Originally posted in Montgomery Living Magazine June 2011. Written by Jody Hatley

One of the River Region’s most charming residential areas offers a true sense of community from the moment you drive past the stone gatehouse. Reminiscent of the old English countryside the cobblestone accents, vintage-inspired street markers and gaslights give Grove Park its distinctive character - a European-style with unique features that mesh with its natural setting.

“It has a warm, old-world feel that’s inviting. We wanted our home to be a place where you could sink in and live, where you didn’t have to be perfect. We can’t live that way,” explains Penny. “It was important for it to be a refuge. Where everyone could relax, be comfortable and the home just be livable.”

The result is a large, open, contemporary living space that flows effortlessly from one room to the next. “It’s a big house that doesn’t feel big, which is what we wanted,” said Dr. Williams.

There is an understated but distinct difference between simple and plain. Dr. Thomas and Penny Williams’ home in Grove Park shows how simplicity can really sparkle.

The house has a homey feeling. Entering the massive cedar door, the foyer is bathed in a spectrum of soft neutrals from the stairway leading up to the family and guests living quarters to the open and airy dining room with built in storage cabinets. The casual feel spills into the kitchen, sitting area and bedrooms. A mixture of hardwood floors, travertine tiles and carpet adds to the impression of warmth and family-friendly surroundings.

Dr. Williams, a top dentist in the River Region and his wife, Penny were married in 2007, each owning their own homes. Once the journey began to find a forever home, Mayor Todd Strange offered to sell his Grove Park lot to them. “The sense of privacy, and the beautiful, natural setting really appealed to us,” said Dr. Williams.

Envisioning their future home, the Williams hired builder Billy Chambliss. “We must have interviewed seven or eight builders,” Penny said. “But once we met Billy, we knew we had made the right choice.”

Dr. Williams and Penny didn’t enlist the services of an interior designer, deciding instead to follow their own designing instincts and taste. “We also did a lot of research. We grabbed magazines and looked through them for ideas. I wanted something that emulated a Colorado ski resort. I love to ski and I like the look and feel of a cozy ski lodge,” said Dr. Williams. “I think doing the research from the building/construction phase to the design of the interior look and feel is important. I did my homework and just as the economy was nudging south I found it possible to make my dream home a reality. With the help of the right builder, Penny and I created a comfortable and livable environment.” They even added their own personal touch to the architectural structure. During the early building stages they wrote scriptures on the framing of each room.

Why Grove Park?

Grove Park is located on Young Meadows Road, just off Vaughn Road across from Blount Cultural Park and only minutes from the interstate and bypass. Its convenient location puts residents near shopping, dining, entertainment, schools, churches and medical services. Making it the perfect centrally located neighborhood. Oak Grove Inn is an upscale collection of residential apartments offering the enjoyment of amenities such as an elegant southern dining room, abundant storage space, private personal balconies with several different floor plans and a choice of independent and assistedliving options. Larger homes or smaller garden homes are available. Grove Park’s concierge handles resident lawn care allowing life behind the garden gates to be as leisurely and as active as the heart desires.
Download the Montgomery Living article PDF