A Departure from the “Usual Suspects”
Jon and Diane Nickolson weren’t looking to move—until they stumbled upon a rare Vestavia Hills lot with sweeping hilltop views, towering trees, and a gracious sense of arrival. From the moment they stepped onto the property, the couple envisioned a home that would embrace the scenic landscape, not simply sit upon it. To bring that vision to life, they turned to Richard Long of Long & Long Design, who thoughtfully sited the home to capture both front and back vistas, while landscape architect David Brush carried those architectural cues into the outdoors. Together, they crafted a layered, cohesive experience—one that reveals itself gracefully from the first approach to the final view.
Rooted in Place
From the outset, Richard’s goal was to design a home that felt settled rather than newly built, as if it had evolved naturally over time. He leaned into a restrained blend of ‘Old World Rustic’ stone, limestone, and stained white oak, layering the materials in a way that brings depth, texture, and a sense of history to the architecture.The home’s mix of influences, from Tudor-inspired arches to softer, asymmetrical forms, further reinforces that collected, lived- in character. “Natural materials give a more authentic feel,” Richard says. “They help age the home—but in a good way.”
Blurring Boundaries
Landscape architect David Brush carried that vision outdoors, repeating materials and aligning proportions so that terraces, walls, and plantings feel intrinsically connected—less like additions and more like natural continuations of the home itself. Using the same stone for garden walls and structural elements, he ensured a seamless visual thread. Gently curved edges and layered spaces echo the home’s architecture. The progression from motor court to entry unfolds with intention, each space scaled to guide the experience. “The goal is deceptively simple: Create landscapes that enhance the home, not compete with it,” David says. “Every plant, stone, and curve is meant to feel purposeful and timeless.”
Terraced Arrival
The home’s approach unfolds as a carefully choreographed sequence, one that begins at the front gate and gently reveals itself along the way. A meandering drive rises with the natural topography, weaving past a thicket of trees and native planting before opening to a motor court that feels as much like a garden as it does a place to park.
From there, the experience becomes increasingly intimate with a series of spaces, each stepping down in scale as it leads toward the front door. “I think of the approach like a series of Russian dolls—each terrace, courtyard, and court leads naturally to the next, gradually drawing you to the front door,” says David.
“Landscape is a mirror—it wants to reflect the house. Every wall, terrace, and planting here was designed to extend the architecture and make the outdoor spaces feel like part of the home itself.”
– landscape architect David Brush
Capturing the View
The backyard stands as the crown jewel of the property, where the hilltop setting and panoramic valley views are on full display. The infinity pool, set just below the covered back porch, acts as a natural extension of the home, while the elevated hot tub introduces a subtle vertical element, drawing the eye outward without interrupting the horizon. Light-colored FireRock pavers keep the pool deck comfortable underfoot, and terraces catch the sun’s path across the day. Fire bowls perched atop stone columns add subtle drama without interfering with the scenery. “When you have this view, it’s almost like you have to get out of the way,” David says.
Shady Retreat
The covered back porch acts as a seamless extension of the home, bridging the interior living spaces with the infinity pool and valley beyond. Lift-and-slide doors open onto a porch with retractable screen, allowing the area to function as both an additional living room and a transition to the outdoors. Interior designer Jessica Prier of Birmingham Design House outfitted the space with multiple seating areas in durable teak and woven synthetic wicker, complemented by neutral Sunbrella cushions and chambray linen pillows from Summer Classics. A dining zone and grilling area coexist effortlessly with soft seating, creating a porch that feels casual, elegant, and perfectly suited for entertaining or simply enjoying time with the family.
Resources
Landscape architect: David Brush, David N. Brush Landscape Architecture; Landscape contractor: Blackjack Horticulture; Home designer: Richard Long, Long & Long Design; Interior designer: Jessica Prier, Birmingham Design House; Home builder: Harris Coggin Building Company; Front door: constructed by Woodworking Dynamics; stained by Daniel Whitsett, Paintworks Design Studio; Limestone: Tracery Stone; Iron work: Steel City Metal
