Restoring a Classic With Restraint
Not every potential home buyer would thrill to the prospect of a historic home that had not been touched in many decades, but architect Laura Bartlett was an exception. “For me, it was kind of a dream; there had been a few kitchen updates but really everything was so intact and had not been renovated,” says Laura. “It was nice to have a blank slate from a preservation standpoint and also to be able to make it ours without inheriting someone else’s updates.”
The architect and her husband Taylor set about bringing the 1929 Redmont Park house back to its prominence by capitalizing on its original limestone fireplaces, hardwood floors, and abundant wavy glass windows. “Optimistically, except for the kitchen, I thought it just needed a layer of freshening,” explains Laura. “But as I well know, in renovations, things tend to snowball! A beam that needed to be added to the revamped kitchen affected an upstairs bathroom, so the bathroom needed to be updated, etc.”
The changes to the kitchen went well beyond structural—it was enlarged by incorporating several small pantries and a side porch that Laura was told was once used for the delivery of eggs and milk. “We wanted a more spacious kitchen, but also wanted it to open up to the dining room, so we created a generous cased opening between the two.”
To keep the airy feeling in the space, the couple settled on a floating stainless-steel island with open shelves instead of a traditional one with cabinetry; it is topped with classic glass globe lanterns that reflect an old-fashioned appeal.
A Quiet Palette for a Character-Rich Home
As far as the interiors, given the home’s Tudor leanings, it had dark wood trim throughout which caused a bit of a dilemma. “We really struggled with whether to paint it or not; we wanted to respect the original materials and tried not to go all in and dip the house in white paint,” says Laura. “We started slow with the window trim and then went from there.”
When they did paint anywhere in the house, it was a shade of white as the architect explains: “I’m not necessarily a neutral person, but I think it was what this house wanted to be. There is a lot of variation in color on the outside with the combination of red and clinker brick; and we balanced that busyness with a quiet interior palette. It just felt right.”
Home, Community, and a Lasting Affection for Birmingham
That thinking extended to the furnishings and décor where a brown mohair sectional and crisp, classic white sofa join hands in the living room while the entry showcases a dark gray/green velvet table skirt. Laura and Taylor’s personal and inherited antiques, including a marble-topped chest that Laura asked for her 21st birthday, slipped in easily.
“I have many designer friends, and we had a lot of people weigh in and help us. Even if you have a strong personal compass about your style, every house is different and every house needs something different,” says Laura. “I learned so much professionally working on Carlisle, but more than anything, on a personal level, it cemented my lasting affection for Birmingham and the community that welcomed us back!”
Laura Bartlett on Old House Musings
“I think many historic homes hold drama in their individual history. When given the opportunity to peel back some of the layers of time, modern additions can be the foil that highlights the original architecture, renewing that sense of drama. I try to put on my editing hat, but not overdo it.
To me, every house seems to want a certain stylistic direction, and especially in a renovation, it is important to respect what you inherit when possible. I try not to take away from what is originally loved about the home—interior architectural details, for example, should be celebrated.
“With all the natural light coming into the house, a neutral palette really worked; the rooms felt joyful and alive even without color. I confess to painting the dining room a bolder color only to change it back to white!”
That said, oftentimes older homes were not originally designed for the way we live today. For example, the kitchen might have been closed off from the main living spaces, but in today’s world, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Thinking critically about how to adapt and reuse existing spaces in a way that responds to modern life can bring comfort to an older home. Perhaps the kitchen is opened up to an adjacent space to lend more room for gathering, or the formal dining room becomes a small family snug or built-ins added to make it more functional and comfortable.”
Meet Laura Bartlett
Laura Bartlett was born and raised in Atlanta by parents who loved design and projects. As a young child she lived in homes designed by celebrated classicist architects Philip Schutze and James Means. “I grew up surrounded by blueprints and went to meetings with architects and decorators. We were always going to estate sales and Scott’s. When Taylor and I were renovating Carlisle Road, some of the unexpected things my parents experienced during their projects came up for us too, and it was fun to consult with them—it felt very full circle in a sense.”
Laura moved to Birmingham in 2007 to complete her architectural degree at the Auburn Urban Studio while her husband Taylor Bartlett, a native, attended law school. She started working with the commercial architecture firm Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio. “It was a bit of a jump-into-the-deep-end experience; I worked on some really grand projects like the new Children’s Hospital, Railroad Park, and some multi-family housing, and it was invaluable training.”
“My husband Taylor studied mechanical engineering at Auburn when I was there for architecture, so there is some professional crossover, but he’s a doer and I am a dreamer which is a really great combination.”
A graduate program in London for her husband landed Laura a position on a luxury residential design team secured through a mutual connection to Sam Mockbee and the Auburn Rural Studio. “It was an exciting place to be—it was basically a startup, staffed by people from all over Europe. The firm grew from about 12 to 60 employees during the time I was there from 2010 to 2012.”
A return to Birmingham in 2012 brought her to William Blackstock Architects, where she returned to commercial work primarily on projects for Children’s Hospital, The University of Alabama, and Auburn University, but she longed to get back into the private residential arena. Afterwards, she worked for five years with Paul Bates as her mentor.
In 2019, Laura and a partner began to develop a co-working space, but it fell through in early 2020. “I was very disappointed at first, then later realized we really dodged a bullet because this was right at the start of the pandemic! Fortunately, I was working on a friend’s house at the time, and that project led to referrals, and I officially started my own practice in 2020. I do a lot of historic renovations, so my experience with the Carlisle house has been invaluable. A commercial project has more defined perimeters and timeline, which has its advantages, but for me, it doesn’t compare to the relationship you develop with clients and their homes. Houses, especially old ones, always need something!”
Resources
Architect: Laura Bartlett. laurabartlettarchitect.com Contractor: Homeowners served as general contractor with consulting by Philip Woods. Kitchen: Marble: Will Casey and Susan Vise (formerly Fragment Stone). Island: Bresco. Counter stools: Pottery Barn. Custom cabinets: Cahaba Woodworks. Range: Wolf Dual Fuel. Globe pendant lights: Visual Comfort. New steel door by Bessemer Glass. Bar & Staircase: White paint color: Custom. Sconces: from Laura’s parents. Stair runner: Billy Brown Flooring. Artwork: Hanna Antiques. Black candles: Little Hardware. Living Room: Rug: Billy Brown Flooring. White sofa: Lee Industries through Circa. Sofa pillows: Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock and Colefax and Fowler Malabar. Curtain fabric: Linen from King Cotton. Throw rug: Cowhide from Yerra. Drinks table (left:) Woodworking Dynamics. Sconces: Antique Carriage Lights from Taylor’s Grandmother’s home. Sectional: Lee Industries through Circa. Pair of tables: Black Marble on Custom Metal Bases. Art (over fireplace): George Reed framed by Framed. Bedroom: Rug: Rugko. Curtain fabric: Silk panels from RH. Coffee table: Scott Antique Market. Sofa: Hickory Chair. Striped pillow fabric: Schumacher. Art (over fireplace): Amy Pleasant. Bedside lamp: Custom Shade from The Lamp Shoppe. Bedding: The Linen Ladies with Fortuny Bolster. Fireballs: Brandino Brass. Foyer: Table skirt fabric: Lewis and Sheron. Art: Piranesi Prints from Taylor’s Grandmother. Vase: White Ceramic. Dining Room: Chairs: CAB Chairs by Cassina through Aero. Curtain fabric: Linen from King Cotton. Shades: Smith and Noble. Rug: Billy Brown Flooring. Art: From Taylor’s Grandmother. China and crystal: Table Matters.
