David Southall & Greg Philo – Life’s Greatest Moments
BY VAL SCHOGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FENDER
To most of us, “home” means more than an address and a roof over our heads. Evoking a
feeling of safety and belonging, a beloved home will offer revelations about its residents.
This is true for David Southall and Greg Philo’s condo overlooking picturesque St. Andrews Bay.
The 1,600-square-foot unit on the seventh floor of one of the most sought-after waterfront
developments in Bay County feels inviting and warm, with its dark wooden flooring, built-in
elegant cabinetry, and eclectic accent pieces and décor, highlighting family and traditions.
Stepping through the entrance door, visitors are greeted by a stately grandfather clock. “It has been in my family since 1870, when my great-great-grandparents purchased it. It keeps time better than most clocks and chimes every hour, reminding us of our family that has always kept this clock in a special place,” David says, with an appreciative look at the dark, smooth wood. As it has for the past 150 years, the intricate clock chimes—a prelude to memories and captured moments, exemplifying how these condo owners have combined history with contemporary design.
Just down the hallway, of all places, the laundry room showcases the perfect blend of old and new. The small room looks like a miniature art gallery. A modern chandelier gleams where fluorescent bulbs used to be and a floor-to-ceiling Modigliani museum banner hides the breaker box. The washer and dryer are completely concealed with custom cabinetry and a wide marble countertop, above which hang more than a century’s worth of cherished family photographs: a sepia-toned stately portrait of David’s ancestors from the late 1800s; a faded image of Greg’s great-grandparents’ 1916 wedding; a decades-old Polaroid of David’s parents against an alpine backdrop; a candid shot of him with his father as a child; and a formal photo commemorating Greg’s parents’ 25th anniversary, just to name a few. “We’ve really enjoyed incorporating family memories throughout our home,” says Greg.
Another heirloom holds a special meaning for David. At first glance, it appears to be a picture or painting, but a closer look reveals an original map of Disneyland from the year 1955. “My father visited the California park when it first opened and he purchased this large map. Me being a huge Disney fan, I remember how it amazed me as a child. For years, I would carefully unfold it and ask my father questions. I have so many special memories of it, so I had it custom framed. Now our guests enjoy seeing the park in its early days.” Likewise, in the curio cabinet in the adjoining living room, the glass shelves are crowded with Hummel figurines from David’s parents and tchotchkes from Greg’s grandparents. “Happy family memories everywhere you turn,” Greg says with a smile.
When we ask about their favorite place to spend time, David and Greg agree that the kitchen, sparkling with modern appliances and eye-catching accessories, takes center stage. “Prior to moving into our unit in 2015, we created our large kitchen area,” they explain. “We host a lot of friends and family and noticed that we always end up in the kitchen, so we enlarged its footprint and also created a large bar area.”
David adds that one item in the kitchen made its mark on the entire condo, with family memories again coming into play. “Our color scheme for the condo was inspired by the ‘Up-Sa Daisy’ design pattern of my parents’ Noritake china set. It has been in our family since their 25th wedding anniversary in 1967. These dishes were part of our day-to-day life and meals. When my mother passed away in 2009, the china received a special place in our glass-front kitchen cabinets.”
A visitor could spend hours marveling over small details that reveal so much about Greg and David’s life. It seems they managed a perfect balance to their fast-paced careers. David is the CEO of Innovations Federal Credit Union and Greg Philo is an attorney with Burke Blue Law Firm.
As we get glimpses of Greg and David’s most cherished memories and shared moments, they point out that traveling is their greatest passion. One wall is dedicated to photographs of adventure-filled vacations around the world, along with unique mementos such as a didgeridoo from Australia, a ceramic Chinese “xun,” which is a globular vessel flute, and a handcrafted South African fish.
With the second major renovation completed a few months ago, David explains that the entire condo had to be gutted after Hurricane Michael. “We had the opportunity to do the things we didn’t do the first time we renovated before we moved in in 2015. We had a chance to do the things we wished we had done.”
The most extensive project post-Hurricane Michael was the remodeling of the master bathroom, where they opted to replace the garden tub with a large walk-in shower, allowing for the size of the master closet to be doubled. “We hired California Closets to design it,” David says, and reiterates that the outcome and added functionality turned out perfect.
Residents at Harbour Village Condominiums enjoy many amenities, such as a large pool area, private dock, and even a private park above the parking garage—a perfect setting for outdoor gatherings, with a gazebo, grilling stations, and a fountain. David and Greg intended to celebrate their marriage here when they tied the knot in 2018. While the weather diverted the ceremony to nearby Alice’s on Bayview restaurant, the heartfelt event hit close to home with the couple’s many friends and dear family members. “One of the best things about being married is the true sense of family that comes along with it, and, without really meaning to, I think we’ve reflected that in just about every corner of our home,” says Greg. “With our combined family memories and heirlooms, the condo just kind of decorated itself.”
They have always enjoyed Historic St. Andrews and are within walking distance to its plethora of restaurants and small shops, as well as beautiful Oaks by the Bay Park and the Waterfront Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. David and Greg are very active and are avid fishermen, owning a boat and a boat slip at Harbour Village Yacht Club.
We want to know—are the renovations complete? David responds with a large smile that indicates that more might come. “Our kitchen is our major area where the family gathers, and we just completed an outdoor kitchen with a grill and cooktop. It might become our new favorite place to be when at home.”
With the backdrop of the vast waters of the Gulf of Mexico in the distance and unobstructed views of the sky, this too reflects on these two men. It seems like an inspiration for their resolve and success. The sky is
the limit. Their next journey to a faraway destination is already planned.
