Serenity Found Elegant interiors and gracious outdoor living spaces make This historic Midtown Tudor home a treat for the senses.

By Marla Caligaris- Photography by S. Saxon

When Zack Bishop accepted his new job as EVP of Technology and Operations at Synovus, he and his wife Amanda moved to Columbus and began their search for an historical home in Midtown. The minute Amanda walked in the home, she knew it was special. She thought of all the memories that had been made in the 1937 Tudor which was once owned and built by Sidney Simons, and all the new ones they could add. “I was attracted to the Tudor style, all the historical charm, the courtyard, and the beautiful gardens. I could also see so much potential and make it more current to fit our modern family’s way of living.” The first call was to Bradley Jones of Brock Jones General Contractor Inc. and Tara Hutchens a certified kitchen designer and owner of Architectural Interiors in LaGrange, Georgia. The beautiful landscaping around the house was done by Dylan Brittingham.

Together they came up with a plan to redesign the kitchen as well as the rest of the home by removing some walls in order to open up the rooms. Then the fun part began for Amanda. She did all the decorating herself using antique pieces from Scotts in Atlanta as well as new furniture pieces from Restoration Hardware and Hinson Galleries in Columbus. She kept a neutral color palette so the colorful art and pillows would stand out.

With so many rooms to enjoy in their renovated home, the family’s favorite space is the original screened in porch. Perched high on a hill, they love to watch football games on the TV there, sit and listen to the sounds of nature or kids playing baseball at nearby Lakebottom park. “Most days we walk down to the park and take an evening stroll. Life doesn’t get any better than this .” - Amanda Bishop

Sidney Simons is a familiar name in the Columbus community, after all, Sidney Simons Boulevard is named in his honor. But that’s not the only thing he is famous for. Sidney made his first fortune with the Southland Pecan Company that he organized just before World War I, selling only two barrels of shelled pecans the first year. By 1921 the company shipped pecans all over the U.S. and Canada. The newspaper called him "The Nut King." The company's stationery proclaimed, "Where the Unusual Is the Usual." Sidney incorporated his business in 1926 which was initially located at 1113 4th Avenue. Heowned a trademark on the name "Gold Medal Pecans."

While stationed at Norfolk in the Navy, Sidney was invited to dinner on several occasions at the home of Jennie and David Sommers. Perhaps something about their 6-yearold daughter Sara caught Sidney's eye. In 1931, he returned to Norfolk and reunited with the Sommers family. Sara, now 20, and Sidney, 37, fell in love and married on July 27, 1932. They returned to Columbus in August to live with his mother Jennie and sister Ruth at 1326 Wynnton Road. They moved to 1237 Peacock Avenue in 1934 after the birth of daughter Jean, and soon after to 1315 Eberhart Avenue. Sidney built a house at 1510 Eberhart in 1937 designed by Atlanta architect Isaac Moscowitz. Daughter Sydney was born there two years later. He called the wooded property "Ah, Wilderness" because in the 1930s it seemed to be in the country. The Simons family lived there for the next ﬁfty years. The house has had only a few owners since then, and today Zack and Amanda Bishop are the proud owners of this historic home.

SERENITY FOUND