Antiques Restyled

By
Stephanie Rhodes Narayanan
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Photos by Jean Allsopp

The blend of Old-World influences with an open floor plan in Laura Strubel Bledsoe’s Crestline home feels neither too new nor too old. It’s simply restful and fresh. The secret to her Goldilocks of houses: decades spent amassing antiques and then taking the time to figure out what to keep and what to give away.

The transformation began with a dining room that couldn’t hold her brood of three children, their spouses, and 12 grandchildren. And underneath her too-small dining table was a beautiful investment rug, exactly the kind grandkids are bound to spill on. “I thought, ‘Why do I have a table I don’t use and a rug I’m scared of?’ ” Laura says. Wanting to rework the space, Laura called Meg Wallace of Meg Wallace Design to help plan out the details. “Meg edited my collections and pulled out everything she thought I didn’t need anymore, ” Laura says. “And it was fabulous stuff!” Once the two women had worked out which pieces fit the new plan, Laura’s children got to pick through the items that didn’t make the cut. “It was like Christmas for them!” Meg laughs.

In the end, Laura’s large former living room became a combined living and dining space. A custom table of reclaimed wood spans the wall of windows, and Meg added a matching church pew on the window side to accommodate lots of kids. Wing chairs, Laura’s longtime standbys, anchor each end. The more compact formal living space still has plenty of seating, including Laura’s existing couch, a new shelter sofa, and slipcovered side chairs. Across the open kitchen from the living space, the old dining room has become a keeping room, with seating on a daintier scale and a small table for casual suppers.

Laura’s antiques still feature prominently in the design, though rarely in the places where she originally had them. A champion at repurposing, Meg loves helping clients rediscover things they already own. “That’s the most fun part when I go to a client’s house. I love finding things that are tucked away and presenting them in a new way to the client, ” she says. “Plus, Laura has such a great collection of antiques.”

In the new design, an intricately-carved cabinet moved from the prior living room to the new keeping room, where it showcases a collection of English ironstone. In its old place sits a dresser, once upstairs, which Meg was drawn to because of its simplicity. “I was stunned that she put that down here, ” Laura says, “but it looks great.” And now that the house is complete, it’s clear these reworked spaces aren’t just for grandkids. “This is the perfect place to have friends come for wine and cheese, ” Laura says. “It’s very liveable fun.”

Original house plans didn’t include this windowed nook. Laura worked with the late designer Paula Ford during her home’s construction to design it. The dining chairs make a reappearance from Laura’s old dining space, and the large painting was part of a New Orleans estate.

ABOVE A stately mantel and tall built-in cabinets anchor the living space.

ABOVE “It’s just so funny to see the stories of these different pieces of furniture, ” says Laura. The slipcovered white chair (one of a pair) was “bright pink” in a past life as part of a “Pepto Bismol living room.” The showstopping antique cabinet was an anniversary present from Laura’s late husband.

ABOVE Some of Meg’s suggestions for new pieces challenged what Laura calls her “traditionalist” tastes. “I love the contrast of the clean-lined furniture with the antiques because it just adds an updated but still timeless feel, ” Meg says.

ABOVE Simple linens offset stately pieces in the master bedroom.

ABOVE The pine washer/dryer surround isn’t just a stylish hideaway. “When I entertain, I’ll set the drinks up in there, ” Laura says.

Homeowner Laura Strubel Bledsoe (standing) and designer Meg Wallace

Meet the Designer

Meg Wallace has been in business for 15 years but has kept a low profile, attracting new projects primarily through referrals. “I think it’s a big step for people to hire somebody to come into their homes and work on their environment, ” Meg says. “It’s a very personal dynamic, and you just want to set people at ease and help them feel good about how they’re spending their money.” She approaches her designs with a focus on texture, existing pieces, and a keen editing eye.

ON PRACTICAL ANTIQUES New pieces are going to show wear and tear more quickly than an old piece with patina. Some of the older tables and chests can be more practical and more kid-friendly than newer items because they’ve already been a little beat up. The more dings they get, the more interesting they are.

ON LAYERING A room can get over-decorated really fast. You don’t want it to be too matchy with too much of the same color. By adding different tones of, say, khaki, or different tones of browns—from cream to dark brown­—and then bringing in different textures of the same color scheme, you add warmth in a more subtle way. It’s unexpected, and it feels more evolved than staged.

ON EDITED DESIGN You can always add more to a room. Often, the hardest thing is choosing what to leave out. To make a pretty space, consider what really needs to be there to make the room functional and beautiful.

Resources

Designer: Meg Wallace/ Meg Wallace Design • 205.447.5715 [email protected] • IG: megwallacedesign FB: megwallacedesign Architect: George Israel • 205.803.0075 ia-arch.com Builder: Keith Russell • 205.967.6878 Landscape: Todd Dorland, TMD Landscape Designs • 205.515.6643 tmdlandscapedesigns.com Living room rug: Issis and Sons • 205.874.9586 issisandsons.com Custom church pew and farm table: Renaissance by Evolutia • 256.318.6366 [email protected] Custom laundry counter: Pete Densmore Professional Remodeling and Repairs • 205.283.3930 Sofa and chair pillows, keeping room drapes, and washer/dryer curtain construction: Sew Sheri Designs • 205.879.8278 sewsheri.com Slipcover for living room sofa, keeping room club chairs, and wing chairs at farm table: Custom-Fitted Slipcovers by Angie • 205.533.5462 Keeping room settee, living room sofa, living room swivel club chairs: LEe Industries through Circa Interiors and Antiques • 205.868.9199 circainteriors.com Barley twist floor lamp: Beverly Ruff Antiques • 205.871.7872 beverlyruff.com Dough bowl: Argent Antiques • 205.871.4221 argentantiques.com Fireplace screen and drapery rods: Artistic Birmingham Iron LLC • 205.226.8822 Master bedroom duvet: Three Sheets • 205.871.2337 threesheetslinen.com

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Growing Up in Liberty Park

By
Caroline Leak
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On a lazy Saturday in September, two boys are biking to a nearby pond, fishing poles teetering out of their backpacks. A mother watches as her toddlers run around in the nearby playground, their gleeful shrieks interrupting the stillness of the Liberty Park neighborhood.

What started as a controversial annexation to Vestavia Hills in 1992 has slowly but surely become one of Birmingham’s most desirable communities. For decades, families have flocked to Liberty Park to raise their children in this 4, 000-acre haven. Each of the 22 neighborhoods was designed to be distinct microcosms within a larger community, according to vice president of development Shawn Arterburn. “We want it to feel like a hometown, ” he says. Officially called a “Master-Planned Community, ” the ultimate goal of the developers was to create a flexible but deliberately designed suburb that would offer everything a family could want.

The construction of HealthSouth’s headquarters has spurred along even more opportunities. “It’s going to bring additional jobs, additional growth, and additional homes, ” Shawn says. The newest neighborhood, The Overlook, features lake-front sites and homes ranging from the 400’s to 700’s. Despite all of this change, Arterburn touts the overall tranquility of the place. “It’s only seconds from 459, but it’s so serene, ” he says. And indeed, once you pass Lady Liberty, the stress of the interstate diffuses amongst the shaded parkway as the speed limit drops to an ambling 24 miles per hour.

“All the kids are out here playing after school, ” longtime resident Burgin Vernon says. Children are out and about, riding bikes, dribbling basketballs, and chasing each other through sprinklers. Parents can rest easy, knowing their child is one or two streets over with the freedom to play just like they did as a youth. For more recreation, Lunker Public Lake sprawls throughout the development. “My kids love to fish. We take the golf cart and tow a little boat behind it, ” says Kelli Eschleman who has lived in Liberty Park with her husband and three sons since 2003.

Other perks include proximity to the renowned, invitation-only Old Overton Country Club. The golf course, designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate, ranked as one of the top courses in Alabama by Golfer’s Digest this year. Seven Hydrocourts and two hard courts are home to a burgeoning tennis program. The nearby swim pavilion offers a welcome respite.

An attentive homeowner’s association ensures that the neighborhoods retain their idyllic appearances. Every detail of Liberty Park has been thoughtfully planned out, from the mailboxes to the architectural styles of the homes. “You feel proud to live here, ” Kelli says. “It’s very well maintained.” In addition to the community feel and the big backyards, Kelli says the school system was another draw. In 2015, Liberty Park Elementary was ranked second in the state by the National Center for Education Statistics. The school system consistantly ranks in the 98th percentile among Alabama schools.

Miles of walking trails, dog parks, a new “splash pad, ” baseball and football stadiums, and community events make it hard to leave Liberty Park. “You really don’t have to go somewhere else. You can do so much right here, ” Bugin says.

Text by Caroline Leak // Photography by Erica Lawson

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Inspiring Style at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

By
Cathy Still McGowin
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Vine Garden Market

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.

The weekend 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.

2017 Show Hours

Friday, October 6, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 8, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

General Admission:
$15 per person  / Members:  Free

Tastemakers

Antiques at The Gardens will feature Tastemakers who are regionally and nationally known architects, interior designers, and landscape designers. Each designer will curate themed areas with goods selected from the best of Birmingham and other sources around the country.

Corbett Scott and Chad Graci
Mary Catherine Folmar
John Wilson: GoLightly Landscape Architecture
Katherine Bramlett Design
Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design
Jay Draper and Mark Thompson

Tastebuds

Define Your Style // 10:30 a.m. October 5, $30

Rebecca Vizard
Kinsey Marable
Elizabeth Adams

Lecture Series Speakers

Friday, October 6

  • Amanda Nisbet // 10:30 a.m.
  • Richard Keith Langham // book signing and reception to follow // 10:30 a.m., $40
  • Lunch with Tastemakers hosted by Southern Home // 12:30 p.m., $30 (includes lunch)

Saturday, October 7

  • Vine Garden Market // 10 a.m. // Free, with General Admission ticket
  • Panel Discussion: Designing Women featuring Vine Garden Market, Charlotte Lucas, Liz Carroll, and Paloma Contreras. 11:30 a.m. / $35 (includes lunch and show admission)
  • Charlotte Lucas & Liz Carroll // “Southern Sophistication” // 1 p.m. (sip and shop pop-up shop to follow) // Free, with General Admission ticket
  • Paloma Contreras // “A Modern Take on Traditional Style” // 2 p.m. // Free, with General Admission ticket
  • Barbara Westbrook // “The Art of Gracious Living” // 3 p.m. (book signing to follow) // Free, with General Admission ticket

Sunday, October 8

  • Southern Sunday // Beth Webb with Jeffrey Dungan // 11:30 a.m. (Beth Webb book signing to follow) // Free, with General Admission ticket
  • A Conversation with Bobby McAlpine & Chris Tippett // 1 p.m. (Bobby McAlpine book signing to follow)
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Smith Lake Simplicity

By
Alice Welsh Doyle
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Silver Rock Cove at Smith Lake shows off fall colors—its close location to Birmingham ensures year-round use. Wooden boardwalks stretch from back porches straight down to shared docks. Photos by Jean Allsopp

Life at the lake evokes images of relaxation and lots of fun, punctuated by ease. And if finding and decorating that lake house is easy as well, then all the better. Designer Mark Kennamer, who grew up on Lake Guntersville, was always interested in a lake house but wasn’t in serious pursuit when one basically fell in his lap. “Jason and I weren’t exactly looking, but friends decided to sell their Smith Lake house and asked if we were interested, ” says Mark. “I had decorated the place, so naturally I was very familiar with it and the neighborhood. It really was a no-brainer.”

The house, located in Silver Rock Cove, is one of only 94 homes in the development, which appealed to Mark and Jason. Additionally, the community includes a marina and two swimming pools. Once the pair purchased the house,   they began the process of changing it up a bit to suit their tastes.

The stained pine walls were painted white, instantly brightening the rooms, and the kitchen cabinets received a smart glossy blue makeover. “I really approached every decision with comfort in mind, and I didn’t want anything too formal, ” says Mark. The main living room’s blue-and-white palette also brought a fresh look to the space. “It does have a bit of a coastal attitude, which appeals to Jason since he grew up in Mobile, ” says Mark. The space has lots of seating options for entertaining, and many pieces are upholstered in practical but pretty Sunbrella fabrics and even lake-friendly vinyl. While the living room has some sophisticated notes, the original pine floors and painted shiplap walls impart a cottage feel, keeping the house grounded in its lakeside location.

For his bedroom, Mark left color behind and embraced a neutral scheme with a statement-making iron canopy bed. The windows, dressed in sheer panels, soften and contribute to the soothing atmosphere. Jason’s bedroom leans masculine, anchored by a rich paisley Schumacher wallpaper that inspired the rest of the choices in the room. “I held on to a sample of that wallpaper for 20 years waiting for the perfect place to use it, ” says Mark. “Although it had been discontinued, there were enough rolls left to do the job.” A handsome striped Brunschwig & Fils fabric makes up the tall custom headboard, while the bedding is from Pottery Barn. “It really is a mix of high/low throughout the rooms, ” says Mark.

Now that the home reflects their style, Mark and Jason enjoy hosting neighborhood gatherings, especially in the fall while watching Auburn football. “We welcome the escape here, and we’ve made many friends at the lake, ” says Mark. “We tend to hang out in each other’s homes with everyone taking turns hosting.” Just one more easy aspect of lake life.

The crisp blue and white palette gives the main living space a fresh, Coastal feel.
Mark chose simple accents such as blooms atop stacks of books.
An unexpected blue hue adds interest to the small kitchen.
A large wire crab trap greets guests going up to the third-floor loft space and hints at Jason’s childhood in Mobile and on the Alabama coast.
Mark’s bedroom lends itself to the aura of escape with a pretty and soothing neutral palette punctuated by an iron canopy bed and gold antique mirror. An arrangement of leaves brings welcome fall color into the serene space.
Jason’s bedroom takes on a more sophisticated tone with a palette of browns and golds.
Life on the lake doesn’t slow down at summer’s end. It beckons during every season, even throughout the cooler months.
Picture windows on the second floor and a generous back porch make sure the lake is always in view.

RESOURCES
Interior design: Mark Kennamer • 205.413.6976 markkennamerdesign.com Architect: Louis Nequette Nequette Architecture and Design nequette.com Kitchen cabinet paint color: Benjamin Moore ‘Hale Navy’ benjaminmoore.com Rugs: Hiltz-Lauber • 205.879.0039 hiltzlauber.com Hardwoods: furniture: MCJ Co Interiors • 205.458.2700

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Even Greener Pastures

By
Christiana Roussel
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ABOVE David, Ellen, and their three girls lived at The Orvis Farmhouse before their twin boys arrived.

Fertilizer may have been the official family business, but it is true Southern hospitality that grew Pursell Farms, setting it on the course it’s on today. Started by David Pursell’s great grandfather in 1904, the business quickly became known for its product. But as fertilizers themselves evolved, so did the company’s sales and marketing techniques. In 1997, the family sold the consumer arm of the business but retained ownership of a proprietary technological fertilizer delivery system, and David Pursell was eager to get it into the hands of every golf course superintendent in the country.

ABOVE Ellen Pursell’s kitchen table looks like a Pinterest board come to life as she moves swatches around with various paint sticks and photos of furniture.

Photo by Cary Norton

Back then, David and his wife Ellen used to load their six kids into a couple of 4-wheelers and explore every nook and cranny of the 3, 200-acre family property in Sylacauga, Alabama—just 45 minutes southeast of Birmingham. It was on one of those excursions that David had a revelation: “What if we built the Epcot of golf? I wanted to create an attraction that every golf course superintendent in the country would have to come see and experience. So we called it ‘The Experience at FarmLinks.’ ”

Instead of hiring a 100+ person sales force to go out and call on each golf course, David had a four-person sales-and-marketing team that hosted two groups of 15 to 20 potential customers each week. Besides classroom time spent viewing PowerPoint presentations and taking factory tours, guests got to see the Pursell Technologies, Inc., products in action on a Hurdzan-Fry designed course that Golfweek consistently ranks #1 in Alabama. Greeted by the Pursells at the airport, these golf course superintendents overnighted in anything-but-rustic cottages and dined on classic Southern delights. And they were instantly won over by the entire family-run operation. David adds, “We didn’t know many of the guests before they arrived, but by the time they left, we knew them intently and they knew us. A lot of times, they were placing orders before they even got on the plane to go home.”

This commitment to excellence in hospitality is what drives the latest iteration of Pursell Farms. Having sold the final piece of the fertilizer business in 2006, the family focused even more on the golf course, promoting the corporate meeting business, adding an Orvis-run hunting and fishing operation, and hosting a few small weddings each year.

ABOVE The new Inn at Pursell Farms will open in spring 2018. The 40 rooms will double the occupancy on the property. Guests can relax poolside or catch golf tournaments on plasma televisions in Old Tom’s Pub.

During this time, David says they entered into an intense planning phase to figure out what they ultimately wanted Pursell Farms to be and “what we needed to do to really blow people away.” Golf and corporate meetings continue to be core parts of the business model, but with the addition of a 40-room inn (set to open Spring 2018), a swoon-worthy indoor/outdoor wedding venue, a spa, a restaurant, and a pool,  Pursell Farms is poised to be the premiere leisure destination in the Southeast. The entire property can be reserved for wedding weekends. Girlfriend getaway groups love the cozy cottages. And business retreat guests enjoy meeting in Parker Lodge, where Chef Andrea Griffith and her team can prepare a custom meal so the brainstorming doesn’t have to break for dinner.

The Pursell family is teeming with talent, but one might argue that David’s wife, Ellen Pursell, is his ace-in-the-hole. Her keen eye for sophisticated but relaxed décor can be seen throughout the property as she has designed every single living space. From the bespoke kitchen table at The Orvis Farmhouse to the antique dressers that now accommodate sink basins in several rooms to the handsewn valances, Ellen’s mark is found throughout the property. While she has no formal training, Ellen says she “just plays with things until they feel right.” And as the opening of the new inn draws closer, she is more aware than ever that she wants each space to feel elegant but as comfortable as home.

ABOVE A guest room in the Orvis Farmhouse.

Lodging

With the spring 2018 opening of the new Inn at Pursell Farms, the number of accommodations is set to double on the property. Currently, guests may book rooms in historic Hamilton Place (a restored classic raised cottage built in 1852) or The Orvis Farmhouse, the oldest home on the property. Larger groups enjoy taking over Parker Lodge or any of The Cabins on Masters Row or Architects Circle Cottages. The new inn will shift gears slightly to focus on those guests wanting a more traditional hotel setting. With king-sized bedrooms, a poolside lounge,   a fitness center, a pub, and restaurants, the inn offers everything guests need for a relaxing stay.

ABOVE Built in 1830, The Orvis Farmhouse is the oldest home at Pursell Farms. The property has been meticulously updated with modern amenities, but original features like the hand-hewn timber serve to maintain the timeless charm. Today, it’s one of several overnight accomodations at Pursell Farms.

Dining

Acclaimed chef Andrea Griffith, sommelier José Montalvo, and master gardener John Wesson work in concert to make sure every bite eaten at Pursell Farms is memorable. Seasonal menus make the most of everything grown on-site, where a 2-acre garden yields an organic bevy of produce. In addition to enjoying meals in The Grille at the Clubhouse, guests will soon be able to order more casual fare while taking in views of the 18th fairway at Old Tom’s Pub, located at the new inn. More elegant meals will be served at Arrington’s, featuring farm-to-fork specialties. As always, Chef Griffith and her team are available to cater private events for guests in the lodge, cottages, or cabins.

ABOVE The sweeping driveway to Hamilton Place marks only the beginning of a bride’s fairytale wedding.

Photo by Michael Clemmer

Weddings at Pursell Farms

Leave it to the parents of five children (four of whom are married) to dream up the perfect wedding destination. Hamilton Place is a 22-acre venue featuring much of what every bride wants—a picture-perfect setting with panoramic views of mountains and a flower-laden arbor in the middle of a manmade pond. Hardwood floors line the new 3, 500-square-foot climate-controlled space that can accommodate up to 350 guests. Parker Lodge and John Piney’s Barn are other sites perfect for special occasion get-togethers of any size.

Golf

Golf is as important as ever to the continued success of Pursell Farms. The 18-hole Hurdzan-Fry designed course has been the #1-ranked all-access golf course in Alabama for the past four years in Golfweek. Featuring open and forgiving fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and panoramic views of mountains and lakes, it is a golfer’s dream. Not content to call it a day after 18 holes? Stay overnight in one of The Cabins on Masters Row and you can play on an exclusive course just for guests.

Photography by Jean Allsopp

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Tailgate Ready

By
Anne Cain
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Alabama Cheese Board

For a no-cook tailgate option, create an artful display of Alabama cheeses on an Alabama-shaped wooden cutting board.

1 (11-oz.) Belle Chevre goat cheese log
½ cup Wickles spicy red sandwich spread
1 (6-oz.) jar Stone Hollow Creamery goat cheese with sundried tomato and basil
1 (4.2-oz.) wedge Dayspring Dairy sheep’s milk gouda-style cheese
Assorted crackers
½ cup pecans

To serve, top log of goat cheese with about ½ cup spicy red sandwich spread. Spoon sundried tomato and basil goal cheese onto crackers. Arrange all items on cutting board. Yields 12 servings.

Pimiento Cheese

This classic spread is a must at all Southern tailgate parties.  It’s better if you make it a few days ahead.

8 oz. extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. garlic salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained

Combine first 6 ingredients, and stir well.  Stir in pimiento.  Cover and chill.  Serve with crackers. Yields 2 1/2 cups.

  

Easy Barbecue Chicken Sliders

Use rotisserie chicken and bottled barbecue sauce to make these easy mini barbecue chicken sandwiches

1 cup traditional barbecue sauce
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. spicy mustard
½ tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. garlic salt
2 cups shredded, skinless boneless rotisserie chicken breast
1 (12-oz.) package Hawaiian sweet rolls
12 bread-and-butter pickle chips

Combine barbecue sauce and next 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan, and cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a simmer.  Add chicken, and stir well.  Cook until thoroughly heated. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of chicken onto the bottom half of each roll. Top with a pickle and top half of roll. Yields 12 sandwiches.

Easy Black Bean-and-Corn Salsa

You can make this easy 5-ingredient dip in about 5 minutes with items you may already have in your pantry.

1 (15.5-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15.25-oz.) can whole-kernel corn, drained
1 (16-oz.) jar chunky salsa
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, and stir to combine.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.  Serve with tortilla chips. Yields 4 cups.

Photography by Art Meripol

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A Modern Masterpiece in Homewood

By
Jeff Book
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modern home exterior
Beyond the projecting porch roof, a tall slot window reveals the striking staircase. Photos by Heather Knowles & Art Meripol

It takes a designer with vision to give lackluster old buildings a strong new pulse. Architect Mike Gibson has a record of doing just that—adaptive reuse with a flair. Whether or not you know the source, you’ve probably admired projects by his design/build company, Appleseed Workshop (now merged with Golden Construction). Among them are some of the city’s most stylish spaces, including such signs of downtown’s revival as Revelator Coffee, El Barrio, Paramount Bar, Bamboo on 2nd, Roots & Revelry, and various lofts.

Still, when the architect and his wife, Brooke, bought a ramshackle house in Homewood, a rumor arose that he wanted to replace it with an industrial-style structure clad in corrugated metal. The neighbors needn’t have worried: The house he designed, while modern in style, plays well with the surrounding vintage bungalows. “Context is important, ” Mike explains. “Modern design can blend in.”

Beneath a peaked roofline that nods to tradition, the home’s broad entrance steps stretch to the front facade’s left-hand corner under a cantilevered flat roof. This is not your granny’s front porch, but it serves the same purpose. Western red cedar wraps around its side and ceiling, while the rest of the exterior is clad in durable stucco and fiber cement siding, which resembles traditional wood siding. A tall front window reveals the zigzag lines of a floating staircase—a striking design that deserves to be highlighted.

Modern Living room
With its tall windows and glass railings, the cantilevered staircase has an airy, sculptural presence. In the open-plan living area, clean-lined furnishings and a custom painting by Birmingham artist Cecily Hill Lowe extend the modern mood.
A gray wall and ceiling define the dining area in the open plan.

The house comfortably fits five bedrooms, four baths, and one half-bath into 2,600 square feet. “This is what efficient design looks like, ” Mike says. The open plan eliminates hallways in favor of free-flowing circulation and allows for plenty of natural light. The cantilevered, glass-railed staircase adds to the sense of spaciousness. And the ground floor’s spine—a storage wall—contains more functions than a Swiss army knife. On the living-area side, the wall—partly fabricated of powder-coated steel—holds household gear (behind flush-mounted pivoting doors), a flatscreen TV, and natural-edge walnut shelves, one of which extends to serve as the mantel for a double-sided fireplace. “I asked for that feature to hang Christmas stockings, ” Brooke notes. The master bedroom side of the wall contains the other side of the fireplace and conceals more storage and a pocket office for Brooke. Beyond a space-saving barn door, the master bath has room for a double vanity, a large tub, and a glass-walled shower.

Mike takes pride in giving clients a lot of bang for the buck (witness what he did with humble 2-by-4s at nearby Edgewood Creamery). “I like to use inexpensive materials in ways that elevate them, ” the architect says. Such décor expresses contemporary style with a mix of reasonably priced new and vintage furniture and lighting. The Ikea kitchen cabinets dressed up with quartzite counters in his home are a prime example. This cost-effective design does allow for certain splurges, though, such as the custom staircase and the laser-cut steel that screens it on the upper floor.

The second floor is an appealing fun zone for the Gibsons’ three children. A sunny playroom adjoins a large den with kid-friendly furnishings and a blackboard wall. “We’ve created the right home for us to raise a family, ” Gibson says—a home custom-designed to serve them well for years to come.

The laser-cut steel screen at the top of the stairs depicts birch trees and woodland animals—a whimsical touch for the children’s den, equipped with hard-wearing furnishings and a teepee.
Kid's art studio
The sun-splashed playroom is the kids’ art studio.

RESOURCES
Mike Gibson, Founder of Appleseed Workshop, VP of design at GoldenConstruction

Styling by Heather Knowles, Stacy Allen (Mountainside Photo Co.) & Brooke Gibson

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Showroom Style: Birmingham Wholesale Furniture

By
Molly Lipski Powell
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If you’ve been in Birmingham longer than five minutes, it’s clear that there are some things Magic City residents just know—like the fact that the burger at Chez Fonfon is often referred to as the best in Alabama or the proper intonation to use when mentioning The Club. This kind of information isn’t exactly a trade secret, but it does help differentiate the insiders from the newcomers.

One such determining factor is where those insiders go for quality furniture and home décor. Just a hop, skip, and jump away from that famed burger is Birmingham Wholesale Furniture. Founded in 1951 by the McLeod and Adams families, the shop began as a true trade secret, a wholesale operation only open to interior designers. The secret quickly got around, however, and brothers Tommy and David McLeod soon opened their doors to a waiting public. When they retired in 2008, Robert Ajam took the reigns, all the while maintaining the family’s legacy of customer service and inimitable selection.

After years of being the go-to place for filling Birmingham homes with traditional Southern furniture, another secret has emerged and lies in wait on every floor of the 65, 000-square-foot showroom: Birmingham Wholesale now carries more than just those classic pieces. Turn any corner of the city-block-sized store and view meticulously styled vignettes displaying the possibilities of urban-chic acrylic and metal tables, loft-style pewter canopy beds, or the simplicity of an all-wood Stickley set. A word of caution, however: Don’t try to take on the showroom alone. You may find yourself victim to whiplash due to the sheer number of pieces that will catch your eye. Instead, grab a yardstick from one of the planters throughout the floor for measurements and allow one of the knowledgable sales and design associates to pinpoint the products that fit your style.

Birmingham Wholesale Furniture is no secret to manufacturers, either. Through close partnerships with brands like Hancock & Moore, Sherrill Furniture, Henredon, and Theodore Alexander, the showroom offers customization of almost every piece on the floor and can design a sofa or chair in over 1000 fabrics.

While trends have come and gone throughout the shop’s tenure, some things remain the same: Customer service is a priority, and an ever-evolving selection guarantees that this is the place where insiders of all tastes—from suburban moms to downtown loft dwellers—will find just what they’re looking for.

Design Trends

  • Clean lines and crisp fabrics dominate the scene.
  • Color is IN! Dashes here and there are giving way to full-color rooms.
  • Sectional sofas are making a comeback. People love the versatility they offer.
  • Acrylic accent pieces bring modern flair to any space.
  • Motion furniture is back. With today’s styles, however, it’s almost impossible to recognize that the new motion recliners and couches move until sitting down and pressing one of the expertly hidden control panels.
Birmingham Wholesale Furniture // 2200 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 // 205.588.1362

Photography by Art Meripol

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Wonder Women

By
Christiana Roussel
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The title for this feature started as Super Moms. And while that moniker certainly fits the women we interviewed, they are a representation of the legions of Birmingham women—not just moms—who are working to create better lives for the people around them. Those featured here lead very busy lives that are full of family, careers, volunteer commitments, and personal passions. They struggle daily with achieving a work-life balance while raising decent human beings. These women have one thing in common—a contagious zeal for life. And it seems they are good at hiding their super mom capes.

Julie Maeseele

CLOTHING DESIGNER

Wife of Antenor Lodewyck // Mom to Gloria and Raul

The clean lines and soft colors so often found in classic Belgian design might seem a world away from the dizzying florals and flouncy chintz sometimes seen in Southern textiles—but don’t tell 32-year-old Julie Maeseele that. As the 2016 Birmingham Fashion Week winner in the Emerging Designer category, Julie offers a fresh take on what it means to be a European clothing designer in the South.

Two years ago, Julie and her husband, Antenor Lodewyck, relocated from Belgium to the Magic City for his job with BBVA Compass Bank. Friends and family back home must have thought the pair was crazy for putting down roots here, but something resonated deeply with them. Julie credits her new home with much of her sense of calm, and that same peacefulness plays out in the clothes she designs. This mother of two is focused while maintaining a quiet serenity that belies her drive.

How did you get into fashion? My whole family is artistic, so it was very natural for me. I always dreamed of being a fashion designer, but when I had to pick my university (in Europe), I was intimidated by the scene, which seemed kind of pretentious at the time. So I studied art and textile design, making everything but clothing: shoes, rugs, installations. After giving birth to my daughter, I realized that fashion was really what I wanted to do, so I trained as a seamstress. I figured out the rest on my own. But I would say that I started for real about a year-and-a-half ago. After we moved here, I had the peace to start my business.

So why clothes?
There are so many clothes out there, and at first I thought, “Why would I need to make another cute dress?” But I wanted my work to have more substance—an emotional significance. Every single thing we wear went through someone’s hands—or multiple people’s hands. But as clothes are made faster and cheaper, it comes at a cost for these workers. There is a documentary, The True Cost, that I wish everyone could watch to see how clothes are really mass-produced. I want to help create that awareness for people.

It sounds like this is both a career and a passion.
It definitely is a passion. I try to add history to my clothing by including the name of the person who made each item on the label. I also pick my materials carefully using overstock, and I try to recycle. I am figuring out new ways to use fabric. I feel like this is the future of fashion.

Did you have a mentor or someone who inspires you?
Designers like Stella McCartney and Raf Simons have this “Slow Fashion” ideal that inspires me. Another mentor is Manuel, also known as the “Rhinestone Rembrandt.” In his shop on Broadway in downtown Nashville, he has made custom clothes for people like the late Johnny Cash and Lady Gaga. After I won at Birmingham Fashion Week, I knew I needed to learn more skills. So I just found him online, emailed him, and asked for an internship. He agreed, so last fall, I went back and forth to Nashville to learn from him. He was very flexible and let me set my own schedule.

In addition to learning some of his techniques, what else did you take away from your time with Manuel?
His spirit! He says that in Mexico, they like to say, “Sí, se puede, ” which means “Yes, we can.” You need to be excited for yourself. You cannot wait to be discovered. Go after it. Manuel is 83 and still working!

How do you do it all, especially with two young children?
Since we do not have family here, a Mother’s Day Out program is a huge necessity for me. And I could not do any of this without the help of my husband. When I was working with Manuel in Nashville, Antenor was able to change his work schedule so that I could take advantage of that opportunity.

What advice would you give your 15-year-old self?
I feel like I was a little lost at that time in my life,  so I would say, “Know that you are worth it. Know that you are loved. It is okay to fail.”
What has been your biggest obstacle to accomplishing some of your goals? My own ego, fears, and insecurity. I didn’t find my direction until I had my first child.

When you want to feel pretty, what do you do?
I definitely get a full night’s sleep! Sleep is everything! It is good for your confidence, and it does make me feel prettier.

From Julie’s Kitchen… 

Belgisch Stoofvlees (Flemish Beef Stew)

Recipe from Julie’s dear chef friend , Thierry Lepoutre

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large white onions, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2½ pounds beef stew meat, cubed
2 tablespoons brown sugar
16 ounces pale ale
2 cups beef stock
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
Dijon mustard
1 slice of white bread
Salt and pepper to taste
Additional fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Heat butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onions, and sauté 5 minutes or until onions are translucent. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Working in batches, brown beef on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to remove the beef from skillet. Add beef to stockpot with onion. Add brown sugar, and stir to combine. Add pale ale to stockpot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add beef stock, thyme, and bay leaves, and bring to a boil. Spread Dijon mustard on one side of bread and place, mustard side down, over beef mixture. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir until bread is absorbed into stew. Before serving, remove and discard bay leaves. Garnish with chopped fresh thyme, if desired. Serves 4.

Note: If you like your stew thicker, you can thicken it by adding cornstarch at the end and simmering for a few more minutes.

Laura Canterbury

FITNESS AND SWIM INSTRUCTOR 

Wife of William // Mom to Ava, Abby, Annabel, and twins Liam and Win

You might think that being poolside with Laura Canterbury is a pretty intimidating thing. The tall, blonde, mother of five with a swimmer’s build is in amazing shape, and she seems to glow from the inside out. Throw in the handsome husband and swoon-worthy Crestline home and you’re almost ready to start a burn book. But then you fall into an easy conversation with her or sign up for one of her strength-training/pilates sessions and you think, “This woman is very down to earth.”

Born in California, and raised in an ever-moving military family, Laura teaches life-saving swim skills to children. When she’s not in her pool, you might find her beside it, working her other job as a fitness instructor. She may be helping fellow moms master their chaturanga yoga pose, or she may be encouraging those same moms as they sprint down her long driveway or do squats in her custom home gym. Especially inspiring is how Laura seamlessly blends her personal passions with her professional side, her family life with her healthy ethos.

Watching you teach one of your classes today, the vibe feels so positive and upbeat. How do you keep the energy going?
This is a very positive group of women. I am pretty laid-back by nature, so it did take me a little time to realize that some people might need more help than I initially thought. For example, I sometimes have to physically show them what an exercise looks like before we do it as a class. That has helped me grow a lot as an instructor.

What do you enjoy about the teaching aspect of class?
Everyone in the class is not at the same fitness level, and I enjoy encouraging each person to reach personal goals. I have about 8 to 10 regular participants who come to my house twice a week for 14 weeks, and I often break the class into two groups to mix things up. Everyone gets something out of class, even if it is just the act of being together. I love that we talk a lot throughout our sessions.

Tell us about some of your other passions.
I enjoy helping out at my kids’ school, and I also volunteer at Emmet O’Neal Library. My husband and I taught a confirmation class this past year at Canterbury Church. I also just  ran my third Boston Marathon in April, which was my sixth marathon overall. I think I will take a break from marathons for a while; I need the break from the training! I do still love to run and always take my dog, Baxter, with me. He’s my training partner.

Were you always a runner? Did you grow up running?
I grew up swimming, training twice a day. I joined my first swim team at age 4. Everyone in California swims. I sacrificed a lot, and the schedule was grueling, so there was no time to run. I became a runner when I started having children. It was something I could do while pushing a stroller. We could run to the park and play and then run home.

What is your best life hack?
Occasionally, I will stop by the Crestline Piggly Wiggly in the afternoon and pick up various readymade soups, some cornbread, and a few toppings off the salad bar (bacon, eggs, feta cheese). When I get home, I can make a big salad, and then everyone gets the soup they want. So easy.

Tell us a little about meals at your house.
For dinner, we always have a protein and veggies. We don’t eat bread at night, that’s kind of our thing. My husband, William, sometimes grills salmon while I make a mashed sweet potato side. I love to make squash casserole. And we have a steam oven, so I’ll steam a lot of vegetables. The kids eat what we eat. And once the kitchen is closed at night, it is closed.

What is life is like going from having three kids to five.
We had three girls already (Ava, 12; Abby, 9; Annabel, 5) and then decided to go for a boy and ended up having twin boys (Liam and Win, 3)! I am so glad they have each other. It is challenging, but it is super fun. These boys are going to keep us young. William and I talk about that all the time—there is no question that they will make us feel 40 when we hit 50. Although, I will say that one time I did the math and figured out that I will be 60 when the boys graduate from high school and could very well be a grandmother at that same time. Ava will be almost 28 when they are 18, so it could happen!

What advice would you give your 15-year-old self?
Stop and smell the roses. No matter what season of life you are in, enjoy it. Sometimes we just wish away too much. Stay present. Embrace where you are.

Where do you go when you want to get away from everything?
On a run with Baxter.

What is one thing you can do better than anyone else you know?
Laundry. We have two washers and dryers, and I can knock out seven people’s laundry in no time! And I am super fast at folding.

From Laura’s kitchen…

Summer Succotash

This tangy salad from Cooking Light is a great way to use fresh vegetables from the farmers market for an easy summer meal.

4 teaspoons minced red onion
¼ cup pickled banana pepper juice
½ cup pickled banana peppers, minced
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 cups diced heirloom tomato
¼ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears)
2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 cup cooked, drained butter beans or lady peas
1 cup cooked, drained pink-eyed peas or lady peas
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine onion and pickled banana pepper juice in a bowl; let stand 15 minutes. Stir in minced banana peppers and ¼ cup oil. Set aside. Combine tomato and ⅛ teaspoon salt in a bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add remaining 3 tablespoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add garlic; sauté 2 minutes or until golden. Increase heat to high. Add remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt and corn; cook 3 minutes or until corn begins to char. Stir in tomato mixture; cook 1 minute. Add green beans, butter beans, and peas.  Bring to a simmer; cook 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat; stir in butter and black pepper. Place about ¾ cup bean mixture on each of 8 plates or small serving bowls. Top each serving with about 1 tablespoon banana pepper mixture. Serves 8.

Rupa Kitchens

UROLOGIST

Wife of Dave // Mom to Maya and Deven

Balance might be the one ideal we all strive for, but ask 10 different women what their idea of balance is, and you will get 10 very different answers. For urologist Rupa Kitchens, it means equal parts family, work, and social and community engagement. It seems that finding more than 24 hours in a day to do it all might be the one thing she hasn’t mastered yet.

Let’s talk about goals and success. What do those things look like to you?
I want what everybody else wants—to raise our children to be decent people who are independent and well-balanced. I also think you need to have fun. That’s why our family travels a lot—the only time we can really relax is when we get out of the city. We love our community and love being involved, but sometimes we have to get away.

What has been the biggest obstacle to achieving your goals?
Time. If I could survive on four hours of sleep, maybe I could get it all done.

Aside from being a practicing urologist, tell us what drives you.
So many things! My husband, Dave, and I are part of two groups at the Birmingham Museum of Art—the Indian Cultural Society and the Emerging Collectors Society. I am also on the board of GirlSpring, which is all about empowering young girls. These girls need to understand that they have the potential to go beyond what they might have been told they could do. GirlSpring gives them the resources to better talk with their peers and to develop relationships with mentors. They also have a web site, GirlSpring.com, where girls can read articles on topics like school, bullying, eating disorders, dating, and college.

What advice would you give your 15-year-old self?
I was really a perfectionist back then; everything had to be just right. But I am not like that anymore. Once you have kids, you realize you don’t have time to be like that! I did not relax as a 15-year-old, but now I see the rewards that relaxation brings. You have to reset your brain and recharge. I also should have spent more time with my parents. Back then I was in such a hurry to get out of the house!

How do you make quality time with your family?
We travel together. This summer, we are going to Peru and the Galapagos Islands. We’ve been to India on the last three Birmingham Museum of Art trips. We’ve also been to Africa three times and to South America. My daughter Maya and I have enjoyed being in an Indian classical folk fusion group for about 10 years now. We practice every week and have performances all the time, both in town and out of town. There are about 40 members, and we range in age from little kids to mid-50s. And it’s not just Indians! We have people from China, El Salvador, Italy, and America—it’s a really nice multi-cultural group.

What is your best life hack?
We do not cook at all except on Sundays. Otherwise, it just doesn’t happen. We get home too late, and the kids need to eat before they head off to their evening activities. As long as no one minds eating leftovers, we cook everything on Sundays and then we’re done.

And this might not fall under the ‘life hack’ category, but I have realized that I need to find time to be social. Many years ago, a group of us Highlands School moms went to hear Amy Chua (author of Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother) speak at The Club. Afterward, we went to AVO for a drink, and it kind of turned into what we now call the After Eight Club. Once a month, we meet around 8:30 p.m. for wine and cheese at someone’s house and just catch up on things.

So do you consider yourself a Tiger Mom like Amy Chua?
No, she was too extreme for me. I think her kids turned out fine, but at what cost? Unless you are going to grow up and be a concert pianist, I don’t think anything is that important that it should take up all of your free time. You only have one chance to be a kid. Maya and Deven each do a lot of things outside of school, and my husband and I practically beg them to give up one or two things. But we do tell them that if they want to take piano or karate, they have to put in 100% effort and practice! If you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Until one of them can drive, it is a lot of work for us too. Monday through Friday, there is something every night. It can be exhausting. And Saturday and Sunday go by way too fast. So, no Tiger Mom for me. But thank you, Amy Chua, for inspiring us to create the After Eight Club!

What do you do when you want to get away from everything?
If I can just get out of the house and feel the sun on my face I’m good. Now, if I want to actually leave the house, I will find a spa somewhere. Ross Bridge is a great escape.

Aside from being a doctor, wife, mother, art collector, and volunteer, tell us one thing you might do better than anyone else you know.
Maybe one thing that I am “the best” at—and you will think I’m so old school—is that I always remember birthdays for immediate and extended family, as well as for my closest friends, with Hallmark cards that get mailed. Younger friends get Halloween and Valentine’s Day cards too. I probably mail anywhere from 60 to 80 cards a year. Birthdays should be recognized, and I feel a card is better than a text, email, or e-card!

Is there one thing people will be surprised to learn you do not know how to do?
I cannot just whip out an Indian food dish! My mom can, but I definitely did not get that from her.

From Rupa’s Kitchen…

Arugula and Basil Pesto Linguine

Spelt is a high-protein ancient grain that’s enjoying a resurgence. This flavorful pasta is perfect for an easy meatless supper.

4 cups arugula leaves
1 cup tightly packed basil leaves
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons pine nuts
Salt
Ground black pepper
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces spelt linguine
¼ cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese

In a food processor, combine arugula, basil, garlic, pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste. Process to coarsely chop.  With the food processor running, slowly add the oil in a steady stream and process until the mixture is smooth. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in a large serving bowl. Add pesto to pasta, and toss well. Sprinkle with cheese. Serves 4.

Ashley McMakin

RESTAURATEUR

Wife of Andy // Mom to Ryder, Jackson, and Mally

It would be easy to say that life has always been sweet for Ashley McMakin, but underneath that dreamy strawberry icing, you will discover something much richer. A post-collegiate experience in China had sparked a desire to adopt, but she had no idea when and how that would ever happen. It took establishing a catering business to make that dream a reality.

Like many women, Ashley struggled with fertility issues. While she and her husband, Andy, worked to transform her side-hustle baking-and-catering gig into the Ashley Mac’s we know today, they were also working to pursue their dream of a full house. Successful IVF and artificial insemination treatments gave them sons Ryder and Jackson, but Ashley still held on to her dream of one day adopting a child from China. It took a lot of paperwork—and even more patience—to finally get their Mally, but it is safe to say that it has all been worth it. Because of the more than 150 million orphans in the world, Ashley is now a huge advocate for adoption and improving the lives of everyone around her.

How did Ashley Mac’s get started?
It sort of goes along with that saying, “Life is what happens while you are making other plans.” I was working at an advertising agency, and I started doing baking and catering as a hobby. I thought it was just something fun to do on the side until we had kids. But my husband, Andy, said, “You should make this a business!” He is very entrepreneurial-minded. After three months of doing both jobs, I had to decide which career I wanted to pursue. I was delivering corporate meals on my lunch hour, and it was getting hectic! So in 2005, I quit my advertising job to pursue the catering business. But even then, I thought it was something I would do just until we had kids. It took longer to get pregnant than we thought. We worked to grow the business but longed to have a family. We started doing infertility treatments and had Ryder and then Jackson a few years later. We wanted another child, but we didn’t know if I could pregnant again. That was when we embarked on our journey to adopt Mally, which we did in 2015.

Mally was 2 years old when you adopted her. Once you decided to go for it, what was that process like for you?
You fill out so much paperwork. That was almost a full-time job in itself. Thankfully, my business allows me the flexibility to do all that. We knew we wanted a child aged 0 to 3 because getting a newborn from China just never happens.

Why is that?
It just takes that long. Mally had been abandoned at five months and was in an orphanage. Once we finally were matched, it was almost a year before we were able to bring her home. Even though the one-child policy is not really enforced anymore, many Chinese parents still only want boys. Something else that helped us was that we were also open to the option of adopting a child with some issues. Mally was born with a heart defect that required surgery.

Will you try to adopt again?
I would have loved to adopt more children, but I think we are done. Andy and I have this running joke that with every store we put in, we had another child (Ryder, Bluff Park; Jackson, Cahaba Heights; Mally, Riverchase). Now we are set to open our downtown location in the financial district at 5th Avenue North, and I told him we might need another child. But, no, we’re breaking the streak.

What’s a routine you treasure with your kids?
I love reading Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones each morning with the kids. They are short—just one or two paragraphs—but also so deep. I get as much out of it as they do, and it sets the tone for the day.

What are some of your goals?
One of our core values at Ashley Mac’s is grace. I want to grow the business while still staying true to that. We want to give people meaningful employment and see each employee as a whole person, not just what they can do for Ashley Mac’s. Another goal has been to get the business running well—with me or without me. We have gotten to that point, so now I can spend more time with the kids, and I can spend more time volunteering with groups I am passionate about.

What are those groups?
I volunteer with Lifeline Children’s Services, which is an adoption agency. I also work with Five Loaves, an organization that teaches culinary skills to high school students interested in that line of work. The students work together to produce all aspects of regular pop-up dinners. They use our kitchens to prepare the food they serve. Andy and I are both involved with Changed Lives Homeless Shelter. Our kids will go with us when we serve dinner there once a month. We also employ a fair number of the Changed Lives residents at Ashley Mac’s.

Where do you find the inspiration for baking?
I love the Bake from Scratch magazine from Hoffman Media. I am obsessed with it. The photos are gorgeous, and it so well done. It is high-end enough to make you feel like you are making something very special that you can’t find just anywhere.

Is there one thing people will be surprised to learn you do not know how to do? 
I can’t garden! I feel like all of my chef friends have beautiful gardens, and I am just trying to keep my three herbs alive.

From Ashley’s kitchen…

Ashley Mac’s Chicken-Orzo Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

1 cup olive oil
½ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 pound orzo pasta
2 pounds chicken, cooked and chopped (or 3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken)
2 cups slivered, toasted almonds, divided
1 cup chopped celery
1 pound cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups Feta cheese, divided
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine olive oil and next 6 ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well with a whisk, and set aside. Cook orzo according to package directions until firm and tender. (Be sure not to overcook pasta or it will be mushy and the orzo will stick together.) Drain, rinse, and let pasta stand until cool. Combine orzo, chicken, 1 cup almonds, celery, tomatoes, green pepper, and 1 cup feta. Add vinaigrette, and toss to mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill in the refrigerator. Serve cold. Garnish with remaining 1 cup feta and remaining 1 cup almonds before serving. Serves 8 – 10.

Anna Giattina Lee

ADOPTIVE AND FOSTER PARENT

Wife of Alan // Mom to more than 20 kids of all ages

We have all been behind one of those cars with the decals that represent each family member and their passions: the son who loves soccer, the daughter walking her dog, the dad who mans the grill. One can only wonder what the back of Anna Giattina Lee’s vehicle would look like if there were one of these figures for each of her children.

The Birmingham-born-and-bred mom to 20-plus children has left a positively indelible mark on more than one generation of kids who desperately needed her. The three biological and more than 17 adopted members of her brood have grown up knowing love, patience, grace, and selflessness. An additional three dozen have been fostered in her Mt. Laurel home. She will be the first to tell you that she is far from perfect, but her approach to child-rearing is pretty simple and can certainly be replicared on a smaller scale.

But don’t go offering her a halo or any special treatment. Anna would be the first to wave off any adulation for her accomplishments. What she wants people to know about her is that she is not unique. She says almost anyone could do what she and her husband, Alan, have done—take in, raise, and care for children who had nowhere else to go.

You grew up in a household with foster children. Is that where you were first inspired to want to want to foster and adopt?
The story actually started with my sister Grace and me. I was in 5th grade and she was in 4th grade when a nun from Catholic Social Services came to our school (Our Lady of Sorrows) to talk about foster care. This was around 1972 when they did not really have foster homes. There were only group facilities or children’s homes at that time. When I heard her speak, I knew that something big was going to happen, but I didn’t understand it. They were looking for new foster families, and I couldn’t quit thinking about the fact that there were kids out there who didn’t have their parents and needed someone to take care of them! I can remember standing outside of school and thinking, “My life is going to be really different, ” but I had no idea what that meant. I went home with the flyer they gave us to help recruit foster parents, and my mom says that my sister and I convinced them to start fostering.

The talk was for the kids and not the adults?
Yes, it was actually kind of brilliant on their behalf because now they’ve gotten 50 years out of me as a foster family! My parents started taking in newborns to foster just until the babies were adopted. That experience kind of informed how I thought about foster care. I might have known I wanted to do this, but it was my parents who showed me how to do it. I learned from them how to accept anybody in any situation and to invest in them. I knew it was something I would continue doing for a long time.

Fast forward to when you met your husband, Alan. Did you talk with him about fostering and adoption prior to getting married?
At first, my husband said no way. We got pregnant on our honeymoon and proceeded to then have two more girls right after, so we had three kids under the age of 4—and I was still practicing law at this point!

On our fifth wedding anniversary, we went away to Cheaha State Park for our first weekend alone since having kids. On that trip, we met a group of girls from the Presbyterian Home for Children. My husband, who is quiet and does not talk to a soul, started a conversation with the adults in the group, and they shared with him all about the foster program. He said, “Is this the kind of thing you were talking about? I could do this!” Six weeks later we got our first child, Gail, and she’s now 36. We were told she’d never live independently because she had so many issues, but now she lives in New York with her husband and daughter. She owns a house and a car and has a job.

How would you briefly sum up your approach to raising children?
If I think about parenting in terms of the immediate results I get to see, I am disappointed all the time. I have to think about it in terms of whether I am doing what I am supposed to be doing as best I can when I am supposed to be doing it. And then I have to leave the rest to God. I don’t get to have control.

Do you and Alan parent all of the kids the same?
No. We parent according to the needs of the child. Some of the kids are home-schooled, some are in public school, and some are in private school—it’s all based on their needs. But we have the same goals for every child: We are aiming for all of our kids to grow up and be independent. We want them to understand their relationship with God and be capable of contributing to society instead of taking from it. Those are the basic things, but how each child gets there is different.

Are you able to keep a tidy house with so many people under one roof?
The kids can be as messy as they want to be in their rooms. I learned early on that you can’t make your whole life about keeping the house clean and perfect when you have 20 kids in the house, so I don’t even go there. Common spaces are tidy, but that’s it.

What does bedtime look like at your house?
We do the bedtime stuff downstairs—all the hugging and kissing—and then the kids go on upstairs to put themselves to bed. It just works!

How do you shop for groceries for so many people?
Well, it is a whole lot of thrifty shopping in bulk. We have two freezers and three refrigerators. Everything we buy is based on storage. I can feed about 10 of us for $10 if I am shopping the way I am supposed to. I stockpile things when they go on sale. My rule is not to spend more than $2 per pound for anything.

From Anna’s kitchen…

Chicken Caesar Wraps

“I always keep grilled chicken with just salt and pepper seasoning on hand. If it isn’t in the fridge or freezer, it’s quick and easy to cut up boneless chicken breasts and sauté in a little olive oil. I add lettuce and fresh veggies with the chicken and dress it in a favorite salad dressing. I serve it either cold in a pita pocket or a whole wheat tortilla. You can substitute any kind of meat and any salad dressing or barbecue sauce. Add whatever kind of cheese the kids like.” —Anna Giattina Lee

4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
½ cup bottled Caesar dressing
8 (7- or 8-inch) whole wheat tortillas
4 cups cooked, shredded chicken
4 ounces shaved Parmesan cheese

Combine lettuce and dressing, and toss well. Place ½ cup salad mixture on each tortilla.  Top each with half of shredded chicken and about ½ ounce cheese. Roll up and secure with a wooden pick. Serves 4: (serving size = 2 wraps)

Photography by Art Meripol

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Jean Allsopp Photography
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You don’t have to have a 100-year-old house to have architectural charm. When Korey Nations, owner of Natco Construction, and his wife, Alli, decided to build new, they sought creative ways to imbue old-house character without sacrificing convenience. “We wanted to incorporate that rustic warmth into our home, ” Alli says. To achieve the look, the Nations worked with designer Katrina Porter and architect John Forney on layout and design. Once the hardworking areas (including a locker wall for their four boys) were in place, Korey and Alli stepped in to choose finishing details such as the interior brick wall, reclaimed white-painted heart pine on the island from Evolutia, and wood floors with a natural patina. “We chose distressed hardwood floors with holes and dark spots, ” Alli says. “Our theory was that if the floors got scratched, they would just blend in even better with the overall rustic look. So far, our notion has held true.”

Efficiency was also paramount. The Nations specified two sets of double trash cans, two dishwashers conveniently located on each side of the farmhouse sink, and easy-to-clean quartz countertops. “We love to host parties. We can hold 15 to 20 people comfortably in our kitchen, ” Alli says. “Before you start on any kitchen design, it’s best to envision yourself in the space and think of your priorities, ” Alli says. For the Nations, that meant a place for family to gather.

  

Things We Love

1. LAYERS AND PATINA A soft gray hue walls and cabinets. “We chose to replicate the exterior color of our house on our cabinets because it went well with the brick wall, ” says Alli. “With four little boys, we knew we didn’t want an all-white kitchen. Their handprints would destroy it.” The gray colors extend to the reclaimed wood on the custom stove hood and island, as well as the veining in the marble backsplash.

2. HIDING PLACES Korey and Katrina implemented smart designs that put the hardworking details out of sight so the focus could stay on the pretty. All of the HVAC vents are hidden in the toe kicks in the kitchen cabinets. A locker wall, just inside the garage door, serves as a catchall for backpacks, jackets, and shoes. (Notice the ventilated shoe drawers).

3. SINK WITH A VIEW The arched casement window opens with a turn of the handle. “We also added French doors to the end of the room near the table and a small deck directly off the side, ” says Alli. “These two features allow you to open up the inside of the kitchen to the natural beauty of the outdoors. We wanted to enjoy the outdoor setting while being in our kitchen. I love washing dishes while the sunlight pours in and listening to the birds sing early in the morning.”

4. DETAILS The brick wall with herringbone detail and chalkboard is a happy focus in the Nations’ kitchen. “We routinely use it to write ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Welcome Guests’ to add a personal touch and family life to the room, ” says Alli. Glass upper cabinets and crystal hardware brings a lighter feature to the room to counterbalance the heavier finishes.

    

Resources

Builder: Korey Nations / NATCO Construction, LLC • 205.965.9678 natcollc.com Designer: Katrina Porter katrinaporterdesigns.com Architect: John Forney • 205.585.7586 jfapl.com Custom cabinets: Joey Keely / Recreated Cabinets • 205.275.6898 3806 recreatedcabinets.com Hardware: Emtek • faucet: ROHL rohlhome.com Appliances: stove: Verona • veronaappliances.com refrigerator and microwave: Viking Range • vikingrange.com dishwashers: Bosch • bosch-home.com Countertops: Silestone Lagoon / Cutstone Company • 205.624.3538 cutstoneco.com Barstools: Stock & Trade • 205.783.1350 stockandtrade.com Tile/backsplash: marble herringbone Lowe’s lowes.com Lighting: Pottery Barn • potterybarn.com Hardwood floors: white oak/red oak mix River Bottom Pine • 205.261.8030 riverbottompine.com Paint: walls, ceiling, trim: Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray cabinets: Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray benjaminmoore.com

Photography by Jean Allsopp

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