The Trimbles
WHEN Genevieve and Morrell Trimble cast their eyes on 250 acres of rubble and overgrown landscape -- the remains of Afton Villa, a Louisiana ante bellum mansion with lavish gardens -- they decided to pre-empt its inevitable takeover by real estate developers by buying it themselves. Since the main house had burned to the ground in 1963, their architect, Barry Fox, helped turn the pool house into charming living quarters for the Trimbles, who in 1972 embarked on their huge, 20-year project to restore the lost gardens. Thanks to their dedication, their gardening skills, and the quality of the original landscape architecture, Afton Villa again offers visitors to Louisiana a taste of the golden age of Southern living.