Traditions bring families and communities closer together. They give us something to look forward to, to reminisce about, and to enjoy in the moment. The Independent Presbyterian Church Holiday House Tour is one of Birmingham’s longest standing holiday traditions—one that has been passed down among volunteers and church members and enjoyed by the community for decades. This year, friends and neighbors will once again open their doors to Birmingham to mark the tour’s 72nd year. Whether this has become an annual tradition for you or this will be your first time to attend, it’s a tradition worth starting—and keeping.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11. JOIN THE CHURCH FOR AN IN-PERSON HOLIDAY TEA AND VIEWING OF THE VIRTUAL HOMES TOUR. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT IPC COMMUNITY MINISTRIES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Photos by Jean Allsopp. Styling by Christina Brockman
Frank and Tony are crooning classic Christmas songs; cheesecake is baking in the oven, filling the house with an irresistible aroma; miniature pumpkin breads and spiced tea mixes are being packaged and beribboned for gift giving while childhood ornaments are lifted from tissue paper to decorate the tree—all these are treasured parts of the holiday season for Jennifer Hunt, her husband Buddy, and their two school-aged boys. For Jennifer, it’s all about keeping the family traditions of her small hometown thriving in the big city. “I grew up in Russellville, Alabama, and was raised with generational recipes, heirlooms, frequent entertaining, and a true sense of community,” she says. In their Briarwood neighborhood of 35 houses, which ends in a cul-de-sac, the Hunts have a taste of small-town life every day with its close-knit and supportive spirit. During the holidays, neighbors put treats in mailboxes, and an annual Christmas party rotates among families. “This neighborhood is a hidden gem in Mountain Brook,” says Jennifer. “Some people don’t even know it exists!”
The formal dining room includes a Christmas tree, as well as a mix of handed-down furniture and finds. In her décor, Jennifer prefers structure with white walls, clean lines, her favorite hues (green and blue), and lots of books. “I am book-obsessed,” she says. “They bring visual interest and pops of color to a room. Jennifer’s tablescape consists of Haute Home scalloped place mats, her grandmother’s china and etched crystal stemware, vintage gold flatware, napkins given to Jennifer’s parents as a wedding gift, and custom place cards and menus from Dogwood Hill (with art by Lucy Young). A low, lush floral arrangement bursts with seasonal greenery, paperwhites, pears, and a mix of flowers.
When it comes to her personal holiday decorating and entertaining style, she leans towards the classics with red, green, and gold accents and lots of fresh greenery and family treasures. “I love blue and white in my everyday décor, but I still want those traditional colors at Christmas,” says Jennifer. And she has a tried-and-true approach for recipes and tabletop ideas. “I’m obsessed with china. While other girls were dreaming about their wedding dress or cake, I was focused on selecting my fine china.”
Jennifer often creates flower arrangements from cuttings in the garden mixed with blooms from Trader Joe’s. For special events and parties, she calls on Christina Brockman, who dressed the space with abundant greenery on the chandelier and window, as well as in the kitchen island arrangement. The breakfast area holds a petite tabletop Christmas tree trimmed with preserved oranges, mini red bows, and candy canes. On a red ticking tablecloth made from fabric found at King Cotton, Jennifer paired gold chargers, bamboo flatware, green napkins, and red Lenox dinner plates, along with a custom salad plate. She added candleholders from Mary and Wilma and custom paper goods by Dogwood Hill featuring art by Sarah Robins Powell.
Jennifer settled on the classic and versatile Lenox Solitaire because it can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. She also enjoys using her grandmother’s china with its green botanical detailing and gold rims (Arcadia Green by Franciscan) for more formal holiday gatherings. For everyday meals, Jennifer mixes in festive gold and red pieces. including custom salad plates with a boxwood in the center, designed for Anthropologie by Inslee Fariss. Inslee also happens to be one of the artists who works with Jennifer’s company, Dogwood Hill, a semi-custom stationery and wedding papers firm she started in 2015.
LEFT: The Hunt family: Davis (age 10), Buddy, William (age 7), and Jennifer.
On Christmas Eve, Jennifer turns to her repertoire of true crowd-pleasers, such as cranberry balsamic pork tenderloin, brown sugar bacon and green beans, mashed golden potatoes, Ashley Mac’s Baby Bleu Salad, and her grandmother’s beloved cheesecake, of course. From the recipes and the china to the gifts for neighbors and the holiday décor and parties, Jennifer’s Christmas traditions are sure to be handed down and cherished for generations to come.
“Entertaining can be a breeze if you are well-stocked. I keep a closet at the ready with pressed tablecloths, place mats, napkins, silver, and gold and stainless flatware. That way, even impromptu gatherings don’t cause stress.”
Jennifer Hunt
The tree is decorated with childhood ornaments and ones from the family’s travels. Gift wrap from Dogwood Hill covers packages underneath. Nutcrackers and Santas from Jennifer’s mother stand sentry on the coffee table and side tables.
Many inspired ideas spring from a discovered void in the marketplace, and the same applies to Jennifer’s creation of Dogwood Hill, a semi-custom stationery and wedding papers firm she founded in 2015. One year, Jennifer waited a tad too long to order the custom Christmas cards she was envisioning, so she tried to search for alternatives. Everything was either cookie cutter or had too long of a lead time. For the CPA and art dealer, a light bulb flashed, and she came up with Dogwood Hill. With a collective of 30-plus artists and an in-house design team that creates unique products to reflect many distinctive styles, the company offers something for everyone and every season of life. Plus, the delivery time of 10 days or less and the reasonable prices resonate with customers.
Jennifer’s entrepreneurial spirit comes from her father, who helmed an insurance business in Russellville, Alabama. Later, she worked as vice-president of financial reporting in the corporate office of Zoë’s Kitchen during the earlier days of its growth. “It was like an MBA mini crash course!” says Jennifer. This type of experience, along with working for Arthur Andersen LLP and later owning her own art gallery, gave Jennifer the confidence to go for it. “I get to use both sides of my brain, exploring my creativity while understanding the details of running a business,” she says.
Before each holiday season, Dogwood Hill partners with tastemakers around the country to collaborate on seasonal collections with one of their 30-plus artists. It’s not just about big names and the number of Instagram followers, although the company has partnered with well-known interior designers such as Meg Braff, Mark Sikes, Amanda Lindroth, and James Farmer. The choices involve more intangible qualities. “Like-mindedness is key,” says Jennifer. “We want to work with people who inspire us, are in harmony with our brand, and are nice!” Going forward, Dogwood Hill is looking into licensing opportunities while also branching out into select branded partnerships, such as one with the Birmingham-based company Bauble Stockings.
Each year, Dogwood Hill chooses tastemakers who team up with their artists to create seasonal paper goods.
1. (Top) Washington, D.C.-area blogger and creative behind @tallwoodcountryhouse, Jenny Bohannon, looked to her farm animals when designing her goose-themed papers with artist Shanna Masters.
2. (Middle Left) Charleston influencer Megan Stokes cued the traditional juniper branches when working with artist Holly Hollon.
3. (Middle Right & Bottom Left) Connecticut-based portrait and fashion photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank’s holiday Santa and golden retriever-led sleigh were rendered by artist Willa Heart.
4. (Bottom Right) Minnesota-based interior designer Bria Hammel partnered with artist Sally King McBride to create the wreaths, magnolias, and delicate blue floral prints.
For Dogwood Hill’s full line of offerings, and to see more from this year’s tastemakers, visit dogwood-hill.com
“Our next launch will be fabrics sold by the yard and ready-made tabletop pieces such as napkins, tablecloths, and place mats. It’s a natural extension of our paper products—and another piece in the art of entertaining.”
– Jennifer Hunt
Dogwood Hill artist Riley Sheehey designed the Nutcracker Garden wrapping paper.
See more of Jennifer and her Christmas creations here.
“Sometimes, we are so eager to get our tree that we go the night of Thanksgiving,” says the homeowner. “We always buy a 9-foot tree at Vestavia’s Mountain Scout Sale (scouttreesale.com). That’s a must.”
The Homeowner
This year, the family’s tree stands tall in their new den recently completed by interior designer Meredith Sherrill, who oversaw the home’s first makeover on the exterior prior to this more recent interior expansion. The owner purchased the home nine years ago with the intent of eventually renovating it. “We loved the location, and the house was well-kept,” she says. “We knew it had potential and that we could make it our own over the years.” And after living in it for a while, the family realized exactly what they needed—a more functional living space that would include a new den and kitchen within a footprint that felt true to the home’s original cottage feel. “I wanted something homey that wasn’t too fancy, where kids would feel comfortable coming in and out for snacks,” the owner says. “I knew that Meredith and our contractor, Cherry & Company, could do the renovation—and do it well.”
As Meredith drew the architectural plans for the new kitchen and family room, which involved moving the dining room into the old living room, she also worked in warm material selections like soapstone, planked walls, and beamed ceilings to give the house coziness without clutter. “We wanted to create minimal, comfortable interiors,” says the designer. “I also wanted to feature some of the great antiques that the owner has collected over the years, such as the beloved dining table that was passed down through her family.”
“I love the outdoors, so I wanted earthy tones and lots of natural light throughout my house. I wasn’t looking for anything trendy. I wanted it all to feel timeless.”
The Homeowner
With the interiors revamped and the holidays approaching, the owner then turned her focus toward seasonal décor. She called on Buffy Hargett of Buffy Hargett Flowers to lend her finishing touch to the home. “I went with an all-natural, green-on-green Christmas scheme,” says Buffy. “People often think they need to have a lot of red to decorate for the holidays, but I like to take a more subtle approach, especially for families with a lot of activity in the house. Green feels soothing. And you can always add in a pop of color, like I did with chartreuse ribbons throughout the house.”
Holiday Visions
Buffy Hargett, Birmingham’s floral and styling extraordinaire, relays her best tips for simple Christmas decorating.
Fakes aren’t a faux pas. “When hung up high, like the wreath over the TV in the den, I prefer to use fake greenery. It’s so far away that no one will be able to tell it’s not real. Plus, watering something that high can just be a pain,” says Buffy.
Make the everyday feel festive. “There’s no reason to move a perfectly good orchid out of the way during the holidays,” Buffy says. “Instead, I add holiday elements such as pine cones and curly sticks to the arrangement to make it more festive.”
Topiaries are timeless. “I just cannot get enough of the myrtle topiaries from Shoppe,” Buffy says. “They are great for year-round decorating, but for the holidays, I like to tie white bows around their stems and fill their bases with lemons and limes.”
Ring the wreath. “There are many ways to use a wreath besides the obvious one,” says Buffy. “Of course, I hang them outside and inside, but I also like to use them as festive ‘collars’ like I did under the fruit bowl in the kitchen. It’s such an easy thing to do.”
Poinsettias are always on point. “They are the Christmas flower for a reason,” says Buffy. “They last forever, but you don’t have to buy just red. I prefer white varieties, and I like to repot them in nice containers throughout the house for a subtler take on the traditional holiday flower.”
Resources:
Architectural and Interior design:Meredith SherrillBuilder: Cherry & Company Landscape: Falkner GardensKitchen Cabinets: Top Grain Woodworks Hardware: Brandino BrassAppliances & Bath Fixtures: FergusonCountertops:Surface 1Tile/Backsplash: Triton Stone GroupFloors: Steve Kelley Flooring Ceiling Beams: Evolutia Upholstery & Dining Chairs: Circa Interiors & AntiquesWalnut Buffet:Maison de France AntiquesPaint Colors:All walls, trim & ceiling: Tapestry Beige (Benjamin Moore) Kitchen Island and Cabinets: Jogging Path (Sherwin-Williams) Powder Bath: Link Grey (Sherwin-Williams) Exterior Brick: White Chocolate (Benjamin Moore) Shutters: Vale Mist (Benjamin Moore)
Rich in history with creativity built upon thrift and tradition, Alabama is replete with phenomenal makers. Artisans working in the mediums of clay, paper, leather, marble, and wood are today’s caretakers of our collective sense of place. The makers featured on the following pages are just a few of the individuals dedicated to translating their artistry into something useful, cherished, joy-inspiring, and very giftable this season. Their dedication to craft makes our state a better place to call home.
Magic City Woodworks
The apprenticeship model is the foundation for all work done at Magic City Woodworks, located on the north end of Birmingham. Step into the shop and you will be greeted with a hearty welcome that immediately sets the tone for the goods you are about to experience. Using wood as the medium, artisans craft everything from coasters and grazing boards to planters and ping-pong tables. Small teams of cohorts come together in six-month stints to learn more than how to plane a two-by-four. They learn that work is good, hard work is rewarding, completing a task and working as a team has meaning, and greeting one another with eye contact matters. As founder and CEO Lawrence Sheffield says, “Work is an opportunity. Work is an equalizer. Work is a training ground for our hearts.” In short, come for the goods, leave with something far more enduring than a gift.
“We want to be the Chick-fil-A of woodworking. What we mean when we say that is our product is our people. Their development is our greatest investment.”
Blake Wilson, Magic city woodworks CO
What to buy
Goods from Magic City Woodworks can be found in the most fantastic places, such as local corporate boardrooms, residential man caves, and even the new Protective Life Stadium. No matter what vision you have for a particular piece, you can see it come to life here.
Birmingham residents who’ve had the pleasure of dining at famed Hot & Hot Fish Club in the Pepper Place Market district or at SpringHouse Restaurant at Lake Martin are well versed in the appeal of Tena Payne’s Earthborn Pottery. Yet these are not the only chefs who handpicked her wares as the backdrop to their award-winning culinary fare. You might be surprised to learn that you can find Tena’s plates, bowls and serving pieces at more than 250 restaurants and clubs worldwide, all produced in-house at her Leeds, Alabama, facility. “The best thing we have going for us is our relationships with chefs,” she says. “Our crafts are alike in that we both use ingredients that come from the ground. My art frames their art.” The adage often imitated but never duplicated is one that most certainly applies to Tena’s goods. Her custom glazing process is what ensures the longevity and durability of every piece that bears her name. After all, the prettiest plates in the world won’t get used if they chip or crack with regular use.
“The best thing we have going for us is our relationships with chefs. Our crafts are alike in that we both use ingredients that come from the ground. My art frames their art.”
Tena Payne
What to buy
Locally, you can find Earthborn Pottery products at Alabama Goods in Homewood (their bespoke line features pine cones and camellia blooms), The Cook Store in Mountain Brook Village, and Bromberg’s, which has its own botanical line. A popular hostess gift is one of Tena’s smaller bowls paired with a box of locally made cheese straws or homemade rosemary-scented cashews. While newlyweds always appreciate plates and bowls to finish out a registry, it’s the platters and serving pieces that are usually the most coveted items.
A collection of Tena Payne’s finished pottery pieces.
Brooks Barrow
Brooks Barrow works in the medium of limestone, granite, and marble, especially Alabama white marble from quarries in nearby Sylacauga. In his studio outside Montgomery, Brooks chisels, shapes, and forms each piece to best show the natural beauty of the material. “Finding material that shifts decisively is difficult,” he says. “Most stone is melancholy and an indecisive earth tone. If it goes gray, it never quite goes gray enough. It goes through an awkward stage and never grays fully. And if it is white, it has so many impurities that it has its own issues.”
In Brooks’s hands, North Alabama limestone is coaxed into shallow serving platters that feel at once grounded and substantial yet light. The color and shape of each piece effortlessly showcase the contents it holds (even when it might be nothing at all) much in the same way a supporting actor makes the leading lady look so good. The vessels Brooks crafts from Alabama white marble are breathtaking in the simplicity of their shape, allowing the natural hues—pinks, faint forest greens, whispers of blue, and yes, pure white—to glow from within. And the variations of color lend an ethereal airiness, counterbalanced only by the sheer heft of the stone.
“The work is all subtractive. That is why it is helpful to work subconsciously and not overthink it.”
Brooks Barrow
What to buy
Unlike home goods and apparel items which are produced in large quantities, each Brooks Barrow creation is unique. No two pieces of stone are the same, and no two days of working with the stone are the same. Even the sharpness of the carving implements will vary from one piece to the next. In short, when you see an item that you love on Brooks’s Etsy page, buy it. There will never be another. He accepts custom orders as well.
Drawn to function, aesthetics, and quality, as well as enduring and timeless appeal, Radcliff Menge was inspired to create his own hunting jacket when others on the market failed to meet his exacting standards. A self-professed recovering corporate attorney with deep affections for Southern culture and a love of the outdoors, Radcliff created the Tom Beckbe brand in 2015 around his signature Tensaw jacket. A derivation of the Choctaw Indian pronunciation of the famed Tombigbee River (Ratcliff spent his youth hunting the river’s shores with his grandfather), Tom Beckbe represents a sector of the outdoor apparel market that had heretofore been untapped—goods best described as American, Southern, elegant, functional, and genteel-but-not-afraid-to-get-your-hands-dirty.
“Our apparel looks just as great around town as it performs in the field.”
Radcliff Menge, Tom Beckbe founder
What to buy
You need not be an avid outdoors person to appreciate Tom Beckbe goods. The brand’s utility bags, shirts, hats, whiskey totes, and log carriers are universally loved. The leather chef’s knife roll, a collaboration with James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Hastings, lets even home cooks feel more than a little wicked-cool. For a major wow, we suggest the Overland Chest (top photo), handmade in Heber Springs, Arkansas, by the legendary craftsmen of Julian & Sons. Made from American black walnut, it showcases leather-lined drawers and copper tray pulls.
Passionate about good design and an aesthetic that does more to define their brand than defy traditional labels, Brett Forsyth and Brandon Watkins have created something really special at Yellowhammer Creative. The duo came together in 2009 with a side hustle creating show posters and T-shirts for bands they admired. In 2013, a collaboration with REV Birmingham afforded them pop-up shop space on 3rd Avenue North, which increased their exposure and helped launch their company. Today their style has been translated beyond mere ink and paper—they also do graphic design, branding, wayfinding systems, interior design, and more. “We are a full-service creative agency,” Brandon says. “Clients often tell us they want something to look like Yellowhammer, which really has come to mean timeless—not necessarily vintage but rather classic.” Brett adds, “We really draw on nostalgia. That is what inspires us.”
“We have developed a certain aesthetic. Our wheelhouse is kind of this place—something you may have seen before or felt like was always there.”
Brandon Watkins
What to buy
The Yellowhammer shop at Pepper Place is teeming with fan favorites of the brand such as the “It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham” logo they created, which can be found on everything from T-shirts and tea towels to magnets and stickers. Beyond that, the store shows a lot of pride for not only The University of Alabama and Auburn University but also local educational powerhouse UAB.
It all started with a belt Virden Hargrove wanted made. He sketched out a design, and in true get-it-done fashion, his wife, Elle, made it happen. They knew immediately that others would also want these Southern-inspired designs, needlepointed onto all kinds of daily items. As a result, Asher Riley was born.
Mississippi natives, Elle and Virden named the company after their son and their beloved dog. In addition to running the lifestyle brand, Elle is a hygienist, having learned the trade in the military while stationed in Florida. Upon completion of her active duty and reserve days, the couple was finally able to pick where they wanted to start their lives together and create a forever home. Elle explains that The Magic City was an easy choice. “We love the size and the feel here,” she says. Putting down roots here all those years ago paved the way for the Asher Riley brand to really take hold as their designs feature cotton bolls, retrievers, mallards, and state flags. In addition, the couple’s love of the coast finds its way into patterns with mermaids, nautical flags, and bonefish emblems. “There’s almost no limit to what we can create,” says Elle.
“Legacy. This is where we choose to live out our dreams and create the life we want to pass along.”
Virden Hargrove, when asked what Birmingham means to the Asher Riley brand
What to buy
Coozies for your squad. A leash befitting your princely hound. Coasters for your lake house. Cardholders and wallets for your nephews. Or give a gift certificate and let the recipient pick a one-of-a-kind favorite. Christopher Collection in Homewood (2913 Linden Avenue) stocks a wide array of ready-to-gift Asher Riley goods.
The soil of Moulton, Alabama, plays a rich role in the agricultural and textile history of Alabama. Anna Yeager Brakefield just wants to make sure the rest of the world knows about it. After graduating from Auburn, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in advertising, working on brand accounts like BMW and American Express. When she married her college sweetheart who’d completed his pharmacy degree, the pair moved to Nashville. Anna admits it was hard to find her niche in Music City. “My dad definitely capitalized on that and asked me to just try this (running Red Land Cotton) with him,” she says. While branding and storytelling came easily for this third-generation member of a cotton-growing clan, Anna also dove headfirst into learning the e-commerce side of the business. Her dad recalls a time when you could watch a bale of cotton go into a machine in Sylacauga and practically watch it come out as a pair of jeans on the other side. That type of vertical integration is almost impossible to find in the textile industry, but the Yeager family works to keep their chain as tight as possible. Cotton grown by her dad and two brothers on the 5,000 acres in Moulton can be ginned on site before heading to Virginia to be spun, to South Carolina to be woven, and then back to Moulton (or Tylertown, Mississippi) for the cut-and-sew process. All finished goods eventually land at the new distribution center and storefront in Moulton where they are inspected for quality and packaged for the prettiest presentation, something customers and gift recipients love.
So what makes sheets from Red Land Cotton different from something you’ll find at a big-box store? It’s the process: The Yeagers reverse-engineered a sheet from the 1920’s to produce what feels like something your grandmother may have line-dried and ironed a lifetime ago—sheets that start with a snap and just get softer with age and use.
“More than a bedsheet, more than a quilt, you’re purchasing American values and helping employ Americans. You’re helping keep the textile industry here alive.”
Anna Yeager Brakefield
What to buy
Anna says that their quilts and blankets will be the biggest sellers this season. Towels are also hugely popular; they completely sold out on Black Friday last year. The Red Land Cotton “Go Anywhere Dress” is the perfect beach coverup or bridesmaid gift, while the “Ticking Stripe Apron” will be your hostess-gift staple.
Birmingham is filled with talented craftspeople. Here are a few more of our favorite makers to add to your gift and personal wish list:
Bauble Stockings – baublestockings.com Needlepoint stockings handmade by artists in Haiti along with belts and DIY kits.
Bonnybee Designs – Bonnybeedesigns.com Macrame wall hangings, keychains, jewelry, and place mats.
Canvas – carriepittman.com Abstract paintings and hand-painted bags and fabrics by Carrie Pittman Hill. CANVAS also sells other local goods including Favor Candles and Too Pillows.
Civil Stoneware Inc. – civilstoneware.com Tableware and accessories in modern, matte finishes.
Flint Leather Company – flintleatherco.com Leather bags, wallets, and accessories.
Freedom Soap Company – freedomsoaps.com Small batch, all-natural soap and skin-care products.
Merry by Julie Terrell – merry.julieterrell.com Custom holiday stockings made of fine velvet, linen, and vintage fabrics.
Shop Handmade & Local
Alabama Goods – alabamagoods.com Alabama-made goods including candles, clothing, pottery, and more.
A’Mano – amanogifts.com Handcrafted items that support artisans and producers in developing countries. Offers home décor, jewelry, candles, cards, and more.
“I love seeing a set come to life and a vision realized with my studio photography.”
Lane Weichman
CAREER PATH
Family session with Goodmans by Lane
Lane: I grew up in Trussville and first studied art/photography at the University of Montevallo. I’ve always felt a connection to photos. As a teenager, I studied fashion magazine photography and became interested in the sets and styling. That evolved into what I do today. My absolute favorite thing about photography is that it allows me to capture the little details of someone that may be forgotten about in a few years. Kids grow and change so quickly, and the cute little quirks that they have one year may be gone the following year.
Josh: I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania but moved to Chelsea my senior year of high school. At first, I hated living in Birmingham. However, the longer I stayed, the more I fell in love with it. I think it’s the people that I like the most. There are so many great artists, musicians, and small business owners here. That’s what really makes this city magic.
Holiday Card with Lane
Cake smash Collins Butler by Lane
Lane in action
PHOTOGRAPHY
Lane: Our girls are pretty much my inspiration for everything. When I get an idea, I always try it out on them first. For example, I do lifestyle dance photos and glitter party photos. Both of those themes are inspired by Lucy’s love of dance. I also do on-location sessions, and I shoot a lot of my work outdoors. Being unique and creative is something that is very important to me. Josh and I joke that most people look at a pretty field and think, “Wow, a pretty field,” but we are both observing the light pouring through the trees and how amazing it would look at sunset. We look for little spots where we could put a subject in to create a photograph.
Josh: As a BMX racer growing up, I would study the photos in my BMX magazines. I was always amazed that people could shoot photos of something that was moving so fast and make it look so great. I spent my free time photographing my racing friends. In college, I got an internship with a music venue that wanted me to shoot photos of concert fans. As part of the payment, I was given access to the shows. Then I started to shoot the different artists that came through, and I fell in love with the fast pace of it all.
“You Are Beautiful” overpass by Josh
Josh in action
Child flossing by Josh
Jason Isbell at the Ryman Theatre by Josh
FAVORITE MUSICIANS?
Josh: I always love getting to shoot Jason Isbell and his incredible band. I think I’ve done 40 or 50 of his shows now. His team has been incredibly kind to me over the years. Other favorites include St. Paul and The Broken Bones, The Flaming Lips, Drive-By Truckers, Brent Cobb, Anderson East, Amanda Shires, and Mavis Staples. My dream project is to document an album coming together in a studio.
LIFE IN SPRINGVILLE
Lane: We love our small-town life. Most of our family lives here now, and the downtown area has a lot of great shops and food. Many of our friends own businesses here. I have a beautiful, open studio space in a 1902 building in the heart of downtown. We homeschool the girls, so I basically work my schedule around them. Most of Josh’s photography is planned months in advance, so it’s pretty easy to work around his schedule. With his concert photography, he usually doesn’t leave the house until late in the afternoon or at night.
For our 2021 Inspiration Home,we partnered with River Brook Design and Construction to bring together some of Birmingham’s top talent. You won’t want to miss all of the amazing rooms, innovative designs, and beautiful custom details. The house is officially open for tours and you are invited. Of course, you will receive a complete resource guide to keep when you tour, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek and a few of our favorite highlights. See you there!
Dining room designed by Mark Kennamer Design
“Our goal was to make the interior and exterior have a cohesive European feel. Extensive consideration was given to the selection of all materials, plantings, and surfaces.”
River Brook Design & Construction
Kitchen designed by River Brook Design
Kitchen with wall of windows and a large waterfall island.
Magic Moments was founded with the sole purpose of providing happiness to children throughout Alabama who are diagnosed with chronic, life-threatening illnesses. To date, the organization has provided close to 5,000 special experiences. Not only does Magic Moments provide children with nonmedical opportunities, such as a family trip to Disney World, meeting a celebrity, or going on a shopping spree, they also offer events to enhance relationships between the staff and families, as well as relationships with other families.
After running an illegal, off-grid rum still in Panama, starting in 2012, Birmingham, Alabama native Hatton Smith II returned to the US in 2018 to start a revolutionary rum business, Campesino Rum.
Campesino Rum can be found in bars and restaurants across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee in part due to the efforts of several Birmingham bars. “Campesino wouldn’t be a thing without Birmingham,” says Hatton. When Campesino first started, Birmingham bars went to bat for the brand to be approved by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. In turn, Hatton is a big advocate for Birmingham’s food and beverage industry.
While Hatton may not currently be distilling his rum in Panama, you wouldn’t know it from looking at him. Hatton’s formative time in the tropics is reflected in his signature wardrobe. While at Campesino events, Hatton’s uniform emulates the look made popular by The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. For everyday wear, Hatton has his favorite pair of jeans, one pair of boots, and one Campesino t-shirt. “I live on the road, I have to pack light,” he says. While Hatton might not care for material things, he does care about Campesino’s rum being “unadulterated.”
Hatton believes “Rum can be something everyone can enjoy” and is a spirit that deserves the same attention and recognition as bourbon or agave spirits. One of the ways Campesino strives to offer the best quality rum is by not sweetening or coloring it like other brands. Campesino’s growing popularity and Hatton’s wandering spirit might keep him on the road, but when he is home, Hatton’s favorite stops in Birmingham run along 1st and 2nd Avenue North. Places like Cayo Coco, Paper Doll Bar, and El Barrio are used to the rum man frequenting their bar stools.
Campesino Rum can be found all over Birmingham in bars and restaurants like Queens Park, Moe’s Original BBQ, The Lab, and more. A comprehensive list of where to find Campesino and many of Campesino’s popular drink recipes can be found at campesinorum.com.
In a pitcher add limes, sugar, and a splash of soda water to dissolve the sugar. Once incorporated add ice, 1/2 bottle of Campesino Silver X, and top with soda water. Stir and serve
The classic architecture of the 2020 Inspiration Home blends perfectly with the cottages of Homewood yet is updated for modern living. The 2020 Inspiration Home would not have been possible without Willow Homes, along with our building vendors, designers, and all the wonderful behind-the-scenes talent that made it all come together.
Entry design by Hiltz-Lauber
Kitchen design by Willow Homes and Willow Interiors
Loft design by Pandy Agnew Interiors
Outdoor Living design by Michaele Travis
2019
Photos by Jean Allsopp
Located at The Willows, a Russell Lands On Lake Martin neighborhood, 2019’s Inspiration Home exhibited all the charms of lake house style and showcased the best of lakefront living.
Living Room design by Stock & Trade Co.
Main Bedroom design by Pandy Agnew Interiors
Kitchen design by Russell Home Decor
Powder Room design by Lauren Connor Interiors
2018
Photos by Jean Allsopp
Tucked into the heart of the Homewood community, the 2018 Inspiration Home nestles beautifully alongside its Edgewood neighbors thanks to its appropriate scale and classic character. “A little restraint can go a long way,” says architect Richard Long, who partnered with builders Kevin Gann and John Bryant of Francis Bryant Construction and design liaison Jan Ware of Jan Ware Designs for this project.
Living Room Design by Stock & Trade Co.
Entry design by Stock & Trade Co.
Bedroom design by Three Sheets
Kitchen design by Jan Ware Designs
2017
Photos by Jean Allsopp
The 2017 Birmingham Home & Garden Inspiration Home was located in the award-winning Ross Bridge community. Designed and built by Murphy Home Builders, the house was a collaboration between Kyle Murphy and design liaison Virginia Volman, as well as local sponsors and vendors. The team worked to create timeless spaces with innovative design ideas, gorgeous furnishings and accents, and the newest in technology for a house that would instantly feel like a home.
Dining Room design by Chickadee Interiors
Kitchen design by Virginia Volman
Main Bedroom design by Stock & Trade Co.
Study design by Urban Home Market
2015
Photos by Jean Allsopp
The 2015 Birmingham Home and Garden Inspiration Home located at Calton Hill, in Mountain Brook, showcased the latest trends in home design. Created to live large on a smaller footprint, the Inspiration Home offered more than enough space for family life and entertaining without all the maintenance and upkeep—and without any wasted rooms.
Kithen design by Southern Kitchen and Bath
Living Room design by Janet Clifton and Marie Noojin of Defining Home and Adams Gerndt Design Group
Ashley Gallion Interiors, Cassie Tonsmeire Interiors, CBM Design, Cotton + Quill, 18th Street Orientals, Hiltz-Lauber, L. Vogtle Interiors, Michaele Travis Interior Design, Pandy Agnew Interiors, Space Cadets, Stock & Trade, Suite Dreams, SWAG Home Staging & Design, Virginia Volman Designs, Willow Interiors, ABC 3340, Alabama Brick, AllSouth Appliance, Art House, Darden & Green, Ecological Insulation, FireRock, James Hardie, HCR Cabinets & Countertops, KC Projects, Inline Electric and Lighting, LP Building Solutions, McGowin-King Mortgage, Members Title, Red Mountain Garage Doors, Redmont Vodka, River Bottom Pine, Southern Window Supply, Spire, Summit Media, Triton Stone Group, Truitt Insurance Agency, VaVia, VW Gallerie at V&W Supply Company, Lorberbaum McNair & Associates
2019 Sponsors:
Ashley Gallion, Georgia Carlee, Lauren Conner, Libby Greene, Lolo French Antiques, Mary Lauren McBride, Nan Jackson, Paige Albright Orientals, Pandy Agnew, Seibel’s, Stephanie Lynton, Stock & Trade, American Lumber, Dread River Distilling Co., Ecological Insulation, FireRock, Inline Lighting, Interscapes, Jackson Refrigeration, Lake Martin Painting, Pella Windows & Doors, River Bottom Pine, Robert F. Henry Tile Company, Russell Do It Center, Russell Marine, Sunrise Docks, V & W Gallerie, Vision Landscapes
2018 Sponsors:
AllSouth Appliance Group, Chubb Insurance, Land Rover of Birmingham, Southern Sash Windows and Doors, The Prewitt Group, Triton Stone Group, Inline Lighting, River Bottom Pine, Spire, VW Gallerie at V & W Supply, Webb Concrete & Building Materials, Alabama Brick, At Home Furnishings, AVX, Benjamin Moore, Beverly McNeil Gallery, Bradley Perlis Group/LAH, Brandino Brass, Defining Home, Eco Three, Emack Slate Co., Falkner Gardens, FireRock, Hiltz-Lauber, Interiors by Kathy Harris, Kelly Moffatt for Portraits, Inc., Maison, Mayfair South, McGowin-King Mortgage, MDM Design Studio, Oak Mountain Cabinetry, Paige Albright Orientals, Pandy Agnew, Rozar’s Paint Supply, Stock & Trade Design Co., Summer Classics, Three Sheets: A Linen Shop, Turn Key Heating & Air, Waynes Environmental
2017 Sponsors:
Air Engineers, Alabama Brick Delivery, Alabama Lawn Sprinklers, Alabama Power Company, AllSouth Appliance Group, Inc., Beverly McNeil Gallery, Chickadee Interiors, Cotton+Quill, Design Supply, HCR Cabinets & Countertops, IFoam, LLC, Inline Electric/Lighting Showroom, Kelly Moffatt for Portraits, Inc., McGowin King Mortgage, LLC, Murphy Home Builders, LLC, Oak Mountain Building Supply, Paige Albright Orientals, Pandy Agnew Interiors, Peacock Pavers, Progress Bank, Rainbow Paint & Decorating, Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, Scandinavian Design Gallery, South Cypress, Southern Window Supply, Stock & Trade Design Co., Summertime Pools & Spas, Table Matters, Thomasino Door & Window, Triton Stone Group, TruTeam, Urban Home Market, V & W Supply Company, Inc./VW Gallerie, 104.7 WZZK
2015 Sponsors:
Alagasco, Maserati of Birmingham, KADCO Homes, Southern Bath & Kitchen, New Latitude, Southern Clay Brick Co., WIAT, McGowin-King, Frontera, Summit Media, Central Woodwork, Clear Advantage Pantry, Defining Home, Stock & Trade Design Co., At Home Furnishings, Three Sheets, Smith’s Floor Coverings, Inc., Rozar’s Paint Supply, Marjorie Johnston and Co.: Katherine Bramlett, Issis & Sons Furniture and Flooring Galleries, Innovative Surfaces, Mayer Electric Supply
Tricia fell in love with the blue velvet Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sofa as soon as she saw it at Defining Home. It’s now her favorite spot to relax. “Cohen” chairs by Bernhardt flank the concrete-and-cypress wall surrounding the fireplace. The custom coffee table is by Chris Ryan at Village Woodworks. Photos by Jean Allsopp
Living in a charming Homewood cottage comes with a lot of pluses, but an abundance of square footage is not one of them. No one knows that better than Tricia Jackson. She and her husband, Keith, enjoyed the quirks and peculiarities of two Edgewood cottages before ultimately deciding that their family of four, including two growing boys, needed more room.
The Jackson Family, from left: William, Mattie (the family’s labradoodle), Evan, Keith, and Tricia.
So the couple began searching for a spot in Murray Hill, a neighborhood on a ridge abutting Lakeshore Drive with generously-sized lots. The goal: Find a plot that would accommodate a dream home, plenty of outdoor entertaining, and a pool. The search didn’t exactly yield rapid-fire results. “It took us four years to get over here. We looked all the time—we even had neighbors scouting for us,” Tricia says with a laugh. “We were constantly leaving notes in mailboxes.”
The letter-writing campaign eventually paid off, and then it was time to put together a team that could create a brand-new house that didn’t appear so, well, brand new. The couple hired Nashville-based architect Scott Torode of Pfeffer Torode to design a home that looked like it had a little history. “He came highly recommended and really understood what we were looking for right from the start,” Tricia says. She also recruited friend and interior designer Julie Terrell to help realize her vision for each room. “It was a great partnership,” says Julie. “Scott came up with all the drawings and plans, and then Tricia and I took it from there as far as finishes. We had a really good time creating all the layers. Tricia knows what she likes, but she wanted my help to make sure it was all going to make sense together. ”
The home’s classic brick exterior perfectly pairs with the dark grays chosen for the trim (Thunder Gray by Sherwin-Williams) and front door (Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams).
“The homeowner was ready for a fresh, updated look, but she didn’t want to leave tradition behind. We struck a nice balance.”
Julie Terrell
Tricia says this is the first bathtub she’s actually used. “I was lucky enough to have my best friend Tracie Bresnahan [of Custom Creations] do all my draperies and pillows,” she says. “She also designed the motorized shade [in “Istria” by Kravet] that comes down and flows with the curves of the top of the tub. She ended up winning a WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America) award for it!”
Because Tricia didn’t want a formal dining room, she opted for a round Milling Road table and chairs from Kravet. Drapes in Katana fabric from Kelly Wearstler add softness to the space
The completed five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home features all the hallmarks of new construction, such as lots of storage, a right-sized master suite, and a chef’s kitchen large enough for an 11-foot-long island. But there are also timeless details like cedar paneling in the living room, oak floors throughout, and plenty of windows that offer evergreen views of the tall trees planted in the back and front yards. And despite an open floorplan, there’s also a generous amount of wall space, which was a must as Tricia is a fervent art collector. “I think the first thing I bought for this house was an abstract on paper,” she says. “I told Larry Atchison [of Mountain Brook’s Atchison Gallery] that I had to have it but needed two. He was able to get in touch with the artist and commission a companion piece.”
The study is a mix of glamour and comfort featuring tall ceilings, eclectic art, and a mix of antiques. A modern sofa by Kravet, a coffee table from Defining Home, and the brass “Cubist” chandelier by Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort complete the space.
Julie notes that the artwork and the views of the great outdoors were equally instrumental as prompts for coming up with the perfect palette for the entire house. “We really channeled what’s going on outside of those windows,” says the designer. “And since Tricia and I both love art, we combined this rich, traditional architecture with artwork and fabrics that really bring everything to life.”
BEDROOMS: The homeowners asked for a calming master bedroom that wasn’t overly furnished. Designer Julie Terrell delivered by bringing in one of Tricia’s favorite shades of blue with a stunning custom Crypton velvet headboard and pairing it with a dresser from Defining Home and a nightstand from Serena & Lily. Overnight guests are invited to sleep in cozy quarters featuring an iron bed dressed in linens from Suite Dreams. Drawings on the wall are by Arthur Price.
Friends and family are happy to take in the action happening in the kitchen while seated on “Ines” brass barstools from Massoud. Large pendant lights from Visual Comfort hang above the island, which is topped in a crisp white quartzite.
Coming of Age
Designer Julie Terrelloffers tips for making a brand-new space feel lived-in.
Turn up the texture. Julie advises bringing paneling, wainscoting, and even wallpaper to add a little depth to new construction. But don’t feel like you have to go crazy and cover every surface. “It can be as simple as adding color, a little board-and-batten, or a patterned wallcovering to the back of a bookcase,” she says.
Let there be light. While an abundance of natural light goes a long way, fanciful fixtures can also make a big statement. “They bring so much personality to a space,” Julie says. As for the perfect heavy metal? “Brass will always be in style if it’s a good quality finish.”
Call in the collections. The quickest way to make a space feel collected over time is to bring in actual items you’ve collected over time. “It adds instant soul to new construction,” says Julie. “While my client was trying to pare down and only keep her favorites, we worked together to keep and display her best and most meaningful pieces.”
The Jacksons love having people over, and their screened-in porch, painted Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams, is a popular gathering spot. Guests can sit and sip awhile on outdoor furniture from Summer Classics. Garden stools from Richard Tubb offer a convenient spot for drinks.
