Birmingham Home & Garden
Inspiration Home 2026

Lake Martin | Alexander City, Alabama

Birmingham Home & Garden magazine has teamed up with Classic Homes and architect Michael O'Kelley to present a show-stopping Inspiration Home at Lake Martin. Tickets to tour the home are $10, and proceeds benefit Children's Harbor.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR TOURS

Summer 2026

Thursday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

About the Home

Wicker Point, Lake Martin

Russell Lands on Lake Martin is the largest developer on Alabama’s Lake Martin, a more-than-41,000-acre lake surrounded by 25,000 acres of forest located near Alexander City, Alabama. Comprised of several distinct neighborhoods located along the lake’s 880 miles of shoreline—along with Willow Point Golf & Country Club, Wicker Point Golf Club, four world-class marinas, and Russell Crossroads, the town center that includes Catherine’s Market, award-winning SpringHouse, and equestrian center—Russell Lands is the playground of choice for many Birmingham (and beyond!) residents.

The 2026 Inspiration Home, located in The Heritage, the newest Russell Lands neighborhood, is already underway. Situated on a gently sloping lot, the home will exhibit all the charms of lake house style and showcase the best of golf course living.

Meet the Design Team

Michael O'Kelley

Architect | O'Kelley Architecture

O’Kelley Architecture is based in Birmingham, Alabama. Founder Michael O’Kelley spent years as a principal at a larger firm before starting his own practice. He also served for 10 years as the Town Architect for The Town of Mt Laurel, a DPZ- planned Traditional Neighborhood Development located in North Shelby County. Michael currently serves on the Shelby County Planning Commission and is on the Boards of Directors for Leadership Shelby County, Blanket Fort Hope, and Shelby Volunteers in Service.

Classic Homes

Builder

Classic Homes is a member of the Russell Lands, Inc., family of businesses that specializes in building lake homes in Russell Lands neighborhoods. Led by its president, Chad Calhoun, Classic Homes utilizes the talents and abilities of the entire Russell Lands team to create memory-making lake houses. Every detail of a home and its site—from roads to waterfront features to kitchen layout, rustic finishes, and natural landscapes—is carefully considered and executed by the Classic Homes team. Classic Homes has consistently built upscale lakefront homes on Lake Martin in Glynmere, The Ridge, and the Russell Cabins enclaves, as well as the 2019 Inspiration Home in The Willows. Other Classic Homes projects include The Ridge Club, Catherine’s Market, The Discovery Center, and SpringHouse.

Charity Partner

Children's Harbor

In service since 1989, Children’s Harbor provides children with serious illnesses, along with their families, a place to have fun and relax while also receiving no-cost services at both the Family Center located at the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children in Birmingham, Alabama, and at the Lake Martin retreat facility in Alexander City, Alabama.

Project Partners

Interested in participating in the 2026 Inspiration Home? We'd love to hear from you! Email Sheila Wardy for more information.

Tier 1

Tier 2

Brandino Brass
Brian's Flooring & Design
FireRock
Inline Electric/Inline Lighting
Kristen McGee Interiors
Southern Sash
VW Gallerie at V&W Supply Company

Tier 3

3D Air Services LLC
Allied Insulation
Allyson K Designs
Art House
Ashley Ayer Interiors
Ashley White Interiors LLC
Cotton+Quill
Ellie Cate Home
HCR Cabinets
Hiltz-Lauber
Lisa Shaddix Designs, LLC
Lorberbaum McNair & Associates
Mash Design House
Millennial Bank
Nicole Roby Designs
Ragan Wesson Interiors
Space Cadets
SWAG Home Staging & Design
Willow Homes
© PMT Publishing Inc. | birminghamhomeandgarden.com | Questions? Email: Sheila Wardy | Follow Along for Updates: Instagram

The 2025 Beautiful Kitchens Contest is now accepting entries!

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Enjoy stunning local homes, inspiring before & after projects, Southern-style recipes, entertaining ideas and more!