Exploring Architecture: Cheekwood + Swan House

Join us to discover how two great houses, one in Nashville and one in Atlanta, share a connection.
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Join us to discover how a trip to Nashville by a few members of an Atlanta garden club resulted in a world-class research institution. As we explore the history of these two places, we’ll also explore the great houses built on the properties at almost the same time.

Both houses are open to the public and host many annual events even though both are very nearly one hundred years old. The houses are significantly different from one another – each has its own setting and character.

Which will you like the most?

Emily and Edward Inman hired the architecture firm of Hentz, Reid and Adler of Atlanta in 1924 to design a home in a residential suburb of Atlanta. Mabel and Leslie Cheek hired Bryant Fleming to design their home in a rural area south of Nashville, TN.

The Inman family moved into their house in 1928 and Cheekwood was constructed between 1929 and 1932.

ABOVE: Cheekwood is inspired by the great country houses of Britain though its classical design doesn’t strictly follow any particular style.

ABOVE: Cheekwood has a cantilevered stair in its foyer though its rotunda also has a stair. This is the newel post detail shows at the bottom of the rotunda stair.

ABOVE: The hallway of the loggia level of the Cheekwood Estate is decorated with trompe l’oeil panels with details and colors that compliment the details of the estate.

ABOVE: The Swan House was designed by noted Atlanta architect Philip Trammell Shutze. The front of the house features a classical styling with a portico large enough to accommodate automobiles.

ABOVE: The foyer of the Swan House features an exquisitely cut tile floor with tiny grout lines. It’s held up well under the traffic of guests since 1928.

ABOVE: The rear façade of the Swan House has a completely different feel than the front façade. The cascading fountain is inspired by Italian designs that are emulated on a few American sites – including one we’ve presented previously.


We'll further explain the images above, share many more and provide context to help you appreciate why both estates are well worth a visit.

Enroll now for this virtual tour and plan to join us for a live meeting!

This course includes:

  • Join our live-virtual presentation for a walk through the course content during which we welcome your questions and comments.
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Course Instructor

Advocate + Collaborator Ryan Taylor

Ryan Taylor is a registered architect. In 2002, he left one of the world’s largest commercial A|E practices to found Ryan Taylor Architects, LLC so he could focus on residential projects. Ryan is active in community, legislative and building code issues. He’s serving in his fourth four-year appointment representing Georgia architects in the adoption and amendment of state building codes. In addition to his skill set as an architect, Ryan is also a Certified Distance Education Instructor and leads the real estate school established by Ryan Taylor Architects, LLC. Ryan is frequently invited to speak at community and industry events and his comments have been widely published. The work of RTA includes projects in the United States, the Caribbean and Africa.