Located at the Preserve in Hoover, the 2014 Birmingham Home and Garden Inspiration Home is in keeping with this traditional neighborhood that blends Southern style and modern amenities. The home features designs and products from some of Birmingham’s top retailers and manufacturers. Each room showcases the best of what’s in store, as well as creative ways for displaying and arranging. Look for details such as the built-in banquette, beamed ceiling, custom cabinetry, and outdoor entertaining area.
Here, check out some of the design tips from our experts. Visit the home to discover even more.
1. Make a statement. Double porches and grand columns make a sweeping gesture on the street side of the home.
2. Add instant character. Painted brick, reclaimed floors, and beams, lend a sense of age to this new home.
3. Streamline. Interior designer Alison Smith chose tile, lighting, colors, and fixtures that would create transitional continuity throughout the house while setting a pleasing backdrop for a variety of furniture.
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4. Choose an accent color. Though each room showcases its own style, the underlying color scheme is neutral, layered with texture and soft pops of blue.
5. Invest in artwork. You don’t have to buy it all at once. Save up to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces you will want to live with for a long time. And remember that it’s okay to leave some walls empty.
6. Choose fine finishes. The quality of design shows through with close attention to every last detail.
7. Be mindful of storage. Think through storage space needs. The kitchen provides floor-to-ceiling cabinets, with a variety of door heights and drawer widths for maximum use. An adjacent pantry stocks drygoods and items not in everyday use.
8. Choose timeless materials for the big stuff. You can always change a throw pillow, but it’s much harder to change an entire kitchen.
9. Layer old and new—especially in a new home. It gives an instant sense of comfort and character.
10. Don’t underestimate the impact of light fixtures. Whether traditional or fun and funky, light fixtures play a big role in the overall design of a room.
11. Pay attention to texture. Using a variety of textures in the interiors keeps it visually interesting without feeling overdone.
ABOVE Stock and Trade, Cole Hall Lumber (beams). Wall color: Seed Pearl
12. Add plenty of seating. The great room includes matching sofas, comfortable armchairs, and stools that can easily be moved as needed.
13. Don’t shy away from color. Blue and pink rev up the study while bright yellows bring life to the nursery.
14. Build in room to entertain. Unused attic space became an upstairs media room. (Be sure to sound proof!)
15. Create a second living area for kids. An upstairs den offers room for the younger sect to gather.
16. Mix up styles. The living room combines traditional elements with modern pieces for a pleasing balance.
17. Define interesting spaces. A built-in banquette in the great room hosts casual dining. It also serves to break up the grand linear space.
ABOVE The home boasts five bedrooms—each with its own personality. In the master bedroom, the theme is pure elegance. A beaded chandelier and mirrored bedside tables add to the sophisticated look, while the upholstered headboard creates a focal point. At Home / Three Sheets. Walls, ceiling, trim color: Mauve Mystique
18. Splurge on comfort. Opt for luxurious linens and inviting upholstery designed for lounging.
19. Choose energy-efficient appliances. Costs may be more up front, but they’ll pay off in the long run.
20. Make outdoor space an extension of your home. Slipcovered chairs and iron chandeliers create a true dining room on the covered back patio with the added benefit of an outdoor kitchen and seating area around an outdoor fireplace.
ABOVE LEFT Summer Classics, Peacock Pavers, Evolutia
ABOVE RIGHT Issis and Sons. Wall color: Anthracite
ABOVE Homewood Southern Fireplaces, Stock and Trade
ABOVE hhgregg Fine Lines, Triton Stone, Evolutia (Flooring), McCormick Cabinets
ABOVE Defining Home, Paige Albright Orientals, Drapes: King Cotton
ABOVE The guest bedroom is all about tradition. A four-poster bed and a flowing bedskirt emphasize the classic style. Alabama Furniture Market. Lighting: Inline Electric and Lighting. Wall color: Stone Hillside
ABOVE LEFT Triton Stone, Ferguson Bath and Kitchen Gallery
ABOVE RIGHT The nursery takes a simplistic approach with minimal artwork and a modern light fixture that captures the eye. Swaddle. Wall color: Pro white
You're Invited!
The 2014 Inspiration Home will be decked for the holidays and open for tours November 13-December 14 (Thursday-Sunday). Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online here or at the door.
The Preserve • 359 Chestnut Park Lane, Hoover.
Directions to the Home: I-459 South to Exit 13-B, Hwy 31. At Crest Cadillac, turn LEFT onto Patton Chapel Road. Turn LEFT onto Preserve Parkway. Turn LEFT onto Heritage Park Drive. Take first RIGHT onto Preserve Way, then RIGHT onto Chestnut Park Lane.
Thank You to our Inspiration Home Sponsors
BYROM BUILDING CORPORATION, Developer
Marty Byrom and Colt Byrom
Byrom Building Corporation has been a vital part of the Birmingham homebuilding industry for over 31 years. Byrom has designed and built hundreds of custom homes in the Greater Birmingham Area in premiere subdivisions such as Greystone, Woodridge, and Redmont Park. Each home is custom, so no two are alike. byrombuildingcorp.com
DAVID SMELCER, Residential Designer
As a long-time collaborator with Byrom Building Corp., David Smelcer works with Marty and Colt Byrom to create homes that are functional, distinctive, and beautiful. davidsmelcerdesign.com
ALISON SMITH (Alison Smith Interiors), Interior Designer and Design Liaison
Designer Alison Smith worked with Byrom Building on surfaces, finishes, and colors.She also served as the decorating liason with Birmingham shops and vendors to ensure harmonious design. [email protected]. 205.427.3547
DAVE EYRICH and DUANE PRITCHETT, Landcape Architect, Environmental Design Studio edsincweb.com
ACME Brick/Jenkins Brick Company • 205.988.3913
Air Engineers • 205.991.6850
Alabama Furniture Market • 205.668.9995
Alagasco • 205.326.8100
American Concrete Foundations & Walls, LLC. • 205.995.1099
At Home • 205.879.3510
Builders Millwork • 205.425.0880
Cole Hall Lumber • 205.663.2900
Nick Daviston Insulation • 205.823.1000
Defining Home • 205.803.3661
Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery • 205.254.3454
Green Valley Farms • 205.665.1355
Habiframe Inc. • Nashville, TN. 615.474.4972
hhgregg • Hoover, 205.402.0975
Inline Electric/Lighting Showroom • 205.322.2600
Issis & Sons • Hwy. 119, 205.620.6926; Pelham, 205.663.2310; Hwy. 31, 205.874.9586; Hwy 280, 205.981.2311
Evolutia • 855.277.5495
Landscape South • 205.985.0844
McCormick Cabinets • 205.631.3702
New Latitude Moving • 205.988.9000
Peacock Pavers • 251.368.2072
Rainbow Paint & Decorating • 205.822.3548
Ready Mix USA • 205.986.4800
Reed Plumbing • 205.481.0303
Scandinavian Design Gallery • 205.985.4507
Southeast Installations Inc. • 205.965.1902
Southern Fireplaces • 205.803.1118
Stock & Trade • 205.783.1350
Summer Classics • 205.620.6660
Swaddle • 205.870.3503
The Systems Shop • 205.408.0140
Three Sheets • 205.871.2337
Triton Stone Group • Birmingham. 205.592.0202
West Elm • 205.968.7651
birminghamhomeandgarden.com staff