the Nashville Southern Living Showcase home in 2011, they were most recently named “Custom Builder of the Year” in 2012 by the Southern Living Custom Builder Program! Aside from these accolades and numerous other awards Castle Homes has received, we love the fact that they are helping our enviroment by being certified green professionals.  And most importantly, their professionalism, customer service and courtesy puts them at the head of the class in our book!

Well that’s the round-up! Are you excited yet? We are!

Talk to you soon!

Anna-Kristin and Cameron