Designing Comfort: A Home Renovation Story in Homewood

What began as a small request for a screened porch addition yielded a bigger plan with everything these homeowners wanted and more.

Photos by Jean Allsopp

I really love the approachability of the home. The front porch welcomes you in off the street, and the large windows and gas lanterns give off a nice glow in the evenings.

– Richard Long, architect

Sometimes, a simple request can transform into an elaborate project. Mindy and Chris Strickland wanted to add a screened porch to their home. That was it—just another gathering place for friends and family to enjoy. That single appeal turned into a few more, and as one innovation idea morphed into another, the scope of the project completely changed, and they made the decision to embark on a full-blown rebuild. “After a few pricing exercises, we realized it would be better to start new,” says architect Richard Long of Long & Long Design.

“Once we decided it would be a teardown, we had more freedom to add the spaces they truly wanted.” Richard joined forces with Nikolaus Mimikakis of Mimikakis Construction and interior designer Missy Kohls (also Mindy’s sister) to design a new modern cottage concept.

With the addition of a few more carefully thought-out rooms, along with an expanded footprint—including the original plan for a screened porch—this house would be a place the family could grow into and continue to enjoy without leaving their beloved Homewood neighborhood. “It has Europe-meets-modern-style interiors that are fresh and inspiring thanks to the artful inclusion of found items, reclaimed architectural elements, and chippy painted pieces,” says Missy. “There is an interesting interplay of materials, including weathered wood, limestone, hand-forged iron, and soft linens. Casual and charming details with an abundance of light add the finishing touches that make the house feel like home”.

New porch designed for the Strickland family gatherings.

Age Defying Home Renovation

“Because this is a new house, we wanted to make sure it had plenty of character,” designer Missy Kohls says. Outside, the home features modern cottage detailing such as the round, diamond-paned window, hipped and gabled roof, dormer windows, tall chimney, and columned front porch. Inside, the limestone fireplace surround and the beams in the vaulted family room add distinction. “All of these elements play a part in making the space an excellent canvas for decorating with one-of-a-kind pieces to add even more interest,” Missy says.

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“Some antiques have been around for hundreds of years and are still functioning, so any pieces your family uses just add to their story and patina.”

—Missy Kohls, interior designer

Room to Grow

The second story suits the two daughters’ bedrooms. The primary suite is on the main level, along with living spaces, a kitchen, a screened porch, a home office, a powder room, and a walk-in pantry. On the lowerlevel, there’s a guest suite, laundry room, carport, and media room.

Inviting front door for Strickland house

Porch Party

“Mindy and Chris really love to entertain, so the screened porch acts as an extension of their family room,” Missy says. Seeking comfort first, she added club chairs and a sofa from Macy’s Home that cozy up to a wood-burning fireplace. The rug is from At Home in Homewood. The coffee table is an antique crate used to transport chickens. “We added casters and a glass top to make it a charming and casual addition to the porch,” says Missy.

Cottage Appeal

“When the neighborhood kids are outside playing, parents will gather on the front porches to watch over the children and socialize,” Missy says. “Creating a space that would continue that tradition was important.” The Stricklands’ house is especially inviting thanks to its architectural charms such as the custom white oak front door and shutters designed by Richard Long.

Custom dining table from The Moses Table Company in Homewood

Collected Comforts

Shopping high and low, as well as antique, vintage, and new, Missy and Mindy scoured local shops, Scott Antique Markets, and online sites for their finds while also mixing in a few family pieces. Neutral upholstery features traditional lines in performance fabrics. Tables and accessories are mostly antique. The custom, 10-foot trestle dining table is from Ed Grier (The Moses Table Company in Homewood). Windsor chairs and host chairs are antique. Floral draperies are custom. “I like to call the style of this house European Collected,” Missy says. “It feels fresh and casual like it was effortlessly pulled together with nothing too formal or precious.”

Artistic Impressions

For art, Missy and Mindy chose landscapes. “If it had a cow or sheep in it, it was even better,” Missy says. In the family room, an oil painting that belonged to their great-grandparents hangs atop a French architectural panel. In the living room, a gallery wall strikes a defining note.

Easy Flow

“We love the challenge of balancing an efficient plan for everyday needs with a spacious layout,” Richard Long says. “This home has a good sense of that. Some rooms are nice and cozy, and others are set up for larger gatherings— but they all work well together.” The kitchen stays neat thanks to the ample butler’s pantry (painted Benjamin Moore Gloucester Sage) accessed through an antique door (Preservation Company, Huntsville). “The pantry had to be practical but pretty,” says Missy. There are storage areas and open spaces to display pretty china and silver collections.

Primary bedroom in Homewood house

Quiet Comforts

The primary bedroom (above) is a peaceful retreat thanks to the soothing green-and-white palette with art by Wellon Bridgers. “My sister loves looking out the windows at the trees, so I pulled the outside in with the green touches and leafy linen duvet,” Missy says. One daughter’s room showcases vintage style with an iron bed topped with a floral print duvet, gingham shams, and a reproduction chandelier. “This combination creates the perfect retreat from the rigors of school,” says Missy.

Resources

Interior Design: Missy Kohls, [email protected] or 404.550.3977 Architect: Richard Long, Long & Long Design Builder: Nikolaus Mimikakis, Mimikakis Construction Landscape architect: Todd Dorlon Landscape install and services: John Mardick, Southern Craftscapes, [email protected] Hardware: Brandino Brass Countertops in butler’s pantry: Surface One Bath tile: Triton Stone Group Drapery and primary suite duvet fabric: King Cotton Wing Chair: Found Birmingham Rug in bath: Hazel House Collective Chandelier in bath: Roman Brantley Art & Antiques

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