The owners of this historic Trussville residence loved the character and charm of their home. But over the years, the interiors had become a patchwork of collected pieces, leaving the space feeling rather disconnected. That’s when Leigh Misso of River Brook Construction was brought in to create a more connected, thoughtfully edited flow.
Honoring the Bones
Leigh approached the project with deep respect for the home’s history. Rather than reinventing, she refined, thoughtfully transforming it from a muddled mix into a cohesive, elegant retreat for the family of five. “It was less about restructuring and more about refining,” Leigh explains.
“The goal was to honor the bones while giving the interiors a fresh, modernized look.”
— Leigh Misso
A Study in Light and Shadow
Her strategy hinged on creating a rhythm of light and shadow throughout the home, allowing its traditional architecture to take center stage while giving each room a renewed sense of identity. Leigh began the transformation by painting the walls Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, a soft shade that offered the perfect backdrop for layering in the contrast and texture that would ultimately bring cohesion to the interiors. She then sought to introduce contrast, not just in color—such as dark cabinetry that punctuates lighter walls and moody blues softened by natural neutrals—but also in materials: polished finishes play against raw textures, adding depth and dimension without overwhelming the historic structure. “It really came down to layering light and shadow, playing with scale, and balancing texture,” Leigh explains. “We used contrast as a unifying element.”
A Curated Retreat
In the living room, she brought in a deep, oversized sectional from Restoration Hardware that anchors the room without overwhelming it—and makes it easier for the family to entertain—and offset it with a duo of blue velvet chairs that add a rich note of color beside the newly renovated limestone mantle from Tracery. A mix of modern lighting from Visual Comfort, such as the wall sconces, chandelier, and floor lamp, introduces a contemporary counterpoint that keeps the space feeling fresh. “It creates that subtle juxtaposition between old and new,” she adds.
Kitchen & Craft
Working beneath the sweep of the original tongue-and-groove ceiling and the drama of the brick archway, Leigh thoughtfully rebalanced the kitchen’s footprint to give the room a clearer sense of order. She streamlined circulation and introduced purposeful storage to feel more intentional. Moody custom cabinetry painted in Pigeon by Farrow & Ball grounds the space, while a contemporary chandelier and slender brass-and-glass shelving layer in a modern edge without overpowering the home’s historic feel. “It’s those shifts in tone, texture, and light that make a space feel layered, intentional, and alive,” Leigh says.
“Contrast isn’t just about color—it’s about texture, scale, and material, and how each element interacts to create drama without losing comfort.”
– Leigh Misso
The Private Quarters
Beyond the main living spaces, the same thoughtful tension between old and new continue. In the office, Leigh removed dated built-ins to open the footprint, replacing them with a modern desk and a gallery wall that blends family memories with curated artwork—“a way to make it feel personal but not cluttered,” she notes. The powder bath gained personality through wallpaper and unexpected hardwired table lamps. And in the primary suite, where several existing elements had to remain, Leigh shifted the visual weight with an off-black limewash applied to walls and ceiling—giving it movement and depth—a massive chandelier that capitalizes on the vaulted height, and layers of natural texture. The result is a home that feels unified, refreshed, and gracefully connected to its past. “It’s all about creating rhythm and flow while letting each room have its own personality,” Leigh says.
Leigh Misso | River Brook Design + Build
Leigh Misso is the co-owner and lead designer of River Brook, a Birmingham-based design-build firm she leads alongside her husband, Kevin Misso. With a background in building science, Leigh brings an architecturally grounded, detail-driven approach to interiors that balance bold, unexpected moments with quiet refinement. Her work is defined by layered compositions, purposeful drama, and a timeless, effortlessly intentional sensibility.
Resources
Interior Design & Construction: Leigh Misso, River Brook Design & Construction Home Furnishings Store: River Brook Interiors General Interior Walls: White Dove by Benjamin Moore Kitchen Cabinetry: Pigeon by Farrow & Ball Primary Suite Walls & Ceiling: Off-black Limewash by Farrow & Ball Fireplace Mantle: Custom limestone by Tracery Mudroom Floor: Custom painted checkered pattern Living Room Sectional: Restoration Hardware Upholstery: Custom bed, mirrors, and coffee table by River Brook Interiors Office Furniture: Desk by Noir; Chair by Coley Home Primary Suite Seating: Slipper chairs by Coley Home Fabrics & Window Treatments: Schumacher (shades and upholstery) Rugs: Zebra cowhide and custom antelope-pattern rug via River Brook Interiors Art: Original works by Mackenzie Dove and Joe Turner Vintage Finds: Starburst mirror from Chairish; Antique giltwood mirror Hardware: Brandino Brass Plumbing Fixtures: Waterworks via Fixtures & Finishes Countertops: Soapstone (Powder Bath) and White Oak (Primary Bath vanity)
