“The house immediately caught our eye. The natural light was incredible, and the yard was expansive,” the homeowner says. “It had so much potential.” The U-shaped contemporary construction had very little architectural ornament among its concrete floors, white walls, and tall ceilings spanned by steel beams—everything one might imagine a stark, modern home to be. But the homeowners and designer Amanda Hickam of Birmingham’s Harper Harris Design were not deterred. They knew it was the perfect envelope for creating a backdrop for living.
The owners had purchased the Vestavia house, built in 2015, after decades in a traditional-style abode they’d custom-built, raised their children in, and thought would be their forever home—until it wasn’t. With their young-adult kids out of the house, the couple realized they were ready for something different.
Enter Amanda. “The homeowner liked idea of a modern home, but she wanted it to feel warmer,” Amanda says. “She was into a more organic, approachable look.” So the designer set her sights on a modern aesthetic that was less stark and more gentle, balancing sleek lines and functionality with a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. “I leaned into that idea by incorporating natural wood tones, unorthodox stone species, textural textiles, and lots of art throughout the home,” she says. “Each of these offer a bit of imperfection that can make a space like this more approachable.”
RIGHT Texture reigns in a guest bedroom. A custom bed from Wesley Hall is upholstered in a rich, moss-green mohair. Walls are dressed in Thibaut grasscloth, and a batik print from Thibaut forms pillows and drapery. Pressed botanicals tie into the natural palette.
The addition of streamlined architectural details also softened the spaces, “but we had to be thoughtful about adding to a house at that level of pared down,” Amanda says. The homeowner adds, “I’ll be honest—when we first saw the house, it seemed too industrial. The kitchen looked cool, but it just didn’t feel like somewhere you’d want to relax with a cup of coffee. Now it’s full of natural light, which just makes everything more open and uplifting. And we were able to bring in some softness for a more balanced look. It still has that cool, modern edge, but it feels like home now.”
In both the entry and the primary bedroom, Amanda added recessed nooks to flat walls for displaying art pieces, books, and other treasures. In the kitchen and primary bath, glass-front, apothecary-style built-ins with steel frames appear both modern and antique. Those additions, Amanda says, “add another level of interest and detail.”
LEFT To bring interest to the primary bedroom, Amanda designed built-in, arched bookshelves and created a nook for the brass four-poster bed which she then framed with drapery panels. In lieu of bedside lamps, pendant lights that resemble strands of pearls are suspended from the ceiling. “It all adds warmth and texture, making this once-cavernous space feel chic but cozy,” Amanda says. RIGHT A painting on raw canvas by Chelsea Fly (through Design Supply) is tacked to a wall above a bouclé chaise longue.
The primary bath is a showroom for Alabama white marble. Just inside the door, Amanda created a showstopping vertical marble installation that frames a soaking tub and chandelier. Lighting by Visual Comfort. The vanity showcases walnut cabinetry and brass legs topped with Alabama white marble and a steel-and-glass apothecary cabinet—an interesting mix of modern materials and classic styling that echoes the kitchen. The closet offers enviable style and storage.
The designer’s lighting selections act in concert with materials and furnishing choices to give each space a layer of personality. Thanks to the home’s high ceilings, there was space to go big and bold with fixtures—and larger pieces helped fill the volume of space overhead. “I was able to get really creative with scale,” says Amanda.
Putting creativity on display was the driving force behind the remodel. That not only included Amanda’s imaginative updates to the floorplan, courtyard, pool house, and interiors, but also the creation of a gallery for the homeowners’ art collection, along with two new commissioned pieces. “The homeowner is a talented photographer herself, so she has a true understanding of how art completes a space,” Amanda says.
After two years of renovations, Amanda has come up with the perfect description of the home. “It’s an example of how classic Southern elegance can be reimagined through contemporary aesthetics, where every detail has been thoughtfully curated.”
Amanda Hickam | Harper Harris Design
Harper Harris Design is a luxury firm founded in Birmingham in 2019. Thanks to architecture and design backgrounds, Amanda and her team offer a unified approach consistently yielding spaces that radiate effortless elegance. The balanced aesthetic feels both inviting and timeless. “We produce construction drawings and also select furnishings, textiles, and décor for our clients,” says Amanda. “We work on new construction, renovations, additions, and decorating projects.”
The designer explains that her firm is known for being incredibly approachable with clear communication. “The level of professionalism and detail in our drawings allows us to work well with contractors, millworkers, countertop fabricators, plumbing vendors, and any other team member needed to successfully achieve each client’s desired outcome.”
Resources
Interior design and architectural elevations: Amanda Hickam, Harper Harris Design Plumbing and fixtures: Fixtures & Finishes Hardware: Brandino Brass Custom cabinetry and tabletop: Cotton Woodworks Interior dining table base: Blackshop Select Lighting: Visual Comfort Custom planters, benches, and fountain: Elegant Earth Custom drapery panels: Deanna Hollis, Housewarmings Birmingham
