These candy-adorned architectural pieces are no child’s play in the Roth household. Decorating the perfect gingerbread house is serious business here where the Roth children compete with their parents to concoct the most fantastic result. The secret lies in using a hot glue gun to keep walls upright. Photos by Jean Allsopp
Longtime Birmingham residents who had the good fortune to have their portrait taken by photographer Barbara Harbin may find these images of the Roth home vaguely familiar. The home and garden on Dell Road served as a studio for many children’s and family’s portraits. Embracing the good aura, Kathleen Roth and her family purchased it and set about creating a backdrop for their own life.
Kathleen is quick to point out that there was not much that needed to be done to make the home reflect their personal style. She selected a new color scheme, added some bookshelves, and began to fill the interiors with antiques, family pieces, and her husband’s treasured tomes. The only space that underwent a major change is her Key Circle Press studio, located adjacent to the garage.
As the holiday season approaches, Kathleen enjoys preparing the home and curating most of the rooms herself. “We love to be surrounded by things that, for one reason or another, are special to us, ” she says.
The kitchen and children’s den both have a decidedly whimsical bent and feature bright pops of color in the ornaments and décor. In the den, which was once a sun porch, a tree with huge boughs showcases the many ornaments Kathleen and David have collected over the years. For the 2015 Independent Presbyterian Homes Tour, Kathleen really let her artistic side come to life in her studio. “I wanted to have non-traditional materials as decorations, ” she says. “Since I work with paper, I thought it would be fun to decorate with it.”
Tapping into her creativity, Kathleen built the tree using her trusty glue gun and a lot of chicken wire, poster board, and felt. It proved to be a showstopper during the 2015 Independent Presbyterian Homes Tour. With as much work as the project entailed, Kathleen counts herself lucky to be able to reuse the tree year after year.
Kathleen searched for a long time to find just the right tall and slender faux pine to showcase her family’s holiday cards. She loves how the cards nestle in between the narrow boughs, becoming ornaments themselves. The Cyndy Cantley-designed kitchen is flooded with light, making it the perfect backdrop for the large apothecary jars Kathleen fills with old-fashioned candies.
The paper holly garland that lines the banister to her studio was a labor of love. Having seen an idea online for the design, Kathleen created a template for the leaves and cut each one by hand. She then folded and creased the cutouts to resemble real leaves. Paper strips in bright reds wrap around forms to fashion the holly berries.
Kathleen designed the graphic tree in her studio by using a chicken wire base. She wrapped the frame in poster board for sturdiness, then covered it in felt and adorned it with a hand-cut strand of ornaments. Apprehensive about trying this DIY at home? Start with tabletop sizes before you go big. A vintage cuckoo clock purchased at Tricia’s Treasures was a dark black forest hue before Kathleen had the clever idea of having it custom lacquered. Originally destined for her daughter’s bedroom, the clock has found its forever home here in the studio, where the cheery yellow certainly sets the mood for the day.
RESOURCES Letterpress studio: architect: Taylor P. Davis, AIA • 205.623.5236 tpdarchitect.comConstruction: Day Star Construction • 205.591.0751 daystarconstruction.comStructural engineer: Lowell Christy, Christy-Cobb Inc. • 205.933.1080 christycobb.comKitchen: interior designer: Cindy Cantley, Cantley & Company • 205.324.2400 cantleyandcompany.com antique Turkish Kilim runner: Paige Albright Orientals • 205.877.3232 paigealbrightorientals.comIsland color: Benjamin Moore: pilgrim haze benjaminmoore.comWindow trim color: Benjamin Moore: eclipse Formal den: ship model: Christie’s Auction house christies.comWall paint: Benjamin Moore: Ashley Gray Breakfast room: light fixture: Stray Dog Designs • 866.478.7297 straydogdesigns.comFoyer: antique Oushak rug: Paige Albright Orientals vintage chair: L. Hitchcock • 860.738.9958 hitchcockchair.com
Anyone familiar with designer Lisa Flake knows she has a bolder-is-always-better philosophy when it comes to interiors. So when friends Mary Beth and Rob Howland purchased their 6,800-square-foot Shook Hill Circle home, Mary Beth knew Lisa was the person to call. The European-style house is impressive in its own right with its dominant arcades and limestone exterior, but Mary Beth needed someone to help push her traditional style to a new frontier and make the interiors just as dynamic. “Lisa worked with me to find the right balance between fun and traditional to make the home livable and comfortable, and she made it fit our family and our lifestyle, ” she says.
Ray Jordan of Flowerbuds massed white blooms of amaryllis, peonies, hydrangeas, tulips, hybrid delphiniums, and euphorbia to create the arrangement on the dining table.
Mingling their design philosophies, Lisa added pops of color and glamour to a neutral backdrop in the living room. Lee Industry chairs received graphic navy-and-white print pillows. Contemporary gold lamps from Atmosphere Home Essentials bring pizzazz, while a traditional muted rug speaks more quietly. Large columns and multiple doorways prevented the use of a typical sofa that would have blocked too much of the room off, including the view to the backyard pool and patio. To keep it open and still comfortable, Lisa brought in four chairs and a round table instead.
In the dining room, the designer papered the walls in an overscale Victorian damask and layered on more prints with custom draperies, a diamond patterned rug, and dining chairs covered in a chic python print. “The dramatic scale of the traditional print on the wallpaper gives this room that punch it needs while keeping a hint of the tradition that Mary Beth loves, ” Lisa says. “The python print offers a modern feel, while traditional pieces like the antique buffet and china cabinet keep it grounded.” Hammered gold lamps from MCJ interiors and a chandelier from Hiltz-Lauber bring in the metallics and glamour.
In the master bedroom, Lisa updated a pair of French armchairs with a patterned fabric and fur pillows. “Refreshing antiques with updated upholstery can give furniture—and a room—a whole new look, ” she says. Amber accents on the crystal chandelier and starburst mirror play to the warm wood tones. Wallpaper on the ceiling and the limestone fireplace temper the room’s grand scale and keeps things cozy.
In 2015, the Howlands enjoyed the first Christmas in their new home. To celebrate, they shared the house with friends and neighbors by putting it on Independent Presbyterian’s Holiday Home Tour. The Howlands worked with Ray Jordan of Flowerbuds to develop spectacular holiday scenes both indoors and out with garland, trees, and wreaths draped in lights, ornaments, and ribbon. Outside, Ray chose a chartreuse color scheme for the front gate wreaths, as well as for the tree and mantel on the pool house patio. In the main living areas inside, he primarily used gold, silver, and bronze so as not to fight with any patterns. “Gold and silver are neutrals that go with everything, ” he says. “They really complement the existing look in each room. The home is already so elegant and grand year-round, we simply built upon it for a festive, holiday feel.”
The already grand entrance and staircase, featuring beautiful stone floors and limestone, is given a cheerful holiday boost with drapes of garland accented with gold and silver beading, silver ribbon, and pinecones.
Floral designer Ray Jordan stayed with the neutral color scheme Lisa established in the main living areas. He focused primarily on ivory, silver, soft gold, and bronze for the Christmas tree ornaments and ribbon and added in pops of blue. “We didn’t want the holiday décor to be strikingly different,” he says.
A fresh garland with a strand of white lights drapes across the mantel to create a romantic glow in the evening.
A large wreath embellished with a chartreuse green ribbon welcomes guests at the front gate.
The same look is carried over to the pool house patio’s mantel and tree.
RESOURCES Designer: Lisa Flake, Caldwell Flake Interiors • 205.222.9139 caldwellflake.comFlowers: Ray Jordan, Flowerbuds • 205.970.3223 flowerbudsinc.comLiving room: chandelier: Circa Interiors & Antiques • 205.868.9199 circainteriors.comLamps: Atmosphere Home Essentials • 205.324.9687 Table: Richard Tubb Interiors • 205.324.7613 richardtubbinteriors.comDining room: chairs: Birmingham Wholesale Furniture • 205.322.1687 birminghamwholesale.comLamps: MCJ Interiors • 205.458.2700 Chandelier: Hiltz-Lauber • 205.879.0039 hiltzlauber.comBedroom: artwork over mantel: Antiquities • 205.870.1030 Fur throw and bedding: Three Sheets A Linen Shop • 205.871.2337
A few years ago, architect Bruce Lanier and his wife Scottie realized the need for a space in Birmingham where artists and craftspeople could gather, share ideas, and progress their careers. The first iteration of this idea took place at the old Continental Gin Industrial Park, where a small group of woodworkers, welders, and screen printers shared supplies and space and where various introduction classes were taught.
During that initial run, the Laniers realized that people were more interested in acquiring actual workspace, not just access to machines, equipment, and classes.
To accommodate those needs, the couple acquired the former RAM Tool & Supply warehouse and implemented their revised MAKEbhm plan. Some tenants from the old space set up shop in the new location, and word began to spread in the maker community. The website touts, “We provide space, tools, power, WiFi, and coffee. You provide the inspiration and perspiration.”
The overall vibe at MAKEbhm is palpable—you can’t see or touch it, but you know it’s there. Inside, a variety of creative types—introverts and extroverts working side by side, artists painting on paper or wood, craftsmen manipulating clay or metal—engage with one another and offer encouragement. And no matter where their artistic interests lie, they all agree on one thing—it’s the community that keeps them coming back for inspiration to create their best work possible.
Jewelry designer and goldsmith A.K. Hall speaks so softly that you need to lean in to hear her, but doing so affords you a better view of the many rings that adorn her hands. Each designed by Hall, some rings are delicate bands while others feature raw diamonds or a chunk of turquoise. And in many ways, the jewelry reflects the artist: quiet but strong, delicate but unwavering, organic and enduring.
Hall is not what you’d typically envision as an artist wielding a soldering iron and working in chemical alloys, but dig a little deeper and you discover she has a strong background in science and math. Having studied out west under artist Kristin Diener and at San Francisco’s acclaimed Revere Academy, Hall pairs classic instruction with an artist’s inspiration. She notes, “I’ve never been about perfection. Handmade things are never perfect. I think imperfections, especially in jewelry, are very pretty—just they are like in people.”
Hall says that the MAKEbhm space might prove to be one of the best tools in her arsenal. She credits the community effect in providing inspiration and structure to help her focus on her craft. An introvert by nature, Hall often wondered what it might mean to be in this hive of activity. She has since discovered that this environment allows her to thrive and grow, one gorgeous piece of jewelry at a time.
You might wonder how a maker could accomplish anything in a 9- x 9-foot space. Well, it seems that it is just the right size to house an antique letterpress, which is exactly what Chris Smith was looking for. While Smith has long been interested in the art of letterpress, he has only recently come to have a press of his own: a 1, 300-pound 1902 Chandler & Price 8 x 12 machine. Having taken classes in Huntsville with Green Pea Press and The Open Press in Chattanooga, Smith later interned at Smokey Road Press in Athens, Georgia, and with Terry Chouinard in Chattanooga, Tennessee. And while this art of creating coasters, business cards, and note cards still remains just a hobby for him, it is one he is excited about sharing with other people. “My setup at MAKEbhm allows me do that, ” he says. “I am glad to have the machine in a place where I can use it.”
When he is not at MAKEbhm, you can find Smith behind the bar at Urban Standard downtown, where he first learned about what Bruce and Scottie were doing in Avondale. “When I originally acquired my machine, I was living in an apartment and I knew I could not have it in there, ” he says. “I heard about MAKEbhm from somebody at work and then came by to check things out. I thought it would be a good fit.” And as it turns out, his small space is the perfect fit.
Spitfire. Powerhouse. Firecracker. These are all words that come to mind when you meet artist Amanda Petro. To think anything less would be to underestimate the amount of talent and grit she has in her tiny frame.
Petro worked with Bruce Lanier to create her ideal work environment at MAKEbhm. A high-backed open desk with room to hang her art-in-progress is juxtaposed against large white walls that she uses as additional workspace. Petro sometimes likes to sit on the floor and create so that the paint-splattered carpet provides comfort and sound absorption.
“I thought I liked working alone. But then I met (fellow maker) Susan Gordon in an exercise class, ” says Petro. “She mentioned having a space here, so I decided to check it out. Scottie (Lanier) gave me a tour. I liked the space so much that I moved in the next day.”
You can find Amanda Petro Art around town at places like Chickadee in Cahaba Heights or at her December 8th pop-up event at the Crestline Village location of Cotton & Quill. A well-curated Instagram account also showcases what she can do with paint and canvas. In describing her art, Petro says, “Everything I do is just really colorful with a lot of movement and energy. I’m also known for texture. I like to use thick oils. I do an under-painting in acrylic and then paint over it in oils.”
There seems to be no end to where Petro finds her inspiration, as she fills book after book with thoughts, quotes, drawings, and ideas. But it might just be the MAKEbhm space that inspires her the most. “Being here is a lot like being in art school—the community, the vibe, the sharing, the collaboration—but there are no grades and assignments.”
Psychologists call the act of copying another’s movements mirroring. Start a conversation with Amber Rosenberg and you will quickly find yourself shifting to the front of your seat, unconsciously emulating the positive energy and excitement she exudes. Her enthusiasm for the work she does—creating custom, hand-lettered art and globes—is so obvious that you can’t help but want to know more about her craft.
What began as a passion for fonts and a single Etsy post has blossomed into a full-blown career for Amber and her husband who handles the business side of Newly Scripted. “A couple of years ago when we were briefly living in Delaware, I started doing some custom chalkboard ornaments, which really took off, ” says Rosenberg. “But then a lot of other people started doing chalkboard things, so I wanted to try something new. My son had a globe in his nursery and I just decided to paint it, label it, and put it on Etsy. It sold like that!”
Her business may only occupy a 9- x 9-foot area on the MAKEbhm floor, but Rosenberg’s infectious spirit certainly spills over. “I really needed someplace where I could keep all of my stuff, but I didn’t know that just anyone could have a space here. I thought you had to be invited! I reached out (to the Laniers) for a tour and fell in love.”
Rosenberg gets giddy talking about what this space means to her business. “I can come and interact with other artists and we can inspire each other. And then I can still have a little time to myself.”
Pair one Alabama-born carpenter/designer with one Los Angeles-raised graphic designer, add in equal parts opportunity, inspiration, and a dash of destiny, and the end result is Alabama Sawyer, or ALASAW. Leigh and Cliff Spencer enjoyed a thriving bespoke woodworking business in Venice, California, for years before deciding to relocate to Birmingham and take their creative venture in the next logical direction. Cliff says, “Four or five years ago, we felt like we had hit the ceiling of the custom cabinetry/custom woodwork business in Los Angeles. We had great clients but we were doing the same thing over and over again. We knew we needed to grow and change the nature of our business if we were to keep growing creatively.”
Fast forward a few years and that is where the destiny part comes in. “In 2014, I spoke at Design Week Birmingham about urban timber and urban salvage, ” says Cliff. “I talked about this idea that Alabama has the second largest urban forest in the nation and that all of the trees were going to the chipper or landfill. I was telling people that they should be using that wood for other things.” As it turns out, Cliff and his wife were the ones who followed his own advice. They quickly realized that Birmingham was where they needed to take their business.
At first, the couple considered setting up shop by themselves, but the chance to bunk in at MAKEbhm has added a component to their work they never considered needing—community. They have forged relationships with other designers and architects, partnering on projects that have genuine impact. One of Cliff’s first projects in the Birmingham community was in reusing trees felled at the new Creative Montessori School site in Homewood. Cliff says, “The school was really attached to those trees and hated to see them go, so to have that wood become a part of the new school—in paneling, benches, tabletops and on the playground—is incredibly meaningful.”
While many of the other makers occupy a single 9- x 9-foot space at MAKEbhm, Susan Gordon leases six contiguous spaces to form a mini-production facility for her handmade ceramic wares. Her creations are rolled out in slabs of gray clay, and then shaped, molded, fired, glazed, embellished, and shipped from this one spot. She and her team turn out a wide range of items: plates, bowls, serving pieces, cake stands, and even jewelry. “All of my golding team members are painters by trade, ” she says. “It is a very meticulous process, and you need it to be exact and perfect.” Gordon’s overall operation has grown significantly since leaving her original studio in the small Homewood basement that she shared with a few spiders. “I am an extrovert by nature and I do not like working alone, ” Gordon says. “It makes me lonely.” The space at MAKEbhm gives her the freedom to pursue more retail accounts (over 80 so far) and the execution of new ideas.
This time of year sees an increase in production of seasonal items like her bespoke Nativity sets and angel ornaments. You can find her work online or locally at Winslet & Rhys (also at MAKEbhm), Chickadee, and Artelier. A portion of all her holiday sales will go to supporting The International Justice Mission, a ministry close to Gordon’s heart. In addition, Gordon has a new partnership with the Rwandan Children’s Project (thercp.org). She will be producing keepsake ornaments with sales benefiting orphans half a world away.
Growing up in Indiana, Joel Shaw discovered a love of working with his hands while taking ceramics classes offered at his high school. A cross-country/track and field scholarship brought him to Samford University, where he continued to develop his ceramics craft while earning an accounting degree. The name of Shaw’s website/business, EugeneSailorStudios.com, pays homage to his grandfather Gene, a craftsman who made Shaw appreciate not only the history of materials but the true usefulness of an object. Shaw has had space with MAKEbhm since its inception, finding great value in the community of artists who spend time here, the sharing of ideas, and the equipment Bruce and Scottie Lanier supply.
Not all makers work in wood, ceramics, acrylics, or paper. Sometimes makers need to go big and industrial. Basham Johnson is one such maker, and his story is fascinating.
Having been in aviation all his life (he is currently a commercial pilot for FedEx), Johnson maintains a passion for engineering and problem-solving of the highest order. With a flight schedule which allows him concentrated time on and a generous amount of time off, Johnson has the flexibility to pursue another passion. His excitement is contagious as he translates his scope of work: “About 2½ years ago, I had the idea to try and figure out how to channel a lot of the heat energy waste created in aircrafts and other places and turn that into electricity using a concept called thermo-electrics. I entered Alabama Launchpad, where we were finalists and financial winners. Since that time, we have added two more folks to the team. We currently have a working prototype on a small aircraft at the Birmingham airport and have been building a full-scale prototype.”
In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly rare to find people who do only one thing as a career. There are bankers who might cater on weekends, teachers who are seamstresses in high demand, and professional photographers who make honey. And then there are the two women behind Winslet & Rhys Mercantile at MAKEbhm.
Brittany Baker is a graphic designer by trade while Mallory Collier is a full-time architect with Brasfield & Gorrie. The fruit of their partnership fills a light and airy spot at MAKEbhm and is named after variations on their maiden names (Winslet and Rice). “A lot of the products we carry are produced by makers right here in this same building, ” Baker says.
The creative seed for Winslet & Rhys can be found in Baker’s bespoke letterpress line, Oliver Tell Studio, housed in the back corner of their space. There you’ll find her two letterpress machines—Phineas, a large stand-alone Gordon treadle press, and Amelia, a Chandler & Price Pilot tabletop press. Baker’s cards are sold at the Mercantile, and custom orders, such as the wedding invitations she created for Collier, can be ordered online at OliverTellStudio.com.
As for the rest of the store’s offerings, the products featured are roughly 40-50% local in origin. One of the best-selling items is a candle with a custom scent, created locally by Great Bear Wax Company. But in every category—baby presents, home goods, women’s clothing—Baker and Collier agree on one overarching tenet: an emphasis on good design and good quality.
What MAKEbhm can do for you
Whether you are looking for a small office, a cubicle, or a spot at a community table, MAKEbhm has just what you need to tackle your next endeavor. Flesh out that business plan you’ve been meaning to complete, develop the screenplay you have always talked about, or meet with out-of-town clients in a barista-free location. And if you are a maker wishing to turn your culinary skills into something more, check out the MAKEbhm kitchen. For more information on renting space or to schedule a tour, go to MAKEbhm.com
When talking with Joe Lauber about his success in the design industry, he usually tries to steer the conversation away from himself. “Let’s talk about the store instead, ” he often says. But Joe and the store go hand in hand. The chic space with its Hermès orange and white façade looks like it could be right out of Manhattan. Inside, it is supremely warm and welcoming and well-stocked with furnishings, flooring samples, lighting, and inviting vignettes. Once you meet Joe and his team, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an old friend’s living room—and you’ll want to take home everything inside.
More than flooring
“When I opened the store, I took a leap of faith by leaving a law practice, ” says Joe. “My friends at 18th Street Orientals encouraged me to open a flooring store because, at the time, no one was selling decorative Stark carpets. Thankfully, members of the design community embraced me, and I am still working with many of them today. I’m glad we are here to serve the next generation of designers. There are so many talented young designers in Birmingham that are doing some amazing things.”
Today, Hiltz-Lauber has expanded beyond just the Stark carpet brand. The downstairs is filled with row upon row of sample carpets that can be used in a variety of installations: wall-to-wall, stair runners, or bound area rugs. You’ll find sisals, wools, synthetics, and patterns ranging from animal prints to geometrics to florals.
What’s upstairs?
The lofty second floor is filled with furnishings, a soon-to-be expanded lighting showroom, art, and antiques. “A lot of people think we are out of their price range, but you can buy lamps from us for less than you would pay online, ” Joe says. “Plus, we ship, deliver, and assemble as part of the price.” Look for Circa lighting, Visual Comfort, and artisan lamps.
A mixture of antiques and new pieces.
Joe’s brother, Nick Lauber, runs the furniture side of the business, while Joe’s affinity for design extends to upholstery and case goods as well. “We love to mix in a few antiques that add character to a room, ” he says. “I always recommend keeping a few family heirlooms to have something with a story. As far as new pieces, we offer high-quality lines that will last.”
Hiltz-Lauber • 2838 18th Street South, Homewood. 205.879.3455
Homewood just keeps getting better. Thanks to smart city planning and a very walkable community, the city unites a vast array of design shops, eateries, and clothing boutiques. Once upon a time, you could tackle the main strip and sidestreets in a day. Now, you’d better reserve a weekend. Take a look at some of our favorite don’t-miss spots. You’ll find yourself coming home with a new outfit (or two), gifts for everyone on your Christmas list, and plenty of new ideas for updating your home.
Design & Interiors
At Home Furnishings
ARGENT ANTIQUES Of course, we know that Argent Antiques has an outstanding selection of sterling silver. The display case filled with shiny accoutrements is dazzling. Don’t get blinded, though, and forget to take in all of their other amazing offerings: antiques, art, and accessories—plus fantastic transitional pieces from Gabby furniture.
AT HOME FURNISHINGS At Home nearly doubled in size last year—which means more inspiring room vignettes and more designs to perfect your style. Their creative team likes to change things up often, so there are always fresh new ideas. From tableware and lighting to case goods and upholstery, At Home offers large furnishings as well as gift items and home accents. Their window displays are especially lovely during the holidays. And don’t miss their sister shop, Three Sheets, just across the street.
SEIBELS Need a vacation fix? Step into Seibels—the go-to place for chic lake house and mountain house style. You’ll be tempted to grab one of their soft blankets and snuggle up in one of the swinging beds.
DEFINING HOME Part furniture showroom, part workroom, and, with its increasing display of local artists—part gallery. If you don’t see something you are looking for on the floor, just ask. The resource room is stuffed with catalogs and fabric samples. Onsite designers are super helpful when it comes to putting together custom designs. A bonus? Defining Home is Birmingham’s exclusive dealer for Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams.
STOCK AND TRADE DESIGN CO. The 20, 000-square-foot showroom is stocked with so many enticing room displays that it’s easy enough to point, choose, and take it home that day—if you want. The designers thrive on mixing and matching seating, fabrics, tables, lamps, ottomans, bookshelves, beds, dressers, and more to create custom looks.
HILTZ-LAUBER Hiltz-Lauber may best be known for their vast array of carpets, but there’s a lot (A LOT) more than flooring in this two-story homes boutique. In addition to all that gorgeous carpet, you’ll find upholstery, a lighting gallery, art, European and South American antiques, and new pieces that are destined to become heirlooms.
MANTOOTH INTERIORS Be prepared to have your senses awakened when you step into Mantooth Interiors. You’ll want to breathe in the scents of the amazing candles, feast your eyes on the bold furnishings and patterns, and touch everything. Furnishings consist of warm, rich woods, and fabrics and draperies are wrap-up-in-luxury linens and silks.
SOHO RETRO If modern is your style, you’ll love the curated mix of vintage finds and new retro styles. Whether you’re seeking a Danish bookcase, Eames chair, or Heywood Wakefield dining set, you’re likely to find it here.
SWADDLE Swaddle is a must-stop for every expecting parent and grandparent. The boutique offers every necessity found in a big-box store but somehow, it seems Swaddle babies are going to enter the world a little more comfortable and a lot more chic. Their website is worth a visit too. Check out the guest blogs for helpful new-parent tips and insights from other Birmingham parents.
18TH STREET ORIENTALS Shopping for a rug is a lot like shopping for a piece of art. Provenance, style, and color all come into play. Thankfully, this family-owned business knows the difference between Persian and Turkish, vegetable dyed and synthetic, and they are more than willing to share their years of experience. Whether you seek bright and bold or soft and subtle, the expansive showroom makes it easy to check out all of your options.
B BAYER Looking to put your personal stamp on anything and everything? This monogram shop has moved to the main strip in Homewood—bringing all of the good stuff to its new location. Find the perfect monogram to customize your pillows, linens, and more.
BRANDINO BRASS Hardware is like jewelry for your home. And Brandino Brass is ready to help you dress it up. The 62-year old company serves hardware needs ranging from doorknobs to kitchen pulls to outdoor lighting. The designers are knowledgeable about trends and classics and have an amazingly wide variety of lines to show for it. This Homewood treasure is a favorite for designers and retail clients alike thanks to their stellar customer service.
AVX Want to turn up the volume? Add some hi-tech features to your home? Theatre? Surround sound? Security? Uplighting? AVX can turn your home into the coolest house on the street. The best part of all? They’ll make triple sure you know how to make it work on your own—and, they are always on call just in case you forget.
DK2 GALLERY Tucked into a long, narrow space next to Dave’s Pizza, dK2 Gallery is a cool oasis of rotating exhibits and openings showcasing contemporary local and regional artists. Curator Donna Krueger’s second gallery (thus the 2, dK is in Marietta, Georgia) loves to share her knowledge and help beginning and seasoned collectors find that just-right piece. Check out her Facebook page so you don’t miss her next themed event.
Homewood is one big community connected by several smaller neighborhoods. There’s the Tudor and Spanish style homes in Hollywood, loft living in the city center, and Edgewood cottages and bungalows. There are also some amazingly talented architects and builders that have had the foresight to improve and update the neighborhood homes while staying true to classic Homewood styles. You can’t drive down the streets without seeing signs for Twin Construction, Mayfair South, and Willow Homes. Best part about these builders? They live in Homewood too.
Clothes Shopping?
Whether you prefer to dress up or down, Homewood has shops that make you want to find a reason to do both. Don’t miss SOCA for trends and staples (and their amazing jeans selection), and SOCA girl (for mini-me outfits).
For eyewear, shop JJEYES. Even if you don’t wear glasses, you’ll want to after seeing their array of super stylish lenses. They take the time to evaluate each client’s face shape, coloring, and personality when fitting for a pair of glasses. JJ Eyes is one of the only eye exam facilities in the region where the patient receives 100 percent of the eye testing from a doctor.
Imagine living in a city where you awaken in a sun-filled loft, grab a quick shower, take the stairs down to your bike, and pedal a few blocks to the office. At lunchtime, you pop into the grocery store less than a block away for some dinner essentials. Your commute home is stress-free and takes less than 10 minutes. After dinner, you take a stroll to meet some friends at some of the coolest bars in the Southeast. During the upcoming weekend, you and some old friends plan to take in a baseball game and a few local craft brews. And it’s all within walking distance of that loft.
Right now is one of the hottest times to put down roots in downtown Birmingham. If you think this change of address is just for the young and single, think again. Everyone from empty-nesters to families with young kids are finding out why living in zip code 35203 might be the best place in town.
1. Location, location, location
The number one reason people are moving downtown right now is that they can have it all in one truly walkable radius. Walking to work, dinner, and a concert never gets old the way feeding a parking meter does.
David Murdock, a 58-year-old group insurance broker, says he initially moved downtown for the ease of commute but fell in love with so much more: “I walk everywhere. I never have to carry a lot of keys or a wallet. I usually leave with just an electronic fob and cash. I have walked to Barons’ games, every live music venue, SlossFest, restaurants, the museum. And I have a bike for longer journeys to Avondale, Pepper Place, or Forest Park.”
David Miller, 29, a financial analyst and newlywed who lives in Lakeview, says avoiding Highway 280 was a bonus in moving downtown. “Plus, there’s a nearby food and drink special every night of the week, ” he says. “I love Taco Tuesday at Moes BBQ and Bingo & Karaoke Wednesdays at Tin Roof.”
2. Zyp BikeShare
The investment that REV Birmingham (and sponsors like Regions Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Alabama Power) made in this on-demand bicycle rental system is paying off in spades. More than 12, 000 people have already picked up a bike in Pepper Place. With dozens of permanent and pop-up rental sites, it’s easy to see why Zyp Bikes have logged more than 65, 000 miles around town.
3. More Green
When Railroad Park is your front yard and you’re not in charge of the mowing, that’s a sweet deal. People come from all over to walk the 3/4-mile loop or perfect their ollie at the skateboarders’ 15th street plaza hangout.
Empty-nester Chervis Isom and his wife Martha moved nearby three years ago, noting that “a move downtown would eliminate home maintenance as well as give us a new adventure.” He especially does not miss cleaning those gutters.
But Chervis does more than talk the talk. As a board member of Move 20/59 Incorporated, a non-profit supporting the relocation of the elevated highway through downtown, he is working to add green space to the downtown vista. He says by removing the highway, vast new opportunities can be created and a connection from one side of town to the other will be developed.
4. Community
Discovering that there is a real sense of belonging and community amongst downtown residents is one of the most surprising things new residents find. David Murdock says, “You become aware of the many people who do live downtown and how incredibly different their lives are, like the guys who keep bees on their three-story building on the north side, or the couple that have a second-story porch and sit out there with their dog and drink wine.”
The Parham family has lived in a loft around the corner from El Barrio since before their 12-year-old son, Greyson, was born. Mom Marci says, “We’ve loved raising Greyson downtown, and he’s never known anything different, so he loves it too. I think it has a bit of ‘mystique’ amongst his friends, and he enjoys that.”
5. The Pizitz Building
Poised in the middle of it all is the famed Pizitz building where Bayer Properties is developing something remarkable. Located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 19th Street, this spot will incorporate a little bit of everything a downtown could want—six full floors of residential space, a mezzanine with office space, and soft retail offerings. But it is the food hall which has most people abuzz.
With 15 proposed vendors, diners will be able to enjoy some of the best this city, as well as the world, has to offer culinary-wise. Rumor has it that the site may also include an art-house-style theater, featuring first-run blockbusters alongside indie sleepers, all accompanied by a full bar. Feasibility studies are in the works on this project, but David Miller already can’t wait: “Going to the movies is one of the few activities I still have to leave downtown for.”
6. Publix
Scheduled to open this fall, the downtown Publix location will be the first major large-scale grocery retailer in the area. “I’m already shopping for a cool wagon or cart that I can use to walk to Publix and get my groceries, “ says Marci Parham. This location will capitalize upon the unique and diverse downtown community, serving those who live there and those who just work nearby.
7. Investment opportunity
Talk to any commercial developer and they will extoll the virtues of our booming downtown and the projects they’ve had a hand in creating. And with a wink, they’ll tell you there’s plenty more on the horizon “but nothing they can talk about just yet.” Most notably, the consensus among developers is that there is not just one single demographic who wants to live downtown. Dick Schmalz of RGS Properties says, “We are definitely seeing a wider range of people who want to live downtown. In fact, we’re evaluating a change in design in some of our upcoming residential spaces to reflect requests we’re getting for two- and three-bedroom units. We are getting asked for live/work options such as a two-story loft with a living space upstairs and an office downstairs.
Employers are reconsidering what they want their offices to look like, and many are thinking outside the glass-walled, high-rise, four-walled box.
A law firm could relocate to a warehouse. An accounting firm could set up shop in a loft. There are buildings with historic significance that are taking on new life from what they were originally built to do. By rethinking the traditional, companies are creating a space and a place that is attracting the best and brightest to Birmingham. And isn’t that what living in the Magic City is all about?
Historically a trading crossroads in the mountains, the expanse that later became Asheville was once a place where people simply passed through—it was not a destination itself. But all that has changed in this quaint mountain city.
A gateway to the great outdoors with backdoor access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville has become a mecca of artisanal, locally-grown food showcased in world-famous restaurants. The city also contains more breweries per capita than any other U.S. city and is home to one of the finest assembly of artists and working studios anywhere in the country. Plus, it boasts an incredible range of architectural masterpieces. And, of course, there is the beautiful fall foliage that renders visitors speechless. So pack your bags for a weekend escape and experience the unique culture that is Asheville.
Friday
AFTERNOON All approach routes to Asheville from Birmingham offer spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Experience the city’s artistic vibe with a stop at Lexington Glassworks(81 S. Lexington Avenue; 828.348.8427) to watch live glass-blowing demonstrations. There’s even a taproom in the studio.
Walk down the south slope to Twin Leaf Brewery(144 Coxe Avenue; 828.774.5000), a standout among dozens of breweries in Asheville for its cutting edge sustainability best practices and fabulous brews. Try the Dark Matter oatmeal stout, Luminosity Belgian-style tripel, or any seasonal “rotator.”
DINNER
John Fleer—a multiple James Beard finalist and former executive chef at Blackberry Farm—brings you the experience of exquisite food at Rhubarb(7 SW Pack Square; 828.785.1503). Sample the chili-lime hominy, heritage pork meatballs, and mouthwatering juneberry duck confit.
EVENING
Dance to the beat with a dozen or so drummers that gather every Friday night for the Drum Circle (Pritchard Park on Patton Avenue at College Street; moves to New Mountain music venue at 38 North French Broad Avenue in November; 5 or 6 pm until 10 pm).
NIGHTCAP
Complete your evening at Nightbell(32 S. Lexington Avenue; 828.575.0375). Chef Katie Button’s newest addition to the Asheville scene elevates the national standard for what a craft cocktail should be.
Saturday
BREAKFAST Vortex Doughnuts(32 Banks Avenue, Suite 106; 828.552.3010) reflects Asheville’s new-age reputation in its “Tasty, Local, Twisted” refrain. Favorites include the blood orange pomegranate, the Moonswine (whiskey glaze and candied Hickory Nut Gap bacon), and the signature Vortex made with cinnamon, sugar, and a swirl of local French Broad Chocolate.
MORNING
Discover the North Asheville Tailgate Market(3300 University Heights; lower level of parking lot C; 828.333.0960; outdoor location through November 19), showcasing the local food movement with more than 40 farmers, bakers, growers, chefs, and artists. Grab a treat for your Mountains-to-Sea trail hike.
Hike a section of the 1, 150 mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail(visit ncmst.org for guides, maps, route information, and trail updates) that runs from the western North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains to the seashore in the Outer Banks. Segment 3 (67.7 miles, elevation 2, 000 to 6, 000 feet) is easily accessible via several places along the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside of downtown. Or for an easy to moderate hike, try Craggy Gardens just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile Post 364.
LUNCH
Take your tired feet to White Duck Taco Shop(1 Roberts Street, River Arts; 828.258.1660) and sample the duck tacos, Thai peanut chicken tacos, or lamb gyro tacos.
AFTERNOON OPTIONS If music is your art, do not miss a tour of The Moog Factory and Showroom(160 Broadway Street; 828.239.0123). Check with manager Paul Gaeta to arrange a tour time in advance.
Enjoy the beautiful architecture downtown on the Urban Trail Walking Tour (printable map online at ashevillenc.gov). Asheville boasts one of the nation’s finest collections of Art Deco, Romanesque Revival, Neo-Gothic, Classical Revival, and Neo-Georgian styles.
Stroll through artists’ studios in numerous buildings along Roberts Street, Depot Street, Riverside Drive, or Lyman Street in theRiver Arts District (also known as RAD; 828.552.4723).
Unwind and relax at the Wedge Brewing Co.(37 Paynes Way #001; 828.505.2792; located on the lower level of the Wedge Studios). Be sure to try the Iron Rail.
Hungry? Walk down to The Bull and Beggar (same building as the Wedge, opposite end; 37 Paynes Way #007; 828.575.9443) and order the salt-and-vinegar pork rinds to go.
DINNER West Asheville is home to one of the finest restaurants east of the Mississippi—The Admiral(400 Haywood Road; 828.252.2541; theadmiralnc.com), located in a cinderblock building. The chef prepares inspired food that leaves little doubt you have arrived at a culinary summit.
EVENING
Asheville is home to incredible live music venues. Pick one and settle in. The Orange Peel(101 Biltmore Avenue; 828.398.1837), The Grey Eagle(185 Clingman Avenue; 828.232.5800), or Isis Music Hall (743 Haywood Road; 828.575.2737) are among the many choices.
Salvage Station(468 Riverside Drive) is a new indoor/outdoor venue on the French Broad River. Check out the schedule for local acts before you plan your trip.
NIGHTCAP Wicked Weed Brewing(91 Biltmore Avenue; 828.575.9599) is always a favorite.
Sunday
BREAKFAST Continue your foray into Asheville’s culinary world at Biscuit Head (West Asheville: 733 Haywood Road; 828.333.5145; Downtown: 417 Biltmore Avenue #4F; 828.505.3449)
MORNING OPTIONS
Make sure to visit the BiltmoreEstate(1 Lodge Street; 800.411.3812), featuring the home of George and Edith Vanderbilt designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt. The 10, 000-volume library is jaw-dropping, and the gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, are stunning.
For adventure, try the longest, highest, and fastest zipline in the southeast, Navitat(242 Poverty Branch Road, Barnardsville; 828.626.3700), about a 20-minute drive north of town.
LUNCH
End your trip with a meal at Cúrate/bar des tapas(11 Biltmore Avenue, 828.239, 2946). If the jamón ibérico de bellota (acorn fattened and free range pigs) alone does not transport your stomach to Spain, the setas al jerez (mushrooms sautéed in olive oil) will. Katie Button’s first Asheville outpost will fill you up for the ride home.
Classic antiques meet bold new style as the 11th annual Antiques at The Gardens returns to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens this October. Don’t miss four days filled with events designed to fuel inspiration and creativity—from presentations and panel discussions to workshops and curated retail spaces. Some of the country’s most renowned designers, architects, and tastemakers will collaborate to divulge tips and tricks of the trade, and dealers from across the U.S. will offer their wares and expertise.
“As the show enters its second decade, we are thrilled to bring such great talent to Antiques at The Gardens, ” says Ragan Cain. “It was an honor to be asked to co-chair with Cathy Luckie. We hope that guests will come and support this event, as well as the Birmingham Botanical Gardens—a beautiful backdrop for our community and our state.”
Antiques at The Gardens will kick off with a preview event on October 6th at 7 p.m. The next three days will be filled with lectures, presentations, book signings, and plenty of shopping. No matter your design background, Antiques at The Gardens is sure to polish your current style and inspire new ideas.
Lecture Series Speaker
Jeffrey BilhuberThis New York-based interior designer refers to his perspective on design as “uniquely American, ” combining traditional settings with patterns and textures that reflect modern comfort and style.
Michael Grim Floral designer Michael Grim, owner of The Bridgehampton Florist, will explain how he utilizes his greatest inspiration—color—to exceed client expectations.
Tastebuds
Suzanne Pollak Suzanne Pollak is founder of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, a class and lecture platform designed to foster meaningful connections to how and where one lives. NOTE: Tickets will sell out fast for this event. Only 40 guests ages 40 and under will be able to attend.
Taste in Spades
Eddie Ross
Antiques at the Gardens’ Taste in Spades returns in 2016 with four special guests:
Eddie Ross The East Coast editor of Better Homes & Gardens, Eddie Ross is recognized for his inventive, out-of-the-box approach to high-style decorating and entertaining on a budget. Eddie’s philosophy is to reimagine the possibilities in secondhand finds and give new life to existing pieces.
Gen & Ben SohrGen and Ben Sohr are the founders of Pencil & Paper Co., a creative team that guides home renovations, helps launch brands, and offers design wisdom on everything from dream homes to commercial developments. Their style takes Southern chic to a new level, combining monochrome minimalism with prismatic patterns.
Mark D. Sikes Interior designer Mark D. Sikes creates timeless interiors that embody an indoor/outdoor lifestyle by mixing American and European, traditional and modern, and new and old sensibilities.
Meet the Tastemakers
If it’s great design advice you are seeking, then Antiques at the Gardens is the place to find it. Some of Birmingham’s and Atlanta’s best designers, architects, and style makers will display their work and share insider tips throughout the weekend event.
Jeffrey Dungan Architects with Grant Trick and Beth WebbJeffrey Dungan Architects offers a group of design professionals with a passion for making lives better through the spaces they design. By collaborating with talented artisans and interior designers, the group merges architecture and structure with interiors to create thoughtful and cohesive experiences. jeffreydungan.com
Cantley and Company Cyndy Craig Cantley of Cantley & Company, Inc., infuses sophistication and character into kitchens and baths across the country. Her designs are driven by her love of bespoke English cabinetry. cantleyandcompany.com
Margaret Kirkland
Margaret Kirkland Interiors Margaret Kirkland designs rooms that incorporate each home’s innate character and her client’s spirit and lifestyle. She is inspired by architecture, scale, and natural light and often incorporates a client’s favorite objects, colors, or works of art. margaretkirklandinteriors.com
Pam Evans Antiques & InteriorsPam Evans curates her namesake Antiques & Interiors shop in a gallery space at Architectural Heritage in Birmingham’s Pepper Place Market. Armed with an antique-hunter’s spirit and an eye for modern detail, Pam knows that personal touches are what make projects succeed. 404.643.9455
PatinaMelanie Pounds is the design mastermind behind Patina—a boutique design studio and shop that exclusively features Verellen furnishings. Melanie’s style emphasizes balancing upscale modern with Old World traditional pieces found in the Verellen collection, as well as adding unique touches for each client. 205.802.9802
Todd DorlonTodd Dorlon of TMD Landscape Designs deftly weaves together a designer’s knowledge with a client’s personal style and the style of the home. In addition to traditional landscape and hardscape design, Todd designs custom garden elements such as water features, shutters, and gates.tmdlandscapedesigns.com
For more on Antiques at the Gardens and a complete schedule of events, visit bbgardens.org
When David Brogden first purchased 725 acres of mountain foothills spanning Chelsea and Pelham, Alabama, he was planning on creating a place for his family to subdivide and build. “I thought each of my children could have a couple hundred acres and we would all live on the mountain together, ” he says. But then he decided it was just too pretty not to share with his friends too. As his enthusiasm for developing the property grew, David knew he wanted to honor the land while creating a place for generations of families to put down roots. He named his burgeoning neighborhood The Highlands and invited friends to take a ride in his ATV across the 4-mile ridge so they could enjoy the views and catch his enthusiam for the mountain landscape.
Friend and artist Daniel Moore and his wife Brenda were immediately convinced and have already chosen their lot—a 2-acre mountaintop site with old-growth hardwoods and natural rock outcroppings. “We were looking for a place to build that felt like a true getaway but was still close to city conveniences, ” says Daniel. “We fell in love with the views of Double Oak Mountain. And with all of the amenities planned, we knew this would make a great place for our children and grandchildren to gather as well.”
Working with a team of engineers, David has sculpted the valleys to form lakes and trail systems more than 8 miles long. More than 200 acres have been put into a conservation land trust, ensuring the light footprint he intends for the development. “Everything about this project just keeps getting to be more fun, ” David says. Indeed, it is his playground. “I’m not a full-time developer, but this has turned into my hobby.”
A watercolor chart of the property pinpoints resort-like amenities: two fishing and canoe lakes with waterfalls, a timber-framed pavilion with stone fireplace, a 3, 000-seat outdoor amphitheater for concerts and other performances, a soon-to-be-finished clubhouse with infinity pool, and a future location for a covered bridge. Topping it all off are plans for a concierge that will include delivery and maintenance services.
In addition, David has teamed with architect Chris Reebals of Christopher Architecture and Interiors to design public spaces and custom house plans. “Buyers can have a custom plan without the custom expense, ” he says. Home designs are carefully created to fit in with the mountain topography and design aesthetic. “There will be no red brick anything, ” David says. “The home designs have that woodsy, Adirondak style with big timbers, wood siding, stone accents, and lots of windows to take in the views.”
So has David chosen his own lot? “Not yet, ” he says. “They are all so pretty. It's hard to choose.”
To schedule a tour, contact Amy Stump or Marc Scholl at ARC Realty, 205.969.8910 or [email protected]
ABOVE An outdoor swing from Southeastern Salvage adds a welcoming touch in the front yard.
For antiques lovers, there is nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt, unearthing those one-of-a-kind treasures that make spaces unique. Pam Evans, a spunky antiques dealer and decorator, knows how to pick them, and more importantly, how to edit her finds down to the choicest and chicest pieces. “I really do believe in less is more when given the proper scale of the pieces, ” says Pam. She also has an innate talent for buying an antique and turning it into something unexpected and exceptional. “I only buy things that stop me in my tracks and trip my trigger, ” she says with a laugh. “I love to take old things and incorporate them in a modern way.”
One such example is an antique French altar that Pam picked up at Maison de France in Leeds. After she sanded the green and orange paint off the base, topped it with soapstone, and anchored it to the floor, the altar was reborn as a sophisticated bar and serving surface. Pam’s gift for transforming things also explains the liturgical wall hanging in the dining room. “I was looking for something that wouldn’t compete with the wow-factor chandelier, which was already such a strong focal point, ” she says. So in came a French embossed stained-glass template from Paris–rolled up and unconsidered by others–that she discovered while antiquing. Pam had it mounted on canvas and encased in a custom iron frame. It hangs from the ceiling against sheer paneled curtains that line the dining room and other spaces throughout.
ABOVE The gravel-filled side yard provides another entertaining space with its concrete table from Elegant Earth and drum stools from Pottery Barn.
As far as color, Pam found her inspiration through Coco Chanel who believed in the power of the absence of color. Chanel once stated: “I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” And just like a classic Chanel suit, the home is judiciously accessorized and uncluttered. In the kitchen, a large antique gilt Italian cross is the only decoration of note, as is a grouping of three antlers in the outdoor room. The streamlined look does not require constant maintenance and provides ease from one room to the next. “I have the same messy stuff everyone else has, ” notes Pam. “I just have it all tucked away and out of sight. The design is full of storage for chaos control.”
Overall, Pam strived towards a classic look with a little edge. “It’s actually a bit more modern than I initially intended, ” she admits. “Sometimes you turn down a road and it takes you in an unexpected direction that you just have to embrace and keep on going.” Pam’s turn came when the white oak hardwood floors were installed and it was time to pick a stain. “At first, I wanted to leave them natural, but every sealing agent we tried gave the wood a pinkish tone, ” says Pam. “Instead, we decided to bleach the floors. That definitely elevated the modern vibe, so it made sense to bring a modern element into the décor and then balance it with antique pieces.”
Pam also made a point to intermix casual items with her more expensive finds. The outdoor room, where Pam, husband Donald, son Lawson, and friends chill and watch football, is ringed with Ikea chairs. Pottery Barn stools cozy up to the outdoor table. Even in the hallway, she chose Hobby Lobby frames to float cherished black-and-white photos. In turn, the house is much like Chanel’s little black dress—you can dress it up or dress it down, but it always looks in style.
ABOVE Each space has a carefully chosen element that makes it shine, such as the family room’s oversize mirror, created from antique molding discovered at The Nest.
ABOVE LEFT Sadie waits for guests in an entertaining area complete with a custom banquette offering extra dining space for large gatherings. The sculptural black stool is from Circa Interiors.
ABOVE RIGHT The dark walls of the guest bath offer a unique contrast to the light décor throughout the house.
ABOVE The large-scale chandelier Pam found at Circa Interiors sets the tone for the entire dining room décor. Chairs from Lee Industries through Circa Interiors gather around a dining table from Foxglove Antiques.
ABOVE LEFT White oak fluted cabinetry from MDM Design Studio brings subtle elegance to the kitchen, while swanky custom bar stools, a huge custom pendant light, and an antique Italian cross lend a dose of glamour. Honed Alabama White marble countertops and backsplash from Triton Stone continue the monochromatic theme.
ABOVE RIGHT A built-in bar sits at one end of the kitchen around the corner from the dining room, making access a breeze during parties.
ABOVE Pam refers to her custom furry bed as “a polar bear.” An extra-long lumbar pillow made from gold-patterned Fortuny fabric adds elegance to the white bed linens from Suite Dreams. Antique altar columns made into lamps and custom side tables add more gilt touches.
ABOVE LEFT Pam’s finesse at merging antiques with more modern pieces extends to the master bath with its Venetian mirror and chrome-legged stool. White marble mosaic floor tiles from Walker Zanger add pattern and interest to the otherwise serene space.
ABOVE RIGHT A gallery of cherished family photos lines the hallway to the master bedroom.
ABOVE The Evans crew uses the curtain-lined outdoor room year-round since it has a fireplace. A chandelier from Foxglove Antiques offers the right amount of evening light.
RESOURCES Designer: Pam Evans Interiors• 404.643.9455 Residential design consultant: Brian Jernigan• 205.877.3831wmbrianjernigan.comBuilder: Herman Watts – Watts Construction • 205.252.5848 Entertaining area: soapstone on the antique altar: Cottage Supply Co.• 205.458.0002 cottagesupplycompany.comChairs: Verellen through Patina • 205.802.9802 Toss pillows: Verellen through PatinaLantern: Beverly Ruff Antiques• 205.871.7872 Kitchen appliances: Sub-Zerosubzero-wolf.comRange:La Cornue lacornueusa.comFloors: white oak Riverbottom Pine 205.261.8030 • riverbottompine.comHand-painted pillows on dining chairs: Coleman Taylor Textiles Montgomery • 334.356.0330 colemantaylortextiles.comFabric panels: Robert Allenrobertallendesign.comFamily room armchairs: Lee Industries through Circa• 206.868.9199 circainteriors.comBathroom cabinets: MDM Design Studio • 205.458.0788 mdmdesignstudio.comHardware: Brandino Brass • 205.978.8900 brandinobrass.com Fixtures: V&W Supply Co. • 205.324.9521 vwsupply.com
Text by Alice welsh doyle • Phography by jean allsopp
A.K. Hall
Chris Smith
Amanda Petro
Amber Rosenberg
Leigh and Cliff Spencer
Susan Gordon
Joel Shaw
Basham Johnson
Brittany Baker and Mallory Collier
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ABOVE The gravel-filled side yard provides another entertaining space with its concrete table from Elegant Earth and drum stools from Pottery Barn.
