Luxurious appointments, Fine Finishes, classic looks, and fresh color and pattern are the stuff of these baths, both new and renovated. Check out the dreamy spaces on the following pages to inspire your own at-home retreat.
Architect Matt Costanzo transformed a recess in his daughter’s bathroom into a glamourous retreat by adding an arched opening, dainty chandelier, crystal sconces, and plenty of gold accents with the perfect punch of blue in custom cabinets.
Sometimes, a bath is so outdated that it’s best to strip it to the frame and just start over. That’s what architect Matt Costanzo did when renovating this bath along with designers Sumner Starling and Anne Hurley with Starling Interiors. The clients needed more space, and the only way to achieve that was by rewriting the floorplan. In additon to relocating plumbing, Matt says, “Closets were moved to the interior and walls were taken down to let in more natural light,” The new configuration also allowed them to create a separation from the bedroom and bath with a dressing hall and closets.
Using a neutral backdrop with paint choices, tile, and countertops, the designers added contrast with white oak cabinets and flush white oak doors. The end result? A beautiful retreat that is both dramatic and inviting.
Classic Craftsman – Homewood, Alabama Opening November 2024
Homewood continues to be one of the most desirable communities in Birmingham. Developed in the early 20th century, the city offers homes that range from Spanish Colonial to ranchers to Tudors, and of course traditional bungalows and Craftsman-style homes. For the architect and developer of this home, it was only natural to want to revisit a classic look. “We chose to design a Craftsman-style house to pay homage to the more traditional character of original Homewood houses,” says architect Jared Bussey. “The Craftsman/Arts & Crafts style can be roomy and modern on the inside while still maintaining an appropriate scale and proportion along the street.”
The plan consists of a 4,165-square-foot house with five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths. An inviting front porch leads to a gracious foyer and an open stairway to the second floor. The main level hosts a generously-sized living area with a fireplace that seamlessly connects to the kitchen. A focal point of the home, the kitchen features a 48-inch range, refrigerator and freezer towers, and a spacious island, complemented by an attached working pantry/scullery equipped with prep space, cabinets, sink, oven, and built-in microwave. A convenient wet bar links the living and dining areas.
The primary suite on the first floor boasts exclusive amenities such as a dedicated washer and dryer, a niche for coffee/beverages, and a steam shower, in addition to separate vanities, a freestanding tub, and an expansive walk-in closet. The second floor houses the main laundry room adjacent to the other bedrooms.
Out back, a screened porch equipped with a fireplace and built-in bar connects to a two-car carport. Additionally, the dining room offers access to the screened porch via a large sliding door unit, enhancing the seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.
Meet the Team
Builder: WILLOW HOMES Willow Homes began over 10 years ago, winning numerous awards and accolades in professional programs. Willow Homes strives to create affordable custom luxury in many of the most upscale home markets in Birmingham including Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Avondale, and surrounding areas.
The Willow Homes team consists of tenured project managers, award-winning plan designers, and artistic home designers, all working diligently to bring custom homes or renovations to life—on time and on budget. They also have the experience and resources to coordinate furniture, rugs, artwork, and window coverings with a turn-key installation through Willow Interiors.
Architect: Jared Bussey, founder and principal of Architectural Cooperative Architectural Cooperative is a full-service architectural design firm located in Homewood, Alabama. Registered in eight states around the Southeast, the firm provides high-quality design services that are catered specifically to each project and each client. The firm understands that the architect’s task is to meet a client’s needs while also contributing to the overall beauty and sustainability of a street, community, and city.
Benefiting Trinity’s Outreach Hub
Feed, Clothe, Teach, Grow and Connect The vision of Trinity’s Outreach Hub is to welcome neighbors in need with radical hospitality, prioritizing dignity, provision, and empowerment as they offer assistance, build relationships and create connections. The Outreach Hub offers tangible relief in the form of food, clothing, household items, and utility assistance to those struggling with financial insecurity and displacement, especially refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
When a homeowner works with a designer who completely understands their style, the result is a personalized interior that pushes beyond boundaries. “My clients are lovers of both classic architectural details and modern art, so I felt we needed to unite traditional moldings, papers, and flooring with unexpected, colorful furnishings and lighting,” says designer Laurin White, who started her Birmingham design firm in 2018. Working with a tired floorplan and dated finishes, Laurin stepped in to reinvigorate the interiors for the new owners. Architectural improvements included a new kitchen, added mouldings and cabinetry, and a fresh infusion of color in paint, furniture, and finishes.
The new, custom white oak front door opens onto a classically black-and-white, harlequin-patterned marble floor that makes a doubly strong statement with a green velvet settee. “I cannot imagine anything else more fitting in their foyer than this sofa,” Laurin says. “It pairs nicely with the custom Urban Electric lantern and the black-and-white floors. The client found it one day when she was at ALKMY in Crestline Village, and it was the perfect addition to the space.”
“We chose black-and-white marble in a harlequin pattern, which is always a classic choice, to reflect the sophistication and age of this home,” Laurin says.
The kitchen saw the biggest change. The former stock-wood cabinets and tile floor were replaced with a custom design. “The original kitchen was renovated in the early 2000s by the previous owner, so this is the third rendition,” Laurin says. “We completely changed the layout and also enlarged the overall footprint.” Working with contractor Erica Neel with Structures, Inc. and cabinetry designer Aaron Lane, the team was able to elongate the space to accommodate a white oak island, enhance storage space, and improve overall functionality, all while infusing the kitchen with style and personality.” The new plan also allowed for a niche with custom banquette crafted by Grant Trick. “The baseball-stitching detail that pieces the leather together is a nod to the vintage baseball memorabilia my client has,” Laurin adds.
AROUND THE HOUSE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) An existing niche in a bedroom was refreshed with new fabrics. One is a pattern by local designer Heather Chadduck • The primary suite received an update with a freestanding tub and separate shower. Tile and fixtures are from Fixtures & Finishes. • The laundry room is decidedly chic thanks to new, custom cabinets and hexagon tile floors. The fixture was repurposed and relocated from the original kitchen. • The guest bath features a floral wallpaper from Rifle Paper Co. and a lacquered vintage bamboo mirror.
The designer also emphasizes her desire to enhance the style of whatever her clients love most. For this house, that meant melding traditional and contemporary styles. “I’ve designed everything from a sleek, modern home with lots of lacquer and gilded tiles to a French-inspired estate full of antiques,” Laurin says. “While my own style may differ from my client’s style, my goal is always to make their aesthetic shine and feel like an authentic outpouring of their own personalities.”
LEFT: The entry hall makes a statement with its new marble floors and custom, white oak front door. Laurin refreshed the wood banister with a coat of white paint. RIGHT: The jewel box of a powder room is striking with its navy silk wallpaper and custom vanity.
Meet Laurin
Influences: My grandmother’s home was what originally sparked my interest in design. She had custom furniture made out of walnut and driven to Dothan, Alabama, from Richmond, Virginia. I have been enamored by the design scene in Birmingham since I was in college, so while I miss my friends in Houston, Texas, it’s a dream to be here. Ironically enough, I interned with the builder of this home (Erica Neel of Structures, Inc.) when I was in college at Auburn. It has been exciting to partner with her on the construction of this home a decade after my internship.
Personal Style: If I were to design my own home, it would feel Georgian on the exterior with a tailored, patterned, colorful, blend of English and Southern charm on the interior. I would include some surprising pieces of art and animal print, of course. I’ve dreamed this up in my mind a few times over.
Most looking forward to in 2024? I am very excited about a small capsule furniture collection I am designing with Garden & Grace in Birmingham and Lester Furniture in North Carolina. One of my goals in 2024 is to study architects and designers of the past. I’d like to glean insight from those who have gone before me, asking questions like what details can I incorporate and how can I present them in such a way that reflects a sense of timelessness. Being a continuous student of design of the past and thinking about how to incorporate things that were done well by bringing them into the present offers options to clients that they can love and appreciate for years to come.
“I am always indebted to my friends at Fixtures & Finishes; Triton Stone; DSR, Inc.; and Brandino Brass. Some of my favorite places to shop locally are ALKMY, English Village Lane, Found, Shoppe, Design Supply, and Circa Interiors & Antiques.”
For color and pattern to work together, it’s important to keep two requirements in mind—balance and scale. “Everything can’t be patterned or brightly colored,” Sarah says. “The busier something gets, the less you actually notice any of it.” Here are Sarah’s tips to pull off the best balancing act:
Size matters. When incorporating prints and patterns, select some in all sizes. A large print works best with a small or medium print or even a stripe. Mix and match pattern types too. For example, pair geometric prints with floral patterns. “If the patterns are too similar in look, they will compete,” Sarah says.
Find the right tone. Just as with patterns, make sure colors aren’t too similar in tone. For example, if using blue and green, go with a darker blue and lighter green or a greyish blue and Kelly green. Or perhaps keep one tone cool and bring in a warmer tone. “If you do want to stay with just cool or warm tones, at last do varying shades of depths in your chosen colors,” says Sarah.
Stay negative. Let there be some negative space so the eye has a place to rest. For instance, choose solid velvet pillows on a patterned chair, or select a solid sofa if the room features patterned drapes and pillows. “After all, if everything is a showstopper, nothing is a showstopper,” Sarah says.
Start slow. If new to color or pattern, start bringing them into a space with items like lamps, pillows, and accessories. “Those are easy, more budget-friendly places to get your feet wet,” Sarah says. “Then you can build from there.”
Start small. “A small space is a great place to introduce a fun wallpaper because you get more bang for your buck,” says Sarah. “You can do a funky print since you’re not doing much of it.”
The shower runs the length of the wall behind the tub and allows for entry on both ends. Photos by Jean Allsopp
Designer Laurie Fulkerson knows that bath renovations are costly. As a designer for Twin Interiors, she has tackled more than a few. That’s why, when given the opportunity to start from scratch for this client, she selected timeless, quality materials that promise to hold up in style and durability.
Key considerations included a separate tub and shower with dual shower heads, brass fixtures, natural stone and tile, custom cabinets stained in a white oak finish, and plentiful storage. “Storage can be limited in bathrooms, so cabinet layout is very important,” Laurie says. “We work closely with our cabinet designer to make sure there will be a space for all of our client’s needs. I love including a pullout trash in the vanity, as well as custom pullouts for hair dryers, etc.” Finishing touches included the decorative hardware and fixtures, as well as the stunning tile mirror from Restoration Hardware.
A handheld faucet and a really good shower head are both on the top of my must-have bath list. Most clients are not aware that any shower head can be swapped out at a minimal cost.
Laurie Fulkerson
The client asked for separate vanity areas, so the designer included a tower cabinet in between that provides storage space for makeup, jewelry, etc.
Every Christmas Eve when I was a child, my mother would make Crème de Menthe parfaits for dessert. I can see them now in our side-by-side freezer. The layers of vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and mysterious green, grown-up liquor in cute little parfait glasses ready to serve. It was the ultimate dessert for the holiday.
Almost 50 years later, Crème de Menthe is making a much-deserved comeback in after-dinner drinks, such as an old favorite, the Grasshopper. This three-ingredient refreshing, festive drink can easily play the role of dessert too. It takes minutes to prepare and will not disappoint anyone.
Makes 1
1 ounce crème de menthe 1 ounce white crème de cacao 1 ounce heavy cream 1 cup ice Fresh mint and/or chocolate shavings for garnish
Combine first 3 ingredients in a cocktail shaker; add ice. Cover and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish as desired.
Annie Creech of Annie Bakes shares the joys of cookie and cake decorating at Christmas and all through the year.
What started as a hobby quickly turned into a business for confectioner Annie Creech. With backgrounds in apparel design and graphic design, the artist turned her ingenuity towards baking so she could work from home—something that is especially important now that she’s a mom to 6-month-old Josie. “It’s a good naptime job,” Annie says. “I like to sit at the dining room table, halfway watch my favorite show on my iPad (Gilmore Girls), and decorate. If I mess up or it’s ugly, I eat it.”
Annie and Ransom Creech with daughter Josie in their home kitchen and Annie’s bake shop. “Sometimes I’ll design cookies and cakes with the same theme,” says Annie. “I used to do more cakes, but Birmingham loves cookies!”
So how did she get started? A family friend passed along her recipe, along with 300 cookie cutters, and Annie’s imagination took off. Sorting through the themed cutters, she identified shapes that would suit any event. A scroll through her Instagram account shows just how creative she can be with her designs. There are pink and blue teacups, as well as monograms for bridal showers, SEC game day cookies, cowboy boot cookies for the bachelorette party, sparkly green uniforms for the Mountain Brook Dorians, zoo animals for a birthday party, and of course, Christmas. “If you can think of a theme, I probably have a cookie cutter that fits,” Annie says. Designs are elegant and playful. And they taste delicious. “A lot of people forget that cookies are meant to be eaten. They need to taste as good as they look,” Annie says. Fortunately her husband, Ransom, volunteers to be her professional taster and tester. “I take my job very seriously!” he says.
“Many times, cookies are prettier than they taste. I’ve perfected this recipe, so they are both pretty and yummy.”
–Annie Creech
Tools of the Trade:
Annie decorates her cookies by first piping them in icing. She then uses a paintbrush for a watercolor effect. Other designs are made with a simple metal pick.
Each Christmas, Natalie Smith makes the season merry and bright with her evolving décor and favorite family traditions.
O Christmas Tree: Over the years, Natalie has chosen a variety of themes, from animal print to Auburn to Mardi Gras. This year, she chose elegance as her theme and kept the tree ornaments simple and straightforward. Along with 5,000-plus twinkle lights, she incorporated peacock feathers, green and gold bows, mercury glass, and a variety of ornaments in shades of blue and green to match the existing décor of the room. Also included in the mix are a set of vintage ornaments from Eutaw, Alabama, where her mother grew up—a set that can be found on her tree almost every year. Photography by Jean Allsopp
There’s nothing more special to Natalie Smith than Christmas, except for perhaps family traditions. So when the two combine, big things tend to happen. “Christmas is the most magical time of year for me, especially because it’s about tradition and family,” Natalie says. “It has been that way since I was little when we’d spend Christmas Eve at my grandmother’s house every year. We would always put on our pajamas before coming home so that we’d be ready to hop in bed before Santa came. Then we would get up Christmas morning and have breakfast and open presents with the family.”
A Family Affair: The Smiths are a tight-knit family, which is especially true at Christmas. Each year, Natalie and Shawn’s sons, Ryan (pictured on the left with his wife, Morgan) and Blake (pictured on the right with his girlfriend, Allie Adams) come over on Christmas Eve to spend the night. “I know at some point that will change as they have their own families, but for now we’re enjoying these longstanding family traditions,” Natalie says.(Left) Sleigh Ride: Natalie created an arrangement of fresh holiday foliage (including cedar, Fraser fir, poinsetta, and bay leaf magnolia, as well as pinecones and dried okra pods) inside a vintage toy sleigh she’s had for years, using it as the centerpiece for the bar. A twisted strand of tiny, battery-operated white lights sets it all aglow. Natalie accented the arrangement with items of special sentimental value such as the old-fashioned champagne flutes that belonged to her grandmother and the footed silver tray underneath that was one of her mother’s favorites. “My mother taught me that you always put your glasses on a tray to serve,” Natalie says. “It’s a tradition I’ve carried on.” (Middle & Right) Going Green: The front porch welcomes guests with classic Christmas cedar greenery draped around the front door. Sticks of various sizes were added to the greenery to give it height and movement, as well as to provide a whimsical feel, which plays nicely with the twinkle lights at night. The natural elements continue on the mailbox with the custom arrangement that features greenery, magnolia leaves, and berries. Going Green: Inside the front door, a simple cedar garland and vintage Santa head welcome guests. “I’ve probably had that Santa for more than 20 years,” Natalie says. “I don’t use a whole lot of red, so he becomes my focal point because he’s one of the few red pieces I have.”
Natalie kept the magical experience going when she and her husband, Shawn, had their own children. In addition to serving the traditional Christmas morning breakfast of sausage balls and monkey bread to a house full of extended family, Natalie decks out her entire home with carefully-curated Christmas décor. She begins working on the theme each year practically as soon as the last holiday wraps, and it all starts with her Christmas tree. “Anyone who knows me knows that I never do the same theme—ever,” she says. “I may use some of the same ornaments, but it will never be the exact same tree.”
Set the Scene: Taking center stage in the dining room is Natalie’s dining room table, which was originally her grandmother Sue’s. “We had family meals around that table for years,” Natalie says. “I remember hours and hours of conversations around it. There’s something special about this dining room table.” Natalie had a special orchid arrangement made to sit atop the table, and she paired it with gold reindeer from HomeGoods and fresh greenery on the chandelier to bring in the special holiday feel. She added to the formality of the space with place settings of her grandmother’s china and mother’s silver. Green-and-white napkins from Table Matters accent the china perfectly while also speaking to the season.
Though Natalie may not recycle her themes, there are a few details friends and family can expect to see each year: upwards of 5,000 twinkle lights on her tree alone and many of her favorite family heirlooms, including vintage Christmas ornaments, her grandmother’s china, and her mother’s silver. And a few new pieces are always mixed in with those special memories to add to the magic of her favorite time of year. “I love to get out the decorations, put on some Christmas music, and just start visualizing,” Natalie shares. “I think about and plan for it all year long.”
(Left) Festive Front Door: The focal point of the front door is a handmade wreath by Beth Phillips, better known as “Kudzu Mama,” thanks to her handcrafted items made from kudzu vine. (She also made the lighted orbs hanging in the tree in the front yard.) The wreath features dried kudzu, osage orange slices, lichen usnea, dried apples, cotton hulls, pinecones, acorns, berries, and lotus pods. (Right) Hang it Up: Greenery draped on the mantel is a staple of the holiday season, and Natalie ensures it looks fresh and full the entire season by supplementing the fresh strand with faux greenery. Hanging from the well-adorned mantel are stockings made of burlap and monogrammed for each family member. Atop the hearth sit a dough bowl with more fresh greenery, gold okra pods, pinecones, and Christmas bells similar to those used on the Christmas tree.
Resources:
Front door wreath, kudzu light balls, mailbox arrangement: Beth Phillips, “Kudzu Mama,” kudzumama.com; @kudzumama. Tree: Andy’s Creekside Nursery, andysgardencenter.com
The last thing I want to do on Christmas morning is follow a complicated recipe—especially for the first time. With all the excitement around the tree, I want to be enjoying time with my family, knowing that a beautiful, delicious Christmas brunch is waiting in the wings. For that reason, I decided to share a few tried-and-true, make-ahead dishes that will have you feeling like a guest in your own home on Christmas morning.
The biscuits in Easy Ham Biscuits with Homemade Honey Mustard can be made up to two months ahead. Be sure to split them in half once they have cooled before freezing. Thaw them out and add the ham a day or two before you serve them so they will be ready to warm on Christmas Day. These also make wonderful gifts.
For the Christmas Morning Sausage and Grits Casserole, I like to brown the sausage and grate the cheese a day or two in advance so I can quickly throw it together on Christmas Eve. I also go ahead and prepare the Winter Citrus Salad directly on my serving platter, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. Before serving, simply add the dressing, which can be made several days in advance too.
Lastly, the Best-Ever Holiday Cinnamon Rolls are a fun Christmas Eve project to do with your family. These will make your entire house smell like Christmas, I promise! They can be placed in the pan and stored in the fridge until ready to bake on Christmas morning. Allow them to come to room temperature before baking.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention—to simplify things even more, all the recipes bake and reheat at 350 degrees. So if oven space is tight, I’ve got you covered. Here’s to a stress-free, make-ahead Christmas brunch all ages will enjoy. Happy holidays, and have a very merry Christmas morning!
Easy Ham Biscuits with Homemade Honey Mustard Recipe
Makes 24
3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup cold butter (1½ sticks) 1½ cups whole milk ½ pound thin-sliced ham
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender until crumbly. Add milk, a little at a time until dry ingredients are moistened. (Note: All flour is slightly different, so you may need to add a little more milk if mixture seems too dry.)
Place 1- to 1½-inch balls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. (I like to use my ice-cream scoop for this.) Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool on a rack, then split each biscuit in half with a serrated knife. Stuff each biscuit evenly with ham, replace lid, and place in a baking dish. Warm at 350 degrees for 15 minutes before serving. These can be assembled a day or two in advance. Serve with Homemade Honey Mustard.
HOMEMADE HONEY MUSTARD: 1/3 cup coarse ground mustard 1/4 cup honey 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with warm ham biscuits.
3 cups water 1 cup quick-cooking grits 1 teaspoon salt, divided 2 pounds pork sausage, cooked and drained 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided 3 large eggs 1½ cups whole milk 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 cup chopped roasted red pepper 1/4 cup chopped parsley plus extra for garnish Pepper to taste
In a saucepan, bring water to a boil, slowly whisk in the grits and half of the salt. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large bowl, combine grits, cooked sausage, and 1½ cups cheese. Beat the eggs and milk, and stir into grits mixture. Add the butter, pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Pour into a greased 9- x 13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees until a knife inserted comes out clean, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese; bake 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Garnish with parsley.
Learn from Leslie: This casserole can be assembled the day ahead, covered, and refrigerated overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 to 45 minutes before baking.
Winter Citrus Salad Recipe
Serves 8
4 blood oranges 2 large navel oranges 2 large grapefruit 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup arugula 4 tablespoons lemon juice 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons honey Salt and pepper Chopped toasted walnuts
Use a sharp knife to remove peels and pith of the oranges and grapefruit. (I like to cut both ends off first, then remove the sides as close to the fruit as possible.) Discard peels. Turn the peeled citrus on the side, and cut into ¼-inch thickness.
Arrange citrus slices and red onion over a bed of arugula. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day.
To make the dressing: Whisk together lemon juice and next 4 ingredients until creamy.
Before serving, drizzle dressing over citrus. Top with chopped walnuts.
Learn from Leslie: This recipe is easy to increase for a larger crowd. Plan on one whole citrus per person.
Best-Ever Holiday Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Makes 9 large rolls
DOUGH: 3/4 cup warm whole milk 2¼ teaspoons quick-rise or active yeast (¼ ounce) 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk at room temperature 1/4 cup salted butter, melted (½ stick) 3 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting 3/4 teaspoon salt
FILLING: 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Step 1: Warm milk to around 110 degrees, about 40-45 seconds in the microwave. Transfer warm milk to the bowl of an electric mixer, and sprinkle yeast on top. Add in sugar, egg, egg yolk, and melted butter. Mix until well combined. Stir in flour and salt with a wooden spoon until a dough begins to form.
Step 2: Place dough hook on mixer, and knead dough on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes. Dough should form into a nice ball and be slightly sticky. If it’s too sticky and sticking to the bottom of the bowl, add a tablespoon or 2 of flour until resolved. If you don’t want to use an electric mixer, you can use your hands and knead dough for 4 to 5 minutes on a floured surface.
Step 3: Transfer dough ball to a well-oiled bowl; cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Allow dough to rise for 1 to 1½ hours or until doubled in bulk.
Step 4: After dough has doubled, transfer to a well-floured surface, and roll out into a 14- x 9-inch rectangle.
Step 5: For filling, spread butter over dough. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to sprinkle over buttered dough, then rub brown sugar mixture into the butter.
Step 6: Tightly roll up dough, starting from the long side, and place seam side down making sure to seal the edges of the dough. Trim off about an inch on each end to ensure even filling in all the rolls.
Step 7: Cut into 1-inch sections with a serrated knife. You should get 9 large pieces.
Step 8: Place rolls in a greased 9- x 9-inch baking pan lined with parchment. *Cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
Step 9: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove plastic wrap and towel, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly golden brown on the edges. Meanwhile in a small bowl, combine the icing ingredients until smooth. Allow rolls to cool for 5 minutes before spreading the icing on top.
*Note: If making the day ahead, place tightly covered in refrigerator before second rise (Step 8). Remove from the refrigerator, and allow rolls to come to room temperature before baking.
Looking for the ultimate holiday gift? Wrap up a 2024 trip to France with Riviera Driving Tours. The anticipation of this glorious getaway will make the winter months speed by.
Photography Courtesy of Frederic Lefeuvre/aSeed Photography
Dirk Dominick lives in Birmingham, but he knows France. He has traveled there for years, and he and his family even bought an apartment in the small village of Bar-Sur-Loupe in 2000. “This really gave me the opportunity to dig into the area deeply,” says Dirk. “I’ve always loved hopping in a car and exploring new roads, villages, restaurants, all of that.”
Now, he’s sharing that love via Riviera Driving Tours, the tour company he founded in 2011 that offers driving tours of the South of France (with a little bit of Italy included). On four-and-a-half days of the seven-day tours, guests can expect to drive either Mini Cooper or Porsche convertibles, traveling by convoy with daily itineraries that include scenic drives, stops for lunch and sightseeing, and more.
Dirk, who lives in Avondale with his wife, Westcott (who helps run Riviera Driving Tours), and daughter, has explored those corners to find the best for guests on his seven-day tours. “The itineraries take full advantage of the beauty of the South of France,” he says. That includes famous spots, such as the the site of Princess Grace Kelly’s fatal accident and locations used in the filming of To Catch a Thief, as well as off-the-beaten-path treasures that Dirk has found in 20 years of researching the area.
“France is just so culturally rich and geographically diverse that it’s very easy to find something to pique your interest. Delicious food, great roads, fascinating towns, and beautiful scenery seem to be around every corner.”
–Dirk Dominick
Guests stay in a hotel just outside of St. Paul de Vence, a medieval town on the French Riviera, taking day trips from there. Nights bring wine dinners, including a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant in an ancient chateau.
When Dirk started Riviera Driving Tours, he offered two or three tours a year. In 2024, nine tours are scheduled, with more possibly in the offing. They are limited to five or six couples, and other than airfare, everything is included in the price of the tour ($4,450 per person for the Mini Cooper tour, $6,000 per person for the Porsche tour). That includes meals, accommodations, the car, fuel, and insurance.
For Mountain Brook’s Chris and Beth Wilder, the Mini Cooper tour was the perfect way to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. “It was by far the most amazing vacation we have ever taken,” Beth says. “We have been blessed to travel quite a bit in our 30-plus years together, but this trip topped everything else we have done.”
She praised the location, her friends and family that she traveled with and, most of all, Dirk’s attention to detail. “From the time we stepped off the plane until the time we stepped back on, every detail of each day was handled for us,” she says. “All we had to do was relax and enjoy the ride.”
That’s music to Dirk’s ears. “My goal is to take people to places they would never see if they had traveled to the area by themselves or with a traditional tour group,” he says.
Dirk Dominick’s 5 Favorite Drives
The first drive of the tour—a late afternoon run up to the Col de Vence. A challenging but tremendously fun road to drive, and the view from the top is spectacular.
The Route Napoleon, arguably one of the best driving roads in Europe. We drive from Castellane south toward Grasse, enjoying sweeping curves and magnificent views of the Mediterranean.
Anything along the Gorges du Verdon, but specifically the Routes Des Cretes. It is a beautiful, slightly hair-raising drive along the north rim of the canyon. It never disappoints.
The Route de Gentelly above the village of Greolieres, a short stretch along one of the most dramatic “balcony roads” in France. Countless films, commercials, magazine articles, and car launches have featured this wonderful road. My wife, Westcott, loves this one too.
The D37 that runs from La Turbie down to the coast. Something about this drive I always love, probably because of the view high above the Mediterranean. This is also the road where Grace Kelly had her tragic car crash in 1982.
