Photo by Jean Allsopp from The Colors Birmingham Loves
1. The Colors Birmingham Loves We know what Pantone says about the color of the year but these are the colors Birmingham can’t seem to get enough of!
2. Welcome to our 2022 Inspiration Home Take a peek inside our 2022 Inspiration home, partnered with Saunders Bradford, Adam Gerndt Design Group, and some of Birmingham’s top talent.
3. Forever Home Architects Richard and Lynielle Long and designer Katherine B. Melvin team up to give Mountain Brook clients a house that balances the past with a brights version of the future.
4. Still Johnson Interiors – Updated & Curated Partners in design, Anna Still and Marguerite Johnson, blew fresh air throughout Anna’s historic home, transforming it into a light-filled and stylish abode for her young family.
5. A Serene Retreat on Smith Lake Nestled in a cove, a modestly scaled Smith Lake house lives large while celebrating its setting with natural materials and native plants.
Did we miss your favorite story from 2022? Let us know by sharing it on your socials and tagging @Birminghamhomeandgarden!
Like many young parents, Katty Worley strives to strike a balance between the family traditions she grew up enjoying and the traditions her husband, Hunter, also holds dear. But the couple is also forming their own new traditions as a family of four. Likewise, when it comes to decorating the home for the holidays, Katty creates an amalgamation of traditional and contemporary décor.
“Christmas can turn into such a to-do list, and I try hard to steer away from that,” Katty says. “It’s really a time to soak up a mixture of memories, both new and old. My husband is just as into Christmas as I am, so it makes for such a fun time. I also am very intentional about everyone having a say in what we do, even the littles.”
The family’s Christmas tree, filled with ornaments passed down from generation to generation, was the focal point in the home during the holidays. Meg DeCoudres of Cedar Lane Home provided additional greenery throughout the interiors, including the coffee table arrangement in the family room.
For the Worleys, Christmas officially kicks off every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving when the family purchases their Fraser fir tree and listens to holiday music as they decorate it together. In addition to the more traditional Christmas tree in the family room, there is a tree outside specifically for the couple’s children, Sara Ashton (age 4) and John (age 2). The young Worleys get to hang felt ornaments and spread them out however they want. Candy wrapper garland completes the aesthetic.
One of Katty’s favorite traditions growing up was Christmas baking. “The older my children get, the more we all enjoy it,” she says. “The most fun part is just being together. We bake so many goodies—fudge, iced Christmas cookies, pralines, and meltaways. Then we share them with friends at parties as hostess gifts or drop them off for neighbors.”
Meg DeCoudres of Cedar Lane Home accentuated the Worleys’ Gabby Home dining table with a centerpiece, along with antique napkins and napkin rings. A traditionalist, Katty brought out the beloved Christmas china that has been in her family as long as she can remember. “They are the only Christmas serving pieces I have ever known,” she says.
Mixed in with old traditions are new ones, like Katty and daughter Sara Ashton going to The Nutcracker ballet together for the first time. Also, new last year was Katty taking over hosting duties from her family in Jackson, a must now that her children are old enough for Santa and want him to come visit their own house. “It was really special to start that tradition in our new home,” Katty said. “Everyone was at the dining room table on Christmas day—all of our people around our table.”
As their second Christmas approaches in their family home, Katty admits that they set the bar pretty high last year. But she is determined to make each year just a little more memorable than the one before. “I warned my husband last year as we started to go all out that we’ve got to keep it going,” she laughs.
With over 100 adorable pups entered into the Perfect Pups Photo Contest, these 5 dogs had some stiff competition! Get to know our winner Daisy and meet the 3 runners up Mac Daddy, Tucker Tarence, and Sally Shook. As well as our editor’s choice Cooper.
1st Place – Daisy
Breed Yorkshire Terrier
Daisy is the sweetest 3-year-old Yorkie who loves to go to work with her mom every day. Always fashionable and a little feisty, she’s quick with a snuggle or wet kiss, and manages to brighten the day of everyone she meets!
Runner Up – Mac Daddy
Breed (Mini) Goldendoodle
Mac Daddy loves the ladies & people! He’s charming, he loves giving out hugs, doggy ice cream & dance parties with his human.
Runner Up – Sally Shook
Breed Bernese Mountain Dog
Sally will be ten weeks old tomorrow (11/23), and is growing by the day! She already has such a fun and spunky personality. She is the sweetest and cuddliest pup. She wants to be with people always and is extremely loving and gentle (minus the teething). She loves sleeping on her back, playing in the yard, and all the toys & treats!
Runner Up – Tucker Tarence
Breed Golden Doodle
Tucker has quite the following on Instagram, as he is full of not only cuteness but also shenanigans aplenty! He loves to run errands with Mom, who makes sure he looks dapper when going “about town.” He is leaving his favorite place~Hollywood Feed~after finding the perfect sweater for the holidays!
Editor’s Pick – Cooper
Breed British Cream Retriever
Cooper is a 2-year-old retriever who has a very colorful personality! He lives with 3 kids, a cat, and a small mixed breed who tells him every move to make! But he’s a lover and a peacemaker to all! Maybe that’s the reason for this face!
A pair of vintage doors from Southern Accents in Cullman, Alabama, frames a tree decorated in a lively Louisiana theme. Ribbon in citron green and purple and a paper crawfish garland give it a festive Mardi Gras feel. “It reminds me of memories from my childhood,” Laura says. Photography by Jean Allsopp
Building a house is nothing new for Andy and Laura Sink. But in their most recent endeavor, two considerations were top of mind: Since this was their first build as empty nesters, they wanted a home that would fit them as a couple, but also be on standby for when all the kids come home. The other request was a home that would pay homage to Laura’s Louisiana roots.
“Acadian architecture, which is common in Louisiana, blends French Colonial with English and German elements,” says architect Chad Bryant. “That’s what inspired details such as the wide, elevated front porch; the long windows and shutters; the tall gas lanterns; and the second-level porch. It’s also the inspiration behind the front courtyard, which is very reminiscent of what you’d find in New Orleans.”
“The home combines textures, colors, antiques, and modern elements to create rooms that feel completely cohesive and perfectly lived in.”
Mandi Smith T
Inside, a gracious foyer opens onto an open-concept main floor. The house can welcome a crowd, but it doesn’t feel too big for two. The family room and kitchen serves as the main gathering area of the home. Task spaces, such as the walk-through pantry leading to the laundry, create easy-to-hide spots ideal for storage or prep space when hosting. The main bedroom is on the first level, while the kids enjoy the upstairs bedrooms.
Left: The custom-reeded, white-oak sideboard created a prime location for holiday décor. A silver punch bowl features a fragrant arrangement of white lilies, red berries, and cedar. Brass and crystal candlesticks hold narrow black tapers to underscore the finish on the sconces. Right: Mandi combined Laura’s formal china (Old Imari by Royal Crown Derby) with a variety of casual pieces to create a stunning tablescape.
For interior finishes, Laura called upon designer Mandi Smith T. Painting the entire interior in a gentle white (Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee), Mandi set a neutral background for layering in many traditional pieces, such as the antique chest in the entryway and the rustic interior doors. She created an elevated casual look in the dining room—“something that feels beautiful but not so formal the family wouldn’t feel comfortable actually eating in the room,” Mandi says. The round table’s pedestal base ensures no one has an uncomfortable spot. Chairs are covered in high-performance fabrics. Contemporary sconces and a custom dining buffet bring balance to the space. “Blending both traditional and modern pieces makes the home feel layered—and more architecturally rich,” Mandi says.
With the home complete in time for the holidays—and for its spot on the Samford Legacy League’s Christmas Home Tour—Mandi added seasonal touches to complement the décor. She focused heavily on incorporating pieces Laura already had, such as the Cajun-themed ornaments on the tree in the study. Natural elements include evergreen garland, holly, sugar pinecones, and florals. “Our new home already feels like our happy place, whether it’s just the two of us or the entire family,” Laura says. “And at Christmas, it’s even happier.”
Merry & Bright
Mandi Smith T shares tips for dressing your home for the holidays.
Maintain a consistent color palette. Choose ribbons that complement the interiors, and repeat them in varying schemes from room to room. Mandi chose a mix of solids, plaids, prints, and metallics in varying widths and sheens that cue the colors in Laura’s holiday china.
Make it last. Faux greenery spruced up with fresh cuts and natural elements such as sugar pinecones, pomegranates, and other greenery allows you to refresh arrangements as needed without having to start completely over. If well cared for, the faux greenery can be used year after year.
Personalize it. Christmas cards of years past were laminated and strung on a garland in the laundry room. Stockings feature monogrammed nametags.
Share your narrative. The Cajun-themed tree nods to Laura’s home state. Laura’s nativity takes pride of place on the dining buffet, along with an heirloom silver punch bowl filled with flowers and greenery. The oyster shell napkin rings reference Louisiana.
Around the House
Jars of candy make for a sweet centerpiece on the kitchen island.
Left: Monogrammed nametags tied to canvas stockings point Santa in the right direction on Christmas Eve. Middle:Cowtan and Tout wallpaper shines in a guest bathroom. The hammered gold mirror, gold sconces, and gold faucet finish out the jewel box feel. Right: A vintage door opens to the laundry. The cabinets are painted a custom blue-gray color and feature the same quartz countertops as the kitchen.
Left: An antique chest and chair fill the front foyer with warmth and interest. The wrought iron stairway is trimmed in garland accentuated with red berries and green and gold ribbon. Right: A paper crawfish garland introduces Louisiana flair.
Beribboned Fraser fir wreaths, a sparkling tree, an antique horse with a jingle bell collar, and an antique grape-harvesting basket filled with fresh greenery bring Christmas cheer to the great room. Photography by Jean Allsopp
Building a new home allows the opportunity to realize one’s dream floor plan, but not everyone views the process as a way to also tell a personal story. Merrill Stewart’s home in the Abingdon neighborhood of Mountain Brook does just that. References to projects Merrill’s firm, Stewart Perry, worked on in downtown Birmingham, as well as to his favorite restaurants and travel destinations, fill the stately home. “The copper light fixtures my daughter and I designed are based on ones at Herbsaint in New Orleans, a favorite place of ours,” says Merrill. “Two of the iron chandeliers were inspired by Hall’s winery in Napa Valley and interpreted by artisan Justin Cordes. And the front door bronze threshold came from the original Thomas Jefferson Hotel in downtown Birmingham, which was no longer needed after the renovation.” Merrill adds that when his firm was restoring the landmarked Lyric Theater, he met a plaster artist from New York who introduced him to the design of the dining room ceiling. And almost all the antiques came through Merrill’s sister, Judy Hill, one of the original owners of Henhouse Antiques in English Village.
Modeled after the Cotswold style, the house features hand-thrown brick in a custom blend of colors, a slate roof, and tall grasses in the landscape. The architecture, designed by Michael O’Kelley, has its own story to tell.
Trees festooned with twinkling lights welcome guests for the Stewart Perry holiday party hosted
”Merrill loves history and wanted it to feel like a historic house with additions over the years rather than a home that was built all at one time,” says Michael. To achieve this look, the garage and carriage house are made of stone instead of brick, and the main bedroom suite at the right side is finished in stucco and repeats the exterior brick on an inside wall to give the impression that it was added at a later date. These materials, along with many others, add a welcome age to the home. “We call them ‘character grade flaws’—wood that shows lots of knots and other imperfections; weathered, reclaimed oak beams; and copper gutters that develop a beautiful patina over time,” says Michael.
Blue-and-white porcelain vases burst with seeded eucalyptus, Elaeagnus, magnolia, and clippings of greenery on the dining room sideboard and table. Gold chargers topped with Christmas china pair with votives for a sparkling vignette.
For the buttoned-up interiors, designer Jo Anna Cassady took a cue from the architecture itself. “The style of this house felt very masculine to me, and I thought that needed to continue on the inside as well,” Jo Anna says. To achieve that look, she used menswear plaid, velvet, and other nubby textures. However, there are a few feminine notes, such as the elaborate chandelier, the graceful wall sconces, and the antique French Trumeau mirror with a gilded swag in the dining room. “The chandelier took a little convincing for Merrill,” says Jo Anna. “I suggested that he imagine that it had been his mother’s or grandmother’s.”
The designer was able to reupholster and rework many of Merrill’s pieces from his prior residence, and she incorporated his beautiful antiques, such as an antique bed that was reworked into a larger size by artisan Charles Wade. “It was a delight taking the disparate pieces and reimaging them or putting them in different areas and mixing it all up,” says Jo Anna. And to fill in the gaps, she turned to Judy and Henhouse Antiques for the perfect finds, such as the Georgian bookcase in the study and the primitive sideboard in the dining room. “Merrill didn’t want a crowded feel, so the pieces needed to stand on their own and have some gravitas,” says Jo Anna. The edited rooms with rustic and refined moments allow the unique pieces to be appreciated, all set off by a calm palette of blues, greens, and neutrals. Every thoughtful element of the home, combined with the pieces by commissioned artisans, came to fruition to create a home built for the ages.
“The thought was to make it look as if the main house was built using these handmade bricks and then years later, the owner decided to add the garage and the carriage house.’”
Michael O’Kelley
Designer Jo Anna Cassady kept the holiday decorating classic in keeping with the Cotswold- inspired architecture using potted boxwoods adorned with plaid bows and a bowl filled with figs, cherries, and pears. The table is set with stoneware from Earthborn Pottery. Check-patterned window panels bring a crisp look to a guest room with a resized antique bed and textured pillows. A fir wreath dresses the bank of windows that offer captivating views. Gilded reindeer donned in jaunty plaid ribbons stand sentry-like on the kitchen island.An antique steer’s head brims with seasonal greenery. Magnolia garland spirals up the stair rail bedecked with silver, velvet-backed ribbons.
A vintage brass horn brightens the swag of greenery on the front door.
Create Character
Offer architectural accents. Use a mix of treatments on the ceilings that look like they may have been added over the years like wood beams and plaster detailing. Shiplap is also a great choice for walls in certain areas given its inherent rough quality. Here, it’s used in the side entry vestibule and the carriage house.
Use a mix of materials. The exterior employs brick, stucco, and stone—all materials that play well together and are indicative of an old home.
Add patina. If you can’t source reclaimed wood, give doors and cabinets an aged look with artistic finishes by painting, sanding, or staining surfaces.
Vary style and color. Some kitchen cabinets are stained while others are painted. The glass-fronted cabinet section in the kitchen is painted a complementary shade and looks like it could have been put in at a later time. It also has a distinct counter surface apart from the rest of the kitchen.
Include antique and vintage rugs. These pieces bring instant age and look like they’ve been in the family for generations—No one needs to know you just bought them.
A circular window in the carriage/ guest house adds architectural flair. An antique coat of arms complements the red-washed cabinetry in the laundry room. A flocked tree topped with a chocolate bow welcomes visitors to the guest house.
“My home recharges my soul with its peacefulness. I enjoy looking out the back because I feel like I’m in the mountains. In Abingdon, you are surrounded by woods but still close to everything Birmingham has to offer.”
Merrill Stewart
A brightly lit Christmas tree holds family heirloom ornaments while a lush magnolia garland enlivens the limestone mantel.
In the great room, velvet sofas by Bernhardt and linen-covered chairs by Highland House are arranged around an ottoman that Alison Smith designed for the space. The family’s formal tree is decorated with the fragile, pretty ornaments Alison has collected over the years. A chandelier from Brandino Brass illuminates the room. Photography by Jean Allsopp
The Smith family (from left): Henry, Greta, Alison, Martin, and Liam. Photo by Mary Fehr
When Alison Smith (@alisonsmithinteriors) was a little girl, she learned to sew. Though she grew up to become a nurse, she maintained her love of sewing and routinely made her own curtains and bedding. “When I bought my first house, I sewed all the window treatments and pillows,” she says. Friends soon began calling her to help with their houses, and decorating eventually became her full-time job.
Now married to Martin Smith and mother to three children, 18-year-old Greta, 17-year-old Henry and 13-year-old Liam, Alison decided it was time to build a family house. She enlisted architect Richard Long of Long and Long Design (@longandlongdesign) to shape her vision for a house with main-level living and an upstairs floor with kids’ bedrooms and a bunk room for their friends. “We wanted something that would stand the test of time with both traditional and modern features and some symmetry,” says Alison. Richard describes the house as a marriage of traditions. “It’s got a strong Georgian influence with some eclectic French details like the flared eaves and decorative beams over the entryway,” he says.
Alison sets a festive holiday table with a centerpiece that Posies Floral Design built with layers of magnolia, fir, eucalyptus, dried oranges and ribbon. An antique French chest holds an urn filled with paperwhite narcissus and citrus. China is by A. Raynaud & Co. Stemware is Waterford. Sconces from Mayer Electric are dressed up with bundles of greenery and magnolia with gold ribbon. Smith designed the upholstered doors on a pair of closets with a graceful nailhead pattern.
Though Alison now leaves the sewing to professionals, the house’s interiors are a mature expression of her design sensibility. With clean white rooms, richly textured velvet and linen fabrics, and carefully chosen antiques, the house feels like a modern iteration of a chic French farmhouse. When it was selected to be on The Samford Legacy League’s Christmas Home Tour in 2021, Alison enlisted the talents of Monica Stewart and Tracy Stephens of Posies Floral Design (@posiesfloralbham) to help her add a layer of Christmas cheer to the house in a way that would complement her elegantly restrained design. “I didn’t want a lot of fuss in the decorations,” says Alison. “No bows.”
Alison decorated her bedroom with draperies and fabrics in a rich green, which lends itself to the Christmas season. The bed is by Phillips Scott. Alison found the overdyed rug on Etsy.
The home’s entry establishes that sentiment. A simple boxwood wreath hangs from a loop of ribbon. Bowls of apples adorn tables among the outdoor furniture. A lush garland hangs around the doorway—not a bow in sight. It’s festive but far from ostentatious.
Just inside the house, guests are met by the parlor to the right and the dining room on the left. While the parlor is painted Sherwin-Williams Spalding Gray, the dining room is light and bright (Ballet White, Benjamin Moore) like most of the other interior rooms, A French chandelier hangs over the antique table, surrounded by antique chairs covered in a snowy cut velvet.
The floral team built a layered centerpiece of greenery and fruit with candlesticks scattered throughout. Alison’s wedding china plays perfectly with the palette of green and burnt orange. At Christmas dinner, with the candles lit and delicious aromas from food and flowers, the Smith family enjoys a very merry holiday indeed.
Pull pinecones and greenery from your yard. Fruit that family can snack on can also serve as a decoration when you arrange it on a tray with greenery.
Add color with citrus. A bowl of oranges is seasonal and smells good.
Paint it on. For an adorable place card, write names on small leaves with a gold paint pen and pin them to a clementine. The fruit is flat on the bottom so it doesn’t roll around.
Double up. Layering is your friend when it comes to greenery. Double your garland for a lush look. Build a centerpiece with layers of fir branches, magnolia leaves, and eucalyptus sprigs for lots of texture.
Tie it together. Ribbon is a great way to add festivity, and you can reuse it every year. Wind it down a banister for an instant upgrade.
Sweet treats. Candy is a great addition to decorations at Christmas. We love the old-fashioned ribbon candy that comes in all sorts of colors.
You are in for an extra-special treat this issue.I had a chance to sit down with a few of the best chefs and foodies in town and ask them to share some of their favorite holiday recipes.
Treat your guests to Gia McCollister’s showstopping Pecan and Dulce de Leche Cake with simple spatula decorating detail. Discover the icing tips that Becky Satterfield uses for her Easy Sugar Cookies. Whip up Idie Hastings’s favorite Italian Biscotti. And bake a batch of Brooke Bell’s Cream Cheese-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies.
Many thanks to these fellow Dames* for elevating my recipes this month to a whole new level. And an extra thank you to Gia McCollister for sharing her exquisite handmade porcelain cake plates and platters. She puts every flower on one by one. For more information on these amazing works of art, go to giamccollisterporcelain.com.
*The Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) is an organization of resident leaders and experts in the food and beverage industries dedicated to growing, creating, promoting, and sharing local food culture.
Easy Sugar Cookies
Becky Satterfield – Becky Satterfield is the proprietor and executive pastry chef of Satterfield’s and El ZunZún restaurants.
24 TO 48 COOKIES DEPENDING ON SIZE
3 cups all-purpose flour 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to roomtemperature 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl, and set aside.
Combine butter and sugar in a bowl, and mix with a hand mixer or a stand mixer with whisk attachment on medium until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
Add flour mixture a little bit at a time with the mixer on low until well blended. Continue mixing until the dough holds together, up to 5 minutes. Divide dough in half, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375°. While the oven is preheating, remove the dough from the fridge.
Sprinkle the work surface with flour so the dough doesn’t stick. Roll dough to 1⁄4-inch thickness, and cut into desired shapes. Place cookies 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes or just until cookies begin to brown on the edges.
Cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet, transfer to a cooling rack, and cool completely before decorating.
With whip attachment, beat powdered sugar, vanilla, corn syrup, and 1 tablespoon of milk in a mixing bowl until smooth.
Add more milk a little at a time to reach desired consistency. If you desire a color, stir in food coloring to reach the desired shade. Decorate cookies, and allow icing to set.
Consistency of the Icing
If you’ve watched cookie-decorating videos, you’ll usually see thick icing (peanut butter consistency) used to outline the shape and thinner icing (more like a gravy consistency) to the inside.
If you’re making fancy cookies, you’ll likely want both consistencies. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk (1⁄2 teaspoon at a time; it doesn’t take much). If it’s too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar.
You can test one cookie to ensure the icing doesn’t run off the edges and that it holds its shape well enough but still spreads.
To Ice Cookies:
Use a piping bag with a #2 cake-decorating tip, and outline sugar cookies.
Once the cookie outline has been set for about 10 minutes, you can “flood” the inner section of the cookie with the same color or another color.
Top with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or a variety of fun toppings.
If you are new to piping with icing, practice on a piece of parchment paper until you get the hang of it. Instant sugar art!
Cream Cheese-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies
Brooke Bell – Brooke Bell is the vice president of culinary and custom content at Hoffman Media.
MAKES ABOUT 28 COOKIES
1 1⁄2 cups unsalted butter, softened 2 1⁄4 cups plus 31⁄2 tablespoons(42 grams) sugar, divided 3 large eggs, room temperature 2 tablespoons red liquid food coloring 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour 1⁄2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder,sifted 1 1⁄2 tablespoons baking powder 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 8 ounces cream cheese, roomtemperature Garnish: melted white chocolate
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and 21⁄4 cups sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in food coloring and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and 1⁄4 teaspoon salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating just until combined and stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Cover and refrigerate until dough no longer sticks to your fingers when pinched, 30 to 45 minutes.
In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, remaining 31⁄2 tablespoons sugar, and remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt. Cover and freeze for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using a 1 1⁄2-tablespoon, spring-loaded scoop, scoop dough, and roll into balls. Press balls into 21⁄2-inch disks. Place 11⁄2 teaspoons cream cheese mixture each in center of half of disks; cover with remaining disks, and crimp edges closed. Gently shape into balls, and place 3 inches apart on prepared pans; gently press into 21⁄4-inch disks, pressing together any cracks in edges, if necessary. (Refrigerate assembled disks until ready to bake.)
Bake, one batch at a time, until edges are dry and centers are slightly wet and puffed, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire racks. Garnish with melted white chocolate, if desired.
Add a pop of color to your cookie exchange with these red-hued beauties. Moist and chewy red velvet cookies get a dollop of sweetened cream cheese stuffed in the center, along with a decorative white chocolate drizzle. When finished each cookie will look like a perfectly wrapped present with a sweet surprise inside.
2 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour 1 2/ 3 cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking power 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon toasted and freshly ground anise seeds 1 1⁄2 tablespoons grated lemon zest, about 1 lemon 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 3 ounces cranberries 3 large eggs 3 large egg yolks 1 teaspoon pure almond extract 3 ounces almonds (skin on)
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, anise seeds, lemon zest, nutmeg, and cranberries in the bowl of a standing mixer. Using the paddle attachment, stir the flour mixture on low until combined. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and almond extract. With the mixer on low, add the egg mixture in a slow, steady stream. Continue mixing until the eggs are almost incorporated. Stir in the almonds, and set the dough aside.
Preheat the oven to 325°.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough in half, and place on a generously floured surface. Roll each half of the dough into a long shape, about 14 inches long. Carefully transfer the logs to the prepared baking sheet, and gently flatten the tops until each log is about 3 inches wide and 3⁄4-inch thick. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and allow the biscotti to cool completely.
Decrease the oven temperature to 250°.
Cut the cooled biscotti logs into 1⁄4-inch-thick slices, about 35 to 40 slices per log. Arrange the slices, cut side down, on a baking sheet. Bake the biscotti at 250° for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Serve warm or at room temperature.
o store, allow the biscotti to cool to room temperature before placing in an airtight container.
3 cups cake flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3⁄4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup light brown sugar 5 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1⁄4 cups buttermilk 8 ounces dulce de leche
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease (with butter) 3 (8- x 2-inch ) pans; line with parchment paper.
In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add pecans.
In an electric mixer with paddle attachment,
beat butter for 3 minutes on medium-high speed until light and creamy.
Add granulated and brown sugars, 1⁄4 cup at a time, scraping side of the bowl occasionally.
Add eggs, one at the time.
Reduce mixer speed. Mix vanilla with the
buttermilk. Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk mixture. Mix just until incorporated.
Divide batter among the three pans. Bake for 40 minutes or until sides are lightly brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan.
Swiss Meringue Buttercream
1 cup large egg whites 2 cups sugar 3 cups unsalted butter, at roomtemperature, sliced 1 tablespoon vanilla 3 tablespoons dulce de leche
Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water, and heat at medium-high heat. Place egg whites and sugar in the bowl of the stand mixer.
Whisk them by hand until combined.
Place the bowl on top of the saucepan, whisking until the egg mixture reaches 160o on a candy thermometer.
Fit the mixer bowl onto the stand mixer. With whisk attachment, beat the mixture on high speed for 10 minutes until it holds peaks and is not hot.
Change the whisk for the paddle attachment. Start adding butter gradually at medium-high speed until the buttercream is smooth. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons dulce de leche.
Assemble the cake
Once the cakes are completely cooled, place the bottom tier in a serving dish. Spread half of the 8 ounces dulce de leche with an offset spatula onto the bottom tier. Top with the second tier of cake. Add another layer of dulce de leche. Add the last tier. Frost the top and sides of the cake and decorate.
Pretty Finish Gia McCollister began her career as a baker and cake designer. She specialized in sugar craft, producing detailed masterpieces to adorn the finest cakes. After perfecting this skill in London and New York, Gia moved to Birmingham and opened Gia’s Cakes. Seeking new ways to express herself, she later closed her bakery to study ceramics. Combining her two passions, Gia now crafts floral-adorned cake plates and sculptures to complement her cakes. giamccollisterporcelain.com
Tie One On
Looking for a perfect party favor or holiday hostess gift? Or maybe you just want to elevate your own gift wrapping. These handmade gift tags are easy to make and a joy to receive.
Purchase card stock in the color of your choosing, and cut to size. Or pick up precut cards. (Leslie used a business-card size.) For the wax impression, choose your seal from a wax impression kit, follow the directions, and allow to cool. Use a small hole punch to add a ribbon or twine. Wrap your creation in clear bags, and tie with a ribbon. (Note: Supplies are available at most crafts stores or Amazon.)
When it comes to Christmas traditions, family, of course, comes to mind. But for Katty Worley, friends are just as important. Katty and her group of girlfriends—many of whom have daughters around the same age—decided to start a new tradition last Christmas as they gathered to make gingerbread houses together. Katty hosted the party while Anne Lyle Harris designed the details, backed by décor from Abbie Daniel of Little Happies and Meg DeCoudres of Cedar Lane Home.
Abbie provided a gingerbread banner and the gingerbread houses, and Katty and Anne Lyle brought jars of candy for decorating. The event took place on Katty’s porch, which she turned into a winter wonderland of sorts. “It came together and looked so beautiful,” says the host.
Katty and daughter Sara Ashton— along with son John, who Katty says “is used to being thrown into girl world”— hosted six other girls and their moms. The gathering was focused on fellowship, friendship, and making memories.
“Growing up, my friends were such a huge part of my life,” says Katty. “It’s the same with my daughter and her friends. They are so close, and we wanted to have a yearly tradition that is all about them at Christmas. It’s their thing where they can dress up and be fancy.”
The group will gather again this year. “A different mother and daughter will host, and we may add new things to the party each year,” says Katty. “It will be fun to see the girls get excited about this event every Christmas, even as they get older.”
“We all have little girls, so we wanted to do something every year that our girls can look forward to. It’s special to them and special to us.”
Anne Lyle Harris
Kid-Friendly Party Planning
Let kids be kids. Katty’s party was held outside so that the kids could make as much of a mess as they wanted while decorating their gingerbread houses. “Don’t be afraid to let them be a part of that,” says Anne Lyle Harris, who helped with the event. “Let them hang ornaments and put icing all over the place. It’s part of the experience and the memory.”
• Make it Last. Abbie Daniel of Little Happies creates banners that can be used every year for holidays and occasions, like the gingerbread one she made for Katty’s party. This way, you don’t have to start from scratch every Christmas.
• Create a theme. Katty’s porch became a winter wonderland with flocked Christmas trees that kids could decorate with their own ornaments, giving them ownership of part of the décor. “The flocked trees made it look so snowy and whimsical out there,” Katty says. “It sort of felt like we were in the mountains.”
• Provide a craft. For her party, Katty ordered gingerbread houses from Little Happies. The houses are made of wood (6×8 for the smaller ones, and 8×10 for the larger ones) . Guests were each given a kit with graham crackers, icing, and candy for decorating. “The best thing about the wooden structure of the gingerbread houses is that they will remain intact,” says Abbie. “After the candy and graham crackers are worn off and the season is over, simply wash the wooden houses with soap and water and store them to reuse the next year.
• Use candy—and lots of it—as party décor. “We had piles of candy for the kids to decorate with,” Abbie says. “And they loved eating it, of course.”
• Swap hostess duties each year. To alleviate the pressure of one person hosting year after year, change it up. That way, every kid gets to enjoy having the party at his or her house. It also helps to share the décor—like the banner or the wooden gingerbread houses—to keep some of those traditional, anchor elements while also making things easier for the host.
Birmingham prides itself on small local businesses and talent. The community is so supportive, and it is an honor to be welcomed as one of the city’s sustainable accessories designers.
Hannah Christine, founder Hide & Hunter
From the moment you step inside Hide & Hunter in the Mercantile on Morris development in downtown Birmingham, you know you are in a maker’s space. The smell of rich leather envelops you and there is texture and craftsmanship at every turn. Owner Hannah Christine might be found at the work table in the rear of the store, giving new life to old goods with her deft hand and her eye for style.
The brick-and-mortar space is artfully littered with antler sheds, several of which were found on family land nearby. Hannah will put some of these to use in her handcrafted designs that are rustic but never clunky. On tall racks along one side of the store hang dozens of one-of-a-kind bags, clutches, satchels, and cross-body carryalls. Colors vary widely—classic mahogany brown, golden tobacco-colored leathers, camo prints, and even bright pinks and reds.
Hannah originally attended The University of Alabama to study bridal design but says, “I quickly saw my nature-loving self expressed through creating unique outfits out of different hides.” Hannah’s great- great-grandmother was Creek Indian, and that connection definitely informs her work. “I decided to learn old-school Native American leather-working techniques,” Hannah says. Her time spent on the Pineridge Reservation in South Dakota, serving with the Lakota-Sioux tribes on leather-crafting projects, deeply influences her products.
After graduating from Alabama, Hannah interned with lifestyle brand Anthropologie before going in-house with Dillard’s to co- design a few of their private label brands. “Then I realized that my side hobby of making custom, handcrafted leather goods was taking off,” she says. “That’s when I decided to pursue Hide & Hunter full time.”
In addition to her leather goods, Hannah designs vintage-look t-shirts and candles. She also sells jewelry and other gift items. “My favorite thing I hear about my shop is that it has a spirit of peace,” she says. “In a world that sometimes feels discouraging and dark, it is the biggest compliment.”
Birmingham’s design scene has an incredible energy. I just want to be a small part of the next wave of visionaries who continue to shake things up and push this city forward.
Angie Burge
When we invite handmade goods into our homes, we are inviting a piece of that maker into our lives. Angie Burge of English Village Lane, a custom rug company, takes this notion to heart.
With a background in interiors, Angie says, “English Village Lane started as a passion project to exercise my love for rugs and all things home décor. When I was sourcing rugs for my own home, it became a challenge to find customizable options for the varied spaces in our home.” Researching the industry, she landed upon the custom- rug concept which could incorporate individualized palettes for any homeowner.
Most customers discover Angie’s Birmingham-based business via Instagram, where the bright bold colors of her design seem to pop off the screen. She does most of her consultations and design work online, exchanging color palettes and sizing options through the Cloud. “We can customize rugs for clients in almost any size and create unique designs down to the inch,” she says. The process begins by exchanging ideas and sharing wishlists for a project. “Clients share fabrics they love or pictures of the room they are buying the rug for,” says Angie. “We can go back and forth like that while I build the rug in CAD (Computer Animated Design) .” From there, she sends the design off to the loom, and the final product arrives 90 to 120 days later.
Locally, Angie has partnered with Hibiscus House, a company that reimagines vintage Florida-style furniture in colorful, laquered finishes. “It’s super fun for their showroom floor,” she says. “We keep selling out of it.”
All in the Details
According to Angie, an 8×10 Turkish knot-style rug has over 288,000 hand-tied knots and takes roughly 90 days to make. The material used— high-quality New Zealand wool—is anti-microbial and anti-humectant, so the rugs repel odors and moisture which makes them a dream to clean. “I know it’s hard to wait on a made-to-order piece, but the best things sometimes are the things worth waiting for,” says Angie.
Inspired by the natural world around her, there seems to be no limit to the colors Leslie is able to give these fabrics, imparting a bit of herself in each piece she produces.
Sometimes inspiration strikes and life offers up a second chapter. For maker Leslie Nunnelly, the aha moment struck when she was cruising her way through Pinterest and encountered fabric dyeing.
Leslie began to take notes and set her mind to work on how she might re- create some of these same colors from her own Pelham backyard. The next day, she headed to her local Salvation Army store and invested $2.50 in the largest stockpot she could find. She filled the pot with fallen leaves and small twigs, covered it with water, and set it to simmer for an hour on the stove. “My house smelled so woodsy and earthy and just yummy,” Leslie says. “I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.”
Once the mixture had cooled and been strained, Leslie was left with the most golden-hued liquid imaginable. She grabbed the first piece of fabric she could find—a swatch of fine silk—and dunked it into the pot. “I was astonished at the result!” says Leslie. “I still have that first piece—from 2016—and it hangs in my studio as a reminder of what is possible.”
Leslie spent the better part of a year learning the ins and outs of fabric dyeing and can easily outline the whole process of ordering silk wholesale, washing it to get rid of the sticky sericin the silk worms leave behind, and rinsing it in a mordant so that the colors take hold of the fabric. But it is the dyeing part where her creative side takes off. “I just loved the challenge of seeing if I could make the different colors,” Leslie says. “I learned that I do have all the colors on the color wheel.” She uses Queen Anne’s lace and rosemary to achieve some delicate subtle gray-greens. And she loves telling the story of the time she made her husband pull over on the side of the road to fill the trunk with kudzu. In fact, the readily available abundance of flora here is just one reason Leslie is proud to be an Alabama maker.
While weddings are a large part of Leslie’s business, her ribbons can be found adorning other memory-laden events. One client special-ordered ribbon to adorn mementos at her sister’s funeral. Another customer requested a custom ribbon to tie gift bags for adult siblings she was meeting for the first time. According to Leslie, these are the stories that fuel a maker. She says there is an intimacy in being invited into the most special times of a person’s life.
Leslie often finds herself thinking of and praying over the recipients of her goods. “I pray over each one while working in my home,” she says. “My home is my sacred place where I feel most comfortable.” In fact, that connection to home is at the core of her business and why she named it Cocoon, after the self-made domicile the precious silk worm creates for itself. “I find the idea of a cocoon to be beautiful and miraculous,” she says. Much like the colorful ribbons she creates.
“There is something that happens when your hands get busy. It is the process of just creating something that is so inspiring.”
Cobbie Llewellyn, Owner, The Smocking Bird
With almost a half-century in business, The Smockingbird heirloom sewing and smocking shop has inspired generations of makers. The store offer classes for adults and children. “I used to think the kids would get bored, but they are fascinated with what they can create with a sewing machine and some fabric,” says new owner Cobbie Llewellyn.
Community is at the heart of most makers’ projects—they seek to create something enduring, something special, something with a story. At the thrice-weekly Sit & Sews at The Smockingbird, customers bring in projects and enjoy time together. Cobbie says, “Making and creating feeds the soul. It comes from being part of a project from beginning to end. You might start with a piece of fabric, but as you work, you think about who will be wearing this garment. There is joy in that.”
When you are working alongside others, you really are willing to talk about a lot of things you might not otherwise be willing to talk about. It is a very special fellowship.
Ingram Link, Founder, Created for a Purpose
Ingram Link, Director of Women’s Ministries at Covenant Presbyterian Church, started Created for a Purpose 16 years ago as a response to the overly-hurried world many young girls are faced with and out of a desire to remind girls that those things do not define them. Since those initial classes in scrapbooking, sewing, and sculpture, the program has grown into a full-fledged nonprofit which equips, trains, and licenses the program to other churches. “We come up with the project ideas, the spiritual curriculum, and the training materials,” Ingram says. “Currently, we are in 7 states and 13 churches. Last summer, we had almost 2,000 participants.”
The projects that the girls (in 3rd through 8th grade) engage in are more sophisticated than those of a traditional VBS program. Participants learn skills they can use in other areas of their lives while also connecting with one another and learning spiritual lessons. Counselors are high school and college students who have completed the program themselves. Ingram says, “My solemn prayer for this program is that God would draw these girls to Him.”
In addition to the summer sessions, a holiday workshop is held the weekend before Christmas. The girls leave with gifts (ornaments, treats, paintings) to share.
Sacred Studio, a program born out of Created for a Purpose and spearheaded by Ingram and Anna Nash, director of Beacon People, is designed for moms who saw the spirit in their daughters and wanted the same thing for themselves. “It’s an incredible combination of worship, teaching, and creating,” Ingram says.
Portrait by Kimberly Wilson / Other Photography by Becky Staynor
A door knocker may seem like such a simple thing—a way a guest might announce their arrival at your home. But it is so much more. The size, shape, and heft of the object conveys a great deal about the homeowner. Nationally-renowned, she reached out to local foundry stalwarts John Stewart Jackson and Joe McCreary Birmingham-based artist Patty B. Driscoll of Birmingham Sculpture. They walked understands that perfectly.
After a fire destroyed her Redmont home in December 2013, Patty B. and her husband began the long and laborious task of rebuilding. Gifted in a variety of mediums, she became interested in the art of metal working along the way. “I had seen some doorpulls for my new dining room that I really wanted, but they cost more than I was willing to spend,” she says. “So I decided to try and craft them myself.”
Birmingham’s status in the world of metal production is legendary. So when Patty B. wanted to create her own pieces, her through the process of sculpting the forms and creating wax molds. Birmingham Sculpture now produces her Agatha Studios pieces in their North Birmingham foundry.
Female power is a central theme in all of Patty B.’s work—be it photography, painting, or sculpting. Each door knocker honors a woman of importance to the artist. Each design deftly weaves the woman’s story with that of strength, fertility, devotion, conviction, resiliency, tenacity, and might. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to be met at the front door with that?
Beautiful décor meets innovative ideas in our 2022 Inspiration Home. Local and regional designers, as well as some of our favorite shops and services, fill this year’s house with fabulous finishes, innovative ideas, and gorgeous rooms. Take a close look around to check out the details—large and small—that will inspire the look and function of your own home.
All proceeds of the 2022 Inspiration Home benefit The Bell Center
The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs provides early intervention services in a center-based program in Birmingham. Infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delay receive services from transdisciplinary teams which include a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech-language pathologist, and an early childhood special education teacher as each child works on individual goals.
