Leigh Leak’s Mountain Brook home renovation // Photos by Jean Allsopp
When it comes to renovating a home, Leigh Leak has tackled projects small and large. Here, she shares her best tips for a successful outcome.
Leigh Leak
1. Don’t Get Hung Up on Color
Because we were dealing with a lot of upholstered pieces, rugs, drapery, and art, I opted to simplify things with neutral walls. I wound up painting the entire main level the same color with the exception of the study and dining room ceiling.
2. Never Leave Home Without Your Number
Always have your measurements for pieces on your list with you. You never know when you’re going to find that perfect scatter rug, sconce, or bench.
3. Find a Focus
Whether you’re starting from scratch or in the middle of a project and feeling overwhelmed, find one piece you love to draw inspiration from and build on it.
4. Take Your Time
Some pieces were easy to place because we planned the layout around certain ones, but others took a little more time. There were chests, club chairs, and artwork that went upstairs, downstairs, and back upstairs many times before they settled in their final spots.
Atlanta may be known as a shiny beacon of skyscrapers and modern living, but thanks to a few hidden gems such as the newly reopened Hotel Granada in Midtown, visitors can take a step back in time. The more-than-100-year-old property remains true to the building’s original Spanish Colonial architecture and preserves all the good parts—stucco walls, a red-tiled roof, and the outdoor courtyard where striped rattan sofas, bistro tables, and lounge chairs enjoy the shade of umbrellas and old-growth crepe myrtles. The courtyard also includes a refurbished fountain—perfect for drowning out city noise.
Inside, guests are welcomed with an inviting palette of fresh yet period-appropriate greens, blues, and terra-cotta hues while bespoke wooden furniture adds a Southern touch. Atlanta-centric charms come through in curated artwork from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), pottery from artist Katie Troisi, and custom wallpapered corridors depicting classic landmarks and symbols such as the Fox Theatre marquee and the 1996 Olympic torch. Guest rooms and suites embrace the quirky layouts in the former apartment building, making each one unique. Elevated amenities include plush bedding and velvet-adorned seating, cozy bathrobes and slippers, Grown Alchemist bath products, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a bar stocked with curated beverages and snacks.
To fully experience the hotel’s vintage spirit, don’t miss the chef’s offerings of traditional Southern and Spanish cuisine at Pom Court, an all-day restaurant. For breakfast, try the Tortilla Espanola omelet. For lunch, order sharable portions of Deviled Eggs & Chicken Chicharron, Garlic Prawns and Cheddar Grit Fries, or Pimento Cheese and Patatas Bravas with romesco salsa and saffron aioli. There are also handheld options like a trio of empanadas tucked with beef short rib, confit chicken, and vegetables. Lighter fare includes Green Gazpacho featuring the region’s signature green tomatoes and the Pom Court Salad with Manchego, pomegranate, and Marcona almonds.
Late night, make your way to May Peel, the speakeasy-style cocktail lounge named in honor of Titanic survivor Lily May (Peel) Futrelle who once lived in the original apartments. The lounge is tucked beneath the hotel, featuring a refined menu of late-night bites and sultry cocktails showcasing local liquor brands, seasonal flavors, and twists on classic beverages. Be sure to try the Tecktonic (pictured below), a concoction of gin, white port, and cucumber or frozen favorites like the aptly named Pom Pom, a blend of tequila, watermelon, pomegranate, white tea, and fresh mint.
Tecktonic
YIELDS 1 DRINK
1.5 ounces Tulsi Gin 1 ounce White Port Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic Cucumber ribbons Mint bouquet 2 lemon wheels
Choose your favorite cocktail glass. Add ice. Add Tulsi Gin, White Port, and tonic. Stir gently to mix. Garnish with mint bouquet and lemon.
Hotel Granada Midtown• 1302 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA. 404-737-3030. granadaatlanta.com
A custom organizational system is designed to bring order to your space and peace to your routine. From disorganized closets and messy home offices to chaotic pantries and overstuffed garages, the mess and inefficiency of your home can feel very overwhelming. That is where Closet Factory can step in and help. A customized organizational system is what can bring peace to your daily life.
Here are five ways a custom organizational system can help you reduce chaos and improve your life.
1. Maximize Your Space
One of the biggest challenges in any home is the feeling that there is not enough room. A custom organizational system uses every inch of your space efficiently whether in your bedroom closet, home office, pantry, laundry room or garage. It reduces clutter and frees up space in your home. Other storage solutions often waste valuable space, leading to piles of items on the floor and overcrowded shelves. Custom organizational systems make the most of every inch, from the floor to the ceiling. With everything neatly tucked away, your home instantly feels more spacious and functional.
2. Create a Place for Everything
When every item in your home has a designated spot whether it’s your clothes, accessories or other items you will spend less time searching for things and have more time to enjoy the space. One of the biggest causes of household mess is not knowing where to place all your things. A custom system ensures that everything has a specific home. This not only makes cleanup faster but also prevents items from getting lost. With a place for everything, everyday chaos becomes a smooth manageable flow.
3. Reduce Stress
A clean, organized space promotes a sense of calm and control which helps reduce daily stress. Clutter doesn’t just look messy it can negatively affect your mood, energy, and mental clarity. Studies have shown that disorganization can increase stress and anxiety. An organizational system is just the thing to help you find the “calm” in your life. Starting each day by walking into a well-organized space can have a powerful impact on how you function the remainder of the day. Turning your home into a calm, clutter free sanctuary is the way to finding peace within yourself and your family.
4. Improve Efficiency and Save Time
Whether it is a home office, laundry room or mudroom an organized space helps you stay focused and get things done faster. A well-organized space doesn’t just look good it helps you accomplish more. Whether you are working from home, managing a busy schedule or trying to get out the door quicker in the morning, organization makes a difference. Custom organization systems are designed around your lifestyle and habits, helping you move through your day with greater ease and efficiency. Need a place for the backpacks and mail? Done. Want a built-in file drawer for important papers? You got it. Need a place to store your seasonal clothing? Absolutely. A more efficient setup means less time managing your home and more time enjoying it.
5. Personalize to your Needs
One size does not fit all when it comes to designing the right space for you. Custom organizational systems are built around you. During the consultation, Closet Factory takes the time to understand your specific needs and preferences. Every element is thoughtfully designed to support the way you live. That personal touch ensures your custom unit will not only look beautiful but also function exactly how you need it to.
A custom organizational system brings order to your space and peace to your routine. By tailoring each area of your home to your specific needs, it eliminates clutter and makes it easier to find what you need, exactly when you need it. Investing in a Closet Factory system is more than just improving your home it’s an investment in your peace of mind. It goes beyond shelves and drawers. It is about creating a calm, purposeful spaces that supports your lifestyle and reduce everyday stress. It gives you back time in your day so you can fully enjoy the tranquility that life has to offer.
The home incorporates a central Colonial construction and small addition on the left, all part of the 1935 original, as well as the Leaks’ own additions—a covered porch that wraps around to the back, a front terrace, and a great room. Exterior paint color: Seapearl, Benjamin Moore; Front door color: Black Beauty, Benjamin Moore. Photos by Jean Allsopp, Styling by Leigh Leak
BEFORE
If practice makes perfect, then Leigh Leak is well on her way to perfecting the art of home renovation. Along with her husband Joe, she has embarked on six home makeovers in the Birmingham area, enjoying each for a time before moving on the next project. “Moving six times in one city sounds a little excessive,” Leigh says. “But clearly we love a project.”
Renovations have spanned from small cosmetic updates to a pretty significant renovation in the home where Leigh and Joe raised their two daughters. “We were on the most special hidden lot you could imagine, and I was totally rooted,” Leigh says. “But when our youngest daughter was about to go off to college, Joe thought it was time for a change.”
Fast-forward a few years and the Leaks move again to another house in need of some attention. However, after they met with a couple of architects, Leigh told Joe that her heart just wasn’t in it. “We both really missed where our old house was,” she says. “So we starting hunting again. This time we found what I hoped would be our last project—a lovely old Colonial on a gentle hill in our favorite parts of Mountain Brook.”
LEFT: The home’s original front entry hall is classically Colonial and furnished with Leigh’s signature mix of old and new. “The wall hanging on the right stair wall is a relief that was in my parents’ home,” Leigh says. The pair of shield-back chairs and the Beacon Hill console also came from her childhood home. “My mom just had an obsession with old pieces, so our house was always full of treasures,” she says. “I think that’s why I have always loved antiques.”
RIGHT: An antique yellow Asian cabinet from Beacon Hill shines in the new back entry. The round window was added during the renovation. Rug: 18th Street Orientals. The formal living room has a sense of epic cool with a black-and-white photo of Tina Turner holding court over the fireplace, while a portrait of one of the Leaks’ daughters as a child reigns over the sofa.
When the couple walked inside for the first time, they were enthralled. “I loved it immediately,” Leigh says. “It had the best energy. But it also needed a pretty extensive renovation. This would become our biggest undertaking by far. At times, we felt like we were building a house from scratch.”
Built in 1935, the traditional Colonial offered time-honored spaces such as an entry stair hall with formal living and dining rooms on either side and bedroom suites upstairs. “It was a traditional upstairs/downstairs house with small rooms, a tiny kitchen, and poor traffic flow for entertaining,” Leigh says. “We didn’t want to deviate from the classical design, but we did want to enhance the home’s livability both inside and out.”
A triple pedestal mahogany table anchors the formal dining room. Above it, a vintage Baccarat chandelier sparkles against a soft blue ceiling. “We added the dental molding to match what already existed in the living room,” Leigh says. A pair of antique Baker demilune cabinets hold marble busts—all from her parents’ home. “I’ve had those for 20 years and I have fun decorating them for the holidays,” she says of the busts. Walls and trim are painted Soft Chamois by Benjamin Moore. Ceiling is Harbor Fog (pearl finish) by Benjamin Moore.
On her list: Update details from a 1980s remodel, create a new traffic pattern that would better unify the spaces in the original home, add a great room with kitchen and living space, and renovate the primary bath and closets. On the main level, Leigh felt the original rooms “needed to be opened up with longer windows and more exterior doors to outdoor spaces.”
To help her vision come to fruition, Leigh and Joe turned to architect Pete Pritchard, who also is a friend and neighbor. “Renovations are exciting as you explore the possibilities, but we knew this one was going to have some twists and turns,” Leigh says. “Sometimes it’s easier to work with someone you don’t have a personal relationship with, and the last thing I wanted to do was ruin a friendship. But we decided to ask Pete, and it wound up being so much more enjoyable having a friend as our architect.” Pete agrees. “Leigh knew what she wanted and didn’t want,” he says. “That created a good tension where we were always challenging and questioning each other in a healthy way.”
Leigh’s office is not only stylish thanks to her collection of blue-and-white Chinoiserie, it’s also efficient. “It’s the space for coats, cleaning supplies, an extra fridge, flower arranging, wrapping, and more!” she says.
Working in tandem, Leigh and Pete took six months to refine and finalize the plans. “There were doors on almost every opening in the house, and we really wanted it to feel more open and inviting,” Leigh says. “The main level was taken down to the studs, and we removed every door and replaced them with archways.” The arches line up through the original part of the house and into the new great room. “It’s definitely one of my favorite changes” says Leigh. “I love that I can see several rooms from one vantage point. However, it was both a blessing and a curse when we began selecting rugs and furnishings. We had to think about the fact that when you stand in the study, you can see everything.”
BEFORE + AFTER: The new kitchen, open via an archway to the casual den, offers natural light and plenty of storage. Cabinets and the reeded white oak island are topped in Alabama white marble. Walls and cabinets are painted Soft Chamois by Benjamin Moore. The accent wall in the adjacent living room is Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore.
In the back of the house, Leigh and Pete created a similar look. Reconfiguring a series of rooms (including the original kitchen location), they used more arches to connect center spaces via an open, gallery-like hallway that leads from the new kitchen to the formal living room. The former narrow hallway that housed a washer and dryer was transformed into a proper back entry that allows room for a home office adjacent to the kitchen.
For interiors advice, Leigh shared her vision with fellow designer friends Mary Ruth Caldwell, Beth McMillan, and Joe Lauber. “I’ve heard designers say that the hardest design they ever do is for themselves, and it must be true,” Leigh says. “I felt confident with most everything, but there were some moments that I needed honest feedback.”
The guesthouse entrance was updated with a custom door (Jamestown Blue, Benjamin Moore) and awning (Cain Awning) a new roof and exterior paint. Shug, the family’s dog enjoys the grassy lawn while awaiting playtime.The Leaks removed the catwalk and worked with Donaldson Landscape to design the front and backyard. “Joe and I both grew up with parents who loved gardening and yardwork, so it was important to us to create a framework that we could add layers to make it interesting,” Leigh says.
After the two-year renovation, Leigh says her home is just what she’d envisioned—complete with furnishings she and Joe have collected over the years, as well as antique pieces from her parents’ home.
With the project behind her, Leigh has turned her focus back to styling interiors for clients, consulting on home designs, and running her antiques business, La Chasse located in a booth at The Nest in Homewood. “Now that we are truly settled, I have time to help other people realize potential in their own homes,” Leigh says.
Resources:
Interior design: Leigh Leak Architect: Pete Pritchard Builder: McGuire Construction Landscape design: Donaldson Landscape Rugs: Hiltz-Lauber, 18th Street Orientals Fabrics: MET Fabrics, King Cotton Plumbing: Ferguson Kitchen & Bath
The freestanding pavilion was built into a hillside and serves a practical purpose with lawn maintenance equipment storage in the lower portion while striking an elegant note on the upper level. Photos by Jean Allsopp
The point of everything we do is to make it look like it has always been there,” says the homeowner when describing her property in Mountain Brook. That mindset took root in 1996 when the house was purchased and restored to its original 1931 elegance. “It had been tinkered with by previous owners and included a mid-century modern addition, which made no sense,” the owner says. “Architect James Carter designed a limestone replacement that reflects the original architecture.”
That same thinking extended to the landscape beyond—an unsightly swimming pool was sent packing while a green lawn and cast-iron fountain were put in its place. And after a visit to the historic Fioli estate in California, the owner was inspired to bring some Italian flair back to Birmingham, working with garden designer Mary Zahl in the planning.
LEFT: The front porch greets guests with abundant pots of boxwoods that serve as an introduction to the surrounding gardens. The façade, covered in Boston ivy, speaks to the home’s English character. RIGHT: Sited between the pavilion and one end of the house, an antique cast-iron fountain encircled by a limestone base creates a graceful symmetry.
“What I think makes a garden Italianate is an emphasis on stone, water, and greenery with mostly white blooming plants and seasonal color limited to containers,” the owner says. Landscape architect Norman Kent Johnson, who also collaborated on the grounds, adds, “This was an opportunity to introduce a variety of plant materials, including looser, more naturalistic ones.”
In the expansive landscape, each garden space unfolds to the next, offering both private and conversational moments. “We’ve hosted an engagement party, a wedding, and sunset cocktails in the garden, but it’s also a very serene and reflective space,” says the owner.
LEFT: Statues serve as engaging punctuation marks throughout the property. According to an English antiques dealer, this cast-iron piece was an entry prototype to try and secure the commission for the Statue of Liberty.Architect James Carter designed the pavilion to match the original house with its stacked limestone and arched detailing. It’s an ideal place to have dusk-time cocktails while watching the changing light in the garden.
Not only does she supervise every aspect the landscape, the homeowner also changes up the plantings every season—potted citrus trees come out in the summer replaced by winter annuals in the fall. She also chooses plants to surround the pavilion for seasonal scents. “We have gardenias in late spring and summer, and my very favorite plant in the whole world, Edgeworthia chrysantha (paper bush), blooms in the winter and smells better than honeysuckle.”
While the garden has classical roots, its journey is never static. Construction of the greeenhouse began during Covid. More recently, a sphere has been added in one area. And Norman has encouraged a wider selection of native plants for the woodland.
The greenhouse from British firm Hartley Botanic sits on a stone base designed by James Carter to reference the main house and the pavilion. It’s sited against a mixed native hardwood forest. The interiors of the greenhouse evoke a treehouse atmosphere surrounded by woodlands which are a part of the 3-acre property. Light fixtures retrieved during a 1950s renovation of the Birmingham Country Club were refurbished and feature the original hanging wire baskets filled with seasonal plants.
Meanwhile, the owner has propagated a virtual forest of aesculus glabra (buckeyes) and asimina triloba (pawpaws). She also has introduced more camelia varieties. “What’s most important is not what mix of plants are in the garden, but rather the spirit it emits,” says Norman. “This one reads genuine and comfortable. It’s a gardener’s garden that is pleased in merely being itself.”
The Garden Conservancy
This garden was one of four featured in Open Days, a tour sponsored by the Garden Conservancy in May 2024. Founded in 1989, the Conservancy is dedicated to preserving and sharing historic gardens throughout the United States. For more information on the Garden Conservancy and for dates of upcoming Open Days across the country, visit gardenconservancy.org.
For anyone who has wished for a midlife career change, look no further than interior designer Caroline Gidiere for inspiration. Even through her long stint as an attorney, design was never far from her mind as she cultivated her aesthetic in her own interiors working alongside architect James Carter. As her interest and knowledge grew through personal experience; studies in architecture, art, and literature in Paris; and European travels, she turned in her corporate job for the one she truly wanted—designing homes that reflect a modern take on traditional interiors.
Caroline’s deft eye for combining new and antique furniture with backdrops of joyful color and pattern allows her to create spaces that are at once new and classic. Think florals, botanical prints, rush baskets, tailored stripes, well-stocked bars, and books—all put together with the intent of creating gracious, comfortable rooms that are meant to be enjoyed.
In her debut book, the designer shows many spaces in her own home as well as in clients’ projects. She also shares her talents as a hostess, giving ideas on how to live and entertain in her inviting rooms.
Upcoming Book Signings with Caroline Gidiere
Interiors for a Life in Good Taste will be available for purchase at the Alabama Booksmith in Homewood. Caroline will be participating in a book signing there on May 21st at 4 p.m. Additionally, she will be participating in a book conversation and signing at Ballard Designs in Birmingham on June 26th from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. carolinegidiere.com
Our book giveaway has closed. Thanks for participating!
The original Crestline cottage was classic but had less than 1,000 square feet. Architect Eric Dale designed side and back additions and added a second story, all while keeping the same overall feel of the façade freshened up with white paint. The front porch lacked an inviting tone, so wood railings replaced iron. Proper columns offer definition, and a new front door and sidelights open up the home to natural light. Copper sconces from Visual Comfort and hardware from Brandino Brass add distinction, as does the new landscaping. Photos by Jean Allsopp, Floral styling by Brooke McAfee with Lilt Florals
BEFORE
It was really important to us to preserve the integrity of the original house,” says owner Theresa Hickman. “I grew up in Crestline, and a teardown just didn’t feel right to us.” So Theresa and husband Ralfe decided to grow the 971-square-foot shingled cottage into a spacious family home without sacrificing any of its original appeal, thanks to clever additions by architect Eric Dale. “The same family had owned the house since it was built in 1947, and it was in excellent condition” says Ralfe. “Eric really understood how we wanted it to live for our needs.”
As the Hickmans were still living in Tuscaloosa with a baby was on the way, they needed everything to run as smoothly as possible. They brought in Houston-based interior designer Cameron James, a friend of the family, at the beginning to collaborate with Eric on finalizing the plans. “I spent a lot of time exploring the neighborhood to understand its character,” says Cameron. “I wanted to keep the house in line with classic Crestline, but I also wanted it to stand out on its own. While it’s now larger of course, it still has warmth and charm.”
LEFT: The designers found a better use for the blocky front porch by reclaiming some of the space to create a foyer where the Hickmans’ heirloom marble-topped chest fit perfectly in a niche. Cameron composed a tableau which includes New Orleans-based Alexis Walter artwork creatively framed by Village Framers and paired with a Louis XVI antique mirror.
“We didn’t want anything too loud or fussy; just homey and fresh—a house to live and grow in for years to come.” —Theresa Hickman
Cameron took palette cues from Theresa’s favorite tableware, Herend’s ‘Chinese Bouquet’ in the blue colorway, and paired it with greens and creamy neutrals. She also found homes for the Hickmans’ collection of inherited antiques, sometimes reworking them to feel updated. For example, a set of wingback chairs from Ralfe’s grandmother looks totally different upholstered in Mark Sikes for Schumacher’s ‘Brentwood Stripe,’ while a settee was perked up with a glazed linen paired with pillows in Lee Jofa’s ‘Althea Linen’—a traditional floral with notes of citron green. A cherished heirloom bed from Theresa’s grandmother and namesake received a makeover as well. “It looks pretty in a soft white, especially when upholstered in Colefax and Fowler’s classic ‘Bowood,’ a perennial favorite,” says Cameron.
BEFORE: The original hardwood floors were in great shape, but the bookcase was oddly configured and the windows were small.The well-appointed family room includes performance fabrics on the neutral sofas and blue chairs perked up with pillows in Jasper‘s ‘Malmaison’ green floral fabric and Heather Chadduck’s ‘Ginger’ linen in Fig. Designer Cameron James added a glass top to the Serena & Lily grasscloth coffee table.Primary bedroom walls are painted pale blue, a color pulled from the Colefax & Fowler fabric on the headboard. Linens are Matouk. Phillips Scott nightstands offer a modern element with the vintage bed.
The designer also introduced additional color and pattern through contemporary art and wallpaper. “The powder bath is one of my favorite little spots in the house” she says. “The burst of green in the wallpaper contrasts with the black-and-white abstract art. It’s a fun surprise.”
BEFORE: Although partially updated, the kitchen was not configured for an open floor plan and was on the small size for the Hickmans’ needs.
AFTER: The old kitchen, folded into the back addition, is now flooded with light. and includes a working/sitting kitchen island accented with ‘Parisian’ woven counter stools from Pottery Barn, Rejuvenation globe pendants, and blue-and-white plates by Paloma & Co. LEFT: The addition on the side on the house created space for a convenient and stylish bar. “I wanted to create a ‘moment,’ so we painted it Farrow & Ball’s ‘Lichen’ green to make it stand out,” says Cameron. “Then we brought in a mix of accessories such as the Pooky cordless lamp with a custom shade, a small starburst mirror, and art from Nashville-based Kayce Hughes.”
RIGHT: The powder room exudes freshness with Schumacher’s ‘Hydrangea Drape’ wallpaper and an abstract by Brooklyn, New York, artist Ilana Greenberg.
While creating prettiness at every turn, Cameron was tuned in to the need for practicality and performance. She chose fabrics and rugs in a flat weave that won’t pull or fray easily. “I try to give my clients a sense of relief that if something happens, it’s not going to be the end of the world,” says the designer. “I want spaces to look fresh, but most importantly, I want them to feel lived in and loved.”
The Hickmans wanted an open floorplan, so they gave up a formal dining room. However, Cameron made sure the area was still special with a plaster chandelier with custom blue shades and a round table with an Amanda Lindroth tablecloth.The nursery employs pieces that can easily transition as the Hickmans’ son grows—or the space can be amended in the event of a future daughter.The screened-in porch was part of the addition and expands the living space of the home. Shingled walls mimic the exterior of the house, creating a connection to the original. Furniture is AERIN for Williams-Sonoma Home; pillows are Serena and Lily.
Meet Cameron James
A native of Houston, Texas, Cameron was exposed to design at a young age—her grandfather was a noted architect, and his wife was a real estate agent. “I would walk through houses with them, and I really developed an appreciation for design,” she says. “I also loved to paint. If there was DIY project in sight, I was on it!”
Cameron studied architecture and interior design at Texas Christian University and then honed her craft with prominent names in the industry—first for Paloma Contreras and then with Sarah Cameron James Interiors. “I learned a lot from Paloma and Sarah about handling remote projects, so I work with clients all over the country. I met Theresa through her younger sister who was my roommate in college.”
Cameron is drawn to classic design but likes to shake things up a bit. “I really focus on pattern play and balancing the scale of prints,” she says. “I also pay great attention to textures that bring richness to a space. Above all, I want any home to reflect my client’s personality and lifestyle.”
Do you have a shady spot in the yard that you’re not quite sure what to do with? Enliven your garden with these shade-loving perennials that have beautiful blooms and fun foliage. Adding some color to low-light areas is a great way to brighten up your space. Here are some of our favorite blooming shade perennials that we use at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Astilbe
Sometimes referred to as false goat’s beard or false spirea, astilbe is a clump-forming perennial that thrives in the shade and can tolerate wet sites. In spring, fern-like leaves emerge dark green with hints of bronze. In summer, feathery plumes extend above the foliage in varying hues of red, pink, purple, or white. Leave the spent plumes for winter interest. Astilbe is deer and rabbit resistant, and the flowers are perfect for floral or dried arrangements.
Hellebores
Hellebores
Popularly called Lenten roses, hellebores (Helleborus spp.) thrive in the shade but can handle some sun. This clumping, evergreen perennial begins blooming in winter and welcomes us into spring. Lenten roses have cup-shaped, downward-facing flowers that come in a wide array of colors and petal count. Hellebores will naturally multiply over time through self-seeding and root division, so they can slowly spread into a ground cover.
Heuchera
Heuchera
Commonly known as coral bells, heuchera is typically chosen for its colorful, unique foliage. It produces tiny, bell-shaped flowers that are coral/pink in color and attract bees and butterflies. Heuchera has a low, mounding growth habit, so it does well as a ground cover or in containers. There are countless varieties of coral bells, all with different leaf color, size, and shape. One of our favorite varieties to use is called ‘Alabama Sunrise,’ which has chartreuse leaves with bright red veins.
Tricyrtis
Tricyrtis
Tricyrtis (Tricyrtis spp.) is a fall-blooming perennial with small, orchid-like flowers. Also called toad lily, the exotic-looking plant is aptly named for its warty, sac-like bumps resembling a toad’s skin at the base of its spotted flowers. Due to the small, detailed nature of its blooms, toad lilies are best appreciated along borders or paths where they can be observed up close. Here at the Gardens, we especially love Hairy Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta) for the added uniqueness in foliage texture.
Trillium
Trillium
A genus of herbaceous perennials that thrive in woodland sites, there are around 18 species of trillium native to Alabama. These wildflowers begin to pop up throughout the forest floor in early spring. Trilliums do not produce true leaves or stems, as the above-ground growth is a flowering scape. What we view as “leaves” are actually inflorescence bracts below the flower. They are green or mottled in whorls of three, and the blooms are solitary with three petals and three bracts. Petal colors differ by species and can be white, yellow, or hues of reds and pinks. Trilliums can multiply via underground rhizomes or by seed. However, it can take five or more years for a trillium to mature and bloom from a seed.
Michael O’Kelley’s waterfront home // Photos by Jean Allsopp
Architect Michael O’Kelley’s Lake House Must-Haves
Michael O’Kelley, his wife Leslie, and their 7-year-old goldendoodle Mack
FANS Ceiling fans are a must, especially on the porches. I also suggest hanging fans inside the house for when the weather is nice enough to leave the windows open.
EXTERIORS I prefer using natural materials on the exterior of a home wherever possible, as they provide authenticity and timelessness that cannot be replicated with synthetic or manufactured materials.
INTERIORS Install durable flooring wherever possible. We utilized character-grade white oak floors with a flat, water-based urethane throughout most of the spaces. The bathrooms have natural stone flooring.
FLOOR PLAN With a lakefront property, tailoring a house to the site might require bending the floor plan to follow the shoreline or creating a design that is one-room-deep so that all spaces have views of the water. Also keep in mind that the house has two fronts since people will be visiting from the water side as well as from the street.
Versatile and easy on the eyes, it’s no surprise blue color schemes are a designer favorite. Light shades evoke peace and calm, perfect for a bedroom or bathroom. Medium tones can be bold and punchy, adding drama and interest to small spaces. And dark shades lend an air of sophistication and elegance. Here are some of our favorite ways local designers have crafted rooms based on the hue.
Designer Melissa Salem’s colorful art collection pairs perfectly with the den’s bright, bold walls painted Benjamin Moore Bella Blue.
Location: Homewood, AL Designer: Melissa Salem Photo: Jean Allsopp Featured in: How to Create a Meaningful Art CollectionDesigner Ashley Gilbreath set the mood in this Orange Beach condo with a bold, graphic wallpaper by Jim Thompson. The coastal vibe continues with solid and printed textiles in various shades of blue.
Location: Orange Beach, AL Designer: Ashley Gilbreath Photo: Laurey Glenn Featured in:Rivaling the ViewAfter her clients selected a fun patterned wallpaper for their dining room ceiling, designer Danielle Robin settled on a coordinating celestial blue color scheme for the walls and trim (Faded Flaxflower by Sherwin-Williams). The drapes have a small stripe of chartreuse, a secondary color found in the wallpaper.
Location: Homewood, AL Designer: Danielle Robin, Twin Interiors Photo: Emily Brooke Lawrence Featured in:Blue Note
In this laundry room, designer Kelly Neely continued the blue theme used in the rest of the home, but she chose to go a bit bolder in the small space. ‘Hauge Blue’ by Farrow & Ball makes a serious statement on the flat-panel cabinets, which are topped with easy-to-clean white quartz countertops. Hand-painted walls perfectly imitate the look of wallpaper and bring another shade of blue into the space.
Designer: Kelly Neely Photo: Mary Margaret Smith Styling: Kathleen Varner Featured in: A Classic, Clean and Colorful Kitchen by Kelly NeelyDesigner Jan Ware converted this home’s designated dining room into a sitting room because of its proximity to the wine cellar. Now the owners use this space for entertaining. She added drama and depth with wainscoting and a custom blue color on the walls that matches the Hermès fabric on the bolster and dining chairs.
Location: Buckhead, GA Designer: Jan Ware Photo: Jean Allsopp Featured in: Designer Jan Ware Adds Bold Style to a New BuildBlue has always been designer Katie Morrow’s favorite color. So when it came time to renovate her kitchen, it was her design jumping-off point. This deep navy (Benjamin Moore Hale Navy OC-154) has a touch of gray in it and pairs well with the family’s blue-and-white dishes.
Architect: Taylor Plosser Davis Designer: Katie Morrows Photo: Jean Allsopp Featured in:Blue NoteTo mimic the reflection of the sky and pool, Kate painted the ceiling of this pool house a high-gloss blue. Cole & Sons wallpaper and a custom headboard continue the calming cerulean scheme.
Location: Mountain Brook, AL Designer: Kate Hartman Photo: Jean Allsopp Featured in:Pool House Panache
The cabinets, walls, trim, and ceiling in this butler’s pantry are all painted a bold, custom blue. For added drama, designer Kelly Butler used a high-gloss paint. “A small space like this is a great spot to be bold because you’re in and out of the space so quickly,” says Kelly. An antiqued mirror backsplash adds even more shine.
Location: Huntsville, AL Designer: Kelly Butler Photo: Jean Allsopp Featured in:Making it Personal with Kelly ButlerFor the walls of this music room, designer Dana Wolter chose to keep the room’s original paneling and update it with a darker, custom gray wash. The surrounding cabinetry and a new bar area are painted a dark, custom blue that complements the moody scene. A Phillip Jeffries snakeskin print on the ceiling adds depth.
Location: Birmingham, AL Designer: Dana Wolter Photo: Jean Allsopp Featured in:Interiors Elevated“It all started with the wallpaper. My clients loved this one (Meg Braff’s Bamboo Garden in Aqua). It’s colorful, but airy enough to be really livable,” says designer Zoë Gowen, who paired the paper with some funky, 70s dining chairs painted white. She rounded out the rest of the room with simple classics from favorite local sources like a custom walnut-and-white steel dining table from Manufacture Good and the colorful flatweave from Paige Albright Orientals.
