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Relaxed Refinement

By
Alice Welsh Doyle
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Sometimes all it takes is one humble item to get the whole design conversation started. When Jan Ware showed her client, Gates Brown, a white glossy round finial with a crackly distressed finish and announced that the whole house would be based around this object, it took Gates a few minutes to grasp the concept. But after a little reflection, it made perfect sense. Her family’s home would feature a blend of more rustic elements and dashes of city chic on a primarily neutral background in a captivating landscape of contrasts. “The end result is just what I envisioned, ” says Gates. “The design is not too fussy, and it’s inviting and understated. When I walk in the door, I take a deep exhale and instantly feel at home.” 

Jan and Gates go back a long way, so the designer knew what her friend wanted for this new house. “My old house was very traditional and just never felt like me, ” says Gates. Adds Jan, “This house is filled with soothing whites and grays and natural elements like stone and rough-hewn wood juxtaposed with sleeker pieces. It’s casual, but still elegant with a great flow for entertaining without being too open.”

Jan orchestrated the push-pull of the interiors like a great conductor with her signature deft hands. The large living room’s sophisticated ease springs from a collection of several styles and textures such as the contemporary chairs,  antique wooden chest, and polished nickel end tables that look like they grew up together under Jan’s tutelage. A vent hood with an industrial vibe feels perfectly at home against a rugged gray stone wall and open wood shelves in the kitchen. Simple linen slipcovered chairs cozy up to a sophisticated white lacquered curvy dining table that’s topped with a revamped vintage brass chandelier. Custom-stained pale toned hardwoods link the main living spaces providing the ideal background to marry the dressed up, dressed down furnishings and accessories. And in the master bedroom, soft colors and streamlined pieces temper the drop dead glamorous polished-metal canopy bed with tufted headboard.

To top it all off, special details pop up throughout the rooms. “The Browns plan to live in this house for the indefinite future, so we wanted everything to be designed around the way they live and for every last element to be buttoned up, ” says Jan. A living room wall features curtain panels that can be drawn to hide the television when company is visiting. Refinished antique doors with iron straps house a swanky charcoal-gray built-in bar in the dining room. “You can see these doors when you pull in the driveway. They are such a beautiful focal point, ” says Gates. Clever interior glass-paned windows link the kitchen to the all-season outdoor room for ease in serving during parties. 

And whatever happened to that finial? It has a place of prominence on top of a newel post in the stairwell off the foyer. “It’s shiny with a little age, ” laughs Gates. “A little rough around the edges, which is just like me!” 

  ​

ABOVE LEFT The vaulted all-season porch mixes durable bluestone floors, clean-lined slipcovered upholstery, a rough-wood coffee table on casters, and a baroque-inspired chandelier for a comfortable but stylish atmosphere.

ABOVE RIGHT Heidi, one of the Browns’ dogs, appreciates the living room sofas. 
 

ABOVE Contemporary elements, like this Lucite box, sit atop the coffee table’s distressed finish, creating a captivating contrast.
 

  

ABOVE Deep charcoal-gray walls lend the dining room a moody sophisticated aura and provide the perfect backdrop for the shiny white dining table and white linen slipcovered chairs. Antique doors, refinished to perfection, conceal a pretty and practical bar with natural floating wood shelves like those in adjoining rooms.
 

ABOVE “We wanted to use something besides white marble for the kitchen countertops, so we chose a neutral limestone that has a lot of warms tones in it, ” says Jan. The kitchen design allows for small appliances to be tucked away in generous cabinets while open shelves show off a pretty collection of white china that pops against the rough stone wall. 
 

  

ABOVE LEFT The master bedroom’s canopy bed takes center stage with its polished-metal finish joined by more subtle accents such as the neutral tufted bench and floor covering.

ABOVE RIGHT Cabinets with fluted detailing give the master bath streamlined appeal that complements more feminine accents like the chrome wall sconces.
 

RESOURCES
Interior design: Jan Ware, Jan Ware Designs • 205.585.7891 janwaredesigns.com Architecture: Michael Eric Dale • 205.599.6949 ericdale.com Builder: John Bryant, Francis A. Bryant & Sons • 205.802.7700 fabryant.com Decorative painting/refinishing: Daniel Whitsett, Paintworks Design Studio • 205.879.2751 paintworksdesignstudio.com Kitchen hardware: cabinet hardware by Architectural Hardware Supply • 205.910.4893 ahardwareman.com Limestone countertops: Triton Stone Group • 205.592.0202 tritonstone.com Living room: antique French fireplace mantel: Architectural Heritage • 205.322.3528 architecturalheritage.com Sofas and cocktail table in front of fireplace: Gabby Home gabbyhome.com Print over fireplace: Nall,  Fairhope • 251.455.0132 artistnall.com Hand-painted pillows: Too, Unique Pillow Accents • 205.862.8060 Dining room: antique doors: Architectural Heritage refinished by Paintworks Design Studio; Limestone kitchen countertops: Triton Stone Group; Cabinet hardware: Architectural Hardware Supply

Text by Alice Welsh Doyle

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Simple Sophistication

By
Paige Townley
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When Adele and Stites Whatley turned to Chris Reebals of Christopher Architecture and Interiors to design their new home in the Moore’s Mill Club neighborhood in Auburn, their request was to construct an inviting and seemingly effortless space that would also be stylish and unique. “We were looking at pictures online, and there was something about Chris’s designs that just kept drawing us back again and again, ” Adele explains. “His ability to blend contextual elements to create a home that’s beautiful and elegant yet uncomplicated and easy really drew us in because that’s what we wanted in our home.”

The “U” shape of the house created a cozy back porch and courtyard for the Whatleys.

 

The Whatley’s needed the home to be family-friendly for their two young children and also open for entertaining since they are located in a college football town. To fit their needs, Chris designed a floorplan that included private quarters for the family on each end of the home with a large public space for entertaining in the center. “The entertaining space in the living room blends seamlessly with the kitchen, breakfast, and dining spaces, as well as the backyard patio and courtyard, ” Chris says. “While we made sure to create those open spaces, we also wanted to give it some definition. If you leave it too open, it's just one big room and people tend to get lost in the space.”

Careful to create that fine balance, Chris varied ceiling heights and cased openings that transitioned the flow from room to room. For example, the foyer is compressed and then opens into the living room with a tall ceiling. “Such changes give you a different experience in each room—even though they are open to one another, ” he says. 

He also created definition with strategically placed architectural details such as the custom-designed leaded glass cabinetry located between the kitchen and the neighboring breakfast room. “The space doesn’t arbitrarily bleed from one area to another, ” he says. “Both rooms have distinction, yet they embrace each other and are still easy to flow between.”

To achieve the subtle sophistication the Whatleys desired, natural elements and clean lines were incorporated—both inside and out. On the exterior, Chris went with Alabama blue stone and had it cut to specifically feature clear, defined lines. The Spanish cedar front door and rubbed cedar columns on the back patio echo the natural wooden elements found inside, such as the hand-hewn cedar trusses in the living room, hand-scraped walnut floors, and washed pine ceilings. Other organic elements like the limestone fireplace in the living room and the mosaic marble wall in the kitchen speak to the family’s affinity for all things natural. “Using materials that have both clean lines and an organic feel help to emulate nature and create a look that’s really beautiful and timeless, ” Chris says. “And as they age they will only get better.”

The Whatleys continued the simple sophistication with a neutral color palette for the interiors. Walls throughout the home are varying shades of the same soft white to keep the organic elements firmly in the spotlight. “The house is warm, inviting, and comfortable, and yet it’s not something you see every day, ” says Adele.

ABOVE With the family’s passion for entertaining, Chris opted for a large center island in the kitchen that’s large enough for family and friends to gather around. The focal point of the kitchen, however, is the custom mosaic marble wall. 
 

  

ABOVE LEFT Adele chose a neutral palette for the house, including in the kitchen, where she opted for soft gray cabinetry.

ABOVE RIGHT Perhaps nowhere in the house can the natural elements be found more than in the living room. Here, Chris incorporated hand-hewn cedar trusses, hand-scraped walnut floors, washed-pine ceilings, and a limestone fireplace.
 

RESOURCES
Architect: Chris Reebals of Christopher Architecture and Interiors • 3040 Independence Drive, Birmingham. 205.413.8531 christopherai.com Builder: The Letlow Company • 327 N Ross St., #102, Auburn. 334.728.5300 theletlowcompanyllc.com Landscaper: Blooming Colors • 1192 South Donahue Drive, Auburn; 334.821.7929 bloomingcolors.net Kitchen cabinets, appliances, countertops: Cabinet Works • 2515 E. Glenn Avenue, Suite b205, Auburn. 334.821.7114 Kitchen backsplash: Cannon Carpet One Floor & Home • 3500 Pepperell Pkwy., Opelika; 334.749.1300 Kitchen cabinets color: Benjamin Moore’s Senora Gray Pendants above kitchen island: At Home • 205.879.3510 atthome-furnishings.com Kitchen bar stools: Restoration Hardware Living area wall color: Benjamin Moore’s Stingray Sofas in living room: Pottery Barn Arched metal-top table in living room: At Home Coffee table in living room: At Home Trim color: Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee Exterior brick paint color: Benjamin Moore’s PastelShell Exterior brown: Benjamin Moore’s Espresso Bean

Text by paige townley • Photography by jean allsopp

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Issis & Sons: Making their Mark

By
BHG Staff
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What began as a one-man business of laying carpet and tile has grown into the thriving company of Issis & Sons. Owner Steve Issis founded the business with his father, Odeh, and has since expanded to four locations in the metro area offering furniture, window treatments, and accessories. 

Where does each location offer? We have two stores that focus on flooring and carpet. Our other two showrooms specialize in furniture. One furniture store is in Pelham on Highway 119, and the other is at the old Greenbrier Furniture location in Vestavia Hills. The Vestavia store also includes a flooring area, which makes shopping even more convenient for our customers.

Current flooring trends? Stone, tile, and hardwood with sisals and patterned rugs on top.

What furniture lines do your customers prefer? Taylor King upholstery is very popular due to the fact that it is American made and it offers a wide selection of styles and fabrics. Huntington House is also a “must-see” for our customers. And Century Furniture offers impeccable quality, selection, and a variety of price points to appeal to a wider audience. For those who like an edgier style, we offer our Issis & Sons Vanguard Furniture.

Do you have in-store designers? Besides our wide variety of flooring and furniture options, we have a staff of experienced designers who are there to assist customers in making selections. We offer in-home consultations at no charge with the purchase of materials from one of our showrooms. Having immediate access to someone with a trained eye who can evaluate a space and offer sound suggestions is something our customers value.

Why do you think Issis & Sons has been so successful? We listen to our customers and make decisions based on their feedback. Because of that, we have gone from that first 1, 000-square-foot space to four showrooms that equal about 200, 000 square feet of space. We also have a global network of design professionals who stay abreast of the latest and best trends in home design and furnishings from around the world, so we are able to provide our customers with options beyond the ordinary. In short, our customers don’t have to go to New York, London, or Paris to get the home they have always envisioned. We have the resources to bring their dreams to them right here in Birmingham. 

For more information about Issis & Sons and its four showroom locations, visit issisandsons.com. To schedule an appointment with an interior designer at Issis & Sons, call 205.663.2310.

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Home by Design

By
Alice Welsh Doyle
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Sonia created a gallery wall in the stairwell with store-bought frames and a mixture of color and black-and-white photography. With room to expand, the Davises can add more photos as their children grow. Photos by Jean Allsopp

After having lived in a historic building on Highland Avenue for years, Sonia and Ryan Davis wanted a home with the same sort of character. When they found what is now their Homewood abode, they knew immediately it was the right fit for their family. “We were in love the moment we walked in, ” explains Sonia. “All of the details we were looking for—beautiful architecture, classic molding, and clean lines—were there.”

Sonia Davis

While the house, built in 1930, provided plenty of charm, it also required some work to match the Davis’ style. Both graphic designers, they decided to use their creative instincts to manage the updates themselves. “I’m into more of a modern style, and Ryan is much more of a traditionalist, ” Sonia says. “We knew taking the project on ourselves would be best for our budget and also a great way to blend our two styles together.”

To tackle their DIY project, Sonia and Ryan went room by room, lightening up what was once a dark home by painting the entire interior white. “I love a light backdrop, ” says Sonia. “It really lets the furniture and accessories pop.”

The kitchen required the most work and meant many late nights for the young couple. They started by removing the upper cabinets, which instantly opened up and brightened the room. They also replaced all of the existing white cabinets with black cabinets and added subway tile. “We wanted the kitchen to feel clean and modern while not taking away from the traditional feel of the house, ” Sonia says. “The black cabinets allowed me to bring in a sleeker element, while the subway tile is a more traditional choice. It’s a good balance. We also went with white quartz countertops which have the look of marble.”

To stay in budget, the Davises bought non-custom cabinets but used their DIY creativity to give them a richer feel. “We added molding all along the bottom of the cabinets to cover the toe kick and make them look custom, ” Sonia adds. “We also went with oversized unlacquered brass hardware to make the cabinets feel grander.”

The couple’s DIY attitude continued throughout the home. For the kitchen, Sonia framed favorite black-and-white family pictures to display prominently. In the foyer, she purchased agate slices and framed them herself—in frames she painted gold. She also found a pendant light for the foyer at a great price but in the wrong color, so she painted it gold to match. In the powder bath, Sonia purchased a simple mirror and added a gold frame. The dining room features an abstract splatter painting by Ryan. 

A powder bath under the staircase received a fresh, focal-point worthy makeover with blue-and-white wallpaper. “Now, instead of leaving the door closed when not in use, we like to leave it open to see the color,” Sonia says.

Sonia also incorporated bargain finds along with upscale pieces in most every room. The living room features a chic octagonal marble-top coffee table from SoHo Retro, as well as a gold side table from Target and a gold floor lamp from HomeGoods. In the dining room, she mixed higher-end pieces such as the Oriental rug and dining room table with budget-friendly side tables, a pair of lamps from HomeGoods, and matching round mirrors from West Elm.

Sonia’s natural eye for design not only led to a beautiful home for her family but also a newfound career with brother-in-law Doug Davis, co-founder of Hannon Douglas design firm. “I love making a home come together, ” Sonia says. And now she enjoys helping others do the same.

For a focal point in the living room, Sonia searched through old photos at the library and found a 1920s image of Avondale Park, which she had blown up. She framed it herself to hang above the sofa. The abstract painting is by Sonia.

The original house featured a white painted facade. Years ago, the house was sand-blasted to show the red brick. Another change: The Chippendale-style parapet was removed.
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Hollywood Classic

By
Alice Welsh Doyle
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Sometimes home buyers have the good fortune of finding a place where they actually like the renovations that the prior owners completed. Then all that’s needed is to layer in some personal touches and make tweaks here and there to suit their lifestyle. Rachel and Bart Lary needed more space and needed it fast once their first baby was on the way, so they were delighted to find a bigger home that didn’t need tons of work in their beloved Homewood. “What we did was basically cosmetic, ” says Rachel, who grew up on the same street where she now lives. “We added a built-in banquette in the kitchen eating space, painted just about everything, and put in a grilling area off the screened-in porch.” Rachel also brought in family friend and designer Celia McGarity Cox of CBM Design to assist her with the décor. “We were able to use a lot of pieces from Rachel’s former home and updated them when needed with fresh fabrics, ” says Celia. The designer convinced Rachel that the damask drapery panels from the former owners could be reimagined as café curtains in the kitchen, and she had the clever idea of adding a coordinating fabric border to the Larys’ living room curtains to make them work in the new house. 

Rachel opted for neutrals throughout the home with touches of cinnamon in the kitchen and robin’s egg blue in the living room’s art and accessories. Kitchen chairs from her mother were refreshed with a dark reddish-orange shade suggested by designer Marianne Strong. Rich brown paint transformed the living room’s bookcase and mantel into dramatic focal points. 

“My style is fairly traditional, and I have antiques and other furniture from my family, ” says Rachel. “They add to the sense of history in my home.” And history is important to the 1927 Hollywood Tudor cottage where all the changes, both major and minor, respect its past yet fit the present. 

ABOVE A previous owner remodeled the kitchen, but the Larys added a practical built-in banquette to make the most of the small space and better serve the family of four.
 

  

ABOVE LEFT The living room’s bookcase received an update by adding panels to the bottom and painting the back a rich dark brown shade that was also used on the mantel. For more distinction, owner Rachel Lary recovered her books in white paper and spray-painted old law school textbooks.

ABOVE RIGHT Light paint transformed the master bath and gave it spa-like ambiance.
 

ABOVE Rachel’s preference for neutrals extends to the master bedroom with texture and subtle color in the bedding and slipcovered side tables. 
 

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD HOMES TOUR
The Lary house was featured on the 2015 Historic Hollywood Home Tour. The Hollywood neighborhood in Homewood shows off its style in a biennial tour of homes put together by the Hollywood Garden Club with proceeds going towards neighborhood green spaces and Shades Cahaba Elementary School. Hollywood was a planned community envisioned by 26-year-old developer Clyde Nelson who paid $109, 800 for the land in 1924. Originally, Hollywood was to consist entirely of Spanish Revival homes that were popular at the time, but eventually buyers could choose Tudor styles as well. Strict design codes applied regardless of the style. In 2002,  the neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The next home tour will be in 2017. Look for announcements early next year.

RESOURCES
Interior Design Celia McGarity Cox, CBM Design, Inc. • 205.835-5980; Marianne Strong Interiors • 205.222.8876 marianneestronginteriors.com Bookcase and mantel paint color: Stone Brown by Benjamin Moore benjaminmoore.com Art over fireplace: Allison Wickey allisonwickey.com Kitchen banquette fabrics: Sunbrella sunbrella.com Living room ottoman and chair fabrics: Pindler & Pindler pindler.com Outdoor furniture: Restoration Hardware restorationhardware.com

Text by alice welsh doyle • Photography by jean allsopp

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Picnic Perfect

By
Alison Lewis
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1. The Californian 

½  cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese
1¼ cups thinly sliced yellow squash (about 2 small)
1¼ cups thinly sliced zucchini (about 1 large)
3 Roma (plum) tomatoes,  thinly sliced
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. olive oil
8 slices multigrain bread (½-inch-thick)
2 avocados, thinly sliced
1 cup alfalfa sprouts

1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and goat cheese. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Place squash, zucchini, and tomatoes on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Place in preheated oven, tossing occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes or until tender. 
3. Spread mayonnaise mixture equally over one side of bread slices. Top 4 slices equally with roasted vegetables, avocados, sprouts, and remaining bread slices, pressing together gently. Serve immediately. Serves 4. 

Courtesy of 400 Best Sandwich Recipes by Alison Lewis © 2011 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with permission. 

2. Quinoa Tabbouleh Wraps

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
½ tsp. salt
3 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3 medium)
1¼ cups finely chopped cucumber
¾ cup chopped red bell peppers
¾ cup chopped green bell peppers
2 Tbsp. chopped green onions
2 Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional
4 (8-inch) whole-wheat or flour tortillas
4 lettuce leaves

1. In a large saucepan over high heat, bring 2 cups water, quinoa, and salt to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Drain well, and let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, red and green bell peppers, green onions and parsley. Drizzle with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper, if desired.
3. Place tortillas on a work surface. Line each tortilla with a lettuce leaf. Spread quinoa mixture equally in center of tortillas over lettuce leaves. Fold both edges over filling. Roll up and serve immediately. Serves 4. 

3. Bahn Mi

This Vietnamese sandwich is traditionally made with pickled carrots, daikon radishes, and cucumbers and filled with roasted or grilled pork, Vietnamese pork, chicken, or ham.

¼ cup white wine vinegar    
1 tsp. sesame oil    
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar    
¼ tsp. salt    
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cooked pork tenderloin or Vietnamese sliced pork, (thinly sliced) *
½ cup shredded carrots
½ cup daikon radish **
¼ cup thinly sliced cucumber    
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro    
1 tsp. finely chopped jalapeño    
4 (6-inch) small French baguettes, split lengthwise
¼ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise (optional)

1. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and pepper Add pork, and toss well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. In a medium bowl, combine carrots, radish, cucumber, cilantro,  and jalapeño.
3. Place baguette slices on a work surface. Spread mayonnaise, if desired, equally on cut sides of baguette halves. Add pork and slaw mixture equally on top. Top with remaining bread halves. Serve immediately. Serves 4. 

* If using pre-marinated pork tenderloin, grill over medium-high heat for 10 minutes per side or until an instant-read thermometer registered 155°F. To purchase Vietnamese sliced pork, visit a local Vietnamese store or restaurant in your area.
* * A daikon radish is a Japanese vegetable with a sweet, fresh flavor. If you can’t find these, substitute regular radishes.

4. Healthy Pan Bagnat Grilled Cheese

2 Tbsp. sherry vinegar (substitute red or white wine, if desired)
2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2⅓ Tbsp. olive oil, divided
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 (7-oz.) cans solid white tuna, packed in water, drained
1 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
8 slices sprouted or whole-grain bread (½-inch-thick slices)
4 Roma (plum) tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 cup baby spinach leaves
4 ounces shaved Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat panini grill to medium, if using.
2. In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, 1 tsp. of the olive oil, and pepper.
3. In a medium bowl, combine tuna, red onion, and basil. Stir in sherry mixture, mixing well.
4. Brush one side of each bread slice with remaining oil. Place on a work surface, oiled side down. Top 4 bread slices equally with tuna mixture, tomato, spinach, and cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, oiled side up, and press together gently.
5. Place sandwiches on a preheated panini grill or in a large skillet over medium heat and cook, turning once if using a skillet, for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve immediately. Serves 4. 

Excerpted from 150 Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Alison Lewis © 2012 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved: Not to be reprinted without publisher permission.

5. Tuna Checkerboard Sandwich

2 (6-oz.) cans tuna, packed in water, drained
3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 slices whole-wheat bread (1-inch-thick slices)
2 slices white bread (1-inch-thick slices)
½ cup mixed salad greens
⅓ cup alfalfa sprouts (optional)

1. In a medium bowl, combine tuna, vinegar, oil, lemon juice, and pepper.
2. Place whole-wheat and white bread slices on work surface. Spread tuna equally over half of the bread slices. Top equally with lettuce and sprouts, if desired. Cover whole-wheat and white bread with remaining bread slices. 
3. Cut each sandwich into 4 squares, and arrange in a checkerboard pattern. Yields 4 servings.

Recipes by alison lewis / Photography by colin erricson

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The Flavors of Pepper Place

By
Paige Townley
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Dr. Pepper employees pose outside the Birmingham plant in this circa 1931 photo. Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives

  

The Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant began out of a desire by Birmingham’s Industrial Development Board to bring more industry to the Magic City. The days of the Great Depression hit Birmingham hard, and Board members thought bringing a Dr. Pepper syrup plant to the city would help diversify and boost the local economy. In 1931, the Dr. Pepper Company officially opened the Birmingham plant—located at the opposite end of the block from the local bottling plant—making it the company’s second syrup-manufacturing site and its only syrup plant east of the Mississippi River. Operations were discontinued in 1982. In 1988, Sloss Real Estate purchased the building and created Pepper Place, Birmingham’s first urban redevelopment project that now spreads across six city blocks.

Design Center

Cathy Sloss Jones, president of Sloss Real Estate, knew she wanted to reimagine the largely abandoned neighborhood in Lakeview and work with others to create a design district. Cathy and her team put that plan into action with the purchase of the syrup plant. They then began adding historic buildings to the collective one at a time, including the old Martin Biscuit Company factory. “We had very clear guiding principles about what we wanted Pepper Place to be, ” says Cathy. “We wanted a beautiful space to recruit and nurture local businesses. There is so much creativity in Birmingham, and we wanted to cluster that creativity into a community.”

Today, Pepper Place continues to serve as home to a plethora of antique dealers, showrooms, and shops, where visitors can find both unusual and traditional must-haves for every room of the home. The creativity continues with architects and designers, including Greg Hodges of Hodges and Associates, who originally coined the name Pepper Place. “You really have to tip your hat to Cathy. Not only does she have a passion for the city and a desire to help Birmingham move forward, she also has a vision, ” Greg says. “She saw this amazing possibility when a lot of people didn’t. She acted on that and created a community that means so much to Birmingham.”

It’s peak season for Birmingham farmers’ markets. When it comes to locally-grown produce from across the state, Alabama artisans, live music, and homemade foods, the city has plenty to offer. The Market at Pepper Place hosts around 120 vendors every Saturday.

  

The Market at Pepper Place

While Pepper Place has proven to be so much more than just a farmers’ market, The Market at Pepper Place has established itself as a core element of the district. The Market started in 2000 with just seven farmers. Now, a typical Saturday draws up to 120 exhibitors from across Alabama, more than 50 of which are farmers. “The Market at Pepper Place was one of the early urban farmers’ markets in the country, ” says Cathy. “It’s a really great story and an excellent model to help small farmers and businesses.” Numerous vendors that began selling at The Market are now thriving companies distributing their products throughout Birmingham and the region. “We’re proud of what our community and state produce, ” says Leigh Sloss-Cora, executive director of The Market at Pepper Place. “And the market lets us do our part to help it happen—one bucket of blueberries or pint of tomatoes at a time.”

New for 2016! The Maker’s Village: Pepper Place led the way in urban redevelopment and farmers’ markets. Now, it’s leading the way in the movement to celebrate craftsmanship with The Maker’s Village, a new event dedicated to Alabama artisans and crafters, shining the spotlight on the work of some of the state’s most talented craftspeople. The event will take place during the farmers’ market each week from June 4-September 3.

Restaurants

BETTOLA The locals’ favorite for fresh Italian salads, thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, and savory entrées like flat-iron steaks and pasta Bolognese. Chef James Lewis’s house-cured meats are only rivaled by Bettola’s highly-acclaimed bar program and thoughtful wine selection.

CANTINA Tex-Mex with a heavy accent on the Mex—the Yucatan Peninsula to be more precise. Trios of fish tacos and grilled vegetables get paired with queso fundido
with chorizo. 

THE RED CAT COFFEE HOUSE Snaps to this local coffee joint featuring lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolate, beer, and wine. A brief menu of omelets, Greek yogurt, paninis, salads, and wraps means you can fuel up with more than just caffeine.

OVENBIRD This casual restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Hastings offers small plates and a well-considered wine list. Hastings and his team cook all food by wood alone (via live fire, ash, and indirect heat). The restaurant shares outdoor space with Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery. Restaurant décor heralds from local sources: the Chelsea Antique Mall, The Concrete Farmer, and Southern Accents Architectural Antiques in Cullman, as well as graphic design work from Elise Jones.

Media, Design & Entertainment

  • About Town Magazine
  • bDot Architecture
  • Black Benak, LLC
  • BW&Co, Inc
  • Context A3
  • Country Living Magazine
  • Hodges & Associates
  • Krumdieck A+i Design
  • Live Design Group
  • Mental Floss Magazine
  • Murphy Media, Inc.
  • Peppermint Photography
  • Urban Coding
  • Peritus PR, LLC
  • Terrific New Theatre​

Showrooms

  • Atmosphere Home Essentials
  • Cantley & Company
  • Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery
  • Dekalb Office
  • Eisys, Inc.
  • Ferguson Enterprises
  • Frontera​
  • Heidi Elnora LLC
  • Illuminations
  • Interiors at Pepper Place
  • King’s House Antiques
  • King’s House Oriental Rugs
  • Richard Tubb Interiors
  • Scene

Mind, Body & Spirit

  • Aero Joe Pilates
  • The Collective
  • The Market at Pepper Place

Office

  • Aq2 Technologies
  • Battle & Winn LLP
  • BRIK Realty
  • Chip Rewards
  • Epic
  • Haskins Jones, LLC
  • Kahn South, Inc
  • MOMENTUM
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Photography by Art Meripol and Major Adam Colbert

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Built to Last

By
Cathy Still McGowin
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ABOVE Caroline and Kyle Sain’s living room showcases the original architecture and a restrained hand when it comes to decorating. Antiques and found objects mix with new pieces for a collected and very personal look. “I like old things, ” Caroline says. “But I like old modern things.”
 

Inspiration can take hold in many ways. Sometimes it’s a swatch of fabric, a photo in a magazine—or a drive down a street in Homewood on a sunny day. That’s how Caroline Sain first noticed the limestone house perched on a hillside in her favorite neighborhood and stirrings for her personal design project began. 

While Caroline’s initial intrigue for the property came from the façade, the home’s history made it even more enticing. Built in 1936, the home took its construction cues from an exhibit at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair. History has it that Birmingham contractor W.J. Boothby visited the fair and was particularly enamored with the innovative home designs. While the smart homes of their day had nothing to do with electronics, they did focus on stalwart building practices. Determined to bring what he had learned home, W.J. Boothby created his own home for the future in the Mayfair area of Homewood.

A family room added by previous owners was worth waiting for. Here, Caroline shows off her affinity for bold lines and natural materials. “I love primitive pieces with patina, ” she says. The twig wreath was a pinterest-inspired project crafted by Caroline’s sister. “I put it up at Christmas and decided to leave it, ” she says.  

 

Essentially a two-story square, the home’s original design employed all the technology of the era. Materials include masonry concrete block walls, poured concrete floors, concrete roof tiles, and steel windows. He sheathed the outside in Alabama limestone and chose plaster for interior wall finishes. Choice materials meant the house would be well insulated as well as fireproof, sound proof, termite proof, and generally low maintenance.

Garnering great attention at the time, Boothby put the house on tour and was applauded for his design. But as things sometimes go, the house became neglected, was turned into a rental, and ivy creeped across the façade. Disheveled as it was, Caroline, an interior designer, kept her eye on the place and vowed to make it hers one day. “My husband, Kyle, and I looked at it years ago, but we didn’t buy it then. Fortunately, it came back on the market, ” Caroline says. Also to her good fortune, the interim owners added a master suite and garden designed by Norman Johnson.

Falling somewhere between cottage and industrial chic, the house is outfitted with an eclectic mix of new, antique, vintage, and found objects. “Compared to some homes, mine looks empty, ” Caroline says. “I’m in constant conflict between knowing it needs stuff but finding love in its minimalism.” 

In the double-height living room, the pièce de résistance is the green sofa from Anthropologie. Grounding the soaring space, it makes a bright stand against neutral walls and furnishings. A custom bookshelf, designed by Caroline and built by Ed Grier, lines one wall and is filled with items that have more sentiment than dollar value. “I wanted something very utilitarian; And I’m always changing up the vignettes, ” Caroline says. Windows, original to the house, frame garden views. “The previous owners had drapes on them. I didn’t want to cover them up, ” Caroline says. “Plus, we are on top of a hill so we don’t need the drapes for privacy.” Kyle found the oversize paper lantern for dollars online. “He’s the king of Google, ” Caroline says.

In the dining room, open windows flanked by antique shutters look upon the garden making the room feel more French countryside than Homewood. Caroline’s grandparents’ metal bamboo garden chairs pair with two slipcovered end chairs around a custom oval dining table. 

Perhaps the greatest undertaking for the Sains was the kitchen. “I discovered the poured concrete floor joists and knew I wanted to expose them, ” Caroline says. The finished product is an open, airy kitchen befitting the style of the house—one that would still wow at any World’s Fair or home show today.

ABOVE A prior renovation saw the addition of the master suite. Here, a custom headboard is surrounded by personal items. The authentic drum tables came from Caroline’s grandparents—a souvenir from when they were stationed in the Philipines. The Danish chairs are from Scott’s Antiques Market. Draperies are IKEA. Lamps are Homegoods. The whale platter serves as a reminder of the Sains’ Martha’s Vineyard wedding. 
 

  

ABOVE A previous kitchen update did little to honor the original house. Caroline and Kyle exposed the concrete floor joists on the second story to define the ceiling, refaced and repainted cabinets, and worked with Triton Stone to update the floor tile and countertops. 
 

ABOVE When Caroline first spied her future house,  it was covered in ivy and had fallen into shabby shape. Still charmed, she kept her eye on it and she and her husband purchased it years later. 
 

Meet Caroline Sain

Graduating with a degree in interior design from Auburn University, Caroline says her continued education came after college when she worked with designer Betsy Brown and later, Philip Sides. “I didn’t grow up in the design world, ” says Caroline, a Birmingham native. Betsy and Philip really took me under their wings. I grew up in a house where my parents would get one new piece of furniture a year.” In this house, Caroline remarks on the culmination of influences from working with Brown and Sides. On top of that, she’s layered a developed eye that is uniquely hers. “Everything has a story, ” she says. With an affinity for things old and new, found and crafted, Caroline says she loves the feathers her children bring her just as much as a fine antique. Caroline works out of an upstairs office at home and has a booth at The Nest Antique Store in Homewood. This is Caroline’s fourth Homewood house. CS Interiors • 205.542.8446

The Nest Antique Store • 2718 19th Place South,  Homewood, AL 35209 • 205.870.1264

Text by cathy still mcgowin / Photography by jean allsopp

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Showroom Style: Blackjack Gardens

By
Art Meripol Photography
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What is Blackjack Gardens? Is it a showroom or a horse farm or both?
Blackjack Gardens is an outdoor furniture/accessory shop that has over 10, 000 square feet of showroom space packed with quality brand-name furniture. The horse farm, Blackjack Farms, is a separate entity, which offers boarding and riding lessons. 

How did the business get started?
The owner, Frances Gorrie, started her retail career at the gift shop at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. She opened Blackjack Gardens in 1997 on Birmingham’s Southside and later moved the shop to its current location.

How did you get started in the retail business? 
I started working at Blackjack over eight years ago. Talking with customers and developing relationships has been so fulfilling. There are so many options now available for outdoor spaces, and it can be overwhelming. Our job is to help customers decide what their needs are, establish their likes and dislikes, and assist them in the selection of their furniture and fabrics, and placement of furniture, as well. 

Why an outdoor furniture store (as opposed to interior)?
Frances enjoys the creativity in the outdoor industry, which is changing all the time with new fabrics, styles, colors, and applications. People that love outdoor living have more options now than ever before.

What lines do you carry? 
Brown Jordan, Lloyd Flanders, Gloster, Winston, and Summer Classics. There are hundreds of options available, and it is our responsibility to help our customers select what is best for them and teach them about the product. We now also offer Gabby furniture, which is our only indoor line. 

Do you offer custom work?
Absolutely. We can special order just about anything the customer is looking for. We have fabric samples and frame finish samples from all of our furniture lines. We work with commercial customers, as well as residential. Blackjack Gardens is a shop that offers something for everyone, from an accent piece to a complete outdoor living space. 

Birmingham has such a diverse home-style portfolio. Is it the same with outdoor rooms?  
Yes. People don’t realize the choices and selections that are available for outdoor rooms. Birmingham is very eclectic, and customization is key. We work to stay current with all the trends. 

 

Do you work with landscape architects and interior designers?
We work with individual customers as well as landscape designers and interior designers. Designers know that they can depend on us to assist them with outdoor furniture selection.  

Any new trends for outdoor living? 
Contemporary design is growing. Neutral colors have dominated consumer purchasing, with bright hues such as kiwi green, coral, sky blue, and red being added through accessories like throw pillows, rugs, and flower pots. I also am seeing a trend toward grays.

What are some items you carry that might surprise customers? 
We carry Vietri dishes and pottery. We also sell Primo Grills and accessories. We carry Christopher Radko ornaments year round. We stock Treasure Garden Umbrellas and also offer
customized shapes, sizes, and colors. We also have a wide range of indoor decor. 

Blackjack Gardens • 5549 Derby Dr.,  Birmingham, AL 35210. 205.836.2933

Photography by Art Meripol

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Terraced Delights

By
Alice Welsh Doyle
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ABOVE While the graceful garden is divided into distinct areas, the spaces flow together seamlessly with no indication of what is new and what was original in the garden plan.
 

It may have all started with a pool, but it ended up more like a slice of paradise with an outdoor room, water fountain feature, fireplace, and eye-catching vistas at every turn. “The Ashfords first contacted me about putting a pool in their backyard, ” says Peter Falkner of Falkner Gardens. “The project just evolved along the way. Barbara decided she wanted a place in the shade where she could still keep an eye on her grandchildren swimming, so we designed an outdoor room.” And why not extend the season with a fireplace for added ambiance?  “Our goal was for everything to be cohesive and look like it had been there all along, not just tacked on, ” continues Peter. “The property was naturally suited to adding these separate entertaining and relaxing areas, so we worked with it rather than trying to change it.” The design scheme also incorporates an existing Hawthorn tree that Peter and the Ashfords wanted to keep in the landscape. “It may be as old as the house (almost 100 years). I love its sculptural form, ” says Barbara.

ABOVE The two original structures in the garden, a pergola and a shed, set the tone for the entire garden project.

 

A rose-covered pergola and a shed were the only existing garden structures when the project began. Peter and builder Chris Franks looked to those and the nearby carport for inspiration. The cupola on the outdoor room mirrors the one on the shed, and the lattice treatment is in keeping with the carport. The outdoor room also sports a tin roof to match the garden shed. Bluestone and brick paver detailing join all the outdoor areas together for a uniform feel throughout. The same stone was also added to the steps of the existing pergola to make it blend in more with the new spaces. The change is elevations is the one thing that gives each space an individual presence. “You step up to access the outdoor room, pool, and pergola, but they are all connected to the fireplace and sitting area, ” says Peter. “You can’t tell where the old garden ends and the new garden begins; it all flows seamlessly, ” notes Barbara.

The understated color palette of primarily green and white was planned around the saltwater lap pool. “We wanted the surrounding landscape to complement the blue pool, not fight with it, ” says Peter. A long hedge of green velvet boxwood helps define the pool, while more boxwoods abound throughout with the addition of limelight hydrangeas, lavender, creeping fig, ferns, phlox, and ornamental grasses—a glorious backyard paradise that just happens to have a pool. “At first, I was a bit hesitant to give up my beloved garden space for a pool, but it fits in beautifully and has the feeling of a garden fountain, ” explains Barbara.

  

ABOVE LEFT The charming moon gate includes a scalloped arch on the wooden gate that mirrors the architectural arch overhead, creating a frame around the view beyond. 

ABOVE RIGHT Abundant ferns and boxwoods surround the settee in the rose-covered pergola with its iron topiary from Barbara’s store,  Henhouse Antiques.
 

ABOVE The addition of an outdoor fireplace extends the enjoyment of the backyard garden into the fall season. Oversize pots from Elegant Earth at the Arbor are filled with evergreen boxwoods trimmed to a neat sphere shape.
 

  

ABOVE LEFT A water feature spills from a bluestone ledge in the pool for pleasant garden music.

ABOVE RIGHT The outdoor room provides welcome shade in warmer months. Its cupola, tin roof, and lattice detailing mirror other nearby structures.
 

ABOVE Hundreds of New Dawn rose blossoms cover a lush pergola that looks out over the pool. 
 

  

ABOVE LEFT An abundance of limelight hydrangeas brings a soft hue to the peaceful surroundings.

ABOVE RIGHT Black-eyed Susans were a perfect choice to line the outskirts of the garden. The blooms nicely tolerate summer heat.
 

RESOURCES
Landscape Design and Installation Peter Falkner of Falkner Gardens • 205.871.5999 falknergardens.com Builder Chris Franks, Franks Building Company • 205.966.6917 franksbuildingcompany.com Outdoor design Henhouse Antiques • 1900 Cahaba Rd. 205.918.0505 henhouseantiques.com

Text by Alice Welsh Doyle • Photography by jean allsopp

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