When these empty nesters were preparing to build their Mountain Brook home, they knew their antique collection would play a major role in its overall décor. They also knew they wanted a comfortable, functional space to entertain family and friends with no more square footage than was truly needed.
Ben Shepard and Darla Davis of Shepard and Davis Architecture worked to create a not-too-big-but-not-too-little English country-inspired home that feels open and airy with lots of natural light. “The house doesn’t have overly large rooms, but because of the tremendous amount of light coming in the oversized windows, we were able to make them feel very spacious, ” says Ben of the mostly one-room-deep house.
Significant to the plan were materials that created multiple elements of texture on the home’s exterior. Ben and Darla combined painted brick, limestone, cedar roofing, and a heavily-waxed mahogany door to create immediate character and add a sense of history to the new home.
They carried the same feeling inside with many similar repeating textures, including cedar wood ceilings, heavily-mortared stone walls, and wooden beams. “One of the most pleasing aspects to me is seeing the way the natural light plays with the different textures throughout the house, ” says Darla. “The light works with these elements to create an extra layer of texture.”
Noted Birmingham designer and longtime friend Jane Hodges helped the homeowners combine their love of antiques with new pieces to lend energy to the home. “The addition of antiques adds a beautiful warm touch that you will not get if everything is new and modern, ” Jane says. “That’s why it’s important to hold on to grandmother’s antiques when you can.”
In the living room, a contemporary white chair is added to the mix of antique French chairs surrounding the gray velvet sofa. The dining room features a modern abstract painting that hangs across the room from an antique huntboard and matching mirror that were actually purchased separately but match flawlessly. “One thing I learned from Jane is that it doesn’t matter if everything matches, ” the homeowner shares. “She really encouraged me to mix what I love and that it doesn’t have to match. In fact, it can be more interesting if they don’t.”
While each room has a mix of traditional and new, Jane made sure to keep the space uncluttered and the décor choices deliberate. “Fewer accessories maintain the warmth, as well as allow the antiques to take center stage, ” she says.
RESOURCES
Architecture: Shepard and Davis Architecture, 205.322.7770 shepardanddavis.com Interior design: Jane B. Hodges Interiors, 205.871.0220. Design assistant: Jo Anna Cassady Landscape designer: Scott Gilchrist, 205.586.0669 Interior wall color: Pratt & Lambert / Seed Pearl Hardware: Brandino Brass • 2824 Central Ave. 205.978.8900 • brandinobrass.com Sofa and white chair: Richard Tubb Interiors, 205.324.7613 Living room antique lamps: Village Firefly • 2816 Culver Road, 205.870.4560 • thevillagefirefly.com Living room chests: Circa Interiors & Antiques • 2831 Culver Road, 205.868.9199 • circainteriors.com Living room chandelier: Toro-Cordes Iron Arts, 205.365.3593 Entryway and dining rugs: Paige Albright Orientals • 2814 Petticoat Lane, 205.877.3232 Custom bedspread: Jim Barnes, 205.616.7579 Mirrors in living room: Paintworks Design Studio • 1665 28th Avenue South, 205.879.2751 Sunburst mirror in master bedroom and mirror in garden: Henhouse Antiques • 1900 Cahaba Road, 205.918.0505; Exterior front lantern: Bevolo Lantern with custom iron bracket: Wade Bradberry, 205.391.8539
