“We countered the openness of the great room and kitchen with cozier, moodier spaces that are soothing and restful— providing our clients a much-needed respite from the business of the day.”
–Leigh Ann Harris, designer / Christopher Architects and Interiors
Walking the grounds of this idyllic Briarwood estate, it is easy to forget that the Birmingham city limit is just a few minutes away—and that was exactly architect Chris Reebals’ intention. The newly built manor situated toward the back of a quiet cul-de-sac can only be reached after meandering through miles of massive oaks, towering pines, and green pastures. For the young family who lives there, the whole experience makes “coming home” feel like going on vacation.
“Before we began the design process, I planted myself onsite to absorb the aura of the 14-acre property,” Chris says. “I spent several days contemplating how to design a respectful architectural response that would speak to nature while also capturing the vision of our client. They were my two greatest influences, both inspiring in their own way.”
Chris, founder and principal of Christopher Architects and Interiors (CAI), collaborated with Cotton Construction to build a foundation strong enough to carry the weight of both classic and contemporary architectural elements and materials. Limestone parapet walls, richly-stained cedar siding, and high-pitched shingle roofs nod to the work of renowned 18th-century English architect Sir Edward Lutyens, while sleek steel and shiny glass illustrate 21st-century style. Although the sprawling facade imbues a sense of grandeur and formality, the interiors convey an atmosphere of approachable elegance as ideally suited for business dinners and cocktail parties as it is for family dinners at the kitchen island and backyard barbecues with friends.
“Initially, the homeowners had different ideas—he wanted shiplap siding and neutral colors for a casual, beachy feel while she preferred a more sophisticated interior with lots of texture, pattern, and color. The result was a little bit of both.”
–Joanna Goodman
“When designing a home, there is much more to think about than just the finishings and furnishings,” says Joanna Goodman, who served as the lead interior designer for CAI before establishing her eponymous firm. “Before you can get there, you must understand how the rooms will connect with one another, how those who live there will connect with the rooms, and how the indoor rooms will connect to the outdoor ‘rooms.’ This knowledge is vital to creating functional, comfortable, and enjoyable spaces that look and feel right.”
This very sentiment served as the “blueprint” for the interior floorplan which is centered on the great room. Its two-story volume is amplified by stacked, steel-clad windows and French doors that frame Mother Nature’s artwork and flood the space with enough sunlight to warm the otherwise cool palette of grays, taupes, blacks, and whites. The dual-sided limestone fireplace, white oak beams, and painted pine-paneled ceiling and walls anchor the lofty room.
According to Joanna, texture played an important role throughout the entire house, both in the interior architecture and in the décor. Its presence is noted in the pecky cypress ceilings in the library and master bedroom, the sleek stone counters and steel range hood in the kitchen, and the upholstery, rugs and wallcoverings.
Interior designer Leigh Ann Harris worked with Joanna to procure textiles that are as easy on the eye as they are to the touch. Nubby wools and linens layered with smooth velvets, leathers, and hides are among the natural fibers that dress the floors and furnishings. Colored grass cloth and embossed wallcoverings round out the tactile mix. “Our goal was to generate all the ‘warm and fuzzy’ feels that make a ‘house’ feel like ‘home,’” Leigh Ann says. “Incorporating a diversity of rich textures in every room allowed us to achieve that goal organically and to convey depth in a subtle, sophisticated way that keeps the focus on the scenery.”
