Whispering Pines

The scientific name Pinus echinata means “prickly cone” while around Tryon this tall species, which can grow to 120 feet, is locally called “armored pine” for the very large scales of the bark. Life span is about 140 years and, unlike many pines, a new tree can sprout from the stem base if damaged. Tryon author Margaret Morley made it famous in her 1913 book The Carolina Mountains, extolling the fragrance, prominent silhouette on ridge tops in winter and “characteristic note in the music of the forest as the wind sweeps over it.”

This ridge-top estate epitomizes the mature oeuvre of Tryon architect J. Foster Searles. The buildings are constructed of hollow tile with rough-finish stucco. Windows are steel casement, black to match custom-fabricated electric-light wall sconces and black stair railings. He typically designed a unique stair rail for each house, and this one demonstrates Searles’ creativity interpreting the Art Moderne, in a manner more organic than purely geometric. His designs evoke Europe without mimicking any particular country or historical precedent. And his style, though elegant, evades pretentiousness through asymmetry and avoiding elaborate details.

Living room with Mrs. Kimberly and the comfortable, casual décor favored by Searles clients. This circa 1926 image is believed to have been printed by Mr. Kimberly in his own darkroom.
Courtesy Mrs. John G. Landrum, Jr.

His client was James C. Kimberly of Kimberly-Clark paper company, who came across creped cellulose while touring paper mills in Europe. The first Kleenex ad appeared in 1925 and this winter home, to escape Wisconsin, was built in ‘26. The Kimberlys were down-to-earth people who liked Tryon’s informality. They used an old mill stone for their patio table, and “J.C.” was a keen amateur photographer who enjoyed getting his hands dirty, developing and printing his own negatives.

The Studio outbuilding, J.C. Kimberly’s hideaway containing his darkroom, is above an automobile garage tucked into the mountainside.

Because local pine wasn’t knotty and “piney” enough, this paneling for the Studio was brought from California. Murphy bed is concealed by this antique European screen, which swings right to create a roomette when the bed is lowered.