Susan Dumas’s Mid-Century Home: A Maximalist Holiday Revival
Fran Keenan blends mid-century architecture with vintage treasures to create Susan Dumas’s home, a maximalist holiday dream with classic Southern style.
A sculptural Ames chair pairs with a plaid Dumas tartan sofa from Scotland and antique rugs by Paige Albright Orientals, infusing Susan Dumas’ living room with personality, modernity, and vibrant charm // Photography byJean Allsopp
Anyone who knows Susan Dumas—Birmingham’s very own Caftan Queen—knows she has a style all her own: bright, colorful, and unmistakably bold. So when she and her husband, George, realized that her vintage clothing business was outgrowing their home, they needed a new space that could fit the family, accommodate the business, and—just as importantly—match Susan’s personality.
That search didn’t take long. A longtime fan of mid-century modern design, Susan spotted a Mountain Brook gem while George was out of town. She instantly knew it was the one, so she went ahead and bought it. “He’s still scared to go out of town again,” Susan jokes.
Susan Dumas’ vintage business of 12 years is the heart of her style, known for unique pieces and costumes featured in The White Lotus Season 3.
Fearlessly Fran, Distinctly Susan
To honor the home’s original charm while making sure it felt just as lively, eclectic, and fun as Susan herself, the couple enlisted interior designer Fran Keenan, who worked with them in their previous home and was ready to embrace every bit of Susan’s fearless flair.
“Susan is the most fun individual you’d ever meet in your life. So it only makes sense that she lives in a fun house.”
—Fran Keenan
Fran’s first priority was honoring the home’s mid-century modern bones, never trying to make it something it wasn’t. “The house was built so beautifully and has the best bones, so we just leaned into it” Susan says. “It would have been disrespectful to the house to try to do any other style,” Fran began by reworking the layout for better flow and functionality. She raised the kitchen ceiling to the rafters for an asymmetrical lift, removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and carved out a keeping area where everyone could gather comfortably. From there, she layered in the quirks and character that make the house distinctly Susan.
“Her aesthetic is so much fun because there are no rules. It’s all about mixing color and pattern with unabandon. Just absolutely what works—and if it doesn’t work, that could be even cooler to Susan. She embraces living finishes and wants it to feel authentic.””
—Fran Keenan
The Keeping Room: A new sofa in a southwestern stripe pairs with vintage chairs re-covered in a floral print, while scenic woodland drapes add a touch of whimsy. Moroccan poufs feel vintage yet are new.
Ring in the Red
Chinese red shelves bring lucky energy and modern edge to this warm wood paneled space. proof that timeless design spans decades and cultures.
True to that approach, Fran left the original stained wood and paneling untouched to preserve the home’s warm character, then blended in vintage finds alongside fresh, modern pieces. “I believe Chinese red is a neutral,” Susan says of the living room’s bold red lacquered bookshelves. Fran paired that fearless pop of color with the home’s original wood finishes, giving the room “an earthy foundation that still feels fresh,” says Susan. The result is a playful mix that hints at the past while still feeling current. “What’s so fun about working in this house is that it might be a nod to the ’70s, but it always has a fresh lens,” Fran says. “It’s about mixing pieces from every era.”
Floral designer Lisa Bailey complemented Susan’s place settings with traditional arrangements of ranunculus, roses, and greenery to contrast the home’s mid-century style.
Mastering Scale, Color, and Timeless Style
That fearless approach extended to patterns as well, creating a home that feels like a joyful study in scale, color, and texture. Large-scale geometrics play against delicate florals, stripes mingle with abstract motifs, and each layer is tied together by a thoughtful use of color—ready to sparkle all the more when dressed for the holidays.
The primary bed takes center stage, upholstered in a Joseph Frank bird print that’s echoed in the drapes, while a blue-and-white wallpaper by Schumacher provides a soothing backdrop.
“What’s fun about Susan’s space is it’s all about pattern mixing. So much of it has to do with scale and colors. It feels like it could be years ago, but it could also feel like it was done today. It will age well and have a timelessness about it.”
—Fran Keenan
Nutcrackers, gifted to Susan’s sons over the years, are dressed as what they dreamed of becoming—policemen, doctors, firefighters, chefs, and more.
