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16th Annual Antiques at the Gardens

By
BHG Staff
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The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is pleased to celebrate the 16th Antiques at the Gardens (AATG) this fall. Presented by First Horizon Bank and featuring textile sponsor Sister Parish Design, Birmingham’s premier antiques show will include talks by nationally and internationally acclaimed interior designers, floral designers, architects, landscape architects, and furniture designers.

The show kicks off on September 29th with Gala in the Gardens, sponsored by Cooper Construction. Enter the show through the special garden entrance created by Millhouse Howell, and visit 22 celebrated dealers offering furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, silver, rugs and textiles, home décor, and garden accessories.

September 29–October 2, 2022

For tickets, show schedule, speaker bios, and dealer information, visit bbgardens.org/antiques. Follow show announcements and reveals on Facebook and Instagram @antiquesgardensbham.

2022 Show Ambassador
Richard Keith Langham

Alabama-born and Manhattan- based, Richard Keith Langham has been a force in the decorating world for more than 30 years. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and attending the Center for the History of Fine and Decorative Arts in London, Langham apprenticed with design legend Mark Hampton. He then spent 10 years with Irvine & Fleming before founding his own firm in 1990. Langham’s keen eye and ebullient talent serve well in assembling his signature rooms—those that speak to the past in a fresh way and are brimming with luscious color, pattern, and couture detailing. Perhaps no one summed up his aesthetics better than Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who once proclaimed him to have “a sorcerer’s eye.”

Friday, September 30
Red Diamond Lecture Series
Sponsored by Red Diamond, Inc.

KEN FULK

For over 30 years, interior designer Ken Fulk has crafted some of the most enchanting spaces around the globe. The designer—who has been named to the Architectural Digest AD100 and Elle Decor A-List and has been twice nominated for a James Beard Award for his hospitality projects—is known for his signature blend of cinematic flair and layered spaces. He is the author of The Movie in My Mind in which Fulk takes readers behind the scenes of some of his most extravagant endeavors. In 2018, he founded Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local artists at revitalized historic landmarks in San Francisco and Provincetown.
Followed by book signing.

LEWIS MILLER

Creator of the viral Flower Flash, Lewis Miller was born and raised in California farm country, where he developed a respect for nature at a very young age. Miller is the founder of LMD New York, Lewis Miller Design, one of the premier floral design houses in New York City, with a new second office in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is the author of Styling Nature: A Masterful Approach to Floral Arrangement and FLOWER FLASH. Miller’s Flower Flashes are street art floral installations repurposed from events to create pop-up street installations. He has expanded these from New York to Los Angeles, Miami, Charlottesville, and Nashville. Miller’s goal is to continue this work and bring joy and surprise to urban neighborhoods and city dwellers.
Followed by book signing.

Saturday, October 1
VERANDA PANEL
Presented by Veranda magazine
MODERATOR: Steele Marcoux, Editor in Chief, Veranda
Followed by book signings.

BRANDON INGRAM

Portrait

Georgia native Brandon Ingram’s eponymous firm, C. Brandon Ingram Design, is an Atlanta-based residential design firm with
major concentration on custom homes, historic renovations, and architectural interiors. Drawing inspiration from classic and traditional architecture of the past, the firm artistically crafts homes that are not only rooted in history but also unique and of their time. A sense of charm, character, and familiarity created through subtle, honest details has become a hallmark of the CBI portfolio. A Georgia Tech alumnus and four-time winner of the prestigious Philip Trammell Shutze Award for excellence in Classical Design from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, Ingram has designed classic, traditional homes across the country.

JANICE PARKER

Janice Parker studied at Parsons School of Design and then with John Brookes at the Clock House School of Garden Design in England. Her firm, Janice Parker Landscape Architects, has conceptualized and directed innovative landscape architecture for private and public clients globally. Under Parker’s guidance, Janice Parker Landscape Architects has been honored with multiple awards, including the Stanford White Award for Garden Design, the Professional Merit Award from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Interior Design’s Best of Year Award for Residential Landscape in 2020, and the Veranda Best in Outdoor Living Awards in 2020 and 2022. Parker was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame in 2017.

STEPHEN SILLS

Stephen Sills is renowned for his ability not only to design innovative and beautiful rooms but also to establish a pervasive atmosphere
of luxury and calm. With a fresh approach to classicism, Sills brings together furnishings that span four centuries, as well as innovative choices of surfaces, textures, and colors. Architectural Digest described his work as “a lucid synthesis of opulence, rigor, and surprise.” Sills is a member of the Architectural Digest AD100 and is one of its “30 Deans of American Design.” His Bedford residence is included in Dominic Bradbury’s American Designers at Home and HGTV’s “Top 10 Most Beautiful Homes.” Elle Decor named Sills a “titan of design,” and he routinely appears on its annual “A List.” Sills’ third monograph, Stephen Sills—A Vision for Design, will be available this fall.

SUMMER THORNTON

Summer Thornton is known for decorating with the wildest abandon to create fearlessly bold and colorful interiors that give homes life. Her first book, Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating, debuted in March and was an immediate No. 1 new release and best seller. Thornton’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Veranda, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and more. She is regularly named to exclusive lists of the top designers in the world, including the “1stDibs 50” list and Sotheby’s list of the “Top 20 Designers to Watch.” Thornton’s style inspires 100K+ followers on Instagram and is often imitated but never replicated. Headquartered in Chicago, her firm works on projects throughout North America.

Saturday, October 1
Alex Papachristidis
Presented by FLOWER magazine

The work of interior decorator Alex Papachristidis has been described as thoughtful, sophisticated, and eclectic. Papachristidis has inspired editors, designers, and clients to use the word “fresh” to define his elegant approach, color palette, and the delightful details that make rooms sizzle with style. His work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, House & Garden, InStyle, and The New York Times. He also is the author of The Age of Elegance: Interiors by Alex Papachristidis.
Followed by book signing.

Sunday, October 2
James Farmer, Sunday Host

interiors, portrait

James Farmer is a Southern author, interior designer, and speaker known for his ability to create beautifully familiar and welcoming homes. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal best-selling books A Time to Plant; Sip & Savor; Porch Living; Wreaths for All Seasons; A Time to Cook; Dinner on the Grounds; A Time to Celebrate; and A Place to Call Home. His most recent publication, Arriving Home, features projects from the farmlands of Georgia to the rolling countryside of Connecticut.

Sunday with Kreis Beall
Sponsored by The Travel Studio

Kreis Beall is co-founder of Blackberry Farm, an award-winning Relais & Chateaux resort in the Smoky Mountains. Beall has a passion for the art of living, a love of beauty, and a knack for transforming big dreams into real, uncontrived elegance. She is also author of The Great Blue Hills of God, based on the challenges she has faced, including the loss of her house, her health, and her husband.
Followed by book signing.

Sunday, October 2
HOUSE BEAUTIFUL DESIGN PANEL
Moderator: Carisha Swanson, Director of Editorial Special Projects, House Beautiful magazine
Followed by book signing.

BETSY BROWN

Betsy Brown’s namesake firm, Betsy Brown Inc., specializes in comfortable, collected spaces where modernist sensibilities form the foundation and antiquities create exquisite tension and balance. Brown’s body of work is filled with intelligent homes that genuinely reflect her clients’ true nature. She has been honored with numerous awards, including Southeastern Designer of the Year by Veranda and the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, as well as Top 125 Designers by House Beautiful.

JEFFREY DUNGAN

Jeffrey Dungan is principal of Alabama- based Jeffrey Dungan Architects. Recognized for his clean, modern approach to traditional vernaculars and classical architecture, Dungan has been honored with the 2017 Southeast Architect of the Year award by Veranda and the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, as well as numerous awards from the American Institute of Architects. Dungan also is the author of The Nature of Home: Creating Timeless Houses.

GRANT TRICK

Furniture maker and artisan Grant Trick is the founder of his namesake furniture upholstery workroom in Birmingham. Trick began his career as a sportswear designer in New York, followed by creative stints as a showroom designer and propmaker for various fashion brands. Through his Alabama company, he hand-tailors, hand-tufts, and hand-sews custom pieces for the design industry. Trick’s namesake furniture line, the Grant Trick Collection, is available through select trade showrooms.

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Lake Traditions Begin at The Heritage

By
BHG Partners
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Man in Russell Lands on Lake Martin

The name Russell Lands is synonymous with legacy, community and a love for the natural beauty of the lake and land. A timeless retreat nestled in the deep Southern Forest along the shores of pristine Lake Martin, Russell Lands is a place where generations gather to connect and enjoy the simpler things in life.

Russell Lands is a steward of the area’s beautiful natural resources and some of the most sought-after residential real estate across Lake Martin’s over 40,000 acres of pristine water and nearly 900 miles of shoreline.

Women in Russell Lands on Lake Martin

The Heritage

The Heritage, the newest community unveiled at Russell Lands, is a masterfully designed neighborhood featuring roughly 240 waterfront homesites with panoramic lake views and 130 wooded interior lots spread across 1,500 acres on 12 miles of shoreline. 

In July of 2022, Russell Lands debuted the first collection of 51 waterfront properties in The Heritage, and only a few homesites remain. With stunning designs from some of the most renowned lake home architects and designers in the South, The Heritage offers distinctive plans perfect for each family and unique homesite. 

Family at the Benjamin Lake Club in Russell Lands on Lake Martin

Amenities

One of the community’s distinctive amenities is The Benjamin Lake Club. The resident-owned club offers a stunning space to gather and enjoy an array of health-and-wellness amenities, all with breathtaking views of Lake Martin.

The Benjamin’s saline pool beckons just outdoors along with a nearby grill facility, eight tennis courts and full-service tennis pro-shop, and eight pickleball courts. A picturesque event lawn, fitness center, covered pavilions, firepits and waterfront beach area provide a backdrop for gatherings of all sizes. A community dock complex adds an element of convenience, as residents have the welcome choice to boat to the lake club from their home.   

Wicker Point Golf Club

The crown jewel of The Heritage is the highly anticipated Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw-designed Wicker Point Golf Club private golf course, expected to debut in summer 2023. Wicker Point Golf Club is home to the only Coore & Crenshaw-designed course in Alabama.

Russell Lands selected Coore & Crenshaw, one of golf’s most respected architectural teams, due to their signature approach of honoring the land in their designs. 
 
Defined by its pine plantations, meandering creeks, and lakefront holes, the 18-hole course will emphasize the land’s natural beauty and serenity. Players will feel they are enveloped in the natural environment as they navigate through varying terrains and topographies, with each hole providing a unique and unforgettable challenge.  
 
The Wicker Point Golf Club clubhouse, designed by Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates, sets the tone for classic golf and an authentic Lake Martin experience. The wraparound porch will provide views of multiple holes with Lake Martin vistas in the background—all with a lake-house ambiance providing an ideal setting for dining, events or simply relaxing after a round. 
 
Accompanying the golf clubhouse, a standalone golf shop, complete with pro shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms, will also feature a “wind down” room, including a lounge area and adjacent bar.

Child jumping into Lake Martin

Lake Life

Russell Lands’ collection of communities means access to a variety of delicious dining options at SpringHouse, Kowaliga Restaurant, Catherine’s Market and the newly opened BRU 63 coffee shop.

Additionally, a full calendar of special events and live entertainment at Russell Crossroads and The AMP—an open-air amphitheater—ample hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, and an on-site Naturalist who educates guests on the local flora and fauna mean a variety of fun for all ages can be found just minutes away from your door.  
 
Russell Lands is a destination for friends and families to reconnect, create cherished memories and share in new lake traditions. Don’t miss the life that will rewrite your heritage for generations. Sign up for exclusive updates at russelllands.com/the-heritage or call 256-215-7011.

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New Twist on Chicken Curry

By
Leslie Byars Register
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Chicken Curry, naan bread, and bowls of toppings
Photography by Leslie Byars Register

By the time September rolls around and the weather begins to cool off a tad, I’m in the mood to fire up the stove and have friends over for a dinner party. But with football season and school activities in full swing, there’s little time to labor over the hot coals! So I thought I would share an easy, fall entertaining idea with this recipe from the past.

Chicken Curry was a dinner party favorite in the ‘70s. This particular “Chicken Curry in a Hurry” recipe comes together in about 30 minutes. If you have a lazy Susan, this is a good time to pull it out; if not, simply rotate trays to allow everyone to choose their desired toppings.

Cook a big batch of Basmati rice during the cocktail hour. Serve warm Naan bread with butter alongside the meal. (Naan bread is found on the bread aisle at most grocery stores.) Pick up an easy, readymade dessert and, well, you’re done! Start making your guest list now.

Chicken Curry in a Hurry

SERVES 4 TO 6

Chicken curry and naan bread in a bowl

1 1⁄2 tablespoons coconut or vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons ginger, grated
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1⁄2 pounds chicken tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons curry powder
1 (13.66-ounce) can coconut milk
1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
1 (4-ounce) jar green curry paste
1⁄2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1 cup frozen peas, optional (if not doing toppings)*
1⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Cooked Basmati rice
Assorted toppings: coconut, pineapple, raisins, green onions, cilantro, red peppers, green apple, peanuts, jalapeños
Naan bread, buttered and warmed

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic, ginger, and onion for 3 minutes until onion is translucent.

Add chicken, and cook until it changes from pink to white (about 5 minutes). Add curry powder, and cook 2 minutes. Add coconut milk, chicken broth, and curry paste. Stir, lower heat to medium, and cook, simmering for 15 to 20 minutes, until sauce reduces and thickens.

Add salt and, if desired, peas. Cook another 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro.

Serve over rice with toppings and buttered Naan bread.

*Note: This recipe is great for a weeknight too. Simply omit the topping bar, and add peas 5 minutes before serving.

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Learn from Leslie: For a slightly thicker sauce, combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and add to chicken curry mixture. For more check out @lesliespartydiaries on Instagram.

Curry powder in a bowl

Curry Fun Fact:

Curry powder is made up of a blend of many spices: coriander, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, chili powder, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay, cayenne, paprika, and more. It’s much handier and cheaper to buy it premixed rather than buying all those ingredients individually. But if you have all of these on hand, it could be a fun project to make your own curry powder.

Spice Things Up

Cinnamon sticks tied around fabric napkins

A couple of cinnamon sticks from your spice cabinet turn an ordinary linen napkin into something special. Use a thin rope or jute to tie them to the napkins.

Change things up a bit by setting a cozy table for four or six by the fire in your den. Add a colorful Kantha throw to establish a vibrant tone for this Indian meal.

A tiered pedestal (top right) not only serves as a centerpiece but makes it easy for all guests to reach the toppings. Place a vase on top of the serving piece and fill with flowers for a pop of color.

These pottery noodle bowls (top right) are the perfect size for the toppings, which can be chopped in advance and kept in the refrigerator.

Steal the blooms off a potted mum that you can plant in your yard afterwards.

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Harmonious Lakeside Home

By
Cara Clark
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Outdoor living with view of the lake
Photography by Jean Allsopp

Joining a sense of nature with a healthy dose of hominess was the top priority for a Birmingham family wanting to build a lakeside retreat. To manifest that ideal for the couple and their five children, they found the perfect pairing—Jessica Prier of Birmingham Design House combined with Nequette Architecture and Design.

Built for outdoor living with plenty of gathering spaces indoors as well, the 3,785-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bath home in the Kennebec community offers the best of both worlds. “This is not a huge house, but every area of the house is used,” Jessica says. “I really enjoy working with the Nequette team. They have a gift for restraint—a less-is-more approach—and they know how to use space efficiently.”

Living room with view of the lake

The vision behind Kennebec was to create a special place on Lake Martin where the consistency of design and the quality of construction were really apparent and pushed to the forefront.

Architect Travis Burke, Nequette Architecture and Design

With a cedar shake roof, painted cedar trim, and Douglas fir beams, along with painted siding in Dragons Breath from Benjamin Moore, the house fits perfectly amid the dark brown, green, and gray palette that takes prominence throughout the community. Exposed rafter tails further the natural blending with the environment, helping the house settle comfortably amid the trees.

Inside, timeless tongue-and-groove walls are painted with a custom wash while doors are tinted with a green paint wash. Sherwin-Williams Natural and Sage Green Light combine with the washes to draw in the wooded outdoor setting, where views of the lake lull the senses in hues of blue-green.

Kitchen
Elegance meets the outdoors in the kitchen where stained Douglas fir beams and dark-stained, white oak floors combine with copper molds and modern brass, bronze, and glass lighting.
Main bedroom with wrap around windows showing view of the lake

Furniture and accessories also cue nature’s palette. “I like textures and earthy, organic materials in a lake home,” Jessica says. She chose high-end, performance fabrics for the upholstery to bring in a sense of elegance that is still functional.

“It’s durable yet very pretty,” she says. In the kitchen, marsh-green leather bar stools from Lee Industries tuck beneath an island illuminated with brass and bronze clear globe pendants. Exposed natural beams and leathered Taj Mahal quartzite countertops from Cottage Supply in a summer linen hue connect to the colors in the step-down living room. There, a pair of Verellen sofas and matching moss- green club chairs from Lee Industries are punctuated with lake-themed and forest green accents: custom pillows, glazed ceramic lamps, framed fishing lures, and an abstact with brush strokes of deep blues and greens. A pair of coffee tables pushed together serves as storage for blankets, games, and “things that come with kids and lake life,” Jessica says.

Guest bedroom

“All projects are better with collaboration. I don’t want it to feel like I swooped in with only my design ideas. I want my client to contribute to the spaces so that it feels like home to them.”

Jessica Prier
guest bedroom

Opting for more sophisticated furniture pieces over assemble-it-yourself brands, Jessica stresses the importance of investing in quality. “With most of these more expensive lines, you get pieces that last,” she says. “It’s worth spending the extra money. The key is figuring out where to splurge and where you can scale back.”

Downstairs, a girls’ room showcases pops of color on the queen bed with a turquoise print bolster. A multi-hued abstract painting hung above the fabric- covered headboard seems to mimic the pillow’s pattern.

Girls' room

The master suite welcomes an abundance of light with walls of windows. Motorized window treatments of linen with a faint ticking stripe offer easy access to privacy once the sun sets. Linen bedding paired with a custom decorative pillow in Schumacher fabric highlights the modern four-poster bed from Oly Studio. Glossy white lamps from Visual Comfort emulate stacked stones, while Bernhardt bedside tables reflect the streamlined symmetry of the space.

In a windowed corner of the room, a hearthside upholstered chair is positioned by a petrified-wood table, inviting the sojourner to sit and read in a moment of solitude. “I love including a cozy chair in the corner of a master bedroom so you can just slow down and have a minute,” says Jessica.

Kid' den with view of the lake

Upstairs, a kids’ den with full-size bunk beds and a sectional sofa provides plenty of space for relaxing and sleeping after a lively evening punctuated with the sparkle of fireflies and fireside s’mores. “When you’re designing for a family with lots of kids and friends, it’s important to maximize living space,” Jessica says. “But you need to look at how to do that without creating a house that feels too big with spaces that are rarely used,” Jessica says. “This home can sleep 24 people, which shows you don’t have to have an eight-bedroom home. You just have to be sure everything flows well.”

GET TO KNOW JESSICA PRIER

Growing up on the Mississippi coast, Jessica Prier of Birmingham Design House was surrounded by historic homes in her hometown and in nearby New Orleans. She has always been intrigued by the innovation that goes into buildings to help them stand the test of time aesthetically and structurally.

In college, Jessica began studying architecture but soon found it a little too literal for her taste, so she transitioned to interior design. Upon graduation from Mississippi State, she went straight to work for the firm that was then called Dungan Nequette Architects. There, she implemented her skills in the coastal community of Rosemary Beach.

Jessica took off seven years to be with her three young children but kept in touch with Louis Nequette while she was at home, bouncing around ideas for various projects. She later went back to work for Nequette before starting her own boutique business.

With insight into both architecture and design, Jessica takes a dual approach when looking at must-haves for lakeside living. Here are her tips for a successful design.

  • Create spaces that are livable, easy-to-clean, and fun. “Don’t forget about performance fabrics,” she says.
  • Include places for storage. “No one wants to see clutter, so you must have a place for all your gear,” Jessica says.” That includes storage for paper products and food, as well as plenty of hooks for towels and swimsuits.”
  • Create spaces both indoors and out for people to gather and share conversations. “These are places to create memories that will last a lifetime,” says Jessica.
Lakeside home designed by Nequette Architecture and Design

Kennebec’s Grand Plan Preserves Natural Appeal

Kennebec, a planned, gated community on Lake Martin, focuses on the natural beauty of what many say is the state’s most pristine lake. Located next to a 74-acre wildlife reserve, the 41-lot community has much to offer with its views of the south area of the lake. Nequette Architecture and Design is one of only a few firms approved to design homes for the community.

“We follow very specific guidelines for the exterior of each house,” says Travis Burke, an architect with the firm. “We emphasize natural products like stone, wood siding, and shingles with a few exceptions such as metal roofing.”

Travis says keeping the surrounding woods intact as much as possible is a critical aspect of the community’s design. “We want the homes to feel like they have been there for a long time, so the connection to the lake and to the land is crucial. We pay attention to what is already there and respond to it in a beautiful way.”

RESOURCES:
Architect: Louis Nequette and Travis Burke, Nequette Architecture and Design
Interior Design: Jessica Prier, Birmingham Design House
Builder: Doug Fuhrman, Southern Traditions Construction

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Award-Winning Design

By
BHG Staff
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The talent of Birmingham’s architects is evident in not only our city but also in locations across the globe. From the revitalization of downtown buildings to contemporary homes to historic properties and new classical designs, our city’s architects work their magic creating commercial buildings and residential properties in Birmingham and beyond. Each year, our local American Institute of Architects (AIA) chapter hosts Design Awards to celebrate and recognize excellence in architectural design. These awards increase awareness of outstanding architects while also honoring architects, clients, consultants, and contractors who work together to improve the built environment.

Here, we feature the top two winners in the residential category, along with three more of our favorite entries to celebrate these talents and their amazing gifts.

Home designed by ArchitectureWorks and winner of the Honor Award
Photography: KP Studios Photography

Opened & Elevated

Honor Award

ArchitectureWorks reimagined a dilapadated 1950s home in Leeds to create an airy, modern masterpiece. With an intent on maintaining as much of the original footprint and existing exterior brick as possible, Jay Pigford and Olivia Backer with ArchitectureWorks reworked spaces to open the house up and out. A new mono-slope roof creates a spacious screened porch where there once was a carport. The new porch connects to the living room via a large bifold glass partition, allowing the interior and the exterior to live as one. A drastic elevation change at the front of the house was addressed through an ample entry stair that rises through large weathering steel planters, connecting the upper yard and screened porch to a new butterfly-roof carport.

The interior palette brings warmth throughout the space with exposed cedar structure, rift-sawn white oak floors, and unlacquered brass accents. Modest bedrooms on the upper level feel larger thanks to a new roof offering high ceilings and generous views.

The enclosed square footage remained virtually unchanged. Existing masonry bearings can still be read in the elevation where new tall windows break past the plane into new siding that rises to meet the roof.

Architect: ArchitectureWorks, Jay Pigford and Olivia Backer
Contractor: Brad Sparks Construction

Home designed by Jeffrey Dungan Architects and winner of the Citation Award
Photography: William Abranowicz

Modern Moorish

CITATION AWARD

A new home in Alys Beach, Florida, cues Mediterranean, Gothic, and modern architectural influences. Renowned for an aesthetic reminiscent of the iconic whitewashed homes of Greece, Alys Beach is carefully curated for maximum luxury with minimal footprint. This confluence of size and vernacular pushes creative boundaries to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.

Designed as a vacation residence for an owner primarily living in the American West, this home embraces the global architectural influences of Alys Beach in a modern aesthetic. The white stucco and contrasting black and brass accents of the exterior are effortlessly mirrored in the plaster interior with blackened steel and brass details. Striking board-formed concrete walls in the living room and courtyard, separated only by a wall of glass that is easily slid aside, further dissolve the distinction between indoors and out. Subtle elegance flows throughout the home in details like Gothic arches, sculpted fireplaces, marble accents, and the cross-vault bedroom ceiling. The exposed structure of the stair and catwalk, along with the steel and fluted glass doors in the kitchen and baths and the Japanese-style shou sugi ban walls, add contemporary flair.

Outside, a floating staircase links the courtyard to the pool, which overflows and cascades down the marble slab to the basin below to create a visual and aural feature. All three levels of exterior spaces integrate natural elements of water and vegetation, welcoming the indoor-outdoor lifestyle for which this community is known.

Architect: Jeffrey Dungan Architects
Team: Jeff Dungan, Joel Solomon, Michelle Cone

Home designed by Jeffrey Dungan Architects
Photography: William Abranowicz

Rocky Mountain Refuge

A Colorado mountain house nestles into the landscape and stands as a home for generations to come.

Situated on 8,500 acres at an elevation of 8,200 feet, this family house had to be constructed to withstand high winds, winter snow, and abundant sunshine in summer. To meet the demands of the environment, the home utilizes Colorado brownstone, a strong material with a patina that melds with the surrounding landscape. Staggered rooflines and multiple roofing materials ensure that the house will safely shed the winter snowpack. Inside, exposed rafters, steel windows, and a stone fireplace bring elements of the exterior architecture to the interiors.

Outdoor living areas provide views of the valley below. The great room features a kitchen designed to seamlessly blend into the living area on one end, while a corner fireplace and sliding pocket doors on the other end blur the line between inside and out. Master craftsmen were employed throughout the project to create custom elements and applications in multiple areas.

Architect: Jeffrey Dungan Architects
Team: Jeff Dungan, Michelle Cone, Alyssa Webster

Lake home designed by Jeffrey Dungan Architects
The exterior features a mix of gray Alabama sandstone, charcoal-stained cypress, flat seam copper, and cedar shake.
Photography: William Abranowicz

Lake Effect

A new house on the shores of Lake Martin blends effortlessly into its natural surroundings.

This fluidly linear lake house virtually floats on the water that surrounds it. Deep-covered porches provide shaded outdoor living and dining areas for a lifestyle that flows between the home and the lake. The design of the house plays on the dichotomies of light and dark, small and grand. Inside, custom black paint and charcoal-stained cypress create an envelope of coolness and modernity. Tall steel windows and more sandstone in the great room tie the interior to the exterior, while the softness of the plaster in the primary bedroom creates a soothing environment.

Architect: Jeffrey Dungan Architects
Team: Jeff Dungan, Michelle Cone
Interiors: Betsy Brown, Ltd.
General Contractor: TCC General Contractors
Landscape Architect: Agricultural Services, Inc.

Avondale Bungalow redesigned by Pledger Architect
Photography: Adam Kane Macchia

Historic Bungalow Renovation

The renovation of a 1925 bungalow in Avondale brought out the best of its intrinsic character while upgrading it for modern living.

This interior renovation required a subtle approach that addressed issues of functionality and lack of light while complementing the existing architectural character. Reimagining the home for a single individual rather than a family, Cristi and Mark Pledger transformed the structure from the more typical compartmentalized bungalow arrangement to a more purposeful and practical layout. Creating a primary bedroom suite and opening the kitchen up to more light were two of the most important directives.

The kitchen was fully gutted and a larger opening to the back entry was constructed, allowing for a new breakfast room and borrowed light from two exposures. Pairs of French doors were removed, closets reconfigured, and a new bath was created—all helping to take advantage of borrowed light. Custom trim was utilized in conjunction with typical “craftsman-style” casings and cabinetry panels to create a seamless transition.

Architect: Pledger Architect, PLLC
Team: Cristi Pledger and Mark Pledger, AIA
Interior Design: Betsy Brown, Ltd.
General Contractor: Day Star Construction

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization for architects. The organization offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach. Locally, the AIA Birmingham chapter has 330 members. aiabham.org

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Andiamo Lodge – Let’s Go to Mentone!

By
Cathy Still McGowin
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Photography by Colleen Duffley
Colleen Duffley and Steve Carpenter, owners of Andiamo Lodge.

Colleen Duffley and Steve Carpenter, owners of Andiamo Lodge.

What happens when a restauranteur and a photographer with an unsatiable creative side come together?

For Steve Carpenter and Colleen Duffley, it was a marriage and partnership resulting in Andiamo Lodge—a destination on Lookout Mountain that is as experiential as it is exceptional in both service and detail. “Andiamo means let’s go in Italian,” says Colleen. “It seemed like the perfect name for our vision. Our goal was to create a place to curate memories for folks. Let’s go cook, let’s go hike, let’s go bike, let’s go relax, let’s go create.”

“If ever I run away from home, it will be to the Andiamo Lodge in Mentone, Alabama. It’s a refuge and a retreat, but mostly it’s a stylishly comfortable place to recharge.”

Sandra Allen, guest
Open concept living and dining room at Andiamo Lodge.

Colleen and Steve, both based on Florida’s 30-A, discovered Mentone while looking for a weekend getaway. “We wanted something less crowded, and we fell in love with this place from day one,” Colleen says. “The trails, scenery, and nature are incredible.” The couple bought a cottage on Little River, and when Colleen began posting photographs on Instagram, it drew attention from family and friends hoping to visit. “We wanted to share what we had, but we didn’t have room in our home,” Colleen says. “One day, we rode our bikes into Mentone and discovered a ‘for sale’ sign in front of a rundown lodge that was once a church camp. Steve and I looked at each other, and the rest is history.”

Opened in January 2022 after a 9-month renovation, the main lodge offers six rooms, each well-appointed with crisp linens, a fireplace, a private bath, and curated décor—antiques, collections, and art finds. A separate two-bedroom cottage with full kitchen is also available. Both cottages enjoy the lodge’s indoor and outdoor dining spaces, as well as the common living room appointed with comfy seating areas surrounding a stacked stone fireplace.

Guests may find themselves in the chef-style kitchen, the spot where Colleen and Steve (Steve is chef and owner of Crabby Steve’s and two other restaurants in and around Seacrest, Florida) whip up morning spreads of muffins, bacon- cheddar scones, banana bread, fruit and yogurt, and breakfast burritos. Afternoons are met with homemade ice cream in flavors such as lemon lavender, cherry, peanut butter cup, mint chocolate chip, and lemon basil. “I’m obsessed with ice cream,” Colleen says. And at five o’clock, guests are treated to delectable nibbles and artisanal libations from the fully-stocked bar housed in an antique wardrobe (culled from an auction during Colleen’s days as a photographer for Southern Living).

Colleen says no day or menu is exactly the same. “Most guests allow us to curate their vacation with meals and experiences,” she says. Those experiences range from yoga to mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking, as well as weekend events and classes with special guests and instructors.

“Steve and I call it Magical Mentone,” says Colleen. “We both enjoy taking care of people and sharing this special place that we love.”

Sitting nook
Living room in Andiamo Lodge
Outdoor dining area.

FOR RESERVATIONS: Andiamolodge.com – 214.415.0476 – IG: @andiamolodge

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Time to Downsize?

By
BHG Staff
-

MEET THE RAY & POYNOR TRANSITIONAL MOVE EXPERTS:

Our Transitional Move Experts (TME) team is highly selective. Each realtor holds a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® designation and receives additional training. There are currently seven members, and the group has a combined average of 21 years in the real estate industry. These are seasoned agents with a genuine desire to help clients through transitional moves. They are equipped to handle the delicate nature of change.

Jane Huston Crommelin - Transitional Move Experts
Jane Huston Crommelin
Katie Crommelin - Transitional Move Experts
Katie Crommelin
Kathryn Dorlon - Transitional Move Experts
Kathryn Dorlon
Betsy French - Transitional Move Experts
Betsy French
Judy Horton - Transitional Move Experts
Judy Horton
Blair Moss - Transitional Move Experts
Blair Moss
Bridget Sikora - Transitional Move Experts
Bridget Sikora

From Left to Right: Top Row – Jane Huston Crommelin, Katie Crommelin, Kathryn Dorlon, Betsy French. Bottom Row – Judy Horton, Blair Moss, Bridget Sikora

“Being proactive and having these conversations on the front end, before they need to be implemented, provides security and peace of mind for everyone.”

Harriet Cochrane, Vice President of Business Development, Ray & Poynor

Can you tell us a little about Ray & Poynor’s Transitional Move Experts?

A group of agents came to me to propose a division through which we could provide a concierge service for senior clients considering a move to a retirement community. As we brainstormed and developed the idea, it became clear that the concept was actually overall downsizing that was not necessarily limited to a certain age group. Think too much house and too much stuff! Each of us had personal experiences with downsize moves. We could all relate to having been overwhelmed with figuring out where to begin. The Transitional Move Experts (TME) division was born out of these conversations.

If I was considering a move, where would I start?

It begins with a conversation. What do you really want and how will that feel? Maybe it’s a desire to free up resources for college tuition. Or it could be about providing care for a spouse whose needs are becoming more challenging. Some may be looking to relocate a parent to be closer so that they can care for them. Still others are worried about social isolation and want to be in a vibrant community among friends. And some are just tired of yard work and want a place to land between travels. If it is determined that a move is the answer, I then pair them with the realtor from our TME team who is best suited for their situation.

So once I have determined I want to make a move and am paired with a realtor, what happens next?

We make a plan for you. While every situation is different, there are usually five basic things to address (with the exception of an estate situation). Where will I live? What should I take with me? How will I get my things there? What do I do with the rest? What about selling my home?

For each step of the process, we have enlisted Partner Providers who specialize in the different areas. Your realtor can refer you to Partner Providers as needed.

How much does this cost?

There is no additional cost for our service. If the client chooses to utilize a service of one of our Partner Providers that does involve a fee, they will contract directly with them. This is not about profit for us. We view it as another way to exceed the expectations of our clients.

If you have one piece of advice for those contemplating a transitional move, what would it be?

Being proactive and having these conversations on the front end, before they need to be implemented, provides security and peace of mind for everyone. We can educate you on options available of which you may be unaware. Many people think they need to wait to contact a realtor until the house is ready to show—and sometimes they are correct. But there have been times that homeowners have worked themselves silly only to find out we could have handled most of that for them!

SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONAL MOVES

Harriet Cochrane shares some real-life situations that she and her team at Ray & Poynor have dealt with and how they successfully worked out.

Story #1: In the uncertainty of early COVID times, a retired woman whose daughter lived in another city traveled to go visit her, thinking this mess would be short-lived. (We all know how that turned out!) After a few months, she decided to just stay there permanently. A realtor on our team handled the cleanout and sale of her home entirely remotely. Our client never had to return to Birmingham.

Story #2: A couple in their 50s had two children decide to attend private colleges. Suddenly their empty nest was too large, and the ability to free up some funds for tuition and some time for travel motivated them to find a smaller home and spend more time at the lake.

Story #3: An adult child raised in Birmingham but living in another state lost her mother. In settling the estate, she needed to disperse her mother’s belongings and sell the home long distance. Our team helped her every step of the way.

Story #4: In another scenario, a couple had raised their family in Birmingham but retired to their vacation home on Lake Martin. The husband passed away and the wife wanted to move back to Birmingham to be closer to family. We handled everything from the sale of the contents and the home itself at the lake, to her move, to the townhouse she purchased in Birmingham.

Harriet Cochrane manager of Ray & Poynor’s Transitional Move Experts

Harriet Cochrane

As Vice President of Business Development, Harriet is a member of Ray & Poynor’s leadership team. Her areas of responsibility include managing Ray & Poynor’s referral programs, including the new Transitional Move Experts (TME) division, as well as serving as a corporate and community liaison and assisting with strategic planning.

Harriet’s professional experience includes a broad spectrum of business development and project management roles with a focus on creative problem solving and vision execution. She has a unique ability to connect people and bring a concept to fruition.

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Aging Gracefully

By
BHG Staff
-

Retirement living isn’t what it used to be. The must-have list for today’s retirees and empty nesters goes well beyond scaled-down spaces and one- level living. When looking for what’s next, age-preferred buyers are seeking a certain lifestyle, location, and, of course, luxury amenities. Byrom Building knows the market—the company is currently constructing Ridge Landing, an age-preferred community in Jefferson County with 28 homes.

“In a community where many residents are in the same phase of life, social opportunities are a must.”

Colt Byrom, president of Byrom Building

How does the typical real estate topic of location come into play with the retiree/ empty nester market?

A convenient location is still important. The difference is this particular demographic doesn’t need to be zoned for a school system, so there isn’t a big concern about getting into a specific city. Oftentimes what is more beneficial is the ability to avoid expensive city taxes. A community located near the conveniences of the city but zoned for the county instead of the city, such as Ridge Landing, is certainly a bonus.

What does this market look for inside the home?

All of the Ridge Landing floor plans offer complete main-level living with a two-car garage on the main level, but they also include a second floor so the space is there if needed for grandchildren, family coming in town, etc. Other important features we see retirees and empty nesters looking for are things like wider doorways, which allow for future wheelchair access if needed.

Are there specific requests for a home’s exterior?

Low maintenance is always an important option with retirees and empty nesters. That can include everything from the materials used for the home, such as metal-clad windows that will never have to be painted, to landscaping. Having an HOA that will handle landscape maintenance for you, as Ridge Landing has, is a benefit many seniors enjoy because it provides peace of mind that it will be taken care of without the stress of doing it yourself.

Any other amenities within the community to attract this type of buyer?

In a community where many residents are in the same phase of life, social opportunities are a must. Ridge Landing will feature a fully-stocked pond and pond pavilion, complete with fireplace and pier, for homeowners to gather together. Sidewalks within the community will also be wider for friends to walk side-by-side.

Colt Byrom, of Byrom Building, developer of Ridge Landing

Colt Byrom

Colt Byrom is President of Byrom Building, a 45-year-old building company focusing on custom new home residential and light commercial construction. Colt received his degree in Real Estate Finance from The University of Alabama and is a fourth-generation home builder. He lives in Homewood with his wife Ashley, an agent with ARC Realty, and their kids, Parker, Beckett, and Adley.

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Cabins and Chalets at the Alabama State Parks

By
BHG Partners
-

Picturesque Lakepoint State Park is in Eufaula, Alabama on the banks of the 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula.  The lake is known as “The Bass Capital of the World” and draws boat enthusiasts and fishermen from all over the country.  The park has a marina with boats for rent as well as both covered and uncovered slips for rent. The marina store sells fishing licenses, bait and tackle, snacks, drinks, and supplies.  Lake Eufaula is an important location for national bass fishing tournaments with healthy populations of other fish such as catfish, bream, and crappie.  In addition to the 101-room hotel and conference center, guests can rent one of the newly renovated cabins. 

The two-bedroom Fisherman Cabins were recently updated and renovated with new flooring, remodeled bathrooms and kitchens, and new appliances.  Each of the 29 cabins have brand new king and queen-sized mattresses and features a kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and fireplace.  In addition, all the cabins have a charcoal grill, picnic table, and outside plug-ins for charging boat batteries. Handicap accessible units are available. These cabins are perfect for a weekend getaway for 2 or a family of 4. 

After enjoying all that the park has to offer, many guests make the short drive into downtown Eufaula to shop in the local stores, see the historic homes, and enjoy a meal at the Cajun Corner Restaurant.  Don’t forget to include some time to visit Alabama’s Wiregrass Birding Trail in nearby Dothan. 

In North Alabama, overlooking the majestic 69,000-acre Guntersville Reservoir, is Lake Guntersville State Park.  Guests can get outdoors and enjoy hiking along one of the 36 miles of trails, playing golf at the 18-hole championship golf course, soaring through the air on the Screaming Eagle Zipline, or spending a day at the beach complex and day-use area.  This resort park features a full-service hotel with 112 rooms, a conference center and restaurant, and a campground situated alongside the lake with 295 campsites. At the tip-top of Taylor Mountain are 20 chalets that have recently been renovated.

The mountaintop chalets at Lake Guntersville State Park have long reigned as one of the park’s top attractions and are now some of the most beautiful accommodations in the State Parks system after a $2.2million renovation.  Birmingham-based bDot Architecture directed the design work for the chalets, and Wyatt Sasser Construction LLC from Andalusia was the contractor.  Guests will appreciate the new flooring and roofs while enjoying the updated modern interiors that have a rustic and sophisticated vibe.  Wraparound porches provide a great place to relax and enjoy the views.  Each chalet is furnished with a living room, cable TV, kitchens with cookware and utensils.  One bedroom has a king bed, and the other room has two double beds.  All Chalets include a gas fireplace and an outdoor grill.

Make sure to visit Lake Guntersville State Park in January or February when they host the annual Eagle Awareness Weekends.  These weekend events are led by Park Naturalists and noted Conservationists who tell participants about Alabama’s Bald Eagle Restoration Program and ensure everyone will see eagles in their natural habitat.  

Reservations for the cabins or chalets at the Alabama State Parks can be made online by visiting www.alapark.com or by calling one of the 21 parks directly. 

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2022 Changes the Game for Custom Home Builders

By
BHG Staff
-
Home built by Willow Homes
Home built by Willow Homes
Home built by Willow Homes

Demand for builder services accelerated when it became clear that the existing home market would not keep up with buyer demand. A lack of inventory has caused many shoppers to consider building a new home or renovating their existing one. All this demand, sluggish supply chains, and a tight labor market have created challenges for builders nationwide.

Here’s what local Birmingham-based custom home builder and renovator Jason Hale, owner of Willow Homes, had to say about the type of problems builders are experiencing and why.

Q: What are the biggest challenges facing builders?

JASON HALE: Project costs, labor shortages, and building material delays are the most pressing issues. The cost of materials increased drastically during the pandemic. Every product or material that goes into the construction of a home today has increased at least 20% over the same time last year. The construction labor shortage has also added to the problem.

TAKEAWAY: Anyone looking to build or renovate should factor in a longer timeline.

Q: What are builders doing about these challenges?

JASON HALE: To address the material shortages, we are ordering items earlier in the process to get ahead of the delays. That can be a challenge for our clients because it requires earlier commitment on those product choices. Solving the problem of labor shortages is more complicated. Long term, the industry must offer strong compensation packages for employees and do our best to create an inviting work experience for our employees, vendors, and trades.

TAKEAWAY: Customers who can stay flexible during the home building or renovation process will experience less frustration and stress.

Final Thoughts

Despite the current challenges, building and renovating are both great ways to end up with the perfect home. In 2022, you’ll need a little more patience with the process, but the results will be worth it. Happy building!

“Building a new home or renovating an older home are great ways to get exactly what you want in the location you prefer. Shopping for a fixer-upper or for a lot you can build on helps you gain an advantage in a tough market.”

Jason Hale, owner of Willow Homes
Jason Hale of Willow Homes

Jason Hale

Jason Hale, owner of Willow Homes, comes from a family of home builders that stretches back three generations. After graduating from Auburn with a business degree, he received his Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. He practiced law as a litigation attorney for six years prior to starting a residential construction consulting business. He then pursued his dream of owning a home- building company. Jason started Willow Homes with his first home renovation in Homewood, Alabama. Following the core beliefs of quality construction and passing on great value to its clients, the company has grown rapidly over the past 12 years.

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