Cottage Revival

April 15, 2021

Seaside was founded 40 years ago with the goal of creating an old-fashioned holiday beach town enlivened with front porches, picket fences, shops, and restaurants within walking distance, as well as the sounds of children playing in the Gulf.

The early houses of Seaside were built of wood with gabled metal roofs, and their iconic images of home evoked memories of summers long ago while fostering uncomplicated activities of the past.

This cottage, built in 1988, is a true Seaside classic. It possesses the low-key, old Florida charm of the town’s earlier designs and resides on a generous lot along a quiet street. Recently sold by the original owners (and full-time residents of Seaside), the home had remained mostly untouched—something the new owners cherished. The house was crafted of authentic materials and had good bones and great vibes.

*Details such as shiplap, beaded board, ceiling beams, and bleached hardwood floors—along with soothing coastal colors—underscore the charms of this classic Seaside cottage.*

Purchasing it as a second home and rental meant it needed updates—and a designer that understood the new owners’ intentions. When the buyers discovered that Paige Schnell of Tracery Interiors was the decorator for a rental that had become one of their favorite places to stay, the decision was easy. “A vacation home by its very nature is different than a permanent residence,” says Paige. “Our goal was to create a fun and inviting getaway for an active young family.”

With two gabled structures connected with a hallway, the plan is loosely based on a traditional Southern dogtrot house, which works surprisingly well for a 21st-century vacation retreat. With the kitchen/keeping room and guest bedroom in one wing and the formal living area and master suite in the other, there are two distinct gathering spots. “This is a welcomed arrangement when two families are sharing the house,” says Paige.

Rather than add square footage, Paige made the most of existing spaces. A partial wall came down in the kitchen, and a new peninsula offers a casual eat-in counter. The marble-tile backsplash, Wolf Range, soft-blue cabinets, and sleek chrome hardware elevate the small space in a big way. By moving the dining table to the living area, Paige was able to carve out a keeping room adjacent the kitchen.

For materials and surfaces, Paige looked to tried-and-true finishes while honoring existing cottage details. The original heart pine floors had yellowed over the years, but they gained new life after being bleached. Refinished, the floors are now almost the color of driftwood. Beaded board and V-groove paneling received a coat of white paint throughout, adding even more airiness to the home’s peaked ceilings.

The reconfigured master suite now accommodates a new freestanding shower and soaking tub. A barn door creates a pleasing connection and takes up less space.

A stairway leads to the restructured loft with a new wall that adds enough privacy to create a comfortable sleeping area. “The bottom bunk is a queen and the top is a double so even adults are comfortable,” says Paige. To accommodate guests working while on vacation, Paige outfitted the loft with a corner desk. A built-in chest and window seat are compact enough to accommodate a king bed in the second bedroom. “Always try to find a way to make room for a king if you plan to rent your cottage,” says Paige. “Your guests will thank you.”

For rental information: The Sawyer House, Homeowners Collection Homeownerscollection.com

Live Like a Local on 30A

Several new gathering spots offering everything from casual breakfast to artisan cocktails have recently opened up along 30A, joining beloved old favorites.

The Citizen at Alys Beach is upscale eatery and sophisticated tavern offering coastal cuisines from around the world, shaved ice confections, and inventive cocktails in a sleek, contemporary setting or a relaxed, street-side setting.
citizenalys.com

Scratch Biscuit Kitchen serves up casual breakfast and brunch with counter and take-out service, as well as outdoor cafe seating in the WaterColor Town Center.
scratchbiscuitkitchen.com

Black Bear Bar Room is the afternoon companion to the popular Black Bear Bread Company. Located in the Shops of Grayton, this neighborhood watering hole showcases natural wines, craft beer, farm-raised oysters and small plates to share.
blackbearbreadco.com

The Red Bar is back and just as fun and funky as ever. After the Grayton Beach icon was destroyed by fire in February 2019, the owners were determined to rebuild. And they did to the exact previous specifications as before—except for a bigger women’s bathroom. The Red Bar reopened on July 15, 2020.
theredbar.com

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Endless Summer

Ashley Cirilli Farlow

April 8, 2021

*Rooms in the open, vaulted living space are separated by a delineation in ceiling heights. An open hall above brings light (and views) to upstairs spaces. Photography by: Jean Allsopp.*

“If you can dream it, we can build it.”

This motto, shared by Legacy New Homes owners, David Chancellor and Corbin Bartgis, is just one of the reasons Leah and Jason Ayers signed the builders to create their rustic, casual dwelling on the shores of Lake Martin.

Choosing a house plan from residential designer Larry Furlong and a lot in The Willows, a Russell Lands On Lake Martin community, the couple imagined an idyllic getaway for themselves, three children (a junior in high school, an Auburn University student, and a recent Auburn-grad), other family, and friends. “We wanted something close enough to Auburn University and not far from our home in Vestavia Hills, with enough privacy where family and friends could gather for making memories on and off the water,” says Leah.

To make their vision a reality, the Ayers worked closely with Legacy superintendent Chris Cooley and in-house designer Ashley Chancellor.

The family-friendly plan features water views from every room and an open design connecting living, kitchen, and dining spaces. “The main item on Leah’s design wish-list was the 25-foot vaulted ceiling and wood beams in the living room.”

The living room centers on a stacked stone fireplace. Here, a cozy sectional sofa stands ready for warming up by the fire, conversation, or just taking in the view. The kitchen, with its built-in bar and adjacent task areas (think generous pantry and laundry with extra refrigerator), as well as dining area, offers plentiful room and appointments for entertaining a crowd.

For outdoor living, a 700-square foot porch with various seating areas and a hanging swing bed overlooks the sloping lawn with fire pit and flagstone path leading to the dock. A master on the main and bunk room and guest rooms upstairs offers everyone a place to retreat at day’s end.

“I didn’t realize how much we would enjoy our home even outside of the summer months,” says Leah. “It’s the perfect place for everyone to relax and connect and play even when we’re not in the water.” Leah adds that no one enjoys time at the lake more than the newest member of the Ayers family, a Boykin Spaniel—who they lovingly named Willow.

*A bunk room accommodates plenty of guests. A TV nook to the right of the bunks offers a spot for late-night movies.*

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Making Your Home a Safe Haven this Spring is Simple

BHG Staff

April 6, 2021

Whether you’re in the market for a new home or focusing on home improvement projects, there’s a lot to look forward to this spring. However, amidst all the excitement, it’s important not to lose sight of the importance of home protection.

So you’re looking to buy a house…
Thinking about your protection may not be top of mind when buying a home, but it should be. Your home is your haven after all! Two items that should be at the top of your to-do list after you move in? Investing in smart home security and setting up home insurance.

Smart home security can help prevent damages like break-ins, fires, and water damage, and insurance can help protect you in the event that they happen anyway. In fact, award-winning smart home security company, SimpliSafe, and Farmers Insurance® recently announced a collaboration that brings these benefits together.

Beginning April 1, Farmers® customers in Alabama who bind a new Smart Plan Home policy between April 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021 will be qualified to receive a custom 7-piece home security system from SimpliSafe, provided with their homeowners insurance policy at no extra charge. The effort aims to help insured homeowners protect their homes against theft, fire and water damage, while also providing them with potential savings on their homeowners insurance policies. To learn more, visit Farmers.com/SimpliSafe.

Or maybe you’re making your old home new again…

Tackling some new projects at home this spring? It’s also a great time to revisit how you’re protecting your home and loved ones.

Whole home protection, like SimpliSafe, defends against risks we often see during the spring. April showers bring May flowers, but they can also bring water damage from leaking gutters. With smart water sensors and a professional monitoring plan from SimpliSafe, you can receive alerts directly to your phone whenever they come in contact with water as low as the width of a credit card. Entry sensors can help ensure that you’re not exposing your home by cracking open windows to let in a fresh breeze. These components are incredibly easy to install yourself in just about 30 minutes – no tools required. No matter if you’re a DIY guru or novice, installing a smart home security system can – and should – be on your to-do list this spring.

Having your space properly protected will allow you to rest easy, forget about the “what ifs” and enjoy the place you call home. To learn more about the SimpliSafe and Farmers® collaboration, visit Farmers.com/SimpliSafe. To learn more about SimpliSafe’s full product suite, visit SimpliSafe.com.

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Rivaling the View

Lacey Howard

April 1, 2021

**Bold Statements**. The teak wall sculpture is a big, fun piece with funky personality. “When you go with crazy wallcovering, you need art that works with it,” says Ashley. An accent chair in an ombré stripe offers a departure from the room’s otherwise solid upholstery. Pillows—made from vintage African mud cloths—introduce a splash of seashell pink. Photography by Laurey Glenn.

“I love bold color!” There may not be a more hypnotizing siren song for an interior designer to hear. Those were the exact words the owners of this Orange Beach condo said when they approached Ashley Gilbreath. “We usually don’t get that opportunity,” the designer says. “The owners are drawn to texture, pattern, and color. But since we were working with a very small space, we had to keep in mind that too much of a good thing can be too much.” To avoid going overboard, Ashley stuck to a limited palette inspired by the view. “You are there for the beach and the water, so we played off that palette,” she says.

Because of the nature of a high-rise condo—a concrete box that can’t expand up, down, or sideways—adding square footage to the vacation home wasn’t an option. And completely reconfiguring the floorplan wasn’t a good use of budget and time. However, Ashley did reimagine the ways an abundance of storage space was allocated (who needs a giant walk-in closet at a vacation home?), and she squared up some of the walls that were at strange angles for no apparent reason—à la 1980s architecture. Her creativity made space for a bank of cabinets and bar near the kitchen and a much larger island, as well as built-in bunks in the guest bedroom. “We were very intentional with planning every single inch,” she says. “The original, bland, builder-box condo has come a really long way!”

Inside & Out

The beach isn’t just about the view, as evidenced by the strong design statements that make a splash in this small, two-bedroom Orange Beach condo. Designer Ashley Gilbreath set the mood with a bold, graphic wallpaper (Jim Thompson) in the entry and carried it through to the living area. A vibrant, maritime painting welcomes guests and lets them know that they have arrived—even before they see the gulf. The balcony and its panoramic postcard vistas are shared by the main bedroom and living area. Here, Ashley created alfresco lounging and dining spaces with Summer Classics furnishings, Sunbrella upholstery, and Perennials accent fabrics that echo the interior palette.

Make it Personal

Individual expression is key to creating a home that reflects its owners. This homeowner brought her own personal style to the project with Mackenzie Childs chairs and the show-stopping Abe Lincoln piece by artist Ashley Longshore. “They each have so much personality and are perfect here,” Ashley Gilbreath says.

*In the powder room, a wallcovering featuring ovals on repeat (Scion) sets the space apart and a beaded mirror from Ashley’s retail store, Parish, is a perfect partner to the pedestal sink.*

Water Colors

Blues, in varying shades and intensities, pop about from room to room connecting spaces through paint colors, fabrics, wallcoverings, and accessories. A bold blue (Commodore, SW-6524, by Sherwin-Williams) anchors the kitchen island and nearby bar. A banquette sports aqua ticking. A pale, watery blue linen dresses the sofa. Turquoise blue glassware awaits cocktail hour. Accent colors—lime green, cherry red, hot pink, and lemon yellow—scream summer, sunshine, and fun.

*The bunks claim a former closet space. “We carved out every square inch and picked up enough room for twin mattresses,” says the designer. Curtains on the bunks offer privacy in this shared space.*

Hello Yellow!

Is there any color happier than sunshine yellow? Ashley piled on the cheerful hue in bedrooms and baths. In the bedrooms, yellow is used as an accent through pillows, draperies, and upholstery. The suite’s bathroom vanity (Yellow Bird, SW-9022 by Sherwin-Williams), she says, “seals the deal.”

Comfortable Quarters

There’s nothing better than settling into a comfy bedroom after a day at the beach, so Ashley created stylish spots for owners and guests alike. The main bedroom’s custom headboard (above) is “covered in good, inexpensive linen,” Ashley says. “It’s an everyday material in an impactful color, but the application is what makes it extra fun.”

Resources:
Interior Design: Ashley Gilbreath, ashleygilbreath.com Contractor: Philip Harris, Phil Harris Construction, harrisconstruction.net

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A Moveable Feast

Leslie Byars Register

March 22, 2021

Pesto Chicken Bites in a Bag

2 cups fresh basil leaves
3 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ cup toasted walnuts
½ cup good-quality extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds chicken tenders, cut into bite-size pieces
6 brown lunch-size paper bags
2 small yellow onions, sliced into ½-inch slices
Kitchen string

Preheat oven to 375°.

In a food processor, place basil, garlic, and next 5 ingredients, and pulse; scrape down sides, and repeat, until mixture is uniformly combined.

Place pesto in a medium-size bowl; add chicken pieces, tossing to coat thoroughly. Set aside while preparing the bags for baking.

Cut off the top 1/3 of the brown paper bag. Place the removed piece of bag into the bottom of the bag to reinforce the bag during the baking process. Place 2 onion slices in the bottom of each bag. Divide chicken mixture evenly between bags on top of the onion slices.

Neatly fold down tops of the filled bags, and tie with kitchen string. Place chicken-filled bundles on a rimmed baking sheet.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm. Serves 6

Learn from Leslie: Simply tear open the paper sack and dump the warm pesto nuggets onto your plate. They will stay warm in the bag for 30 to 45 minutes.

Strawberry-Avocado Salad

For the salad:
16 ounces fresh strawberries, stems removed and sliced
2 medium avocados, chopped
½ cup red onion, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 cups loosely packed arugula
½ cup pine nuts, toasted

For the dressing:
3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
Juice of one lemon
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Pinch of sugar (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Gently toss together strawberries, avocados, onion, cilantro, and arugula in a large bowl, reserving the pine nuts for the topping.

Combine all salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar, whisking or shaking to combine thoroughly.

When ready to serve, toss salad with dressing and top with toasted pine nuts. Serves 6 – 8

Tomato-Cucumber-Orzo Salad

8 ounces orzo pasta
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pint red cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 pint yellow cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
Juice of one lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the orzo, stirring often so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Cook, uncovered, at a high boil about 9 to 10 minutes until al dente, cooked through but still a bit firm.

Drain the pasta in a sieve, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Toss pasta with olive oil and remaining ingredients.

Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 8 – 10

Easy Lemon Tart

Serves 8

1 tart crust (see recipe below)
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
5 large egg yolks
½ cup fresh lemon juice, from about 3 to 4 lemons, plus lemon slices for garnish
Fresh mint leaves (optional)

For the crust:
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
½ cup cold butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup milk

Preheat oven to 375°.

To make the crust, combine flour, sugar, and butter in a bowl with a pastry blender. Stir together egg and milk in a small bowl; add egg mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, to flour mixture. Stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball; cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 15 minutes.

To assemble the tart:

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle, about ¼-inch thickness. Then place into a fluted 9-inch tart pan. Press lightly into the tin. With the rolling pin, roll over the top edge to neatly trim off any excess dough. Pierce crust with a fork, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly brown. Allow crust to cool.

Reduce oven temperature to 350°.

Whisk together the condensed milk and egg yolks. Add the lemon juice, and mix until combined.

Pour the filling in the crust, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves, if desired.

Talk about a crowd-pleaser! This adorable nibble tray from Henhouse Antiques takes minutes to prepare. Fill each compartment with all your favorite bites. Guests of all ages will love it! (right)

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Spring Forward

John Floyd

March 18, 2021

Oh Spring!

We are so glad you have arrived, even with your unpredictable weather. March will offer some warm days, but gardeners need to keep in mind that there will still be a number of cool—almost freezing—nights. As we drift into April, our last frost date comes and goes, and we can finally settle into warm days and comfortable nights. This is the time to sit outside and enjoy the beauty of your spring garden, but you should also look at what chores need to be done to prepare for summer.

This is the time to plant trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, and certain bulbs that are known to bloom in summer. However, wait until after mid-April to plant your summer annuals to make sure the last frost is gone. You will notice your deciduous shrubs start to bloom. I often shape them by cutting unwanted stems and using them indoors for flower arrangements. Once these shrubs finish blooming, decide if certain ones like deutzia, quince, spirea, and forsythia have grown too big for their space. If so, it’s time to cut them back to within 6 inches of the ground if severe pruning is needed or you can simply remove the longest shoots at ground level to reduce the overall size of the plant without changing its shape. With evergreens, unless you want to do severe pruning, I suggest you wait until the new shoots are out and new growth has slowed in late spring. Then shape the evergreens as desired. With summer flowering shrubs, except florist hydrangeas, it is okay to shape these plants now by taking out limbs that do not enhance the beauty of the plant. A good way to evaluate what needs to be pruned is to photograph your planting and evaluate the image. That will give you good clues as to how your plant compositions would look best Once blooming is finished and pruning is done, fertilize the shrubs with a good fertilizer like 15-0-15.

All of us like to add new plants to our garden. I tend to add too many plants and crowd things, which is not good. Sometimes I am resistant to take something out that doesn’t work, while other times I just want to bring in more color or change the look of an area. The most important thing for me to remember as I am doing these things is what is already in the ground, such as summer and fall bulbs. I also am careful to make sure my garden is not just a collection of plants but rather a composition pf many things that work for the whole garden.

If you are looking to plant trees, spring is a good time to do so. There
is a lot to think about in choosing a good tree for your landscape. First and foremost, what do you want the tree to do? Do you want it to shade part of the house, balance the house or landscape, or add seasonal color? Then there is a matter of whether you want a small tree (mature height usually under 25 feet) or a large tree that will be a monumental part of your home landscape. Many folks prefer to choose a native tree, but I think we have lots of non-natives that also do really well in our area. Most of the time we pick what we like and wonder why it sometimes is not successful. For example, the beautiful ginkgo with its clear yellow fall color does not like wet roots, so a low spot would not be a good selection for that location. In contrast, red maple and Southern magnolia thrive in damp locations. While at the nursery selecting trees, you may want to Google each tree and see if its cultural requirements match where you want to plant it.

When you are ready to plant the tree, be sure to do the right things to get it well established. First, dig a big, deep hole at least one-and-a-half times the size and depth of the container or root ball. If the tree is container-grown, you will need to slip the tree’s root ball out of the container and really tear the exterior of the root ball up so the roots are not circling the plant. Once this is done, plant the tree at the same level it came out of the container. Pack the soil firmly around the root ball, and water it well. If the tree is top-heavy, you might want to stake it until the root ball is firmly established in its new home. In addition, if you have poor soil, you will need a good planting mix to amend the soil you dug up and promote better growth. Keep in mind that while all of these spring chores require some time and elbow grease, you can look forward to the rewards of an even more beautiful yard in the future.

Floyd’s To-Do List: March/April

Daffodil Care Wait until the foliage of your daffodils turns yellow before removing the leaves. This helps the bulbs have nutrients for flowering next year. If your bulbs did not bloom well this year, they probably need dividing. Dig when the foliage yellows or dies, and separate the bulbs. If you like the location they are in now, replant by spacing about six inches apart at the level you dug them. The remainder of the bulbs should be replanted as soon as possible or given away. If you are not ready to plant them, allow the foliage to dry, and then store them in the refrigerator in a net bag (like the kind that fruit is stored in)to allow the bulbs to have air around them to keep dry.

Tomatoes If you are planting seeds indoors, get them planted as soon as possible. Make sure they have good bottom heat and a sunny location, and keep the seeds damp but not wet. Germination may be a bit slow, and all the seeds do not come up at once. I do not transplant until the seedlings are sturdy and growing. If you are going to buy transplants, wait until after mid-April and buy strong sturdy ones. Plant them deep with just one or two sets of leaves above the soil line.

Summer Bulbs Now is a great time to purchase summer bulbs like lilies, dahlias, callas, pineapple lilies, and ginger. Also consider tubers of caladiums and canna. While some can handle winter well in our area, others such as pineapple lilies and some of the dahlias and callas will not make it if we have a very cold winter. Make sure the bulbs or tubers are firm and do not have rot in spots. Since many of these are bought at big box hardware stores, they are packaged several to a pack. Check all the ones in the pack. The best way to get top-quality bulbs is to order them from a grower. Make sure you plant them according to package directions. Two mail-order companies I like are B&D Lilies (bdlilies.com) and Brent and Becky’s Bulbs (brentandbeckysbulbs.com). Both have excellent websites.

Encore Azaleas Now is a great time to buy these azaleas. The “Autumn” series does very well in our area and will produce spring, summer, and fall blooms. Remember that azaleas like to be planted in well-prepared, fertile soil. If they have been grown in pots, make sure you remove any roots that are circling the edge of the pot, and then tear them up so they can grow out into the soil you prepared. Water well and plant at the same level the roots came out of the pot. Two things to remember: More azaleas die from not getting enough water through dry periods, and light shade is best for them.

Tulips Most of these plants have to be pulled out after blooming is finished. The tiny “species” tulips, as compared to the familiar bold blooming tulips, are growing in popularity because they can be perennial. I have a clump in my garden that has bloomed consistently for more than 10 years with blooms that are about an inch tall and about the same width when open. Here are a few that should do well, but they may take two years to bloom after planting: Taco, Cynthia, Lilliput, Lady Jane, Lilac Wonder, Chrysantha, and Stella. I suggest you buy a few from a good mail order company like Brent and Becky’s Bulbs to make sure you get top-quality bulbs. I have never seen these for sale in a local garden center.

A Tribute to John Floyd

A lifelong gardener and skilled horticulturist, John Floyd was passionate about Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where he shared his expertise, talents, and enthusiasm for four decades. The longtime editor-in-chief of Southern Living was a driving force in the creation of the Southern Living Garden in 1981 and overawes the Gardens’ second master plan. In retirement, John volunteered weekly in the Japanese Garden and helped guide future master planning. His passion lives on in the garden spaces that he elevated and in the gardeners he continues to inspire. The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is honored to be named as a beneficiary of memorial gifts celebrating his enduring legacy. Visit bbgardens.org/donate to make a gift.

Birmingham lost friend, horticulturist, writer, and former Southern Living editor-in-chief John Floyd, in February, but his passion for gardening and the impact he made in our city and across the South endures. We will be forever grateful for the gift of his voice and garden expertise.

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Backyard Beauty

Alice Welsh Doyle

March 12, 2021

**Warm Welcome:** To guide family and friends to the backyard from the parking area, Peter installed a “Selma Brown” pea gravel allée with striking large pots of elegant boxwoods to draw the eye in. Reclaimed brick from an old nearby general store borders the gravel path with its elegant circular punctuations. The boxwoods nod to English-style gardens, a favorite of the homeowners. Photography by Jean Allsopp

Garden designer Peter Falkner took a completely blank canvas and transformed it into a multi-purpose, magical place. His clients, Lindsey and Doug Hene, had previously experienced a house fire and had stayed at a place with a pool while rebuilding their home. After that, the couple agreed they also needed a pool. And when they decided to go all in to include a structured garden and outdoor living spaces on their sizable property, they called on Peter who is a relative of Lindsey’s.

“We live on two-and-a-half acres in Milton, Georgia, and we had really done nothing in the back. There was a little bit of green which we called ‘volunteer’ grass,” laughs Lindsey. “We wanted to be able to live outside, and I wanted a more formal space with a nod to English gardens.”

“We approached the backyard much like a floor plan by creating spaces for various activities,” says Peter. “Then we included user-friendly and attractive transitional spaces to guide you around the garden to the dining terrace, swimming pool, and other areas.” And since Lindsey is an interior designer (a partner in Elle and Vreeland Design House), Peter made sure that the outside structures take cues from the beautiful interiors she has created, unifying the whole in a beautiful and welcoming presentation.

Pretty and practical transitions seamlessly connect various parts of the garden. The pea gravel path ends in a large circle where the dining terrace resides. From there, pavers take a page from a parterre garden, leading to the entertainment pavilion or the pool. The plan also integrates a full outdoor kitchen. Locating the entertaining area away from the house and closer to the pool makes it easily accessible for all in the water and those lounging nearby—a win-win for friends of the couple’s two teenagers, as well as for adult guests.

RESOURCES
Garden design and construction: Peter Falkner, Falkner Gardens, falknergardens.com; Design participation by interior designer Lindsey Hene of Elle and Vreeland Design House, 470.709.4146, elleandvreeland.com. Outdoor kitchen builder: Daniel Harper of Renew Properties LLC

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Explore Fun & Funky Nashville

BHG Staff

March 11, 2021

Stay

Nashville has so many different areas, and they all have their own vibe or character. If you’re visiting with girlfriends, I’d recommend renting an Airbnb in the 12 South neighborhood. It’s only 10 minutes to Broadway and the nightlife, and it’s super cute and walkable. The area is lined with restaurants and shops like White’s Mercantile, owned by Holly Williams (Hank Williams Jr.’s daughter). White’s is perfect for gifts and unique items you won’t find anywhere else.

If you want to be closer to the action of downtown, I suggest the Graduate Nashville just off of West End. It has an amazing rooftop restaurant/bar that is Dolly Parton-themed. It’s called White Limozeen after her album.

For a romantic weekend, check out the Omni Nashville Hotel where you and your partner can enjoy a relaxing spa treatment. Or book a room in the historic Hermitage Hotel downtown. Be sure to enjoy a drink in the famous Oak Bar and check out the infamous green men’s bathroom.

Night Life

Nashville loves a good rooftop scene. Almost every bar on Lower Broadway offers a rooftop where you can have a drink, hear amazing local live music, and take in the sights. If you are looking for a sophisticated atmosphere, try the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel in The Gulch. It’s not the highest rooftop in Nashville, but I think it has the most character and the best views of the city’s skyline. The Virgin Hotel and the JW Marriott also have great views.

Brunch

To experience classic Nashville, stop in at the Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village. It has been around forever and has delicious food. Their sweet potato pancakes with cinnamon syrup are incredible. Be prepared to stand in line if it’s a busy time of year.

For a champagne brunch, head over to Geist in Germantown. It’s in an old blacksmith’s building with exposed brick and great décor. And the food will not disappoint. On my last visit, I enjoyed the breakfast corn dogs and bourbon-caramel cinnamon rolls.

Lunch

I have fallen in love with a great restaurant in 12South called Epice.
It’s small and quaint and has a menu full of amazing food. Their hummus is incredible! I usually get the Epice Salad that features goat cheese and toasted almond slivers.

Dinner

Nashville has become a foodie town, and the dining choices are endless. Here are a few of my favorites: City House in Germantown—Get the belly ham pizza! Josephine in 12South—Don’t miss their brussels sprouts. Sperry’s in Belle Meade—It’s cozy, old school Nashville and has an amazing salad bar, as well as a tableside bananas flambé. Husk is just south of downtown—You can’t go wrong with anything.

Shopping

My good friend and former stylist Claudia Fowler owns three amazing boutiques, each with their own vibe.

Haven is in Edgehill Village, Hero is in 12South, and Parish (her newest store) is in the Thompson Hotel. Claudia offers great, one-of-a-kind items. I also love H. Audrey in Green Hills, another venture by Holly Williams.

Venues

There actually isn’t much live music on music row. Instead, the area houses all of the offices, recording studios, etc. If you want to hear great live music, you definitely need to head to Lower Broadway. That’s where all of the honky-tonks are, and most of them offer live music pretty much all day and night with no cover. Just be sure to tip the band! My favorite is Robert’s Western World. It’s one of the older, more established spots. If you want to hear great bluegrass, go to the Station Inn located in The Gulch.

Outdoors

Filled with great restaurants and funky shops, East Nashville is eclectic and a little grittier than the rest of the city. Check out the lifesize replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park.

There is a great walking path that circles the park. If you’re into hiking, you only need to drive 15 minutes from downtown to Radnor Lake. It has easy to medium hikes and makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.

Music

My latest album called Copy That came out last year. It’s all cover songs that I love, including ones like “She’s Got You” by Patsy Cline that you would expect me to cover. It also includes some surprises like “My Sharona” and “Come on Eileen.” And I sing a cover of Hank Williams’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” with Old Crow Medicine Show, as well as a cover of the Stevie Nicks/Kenny Loggins hit “Whenever I Call You Friend” with Phillip Sweet from Little Big Town. I’ll also be back out on the road as soon as possible!

More Of Our Favorite Places

The Country Music Hall of Fame
The history of country music comes to life through an impressive collection of exhibits and artifacts, including costumes, cars, and guitars. Be sure to visit the museum’s gift shops and the Hatch Show Print Shop, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America. Hatch Show Print designs and prints 500 to 600 posters per year for entertainers on tour as well as for venues around the world.

Grand Ole Opry
You never know who is going to be on stage during this two-hour live radio and television broadcast show. For the past 95 years, the Opry has brought together rising talent, superstars, and country legends.

Ryman Auditorium
The original location of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman is still home to live shows. Be sure to check their calendar for upcoming events.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Built in 1929, Cheekwood is a private residence-turned-museum and botanical gardens. Events, exhibits, and happenings change with the seasons. Don’t miss Cheekwood in Bloom March 6-April 11 when you can see more than 150,000 blooming bulbs.

This article was produced by Cathy McGowin.

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Gearing up for Spring: 10 Gorgeous Home Exteriors

BHG Staff

March 4, 2021

Featured in: Two Renovations, One Stunning Vestavia Hills Home

Looking to make a family-friendly Vestavia Hills neighborhood home, landscape designer Peter Falkner and his family endured two renovations and installed a wow-worthy garden and entertaining area to complete their forever house.

Resources:
Landscape design and installation, outdoor lighting, and grilling terrace: Falkner Gardens, falknergardens.com Designer: Doug Davis, Hannon Douglas, hannondouglas.comBuilder: Franks Building Company, franksbuildingcompany.com Chairs on porch: Summer Classics, 205.358.9200, summerclassics.com

Featured in: Past Made Present

The only changes to the front exterior since 1927 are an extension of the terrace and the addition of two French doors with a big window between to capture city views along with a Parterre garden by landscape designer Peter Falkner. The design team added a canopy to protect the openings from sun and weather.

Resources:
Interiors: Liz Hand Woods, 205.870.8005 Architect: Jason Dunham, Nequette Architecture & Design, nequette.com Builder: Francis Bryant Construction, francisbryant.com Landscape: Falkner Gardens falknergardens.com Kitchen hardware: Brandino Brass, brandinobrass.com Rugs: Foyer, living, study, & dining: Paige Albright Orientals, paigealbrightorientals.com Master bedroom: 18th Street Orientals, 18thstreetorientals.com Stair runner: Hiltz-Lauber, hiltzlauber.com Fixtures: Fixtures & Finishes, 205.323.5616 Firepit: Concrete Farmer, 205.790.1481

Featured in: The Defining Style of Troy Rhone

An iconic cottage on a busy corner in Mountain Brook realizes its fullest potential thanks to owner and garden designer Troy Rhone and architect Bill Ingram.

Resources:
Troy Rhone Garden Design • 205.249.1030 • IG: troyrhone • FB: Troy Rhone

Featured in: Well Positioned

Creatively using a narrow lot to his advantage, architect John Carraway designed a French cottage with a seamless flow between house and garden.

Resources:
Designer: Jeanne Rogers, 205.305.5243. Most fabrics and furnishings available through designer. Architect: John Carraway, Carraway & Associates 205.933.2114 Builder: David Camp, Camp Construction Landscape: Prime Landscape Services: DBA Webb Garden Design, 205.305.6517 Kitchen architect: Sissy Austin, Austin & Company, 205. 637.6048 Interior wall color: Simply White by Benjamin Moore Living Room: White Chinese vases: Circa Interiors & Antiques Sisal rug: Hiltz-Lauber Kitchen: Rug: Paige Albright Orientals Appliances: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery Cabinet hardware: Brandino Brass Island Paint Color: Sealskin by Sherwin-Williams Master Bedroom: Light fixture: Circa Interiors & Antiques Bench: Henhouse Antiques Throw: Three Sheets

Featured in: Inside Out

Create living spaces and fabulous places both inside and out with cozy courtyards inspired by the homes of Alys Beach.

Resources:
Architect: Gary Justiss Architect garyjustiss.com Landscaper: Father Nature Landscapes 205.956.3030 fathernaturelandscapes.com Paint colors: exterior brick paint: Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint “Glacier White” benjaminmoore.com; Exterior arched doors: Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint “Downpour Blue”; Exterior French doors and trim: Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Paint “Black Tar” Concrete pavers: FireRock firerock.us Front courtyard: iron sofas, dining chairs, and sofa cushions: Frontgate frontgate.com; coffee table: Summer Classics summerclassics.com Chandeliers: Pottery Barn potterybarn.com Back courtyard: concrete coffee table: Richard Tubbs Interiors richardtubbsinteriors.compillows: Pottery Barn chairs: Restoration Hardware restorationhardware.com

Featured in: Double Take

A wall of windows was added to the back of the main living space, letting the natural light shine in and offering a great view of the backyard. A screened-in porch was also added off the dining room with retractable steel doors and windows to make the outdoor living space easily accessible.

Resources:
Builder: Twin Construction • 205.802.3920 twincompanies.com Designer: Laurie Fulkerson/Twin Interiors Architects: original property: Joe Ellis, Dwelling Architecture • 205.790.1389 · dwellingarchitecture.com Renovation: Byron Smith, studiosmith Architecture LLC • 205.994.1516 s2archllc.com Landscape design: Falkner Gardens • 205.871.5999 falknergardens.com benjaminmoore.com Twin Interiors Artwork: Christopher House Antiques • 205.581.0202 christopherhouseinc.com Sectional: Restoration Hardware restorationhardware.com Steel windows and doors: Bessemer Glass • 205.428.3218 bessemerglass.com

Featured in: Lake Season

With a relaxed tone attuned to the setting, this vacation home overlooking Lake Martin strikes the perfect balance between casual reassurance and gracious refinement.

Featured in: The Grown-Up House

A bluestone patio surrounds the pool and continues into the covered outdoor living area. The space has a grill and overlooks both the lake and the pool.

Resources:
Architect: James Carter, 205.871.7873 • jamesfcarter.com Interior design: Mark Kennamer of Mark Kennamer Design, 205.413.6976 • markkennamerdesign.com

Featured in: Garden Presence

Working within the framework of a 1920s garden, designer Rob Garrard restored this landscape to its original grandeur while infusing his own fresh style.

Featured in: Raising the Roof

Architect Bill Moore takes a low-slung, one-story house from sad to sensational with some much needed height and plenty of space for entertaining.

Resources:
Architect: Bill Moore, Carlisle Moore Architects, Inc., carlislemoorearchitects.com Interior designer: Emory Ratliff, Emory Ratliff Interiors, 205.807.6586 Builder: Trey Goldstein, Cotton Construction, cottonconstructioninc.com Landscape architect: Doug Travis, Liberty Environmental Contractors, landscapesbyliberty.com Realtor: Bradley Perlis Group, LAH Real Estate, bradleyperlis.com Pool: Shoemaker Pool Service, shoemakerpools.com Security/sound: Andy Evans & Matthew Estes, 205.266.7983

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Featured: Explore this Mountain Brook Tudor Renovation

After 15 years in a Mountain Brook Tudor, the Scott family had a long list of things they wanted in their next house. Instead, that list became goals for a long-time-coming renovation of their beloved home.

Resources:
Interior Design: Aimee Belden, Belden Designs, LLC, 205.613.1341 Architect: Lissy Frese, CCR Architecture & Interiors, ccrarchitecture.com, 205.324.8864 Landscape: Gary Webb, garyawebbhorticulturalist.com, 205.655.7974 Pillows and window treatments: Theodore’s Custom Interiors by Tammy Horstead 205.663.0417 Kitchen hardware: Avondale Specialty Hardware, avondalespecialtyhardware.com Den rugs: Nashville Rug Gallery, nashvilleruggallery.com, 615.484.1719 Powder room soapstone counter/backsplash: Stone Concepts, 205.836.6425

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