The Georgian-inspired house, designed by architect Scott Carlisle, hugs the mountain, allowing space for a private deck at the top level. // Photography by Jean Allsopp, Styling by Morgan Stephenson
The Long Way Home
Ashley Borden left Birmingham 25 years ago — if not kicking and screaming, at least reluctantly — for her husband Mark to pursue a wonderful opportunity in Houston. She was promised a return, and she finally got it in 2022. “At first, I thought we might just buy a second-home condo, but I soon realized I wanted my everyday life to be in Birmingham,” says Ashley. “I wanted to host family and friends, and I had a lifelong dream of building a house.”
An arch inset into the exterior front wall features climbing vines and elegant landscaping by Dave Eyrich.
Serendipity must have been at play when Ashley discovered the perfect lot for sale. She talked to her agent who had never heard of the street, though it’s a stone’s throw from everything. Tucked away and out of sight, Mountain Ridge Parkway is a community of homes with spectacular views of twinkling city lights.
A Shared Vision
The empty nesters called on old friends who introduced them to architect Scott Carlisle of Carlisle Moore and interior designer Sumner Starling. “Ashley and I share a very good friend who recommended me with the understanding that if anything went south, she would stay neutral,” says Sumner. “I had never worked with Scott before, but we all played so well together; he drew such a gorgeous house that was an honor to decorate.”
The couple landed on a riff of a classic Georgian-style home noted for its symmetry in the façade, as well as a center hall with equal-sized rooms on either side and a front entryway with a stairwell. Scott also worked with landscape architect Dave Eyrich to help site the house. “A project like this is really about taking the best advantage of the views, but access is also at the forefront,” Scott says.
The tower pavilion at the corner of the house. Its arched loggia framing a view of the Birmingham tree line.
The rear terrace, with a stone fire pit and Adirondack seating, steps up to the screened porch above. The steeply terraced lot that architect Scott Carlisle called a design challenge became one of the home’s defining features.
“I really wanted this house to be a departure from what I had in Houston. I wanted it to be lighter with a fresh attitude. Sumner understood that, and we had the best time.”
-Ashley Borden, homeowner
The loggia frames the Birmingham canopy like a painting.
A Modern Take on Georgian Tradition
The Georgian-inspired house, designed by architect Scott Carlisle, hugs the mountain, allowing space for a private deck at the top level. Low plantings let the windows and door take center stage, while an arch inset into the exterior front wall features climbing vines and elegant landscaping by Dave Eyrich.
One wish on Ashley’s list was a private balcony/terrace, so the primary bedroom was placed upstairs. However, Scott notes that “the lot is so steep that even at the basement level, you are still getting a good view.”
As Ashley says, “Scott is an artist in every sense, who just happens to be a great architect. He realized everything we wanted from the start; his first draft was it.”
Low plantings let the windows and door take center stage.The screened porch off the main level, with a fireplace, slipcovered chairs, and open views on three sides.
The Rooms She’d Always Wanted
See the interiors of the Mountain Ridge Parkway House
Gracie wallpaper adorns the dining room. “It was a perfect match to the beams overhead,” says designer Anna Harris. The chandelier is 18th-century Italian giltwood, chairs are French antiques, and the gilded mirror is from Maison de France. The table is a new custom piece from Doorman Designs in New Orleans. // Photography by: Laurey Glenn , Styling by: Kathleen Varner
A Vision of a “New Old House”
“Jeremy calls our home a ‘Fren-glish cottage’-a mix of French and English,” designer An Anna Harris says of her friend, Jeremy Corkern, who was also the architect for the house. “I believe the exterior should be a sneak peek of what’s inside,” Anna continues. “I love European antiques and have collected many through the years, so I wanted the outside of our house to have that same sense of age. Our main goal was to create a ‘new old house.”
Anna and her husband Brooks, a Birmingham builder, hired Jeremy to help them design and complete their forever home. “The lot is narrow but deep,” Jeremy says of the land that has amazing views of the Vestavia Hills golf course with Oak Mountain and the Appalachians beyond. The home’s front façade speaks to the English-inspired cottages of 1920s Birmingham.
Front exterior façade of a 1920s inspired Fren-glish cottage in Birmingham featuring vintage painted brick with chipped paint wear, a cedar shake roof, and a prominent front elevation chimney.
“From day one, I wanted an old-brick exterior with chipped paint and a cedar shake roof,” Anna says. “I also requested a chimney on the front elevation to add a little character, and I’m so happy I did.” Jeremy adds, “Like so many houses in Birmingham’s historic Redmont neighborhood that I’ve worked on, this home will never be dated. It will always feel timeless.”
Part of that character comes from the vintage downtown Birmingham brick used on the home’s exterior. “I was a little anxious about painting that brick,” says Anna. “I wanted it to be authentic-not like it was painted yesterday.” Jeremy explains that it was a process and took a couple times to get “the exact amount of wear just right.”
Bringing Authentic Old-World Materials Inside
That authentic feeling continues inside, where Anna selected elements and asked Jeremy to mold them together. “We wanted waxed millwork, a lot of beams, limestone fireplaces, arches, antique lighting, pecky cypress, and unlacquered brass all those tried-and-true materials,” says Anna. She also requested a floor plan with defined rooms. “Anna was armed with a lot of images to use as inspiration,” Jeremy says. “All of her photos had intent and we accomplished it all.” And while the floor plan is traditional, he explains that “it doesn’t feel like Grandmother’s house. It’s open enough that all the rooms relate-and you get plenty of light throughout. There’s nothing better.”
“Anna really wanted a beautiful front door,” Jeremy says. “We went with a Chippendale-style door using antique oak and then added all the jewelry.” The antique Oushak rug from 18th Street Orientals dresses the hardwood floor. Lantern by Visual Comfort.
The rear entrance, with direct access to the kitchen, is equally as inviting as the front. Here, an antique Louis XV-style console and mirror reside alongside a contemporary painting by McKenzie Dove. The ottoman wears Scalamandre.
“I gravitate toward muted and restful colors- especially blues. For this house, I craved a soft palette that whispers.”
-designer Anna Harris
Little details make a big impact in the kitchen. A pair of lamps are hard-wired to the Olympus white marble island top, and the fluted detail on the apron offers soft appeal.
Designing a Home Built for Lounging and Family
Inside the front door, Anna wanted to make a statement. The entry includes a staircase to the second level as well as a paneled wall that disguises the powder room door. Just off the space, hand-painted, silk wallpaper wraps the dining room, and a beamed ceiling adds drama. A hallway with a built-in bar on one side and a hutch on the other leads to the kitchen, where Anna was “intentional about adding a lot of texture-fluting and beams,” she says. “I like when kitchens don’t look like kitchens. I added curtains and lamps and soft things to keep it from feeling too utilitarian.”
A pair of Lee Industries sofas aligns with antique chests flanking the barrel arch to the kitchen. “The chests are the same dimensions, but they aren’t a perfect match,” Anna says. Trumeau mirrors from Rivers Spencer Interiors in New Orleans were the first pieces she bought for the room.
Flanking the kitchen’s workspace with rooms built for lounging also keeps it from feeling too staid. Through a barrel arch on one side, a large den offers twin sofas, a fireplace, and a wall of windows and French doors. On the other side, a keeping room reaches toward the views. “This is probably where we spend most of our time,” Anna says. “It has great natural light.”
“As a mother of teens, I spend a lot of time in the laundry room,” Anna says. “I knew I wanted to make it beautiful, and wallpaper was a must.” Schumacher’s ‘Garden of Persia’ paper paired with a custom-matched paint fits the bill.
The keeping room’s walls, upholstery, and trim are shades of ivory and white. “I couldn’t bear to put major color in here,” Anna says. “It would distract from the view.” The antique Italian wood chandelier is from Maison. Walls are Benjamin Moore ‘White Dove.’
A large porch along the back of the house offers alfresco living and dining spaces where the Harrises, their two teens, and their French bulldogs, Louis and Lola, spend time year-round, weather permitting. “We knew this would be our forever home,” Anna says, “so we really worked to make sure we didn’t miss a single detail. I think we accomplished that.”
The outdoor dining table from Elegant Earth is surrounded by Summer Classics chairs. The arched alcove houses Brooks’ grill. French doors open to the keeping room and den for easy flow.
Loved This Home Tour?
See more exclusive pictures of the Fren-glish cottage and discover how this powerhouse design team collaborated to build their forever home.
The ‘Fren-glish Cottage’ project perfectly captures the design chemistry between the team. Architect Jeremy Corkern framed the home with classic, historic proportions, creating a timeless canvas for the interiors. Designer Anna Harris then brought old-world elegance to the space. Hand-crafted, curated, and seamlessly executed alongside builder Brooks Harris, it’s a masterclass in combining historic character with soulful, everyday living. // Photography by: Laurey Glenn , Styling by: Kathleen Varner
The Power of Architectural Mentorship
Anna Harris
Architect Jeremy Corkern and designer Anna Harris continue to collaborate on beautiful homes. It was architectural greats A. Hays Town and Bobby McAlpine who nurtured Jeremy’s love of creating beautiful homes. And today Jeremy is that mentor and generous encourager for Anna. “She is a dynamo,” he says.
An Unconventional Path to Interior Design
Anna explains that she didn’t study design in school but instead earned a communications degree from Auburn. “But as a child I was always looking through my mom’s Southern Living magazines and compiling my ‘dream home. I should have known!”
It was Brooks, a residential designer, who “brought design back to me,” Anna says. “We were always building and then moving, so I was learning a lot from him. And I was helping friends with their homes, so I was getting more hands-on experience.”
The powder room may be tiny, but “it gets a lot of praise,” Anna says. Sanderson wallpaper wraps the space, and an 18th-century Louis XVI mirror hangs above a vanity from Fixtures and Finishes.
Anna’s inspiration files included an image of antiqued mirrored doors similar to the ones she and Jeremy replicated in the primary bath. His-and-hers vanities flank a closet door. The bathroom floor is Calacatta Gold marble tiles.
Claiming the Title of Designer
Jeremy also played a pivotal role when he convinced her to claim the title of designer. “I thought if someone of his caliber is telling me to do something, I should listen!” says Anna. With Jeremy’s encouragement, she enrolled in a course at New York Institute of Art and Design, and her business continued to grow.
The primary bedroom’s headboard and drapery panels are from designer Kathy Harris. Anna added a French chandelier from A.Tyner Antiques in Atlanta and a wool geometric rug.
Purposeful layouts and materials welcome the high-traffic energy of the Harrises, their two teens, and their French bulldogs, Louis and Lola, proving that old-world elegance and active family living can coexist perfectly.
The Core Motivation
For Jeremy, a longtime Birmingham star who splits his time between The Magic City and New Orleans, how his clients experience a home is his motivation. “I love to create happy spaces,” he says. “And I like to work with energetic people.” With the Harrises’ home, he got to do both.
In the keeping room, a 14-foot-long, custom-built sofa and a custom oval table crafted in antique wood from South Carolina anchor the space. A painting by Atlanta artist Lee Jones Brooks fronts the window behind it.
Loved This Home Tour?
See more exclusive pictures of the Fren-glish cottage designed and built by the team.
The fire started on a Sunday afternoon, setting off a long rebuild that became a story of loss, resilience, and a home made new again.
The Welden family’s fully rebuilt 1939 home stands as a testament to historic preservation and modern elegance. The pristine white brick facade, classic gabled rooflines, and meticulously landscaped front walkway perfectly capture the timeless charm of its original architecture.// Photography by: Jean Allsopp , Styling by: Amanda Smith Fowler
A Day That Changed Everything
What was supposed to be just another regular day in January 2017 would quickly turn into one of those dates that marked what came before, and what happened after.
The fire started on a Sunday afternoon. Karen Welden was in the back yard with her young grandson when she noticed smoke billowing out of her kitchen. She only had time to run inside, grab her purse and Bible, and exit for the street. She called the fire department and knocked on neighbors’ doors to warn them. Then, she and her grandson just sat and watched as the home where she and her husband, Joey, had raised their now-grown children was practically destroyed.
Stripped down to its 1939 framing studs, the home’s charred timbers and smoke-blackened French doors reveal the devastating scope of the January 2017 fire.
Finding Grace in the Aftermath
“We received so many unexpected blessings through this—acts of kindness I would never have even thought about,” says Karen. Right away, friends brought her some basic necessities and booked the Weldens a hotel room at the Grand Bohemian. The next day, her interior designer and friend Pat Hiden took her to buy new eyeglasses (Karen’s had melted on the bedside table). Fortunately, Joey was returning from a golf trip, so he had some essentials in his suitcase.
After a few nights at the hotel, the Weldens moved into their friends’ garage apartment for three weeks. Then, they settled into Lane Park apartments while they worked out the logistics of rebuilding. They had to determine what, if anything, was salvageable; they had insurance claims to file; and they had a loss to grieve. “We had to jump through a lot of hurdles to rebuild,” Karen says.
Now better than ever, the Welden’s home once again welcomes friends and family to their beloved family home and casuual gatherings on the back deck.
Assembling Birmingham’s Finest Design Team
“It took a while, but eventually we were able to view what happened as an opportunity.” And she readily says she could not have done any of it without her team. Along with Pat, the Weldens called on architect Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates, as well as Francis Bryant Construction, to assess the damage and reconfigure a better version of their home within the existing footprint—a requirement in a rebuild of a registered historic house.
A bevy of blues dress furnishings, walls, and accents throughout the house. Karen says the abstract above the sofa by AK Hardeman through Design Supply is a regular conversation piece.
To start, the design professionals were instrumental in assisting with the insurance evaluation. “Because the house was nearly 80 years old, there were a lot of things that couldn’t be easily valued or replaced,” Pat says. Hank and the team at Francis Bryant were able to identify structural needs and building materials that were necessary to maintain the home’s integrity for a restoration. Plaster walls, beams, and old windows were among the irreplaceable items, along with the tile roof, something the experts at Francis Bryant were able to salvage by taking it down and cleaning each tile individually, and reinstalling them.
During the rebuild, the keeping room in the kitchen was opened via an arch to the living room with a view to the new bar beyond.
A pair of antique Louis XIV style armchairs covered in a blue and cream ikat fabric from Antiquities reside in the living room’s bay window. The blue lamp from Christopher Spitzmiller strikes a bold punch.
“Before the fire, the house was decorated with a long-collected mix of family heirlooms and new pieces. By starting over, and with the help of Pat, I was able to truly realize my style.”
– homeowner Karen Welden
Reimagining Space for the Future
Though there were some limitations, a rebuild also meant that the Weldens could reimagine the house for how they want to live now—and, as another bonus, bring the home up to code. “We got to do things that weren’t possible before,” says Karen. Even with the given confines, the team was able to reallocate spaces. They closed in the sunporch and made space for a bar, moved the powder room, and added a home office for Karen and a hobby room for Joey.
Hank also brought in symmetry with matching arched openings accessing the living room and kitchen. The home gained a second laundry room, as well as an elevator for aging in place—something that would have been very difficult to retrofit.
The art collection in the bar speaks to Joey’s fondness for traditional art work. Pat says it also balances the infusion of bold color and pattern.
A Fresh, Vibrant Color Palette
When it came time for new art and furnishings, Pat and Karen reevaluated what Karen had prior and then made plans for the fresh interiors. Pat was familiar with Karen’s penchant for blues and greens, and she upped the ante with more vibrant selections.
With the color palette in mind, Pat and Karen began to look for upholstery and accents in the cheerful colors. Bold blues dressed the living room sofa, pillows, and kitchen barstools. The dining room perked up with blue-and-white Chinoiserie wallpaper, and a radiant custom-blue paint mix jazzed up the new bar.
The kitchen’s antique chairs and French wine tasting table are from Henhouse Antiques. “Pat was first in line to purchase these pieces early one morning when one of their shipments arrived,” Karen says. To replace their tableware, the Welden’s turned to Table Matters for new items.
A Schumacher wallpaper and and crystal chandelier bring an elegant touch to the dining room. The round giltwood mirror offers a strong focal point. Replacing short window with tall ones were an added bonus in the renovation.
Sourcing from Local Mountain Brook & Birmingham Shops
For furnishings, Pat shopped for many pieces locally—a hall mirror from Maison de France, rugs from Paige Albright Orientals, and antiques from Henhouse Antiques. To round out the art, they turned to Laura Vogtle with Design Supply. “Laura brought over a huge selection and we just started playing with what could go where,” Karen says. “That was a fun day—and one more person who helped take away some of the pain.”
“Our new color palette started with the painting above the living room fireplace,” says Karen of the landscape from Beverly McNeil Gallery. “My husband likes realistic art, but through this process, I learned that I like abstracts. This piece was a little bit of both and offered the color direction we were looking for.”
The relocated powder room is swathed in a gray/blue grass cloth. Here, the standout is the gold mirror from Maison de France.
Welcome Home Again
Now, thanks to the help of friends, family, and local talent, the Weldens have settled back in with no intention of going anywhere. “We have lived here for 43 years,” Karen says. “And now we are home again.”
High-end custom cabinetry, a professional-grade range, and a timeless tiled backsplash respects the home’s historic 1939 roots while offering modern functionality.
Resources
Architect: Hank Long, Henry Sprott Long & Associates; Construction: Francis Bryant Construction; Interior designer: Pat Hiden; Art and furnishings: Laura Vogtle, Design Supply; Hall mirror: Maison de France; Rugs: Paige Albright Orientals; Antiques: Henhouse Antiques; Wallpaper: Schumacher; Paint: custom-blue paint mix; Furniture style guidance: Karen Welden and Pat Hiden
The wait is over! Birmingham Wholesale Furniture’s Memorial Day Sale & Rug Show is officially underway. We have just launched storewide markdowns, offering you the chance to save hundreds—or even thousands—on premium home furnishings.
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Whether you are looking to refresh a single corner or furnish an entire home, you’ll find unbeatable prices across all three floors of our downtown Birmingham showroom.
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In an industry often defined by products and trends, GLS Supply was built on something more enduring: relationships.
Founded 25 years ago as a family business, GLS began with a clear and simple belief—that homeowners deserve not only quality fixtures, but also guidance, expertise, and a team invested in the outcome of their space. It was never just about what was being installed, but how those decisions were made and who was there to help along the way.
That mindset quickly set the tone for what GLS would become.
Growing Alongside the Communities It Serves
Over the past two and a half decades, GLS Supply has grown from its original roots here in Birmingham into multiple showroom and supply locations across Alabama. But the company’s growth has been less about expansion for its own sake and more about meeting the needs of the communities it serves.
Each new location brought with it a deeper connection to local homeowners, builders, and designers—people who value both function and beauty, and who understand that the smallest details often make the biggest difference in a home.
Where Function Meets Design
Step inside a GLS showroom, and it becomes clear that this is not a typical selection process.
Freestanding tubs, thoughtfully designed faucets, and carefully curated fixtures are displayed not just as products, but as part of a larger vision—one that balances form and function in equal measure. Clients are encouraged to slow down, ask questions, and think beyond the surface, considering how each element will work within the rhythm of their daily lives.
It’s a process that prioritizes intention over impulse—and one that often leads to better, longer-lasting results.
The Value of Experience
At the center of that experience is the GLS team.
Many of the individuals who guide clients through the showroom have been part of the company for years, bringing with them not only product knowledge but a deep understanding of how kitchens and baths come together from the inside out. They speak the language of both design and plumbing—a combination that allows them to anticipate challenges, offer thoughtful solutions, and help clients avoid costly missteps before they happen.
It’s a level of expertise that reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to doing things well, not just quickly.
A Family Approach to Business
Even as GLS Supply has grown, it has remained firmly rooted in its identity as a family business.
That sense of continuity is felt not only within the company itself, but in the way it approaches its customers. Relationships are built over time, often spanning multiple projects, homes, and even generations. It’s not uncommon for past clients to return years later—or to send friends and family—knowing they’ll receive the same level of care and attention.
In many ways, that trust has become one of GLS’s most valued accomplishments.
A Moment of Gratitude
Reaching a 25-year milestone offers a natural opportunity to reflect—but also to give thanks.
The Birmingham community has played an essential role in the company’s journey, from the homeowners who welcomed GLS into their projects to the builders, designers, and partners who collaborated along the way. That shared trust and support have helped shape not only the business, but the spaces it has had the privilege to be part of.
A Moment of Gratitude
As GLS Supply looks ahead, its focus remains steady: to continue offering thoughtful guidance, trusted expertise, and a level of service that reflects the values it was built on.
Because while styles may evolve and homes may change, the goal remains the same as it was 25 years ago—to help create spaces that are not only beautiful, but truly enjoyed and loved.
There is something about spring that invites reflection.
The light shifts. Windows open. Closets, once quietly ignored, begin to ask for attention. It is the season when many homeowners feel an instinctive pull to refresh their spaces. Yet for those navigating life transitions such as downsizing, moving or simply redefining how home should feel, that pull can quickly become overwhelming.
Because what we keep is rarely just about what we wear.
It is about who we’ve been, what we’ve held onto and what we’re ready to release.
Spring offers a rare opportunity to approach our homes with both clarity and compassion. Not through rushed decluttering or temporary solutions, but through thoughtful design that honors the season you are in.
When a Closet Becomes More Than Storage
For many Birmingham homeowners, the closet is one of the most emotionally layered spaces in the home. It holds not only garments, but milestones. Seasons of life. Identities that may no longer fit as they once did. This is especially true during periods of transition.
A move to a smaller home. A shift into retirement. Children leaving or returning. Even a renewed desire for simplicity after years of accumulation. These moments often arrive with a quiet question: how do I create a space that reflects who I am now?
The answer is not found in more bins or better labels.
It begins with intention.
A thoughtfully designed closet considers not only what you own, but how you live. What you reach for daily. What deserves visibility. What can be gently let go. The goal is not perfection. It is alignment.
Letting Go Without the Pressure
Letting go is often framed as a task. A checklist. A weekend project to complete before life resumes.
But in reality, it is a process that deserves time and care.
Many homeowners find themselves stalled not because they lack motivation, but because the decisions feel personal. Emotional. Sometimes even heavy. This is where design becomes a quiet guide.
When a space is reimagined with purpose, it naturally creates boundaries and clarity. It answers questions without forcing them. What fits here belongs. What does not can be reconsidered without urgency or guilt.
The result is not just less. It is lighter.
Designing for the Life You’re Living Now
One of the most common misconceptions about organization is that it is about creating order for its own sake.
In truth, the most successful spaces are designed around the rhythm of daily life.
For some, that means ease and accessibility. Everything visible, within reach, supporting a simplified routine. For others, it means refinement. Curated collections, beautifully displayed, with space to breathe.
For those entering a new chapter, it may mean something deeper. A space that feels calm. Manageable. Supportive in a way that reduces decision fatigue and restores a sense of control.
This is where custom design becomes transformative.
Not because it is luxurious, though it often is. But because it is personal. Every shelf, every hanging space and every drawer is considered in the context of how you want to live moving forward.
And that changes everything.
A Season of Possibility
Spring is often associated with renewal, but renewal does not have to be dramatic to be meaningful.
Sometimes it begins with a single door opening to reveal a space that finally makes sense.
A closet that feels intuitive. Peaceful. Aligned with your life as it is today, not as it once was. A space that no longer asks anything of you, but instead supports you quietly every day.
For homeowners across Birmingham, this season presents an invitation. Not to do more, but to live with greater ease. To create environments that reflect clarity rather than accumulation.
Because when your space is designed with intention, letting go becomes less about loss and more about making room.
Sponsored by Space Cadets. Schedule your private design consultation and step into a space that feels effortless. Learn more at www.spacecadetsorg.com
It was summertime in 1930. Cason Jewell Callaway and his wife, Virginia Hand Callaway, embarked on a romantic picnic in the quiet forests of west Georgia. Sunlight filtered through longleaf pines, and the landscape rolled gently toward a cool woodland stream.
On that outing, the couple discovered a shrub ablaze with fiery red blossoms. Spring azaleas had passed their prime season, but this one was in full bloom. They identified it as a plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium), a species found only in a small pocket of the Southeast along the Georgia/Alabama border.
A Shared Vision
Captivated by the unusual flower and the landscape, the couple began quietly purchasing land near the spot where the shrub grew. Their vision was both simple and ambitious: Preserve the landscape and share its beauty with others.
Over the next two decades, that vision slowly took shape. Trails were cut through the woods, lakes were enhanced, and gardens were planted among the towering pines. In 1952, the couple’s dream opened to the public as Callaway Gardens—a 2,500-acre landscape devoted to horticulture, conservation, and the natural beauty of the Southern countryside.
Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel
One of the most iconic structures on the grounds, the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, was inspired by 16th-century Gothic chapels. Its stained glass windows depict Georgia’s four seasons.
The Azalea That Blooms in Summer
Unlike the pastel azaleas that signal spring across the South, the plumleaf azalea blooms in the heat of summer, usually from late June through August.
Appearance: Its trumpet-shaped flowers glow in shades of ember orange and deep crimson.
Habitat: In the wild, these shrubs thrive along shaded stream banks and forest margins, sometimes reaching 15 feet in height.
Pollinators: Their late bloom time provides an important nectar source for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
A wide-angle view of the Nickolson residence in Vestavia Hills, showcasing the stone facade, cedar shake roof, and a meticulously manicured sloping lawn that leads to a tiered stone retaining wall. // Photography by: Jean Allsopp
A Departure from the “Usual Suspects”
Jon and Diane Nickolson weren’t looking to move—until they stumbled upon a rare Vestavia Hills lot with sweeping hilltop views, towering trees, and a gracious sense of arrival. From the moment they stepped onto the property, the couple envisioned a home that would embrace the scenic landscape, not simply sit upon it. To bring that vision to life, they turned to Richard Long of Long & Long Design, who thoughtfully sited the home to capture both front and back vistas, while landscape architect David Brush carried those architectural cues into the outdoors. Together, they crafted a layered, cohesive experience—one that reveals itself gracefully from the first approach to the final view.
The home’s front entrance is as carefully composed as the house itself. The brick-lined motor court flows into a broad, brick-patterned transitional terrace, a “pause” that allows visitors to decompress and take in the layered landscaping. Hidden planters from Elegant Earth peek above clipped boxwoods, adding seasonal color that emerges subtly as you move through the space. Every detail is intentional.
Rooted in Place
From the outset, Richard’s goal was to design a home that felt settled rather than newly built, as if it had evolved naturally over time. He leaned into a restrained blend of ‘Old World Rustic’ stone, limestone, and stained white oak, layering the materials in a way that brings depth, texture, and a sense of history to the architecture.The home’s mix of influences, from Tudor-inspired arches to softer, asymmetrical forms, further reinforces that collected, lived- in character. “Natural materials give a more authentic feel,” Richard says. “They help age the home—but in a good way.”
The quiet seating nook, enclosed by low stone walls with elegant swooping limestone caps, perfectly integrated with the home’s rustic exterior.
The front view of the custom home highlights the multi-tonal stonework and Tudor influences.
Blurring Boundaries
Landscape architect David Brush carried that vision outdoors, repeating materials and aligning proportions so that terraces, walls, and plantings feel intrinsically connected—less like additions and more like natural continuations of the home itself. Using the same stone for garden walls and structural elements, he ensured a seamless visual thread. Gently curved edges and layered spaces echo the home’s architecture. The progression from motor court to entry unfolds with intention, each space scaled to guide the experience. “The goal is deceptively simple: Create landscapes that enhance the home, not compete with it,” David says. “Every plant, stone, and curve is meant to feel purposeful and timeless.”
The integrated outdoor living spaces feature multiple seating zones, a luxury infinity pool, and architecture that sits harmoniously within the hilltop landscape. ‘Old World’ stone columns topped with copper fire bowls facilitate a seamless transition from the terrace to the water’s edge.
Terraced Arrival
The home’s approach unfolds as a carefully choreographed sequence, one that begins at the front gate and gently reveals itself along the way. A meandering drive rises with the natural topography, weaving past a thicket of trees and native planting before opening to a motor court that feels as much like a garden as it does a place to park.
From there, the experience becomes increasingly intimate with a series of spaces, each stepping down in scale as it leads toward the front door. “I think of the approach like a series of Russian dolls—each terrace, courtyard, and court leads naturally to the next, gradually drawing you to the front door,” says David.
A sun-drenched terrace with FireRock pavers, sleek lounge chairs, an elevated hot tub, and an infinity pool that blends into the horizon.
“Landscape is a mirror—it wants to reflect the house. Every wall, terrace, and planting here was designed to extend the architecture and make the outdoor spaces feel like part of the home itself.”
– landscape architect David Brush
Capturing the View
The backyard stands as the crown jewel of the property, where the hilltop setting and panoramic valley views are on full display. The infinity pool, set just below the covered back porch, acts as a natural extension of the home, while the elevated hot tub introduces a subtle vertical element, drawing the eye outward without interrupting the horizon. Light-colored FireRock pavers keep the pool deck comfortable underfoot, and terraces catch the sun’s path across the day. Fire bowls perched atop stone columns add subtle drama without interfering with the scenery. “When you have this view, it’s almost like you have to get out of the way,” David says.
The stained wood ceiling and teak dining and lounge furniture recede visually, allowing the bright, natural light of the valley to become the primary focal point of the space.
Shady Retreat
The covered back porch acts as a seamless extension of the home, bridging the interior living spaces with the infinity pool and valley beyond. Lift-and-slide doors open onto a porch with retractable screen, allowing the area to function as both an additional living room and a transition to the outdoors. Interior designer Jessica Prier of Birmingham Design House outfitted the space with multiple seating areas in durable teak and woven synthetic wicker, complemented by neutral Sunbrella cushions and chambray linen pillows from Summer Classics. A dining zone and grilling area coexist effortlessly with soft seating, creating a porch that feels casual, elegant, and perfectly suited for entertaining or simply enjoying time with the family.
Resources
Landscape architect: David Brush, David N. Brush Landscape Architecture; Landscapecontractor: Blackjack Horticulture; Home designer: Richard Long, Long & Long Design; Interior designer: Jessica Prier, Birmingham Design House; Homebuilder: Harris Coggin Building Company; Front door: constructed by Woodworking Dynamics; stained by Daniel Whitsett, Paintworks Design Studio; Limestone: Tracery Stone; Iron work: Steel City Metal
