Macon Magazine

102 maconmagazine.com | August/September 2026 STORY BY SARAH LEONARDO, ROOT BOUND MEDIA | PHOTOS BY CEDRIC SMITH A dense summer thicket filters sunlight through a wall of windows. Just past the glass, cardinals chirp in the ginkgo tree. A fresh cup from a crimson Moka pot patiently waits on a cork coaster. Max Stapleton is likely enjoying his morning coffee in his recently restored 1953 era Pinecrest Road home when inspiration strikes. The pathway from the road up to the mid-century property is a portal. The private hilltop setting was designed by architect John Dennis for Patty and Richard Maddux during a renaissance of innovative Macon architecture. An outline of this era's designs and respective designers, including the Pinecrest property pre-restoration, are documented in "Mid- Century Macon: 1945-1969" by author James E. Barfield and photographer Walter G. Elliott. When "Mid-Century Macon" was published by Historic Macon Foundation in 2021, Pinecrest occupied only two pages. Images show a glimpse of an empty sunken living room, dining room, and brick façade. It wasn't until December 2023 that Max Stapleton purchased the property. James Barfield, or Jim, as many know him, was already friends with Max before the keys were handed over. On a recent July afternoon, the pair sat for conversation in the sunken living room to discuss the property's history and thoughtful renovation updates. Jim emphasizes how fortunate Macon mid-century architects were to have dense, lush greenspaces. Many of the houses featured in his book are built on hillsides or hilltops, providing immersive views, establishing a dialogue between architecture and landscape, and flowing between indoor and outdoor living. RIGHT Mid-century architects designed spaces like this one to create a flowing state between the indoors and outdoors. LEFT Max Stapleton currently owns the home. Inside Max Stapleton's thoughtfully restored Pinecrest home A M I D - C E N T U R Y M O M E N T O F C L A R I T Y The Pinecrest property refuses to reveal itself all at once. It waits as a quiet surprise up the hill and around the bend, luring in those who practice the art of noticing. This feature instantly spoke to Max — he loved the feeling that he was entering another world and could leave everything behind on the road below. J.H. Webb, a realtor and friend, knew Max was looking for a change from his previous 19th century property on College Street. Upon touring the house, Max could see the possibilities immediately. However, the romance quickly gave way to reality. The space was "at a point of transition — in need of a new kitchen, bathrooms, and fixtures throughout," and countless surfaces demanded attention. Not

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