Eye for Opulence
When Anita Rankin and her husband decided to downsize, the seasoned designer had no intention of parting with all the furnishings and fixtures she’s collected over the years. Instead, she dreamed up a house that let her scale back without sacrificing the generous wall space and sense of grandeur she’d grown attached to in her family’s 4,500-square-foot homestead overlooking Mobile Bay. As a couple in their 70s, the Rankins desired a more manageable place that would still accommodate their sophisticated, traditional style. Yet, the combination proved difficult to come by in an area well-known for its petite cottages framed by moss-laden live oaks. “I was frustrated with trying to find a smaller footprint with a bigger presence, so I wouldn’t have to give up the things I love,” says Anita. With…
