Over 20 years ago, Bob Lloyd purchased a 1300-acre property near Canton, which was formerly the eastern part of Cameron Plantation. Bob spent countless hours managing the land to improve the wildlife habitat. Initially used as cropland for deer hunting, his careful placement of roads, over 10,000 trees, lakes, food plots, and buildings have resulted in accomplishing his dream of a diverse property for his family and friends. At the time, the property boasted a hunting trailer which was renovated into a camp house a decade later. The Red Barn and tractor shed were established in the years following, as was the first 20-acre lake. A unique boathouse was erected, complete with a cozy loft apartment overlooking the lake. The property hosted friends and family to hunt and enjoy the Mississippi outdoors.
Bob and his wife, Beth, lived in The Country Club of Jackson neighborhood and had exceptional careers in real estate development and interior design retail, respectively. In 2017, the couple began visualizing a more relaxed, permanent life in the country. Together they dreamed up concepts of the house location, additional buildings, and surrounding improvements to establish the perfect layout of the grounds that would be lovingly known as Patina Farm. Bob’s goal was to improve the property for hunting and fishing and as a muse for his photography, as he is also an avid wildlife photographer.
Beth envisioned a small animal farm ideal for their visiting grandchildren. When their plans came to fruition, they sold their home in Jackson and moved to the camp house while the farmhouse was constructed. “We decided to focus on making the Canton home a wonderful destination for family and friends to visit and to enjoy our dream,” Beth notes. “Living so close allowed us to be a part of the daily decisions and details that are important in the building process.” Friend and architect Tim Taylor designed the couple’s Jackson home and was instrumental in the Lloyds meeting. “Tim played matchmaker for us, which led to an 18-year relationship and counting,” adds Bob. Tim worked with the couple to devise the layout, charm, and style of the modern farmhouse, which was completed in 2020.
When entering the property from the brick and cypress gate, an almost mile-long driveway carves through the trees, passes sunflower fields, and arrives at the impressive home beyond Patina Lake. The house’s exterior is brick with a lime-based stucco, while expansive windows stretch across the entire façade. A barrel ceiling in the entry hall leads through to the great room. During her career in design, Beth sourced stunning antiques to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind settings throughout their home. A large French cupboard fills the dining space wall and houses antique finds from years of collecting, along with small works of art. On the opposite wall, an impressive 16th-century fireplace mantel topped with an intricate mirror is flanked by a pair of blue-painted French chests stacked with Italian starbursts found at the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas. She designed the great room to be the ideal space to entertain. “We did not want an exposed television in this room, so the main purpose in finding the perfect cupboard was to house a projector,” Beth notes. “The screen is encased above the mirror and drops down when needed.”
Beth’s love of what unique finishes, natural stones, and wallpapers can add to a home drove the direction of the interiors. After traveling to several states to source countertops, she finalized the selection of marble for the two kitchen islands in mirrored images of Brazilian Panda. The large-scale Belgian Bluestone marble tiles grace the floors of the entry and kitchen spaces, and a stunning statement mosaic on the wall of the wet bar compliments the other stone selections. The reclaimed wood beams and the flooring were found in Baton Rouge and add a rustic patina to the home. The decision not to include heavy crown molding throughout the house gives the spaces a relaxed and comfortable feel, which the couple strongly desired.
Beth and Bob have collected art for years and have a curation of work by artists from across the country. “I began painting 10 years ago and love traveling to artist workshops to meet others who are kind enough to share their craft,” Beth states. Collecting pieces from these travels allows for special memories attached to each work displayed. Statement pieces by Mississippi artist Cathy Hegman and Arkansan Steve Adair were sourced through Fischer Galleries and are showcased in prime spots in the home. Beth and Bob also designed the layout so they could each have their own studio. Bob has a wonderful space for his office and photography, while Beth utilizes hers for painting and sewing.
The entire home offers stunning views of the landscape beyond. Wildflowers and the barn in the distance lead guests into the grounds surrounding the house. The Patina Barn is where Beth’s lifelong dream of farm living is realized. After researching small animal farms and different breeds of goats, donkeys, and chickens, her son suggested alpacas. During her first visit to a farm, she got to experience being around these fine animals on a very well-maintained farm and was enthralled with the unique characteristics of the animal’s fibers. With her background in design, the prospect of using alpaca fiber in retail goods was very intriguing. Upon the barn’s completion in June 2020, Beth’s first seven alpacas arrived. “It’s been fun to choose and design alpaca fiber products and ultimately place them in my small retail nook in the barn lounge,” she notes. The Patina Farm Alpacas have traveled to breeders in New York, Vermont, and Tennessee. “The plan is to continue to improve fiber quality and conformation while giving the animals a clean and safe environment to be loved,” Beth adds. “Alpacas are very unique animals, and I want to share the experience with others.” This year alone, the farm has welcomed 5 baby alpacas, called cria, to join the 15 Huacaya alpacas, 3 mini donkeys, and 3 different breeds of miniature goats. In another area of the property, old iron gates invite guests to the chicken Poitier which features raised beds of various perennials and is home to 12 breeds of chickens and 2 English Angora rabbits. The Red Barn currently provides shelter to 2 Tennessee Walker Paint horses, 2 Eastern Wild Turkeys, over 100 quail, and a dozen pigeons. “And two of the toughest cats on the planet!” adds Beth. Bob loves to draw and has meticulously penciled many of the buildings on the property, including the pool and cabana. He also recently completed the design and installation of a 43,000-cubic-foot wildlife aviary.
In the front yard of the farmhouse, a food plot and overgrown vegetation led to an abundance of yard work. “If you are going to have to mow it anyway, it might as well be a golf course, right?” laughs Bob. The lake was expanded to provide extra dirt, trees were cleared, construction and irrigation crews were hired, and after loads of late-night research, the front yard now features a stunning three-hole course known as Cameron Park. The fairways and greens turf originated from a specialty zoysia research farm in Poteat, Texas, called Blade Runner Farms. The Zeon fairways were sprigged and delivered from a Zeon Zoysia-certified sod producer in Alabama, while the Lazer Zoysia greens were shipped via refrigerated trucks from Blade Runner.
The Lloyds’ main objective was to have a space where friends and family would visit and spend time away from their busy lives. Throughout the incredible piece of property and house, guests comment on the warmth they feel as soon as they enter the gates. “We have had the opportunity to paint our dreams,” Bob states. “It’s been an enormous project over the last five years, but we did it because we love it.” Whether traveling through the trails, bow hunting deer, pulling in a large-mouth bass, or gathering with friends for a late afternoon round of high-stakes golf, the Lloyds have created a modern and simple place with fascinating features at every turn.
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