Designer Spotlight

By
BHG Staff
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Smart and striking design is vital to every part of a well-composed home. In Birmingham, a slew of talented teams and individuals work with their diverse clientele to create gorgeous, interesting spaces throughout each dwelling. By seamlessly pairing form and function, these local designers and design teams distinguish themselves as essential resources to clients looking to craft unique spaces that impress. Learn more about each of these exceptional talents and begin dreaming up your ideal space today!

AllSouth Appliance

AllSouth Appliance has been serving Birmingham homebuilders, remodelers and residents since 1997. The company has now grown into four locations with showrooms in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Chattanooga. AllSouth offers over 40 different brands of appliances and bar-b-que grills, meeting all desires and budgets. AllSouth was awarded the Southeast’s first SubZero Living Kitchen over 10 years ago. They have recently acquired the Lakeshore Babies”R”Us location. They are excited to announce a true state of the art showroom environment. It will include a brand new expanded Living Kitchen along with cabinet selections from Wellborn Cabinet Company. Appliances, kitchen & bath design, outdoor bar-b-que. You get more at AllSouth than ever before. We want everyone to “Love Your Kitchen”.

AllSouth Appliance • 4 W Oxmoor Rd. 205.942.0408

At Home Furnishings

“I went to At Home Furnishings looking for a new rug, couch, and lamps for our new house. From the time I walked in the store until the day my couch arrived at my house, the design team at At Home Furnishings far exceeded my expectations. My designer was knowledgeable about the products they had to offer, and if she didn’t know an answer to my question, she found it for me. There was no rush, as I was treated as if I was the only customer at the store throughout the process. It was a pleasurable experience, and there is truly something for everyone at At Home Furnishings. I even left with a pair of earrings and a candle as well!” — a satisfied customer.

At Home Furnishings • 2921 18th St. 205.879.3510

Birmingham Marbleworks

When a customer comes into our showroom the first thing we do is get details about their project. We find out if they have something in mind, or if they would like more information on our available products so they can make an informed decision of what best suits their lifestyle. Once we decide what products will work best for the homeowner, we begin selecting colors and designs. We can advise on all color selections including paint, cabinet colors, tile selections, and design ideas.  Once these items are determined, we then ask the homeowner to provide drawings of the proposed areas and begin our quoting process. After all of these decisions are finalized, and we have made templates at the jobsite, we begin laying out the stone for fabrication. We allow our clients to be involved with this process to insure they are informed and completely satisfied with their selections before they are installed. Birmingham MarbleWorks has been in business for 15 years

Birmingham Marbleworks • 2018 Old Montgomery Hwy. 205.988.5585

Christopher Architecture and Interiors

Christopher Architecture and Interiors is a full service firm based in Birmingham, AL that specializes in custom residential and boutique commercial design. CAi has an award-winning team with a vast array of experience in all facets of design. The team’s expertise in both architecture and interior design gives the firm a unique ability to collaborate internally on each project. We feel that offering these services enables us to deliver a seamless product by blending responsive architecture and thoughtful interiors to create a cohesive environment that complements each client’s lifestyle and personality.

Christopher Architecture and Interiors • 3040 Independence Dr. 205.413.8531

Defining Home

Defining Home offers an array of services including our regular retail and in-house interior design. We are also a trade workroom, meaning we work with independent designers and offer them assistance in ordering as well as access to exclusive lines. We also offer custom home building and renovation through the design firm. In a sense, we do EVERYTHING. Our style is very eclectic. We love to take traditional styles with a blend of something modern and unexpected. We are not afraid of color and we love to play with textures as well. Our goal is to help our customer define themselves through their home and be excited to come home to a space that is their “Happy Place”. We strive to provide the best customer experience available and we have sought to bring some of the best talent in the city to the store.  

Defining Home • 1916 28th Ave S, Homewood. 205.803.3662

Hiltz Lauber

Locally-owned and operated in downtown Homewood, Alabama, Hiltz Lauber was founded in 1991 by Joseph Lauber. Through more than two decades of superior customer service and a relentless pursuit of quality, he has expanded the business to include a furniture showroom as well as a warehouse location near Forest Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Our enthusiasm for great service and high quality products have been the cornerstone of our success. We believe in timeless style and quality. We believe in the product lines we sell, and we maintain close ties with our vendors, local and multinational, to further ensure that you will be satisfied with your purchases for years to come. We offer flooring and furnishings of exceptional quality – from traditional to transitional to modern. With many styles to meet any of your design needs, Hiltz-Lauber has become the premier source for premium home and hospitality brands including Schumacher Carpets and Baker Furniture.

Hiltz Lauber • 2838 18th Street South,  Homewood. 205.879.0039

Interiors at Pepper Place

Established in 1997 by Grace Bentley, Interiors at Pepper Place is a collection of some of the area’s finest antique and home furnishing dealers and continues to serve both the retail and designer trade throughout the Southeast. Interiors at Pepper Place has 25 dealers from Alabama and Georgia.  Each dealer, filling her own booth with their own selection of merchandise, allows for a wide variety of items for sale. The “ladies at the front desk” area there to help you. They are knowledgeable with the furnishings and if we do not have what you need, we will try to help you find it. We consider ourselves an upscale mall. Many of our pieces are high end antiques and are brought in from Europe. Some come from auction houses. Some come from a lot of hard searching and our shop ends up the winner. We are open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

Pepper Place • 2817 2nd Avenue South

Issis and Sons

Issis & Sons Furniture Gallery and Issis & Sons at Greenbrier is much more than the traditional furniture stores. It is a design experience. The purchase of furniture is only the beginning. Issis & Sons Furniture Gallery and Issis & Sons at Greenbrier offers complimentary design services with your furniture purchase from our highly qualified and talented design staff to pull the new and the existing décor together to create your own personal look and feel throughout your home. Furniture for every room, outdoor furniture, upholstery, leather, beautiful woods, fine and casual art, lamps, accessories and custom draperies are only part of the design. Signature flooring from wood, stone, carpets and a vast selection of rugs from around the world complete the ensemble.

Issis and Sons • 493 Montgomery Hwy S,  Vestavia. 205.874.9586 • 250 Cahaba Valley Rd.,  Pelham. 205.620.6926  

Laurl Designs

Laurl Self has worked in interior design and antiques and held the LEED-AP id+c credential since 2009. In 2012, she received her Master’s from Savannah College of Art and Design, the number one ranked program in the nation, and presented final research at the Interior Design Educators Council regional conference. Laurl Designs is known for mixing antiques & vintage with modern pieces, creating thoughtfully curated spaces and utilizing client’s personal favorites in the newly designed spaces. Laurl’s spaces are practical, colorful, functional, and livable. Her creative problem solving skills and expertise in green design coupled with an education in art and design enables her to design spaces unique to every client.

Laurl Designs • 205.249.5863 • [email protected]

Mayer Lighting Showroom

Founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1930, Mayer Lighting Showroom is committed to offering quality lighting, furniture, and so much more. Our designers are experts at finding the perfect elements to complete your vision. Whether you visit one of our three locations or our website, our priority is to provide an exceptional experience and exclusive styles that are classic and timeless.

Mayer Lighting Showroom • 3200 3rd Avenue South,  Birmingham. 205.583.3400 • 2156 Highway 31,  Pelham. 205.998.9234 • 3108 I Ross Clark Circle • Circle West Shopping Center • Dothan. 334.702.3212

Robert F. Henry Tile

Robert F. Henry Tile has been serving the Alabama tile market since 1933. The company has now grown into 7 locations, 4 throughout Alabama, 1 in Florida and our two newest locations in Tennessee. Over the past 78 years this family-owned tile and stone company has learned 3 very important keys to creating long-term relationships with their customers. Provide the absolute best products available. Offer those products at fair prices. And do it in a way that makes people want to return and do business with us again.  

Robert F. Henry Tile • 4500 1st Ave N,  Birmingham. 205.592.8615

Scandinavian Design and Leather Gallery

“Our original dream in 1987 was to create a unique and inviting home furnishing store that would offer transitional to classic contemporary furnishings, ” said Theresa Thornton, Co-Owner of Scandinavian Design and Leather Gallery. Scandinavian Design and Leather Gallery has exceeded all expectations by making that dream a reality.  Their amazing inventory now covers over 25, 000 square feet which is incorporated into beautifully designed room settings. “Our goal is to offer customers home furnishings that will reflect their own unique sense of style and personalize their home.  Come in and let us help you plan how to make your house a home.”

Scandinavian Design and Leather Gallery • 3075 John Hawkins Pkwy.,  Hoover. 205.985.4507

Triton Stone

Triton Stone opened their showroom in Birmingham in 2010, will soon be opening a new showroom and expanding their warehouse. Our design team works with homeowners, interior designers, architects and home builders to help guide your slab, tile and plumbing selections.  Design appointments are set to gather the information regarding style, budget and timeframe to make your building or remodeling experience as simple as possible, and gives you the opportunity to select your tile, fixtures and slab materials all in one location. We offer selections that will fit into simple budgets to extravagant designs in tile, plumbing and slabs. Triton carries many tile lines that are not found anywhere else in Birmingham, including Barbie Kennedy Designs, Artistic Tile, Mediterra Tile, Terra Bella and Encore Ceramics. 

Triton Stone • 4500 5th Avenue South,  Building G,  Birmingham. 205.592.0202

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Neighborhood Profile: Vestavia Hills

By
Christiana Roussel
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Relatively young for a city of its size, Vestavia Hills still boasts the hallmarks of a desirable city: a bold vision for city growth, a world-class library, a wide-range of housing options, engaging public schools, and beloved restaurants.

Established in 1991, the Liberty Park side of town features 4, 000 acres of rolling hills and access to the Cahaba River. The Cahaba Heights area was annexed by Vestavia Hills in 2002 and is seen as a huge economic boon to the city with its retail power and prime location. The City recently announced plans to develop a master vision for the area which will give it a more cohesive and well-considered feel. Remediation and repurposing of flood-prone areas are a part of that plan. 

Patchwork Farms is another area to watch. Located off Acton Road, the present site is home to the motivational monolith, Lifetime Fitness. Doug Neil with Daniel Corporation is overseeing the Patchwork Farms development, which he notes will have a village-type feel. Anchoring the retail/commercial area will be a grocery store, complemented by a mix of restaurants and shops. Fingers crossed, we’ll see the finish line in about twenty-four months.

With the State House of Representatives’ passage of HB446 in May of this year, the cities of Vestavia Hills and Hoover may now establish up to three entertainment districts.  Butch Zaragoza, Vestavia Hills mayor, has mentioned locating the first such district in the Rocky Ridge Shopping Center. Still under review, the plan would designate a specific area for the consumption of alcoholic beverages outside of licensed restaurants, much like the Uptown District downtown.

More Great Reasons to Live Here

Not One but TWO incredible seafood markets. With Sexton’s in Cahaba Heights and Snapper Grabbers on Montgomery Highway near Bistro V, there is no excuse to not have fresh fish anytime you want. Except Sundays and Mondays when both places are closed.  Seriously. Best fish anywhere.

Library in the Forest This library is a jewel in the City’s crown. Utilizing a variety of repurposed items and trees cleared from the site itself, this building is the state’s first LEED-certified library.

A brand new City Hall The grand opening celebration is scheduled for October 13, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., 1032 Montgomery Highway and will feature performances by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra as well as local school choirs and bands. Tour the new facilities while the kids enjoy inflatables and other activities. 

The Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex (SHAC) is a public facility all communities should aspire to develop. This former coal-mining site has been reimagined and repurposed as more than eleven acres of well-lit synthetic turf-playing fields and recreational space. A concession stand, public restrooms, and four scoring towers mean that only lightning can stop the games. Moms just love those turf fields for their lack of red-dirt-stained uniforms.

Dining Out: Local Favorites

THE DIPLOMAT DELI
These sandwich masters know how to  satisfy an appetite. The Senator (turkey breast, bacon, Havarti cheese, sliced egg, tomato, sprouts, thousand island, mayo, wheat bread) rivals The Ambassador (roast beef, longhorn Colby cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo and mustard on onion roll) for the title of crowd favorite. 1425 Montgomery Highway,  205.979.1515 • diplomatdeli.com

KLINGLER'S EUROPEAN BAKERY & CAFE
Klingler’s has been crafting diet-busting delights since 1982. Their Black Forest Cake was chosen as one of the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel. 621 Montgomery Highway,  205.823.4560 • klinglers.com

CAFE IZ
Café IZ is teeming with truly delicious no-fuss food. The chocolate mousse bombs are big enough to share but that can be our little secret. 2514 Rocky Ridge Road,  205.979.7570 • everythingiz.com

PAPPA'S GRILL
Birmingham Greeks have the good fortune of fighting over which restaurant serves the best gyros, and baklava. In Vestavia Hills, its Pappa’s, hands down. #ProTip: go in after 5:00 pm for the Baked Snapper Greek-Style. 1066 Montgomery Highway,  205.823.4458 • thepappasgrill.com

THE RANCH HOUSE FAMILY RESTAURANT
Everyone can have their eggs or pancakes the way they want them and the glasses stay filled. Meat-and-three choices are plentiful. 2931 Columbiana Road • 205.979.6495

MR. CHEN'S CHINESE COOKING
Among local foodies, this place enjoys a cult following like no other Chinese restaurant. The fried dumplings and steamed buns are always a big hit. 1917 Hoover Court,  205.824.8283 • mrchenschineseal.com

Real Estate Recap

Roughly 35, 000 people call Vestavia Hills home but that number seems to be growing every day.  As RealtySouth agent Emily Getty notes, “Life is great in Vestavia Hills!” Getty lives in and sells real estate on this side of the crest. With coveted views and healthy lot sizes, she says areas like Country Club Estates are always hot. Tanglewood, just down from Rocky Ridge is seeing a renewed interest. Altadena is seeing a resurgence as well. Before the end of the year, the City and residential developers will be finalizing their plans to rezone and possibly annex portions of the former Altadena Valley Country Club property.  

Text by Christiana Roussel

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Planting Seeds for Change

By
Mary Blackwell
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Creating a community garden has been on my ‘to-do’ list for years, ” says Kelly Sorrell, a Vestavia Hills teacher and master gardener. 

The idea for a Pizitz community garden was conceived by Kelly, friend Becky Babanats, and board member Jane-Marie Marlin. “I had always hoped to start school gardens in our middle and high schools as I know the positive impact they can have on the students, ” says Jane-Marie.

Kelly Sorrell

 

Kelly applied for a grant, and The Vestavia School Foundation provided the supplies. Vestavia Hills residents Jane Paris Smith and Dr. Chandler Smith provided the funds needed to complete the garden. “I wanted to do something for the city where my husband and I have lived for years, ” says Jane Paris. So when she became aware of Kelly’s wish for a vegetable garden at the school that could be used as a ‘hands-on’ learning experience, she heard her call.

During last year’s spring break, David Swindal and Max Garcia of Gartenfest, along with Garcia’s son, Kevin, worked to build the handicap- accessible garden. The school’s environmental club took on the responsibility of planting the plants.

“To see Kelly’s commitment to both gardening and education is an inspiration to everyone, ” says Jane Paris. “My husband and I hope that Kelly’s garden will serve as a model for other schools and that the students will have fun while they learn how to grow their own food.”

Fast-growing, kid-friendly plants

• Dill
• Summer Squash
• Sunflowers
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Marigolds 
• Zucchini
• Pumpkins
• Bell Pepper

RESOURCES
Gartenfest, 205.414.6740 • [email protected]

Text by Mary Margaret Blackwell • Photography by Art Meripol

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The Grown-Up House

By
Lacey Howard
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A bluestone patio surrounds the pool and continues into the covered outdoor living area. “The space has a grill and overlooks both the lake and the pool,” says Angela. “We pretty much live out there in the summer and fall.” Photos by Jean Allsopp

“When you have small children, you can’t have this kind of house, ” Angela Mitchell says of the Lake Guntersville home she built with her husband, David. “But now that everyone is away at school, they come home and really appreciate it.” And, she adds, they will one day bring their own families home to the lake. “We designed it with that future in mind.”

The Mitchells’s new house is actually a major renovation of their old house—a 4,600-square-foot brick home—along with a two-story addition. “The old house had a cramped floor plan, and the kitchen and living room were too small, ” Angela says. “Plus, it didn’t take the beautiful lake views into consideration like we wanted. It was livable and large enough for us at the time with our three kids, but I never could make it ‘me.’ I didn’t have a great room for hosting our extended families.”

Angela dreamed and planned of making over the family’s home for years. “I poured myself into every magazine and design book I could find, and for two years I tore out every page I loved, ” she says. Her research revealed two homes in particular that she couldn’t stop admiring. “I loved everything about them, ” she says. “Both houses were designed by James Carter. I knew then that I wanted to hire him as our architect.” 

James designed the Mitchells’s addition to include a great room, a home office, two bedrooms and bathrooms, covered porches, and a porte cochere. Birmingham interior designer Mark Kennamer, a Lake Guntersville native, was also brought onto the project in the early stages of the design collaboration. Together, architect and designer tempered the structure’s newness with antique building materials—rough-hewn beams, antique French white oak floors, fir posts—and a mixture  of antique and new furnishings to give both the exteriors and interiors a timeless, well-lived quality. “The house is very traditional, but I like how Mark provided a relaxed approach to the classical design with the interiors, ” Angela says. “And he made it personal by really listening to my ideas and incorporating things that were important to me.”

For the Mitchells, having a central gathering place was a main priority. Their new great room is the perfect spot for entertaining groups both large and small. “We can have a simple five-person family meeting or host a big group of extended family and friends, ” Angela says. “Either way, the great room is equally as comfortable.” And although the large space—three-rooms-long with 12-foot ceilings—could feel cavernous, it became cozy and welcoming under Mark’s deft hand. “The space is perfect for both formal and casual entertaining, whether it’s my ladies’ club meeting or a laid-back Auburn football game-day get-together, ” she says.

Angela says it is not just the great room but the whole house that “is livable without being pretentious. It is a marriage of the detailed design created by James and the perfectly layered interiors from Mark, ” she says. “This house has the grown-up feel I have always wanted.”

The Cyndy Cantley-designed kitchen includes Calcutta gold marble countertops, custom cabinets, and a backsplash of brick pavers in a herringbone pattern. “It’s a very formal kitchen that emits a casual vibe, ” says Mark.
Custom cabinets, painted in Elephant’s Tusk by Farrow & Ball, nicely contrast the antique wood beams on the kitchen’s 12-foot ceiling.
An antique Dutch hanging cabinet from Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta becomes an eye-catching display case.
In the new foyer, Mark repurposed Angela’s old barstools by reupholstering them in velvet and gathering them around a wood-top table for extra entertaining space.
“All of the upholstery was chosen with the lake and pool in mind,” says Mark. “There’s nothing like velvet on a sofa for wear and tear. It’s very durable. Even the Rose Cumming linen on the dining room chairs can take a wet bathing suit.” Antiques—carefully chosen by Mark and Angela during several shopping sprees—intermingle among the newer furniture pieces. “My love of antiques started very young with my grandmother, who owned an antiques business,” explains Angela. “But hers were museum-quality that we couldn’t touch. I made sure to get family-friendly pieces.”
In the home’s great room, part of a two-story addition, Mark used a curated palette of cream, white, gray, and blue-green. “The colors and patterns come through in the art, rugs, pillows, and upholstery,” says the designer. “And to keep the house from feeling too formal, we brought in rustic elements like the rough-hewn antique beams to play the design down.”
An antique sideboard with a worn patina brings a bit of age to the dining area.
A soothing custom-mixed blue covers the walls of a girl’s bedroom. The poster bed sets a casual cottage tone in keeping with the color palette. “This bedroom was original to the house, ” says Mark. “But we added a dormer window to the lake side of the room to take in the view.”
Angela enjoys lake views from her office that opens onto a courtyard. Built-in cabinetry offers plenty of room for files and supplies,  as well as display space for her Majolica collection.
Blue-check gingham fabric on the walls gives the powder room distinctive panache. The vanity was built by Cyndy Cantley’s husband. “It’s patterned after a similar one that Angela had seen in a magazine, ” says Mark.

Meet Mark Kennamer

Mark Kennamer always had an interest in interior design. “I was helping people with their rooms back when I was in high school, ” he says. But it was his move to Birmingham after receiving his bachelor’s degree in interior design that really launched his career. He met his first client while working at Table Matters in Mountain Brook. That meeting led to more clients, and before long he launched Mark Kennamer Design in 2004. Today, Mark is inspired by fellow Southern designers Suzanne Kasler, Phoebe Howard, and Charlotte Moss. His home, shared with two cats—Honeychild Beyonce and Ray J.—is a “collection of things I love—antiques and abstract art, ” he says. A favorite piece is a Christopher Spitzmiller lamp that was a gift from a client. “I am blessed that my clients become friends, ” he says. “Our work is more of a relationship than a business transaction.”

RESOURCES
Architect: James Carter, 205.871.7873 • jamesfcarter.com Interior design: Mark Kennamer of Mark Kennamer Design, 205.413.6976 • markkennamerdesign.com Kitchen: designer: Cyndy Cantley of Cantley & Company, 205.324.2400 • cantleyandcompany.com antique wood beams, flooring, etc.: James & Company LLC Antique Timber & Flooring Collinsville, AL • 256.997.0703 • jamesandcompany.com Dining area: gold-framed intaglios: Mrs. Howard Atlanta, GA • 404.816.3830 Bedroom: South Hampton Queen poster bed in Chippy White: Mr. & Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture sherrillfurniture.com Bath: sconces: Antiques & garden show of Nashville antiquesandgardenshow.com Trumeau mirror: Huff Harrington, Atlanta, GA • huffharrington.com

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Twin Tips: Character Building

By
BHG Staff
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How do you bring charm to a newly constructed or remodeled home? “It’s all in the details, ” says William Siegel, co-owner of Twin Construction Inc. It may cost a little more money and sweat equity on the front end, but architectural accents make the difference between a house and a forever home.

Where to begin? When planning construction, be sure to review both the exterior and interior finishes of your home. What’s the “wow” factor of the construction project?  Where can you add character? Write down the finishes that are most important to you, and then budget accordingly.    

The following are a few simple ways to quickly transform a bland house into a charming home: 

EAVES 
What do your eaves bring to the table? Are they straight and boring? Or do they have a little curve or pop of color? This little accent can change the entire look of your exterior in a big way.

WINDOWS
Natural light is king and therefore crucial to any successful project. Unfortunately, windows are often compromised during the planning phase due to budget cuts. Be sure you have enough natural light to illuminate charming details. It may be worth a budget stretch.

BEAMS
Just a few exposed beams can have a big impact in any room. Look for antique or salvaged wood, or apply a great finish. Wooden beams (and wainscotting) can add instant history and patina to new construction.

PAINT
Neutral tones are great, but don’t hesitate to use a little color! Painting a bedroom ceiling or accent wall (try stripes or a pattern) is an easy and inexpensive way to bring new life to a stagnant space.

WALLPAPER
Yes, wallpaper is back—in a big way. Create a custom look with fun, interesting patterns in the powder bath or playroom.

HARDWARE
Do not overlook this detail. Whether you opt for chrome, the new trend of unlacquered brass, or tried-and-true classics such as nickel, the hardware you select sets a tone throughout the entire project. And scale and style are just as important as finishes.

For more tips: twincompanies.com • 205.802.3920

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High Style Comes to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

By
BHG Staff
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This year’s Antiques at the Gardens at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens welcomes celebrity headliners in the world of design and horticulture. The four-day event also includes some of Birmingham’s best designers, architects, and style makers who will display their work in room vignettes and share insider tips. The weekend kicks off on October 1st with the Tastebuds event, targeted to guests under the age of 40. Margot Shaw, editor of Flower Magazine, and Tara Guerard, a Charleston-based event planner, will share ideas to help define your personal style. That evening, Gala in the Garden will offer a black-tie preview event sponsored by Stifel.

Featured in the Lecture Series are interior designer and author Bunny Williams, celebrated sculptor-turned-florist Emily Thompson, designer Richard Keith Langham, and Jane Scott Hodges, creator of the hand-crafted Leotine Linens line. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear and meet Atlanta-based entertainer Danielle Rollins at a book signing for “Soiree: Entertaining with Style.” Southern Living Editor-at-Large James Farmer will be signing copies of his new title,  “A Time to Celebrate.”

  

James Farmer and Danielle Rollins

Meet the Tastemakers

If it’s great design advice you are seeking, then Antiques at the Garden is the place to find it. Some of Birmingham’s best designers, architects, and style makers will display their work and share insider tips throughout the weekend event. 

Father Nature Landscapes
Brothers Andrew and Daniel McCurry are partners in Father Nature Landscapes, a design/build and consulting firm that seeks to increase quality of life through well-designed outdoor living. 

Shaun Smith Home
Shaun Smith prides himself on a style that is more collected than decorated. He owns Shaun Smith Home, a full-service design firm, lifestyle brand, and shopping destination located on historic Magazine Street in New Orleans. The shop offers an ever-changing inventory of styles, antiques, vintage finds, and rare curiosities.

Gallery 1930
This boutique art gallery features works from various local artists. Family-owned by artist Meredith Keith, her sister Laura Vogtle, and their mother Kathryn Keith, Gallery 1930 is located in a revamped gas station in English Village. Gallery representatives Laura Vogtle, Amanda Morrissette, and Sara Claire Ballard will offer a brilliant collection of original art that will be included in daily silent auctions.

Fran Keenan Design
Fran believes that, “a good house teaches you how to live. It can add ease and inspiration to daily life.”  She began her design career in fashion at Polo Ralph Lauren, where her love of textiles, pattern, color, and the mix of old and new began to take shape. Working under Anthony Baratta and Bill Diamond of Diamond Baratta Design, Fran shifted from fashion to interiors. In 2002, Fran and husband Matt returned to their Southern roots in Birmingham, where she helped launch Cottage Living magazine and served as decorating editor. Fran’s work is characterized by an artful mix inspired by fashion, history, art, lifestyle, and most importantly, a diverse group of clients.

Summer Classics
Summer Classics offers high-quality, luxury outdoor furniture made of materials such as resin wicker, cast aluminum, wrought aluminum, teak, and wrought iron. The Birmingham-based business also produces beautiful cushions from an exclusive line of outdoor fabrics. By combining traditional craftsmanship with the innovative use of diverse materials, Summer Classics creates long-lasting furniture that can be enjoyed for generations.

Cantley & Company
Cyndy Craig Cantley, CKD, of Cantley and Company, Inc. offers a fresh take on traditional design by creating spaces infused with sophistication and character. Her design style is driven by her love of bespoke English cabinetry. In addition to projects in Birmingham, Cyndy and her team have designed kitchens across the South and New England. Cantley & Company has been published in numerous publications including Southern Living, Bon Appétit, and Birmingham Home and Garden.

Heather Chadduck Interiors and David Hillegas Photography
Heather is an interior decorator, textile designer, and the style director for Southern Living. David is a fine art photographer who shoots still-life compositions and vibrant travel photos. Together, the couple scours the globe seeking subjects for his photography and inspiration for her fabric line.

Hannon Douglas
This design partnership combines the talents of Hannon Kirk and Doug Davis. Hannon received her degree in event planning at The University of Alabama but later found her calling in design. Doug earned a degree in interior design from Samford University and worked in the commercial architectural industry before moving into residential interiors. Hannon and Their work has been published in several publications including House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living and Birmingham Home & Garden. 

For more on Antiques at the Gardens and a complete schedule of events, visit bbgardens.org

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Bringing it Home

By
Jean Allsopp Photography
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Q. You are a landscape architect, and you’ve lived at Mt. Laurel for 12 years. What took you so long to do your own space? 

A. What’s the old saying? The cobbler’s children have no shoes? We kept having children every couple of years and there never seemed time to start a major renovation. Once our boys reached more independent ages, we finally committed to taking advantage of an underutilized and largely ignored yard.

Q. How did you choose Mt. Laurel as your home? 

A. Lisa and I were enamored with the concept of living in a Seaside-inspired community built into the foothills of the Appalachians. For years while living in Nashville, we were on Mt Laurel’s mailing list for marketing distribution. We said that if we ever moved to Birmingham, it would be our home. 

Q. How big is your lot? Did you have to do much to the hardscape? 

A. The sideyard/garden area is approximately 20 feet by 50 feet. We were able to creatively manage the space so that minimal reshaping was required. The only things we removed were a couple of trees. The design called for a low retaining wall on one side of the fireplace, so I stored the good soil that was excavated for the project and used it to backfill the walls.

The Town of Mt. Laurel was built on the principles of community, integration with nature, and cottage style homes connected via treelined sidewalks. Now more than 15 years old, the Chelsea area community boasts plenty of parks and green spaces, a school, farm, neighborhood pool, church, retail, and restaurants.

 

Q. What are the key elements every garden needs regardless of size? 

A. The size of the space is of little consequence to me as long as someone is invested in creating something unique and beautiful. But there are a few important questions to consider regarding design elements regardless of the size of your garden. What is the surrounding context? What style is the house? How does the space you’re creating support and/or enhance the lifestyle of the client? What materials can be selected to blend with the architecture and local vernacular? And is the project compatible with the budget?

Q. What is your most favorite thing about small gardens? 

A. Small gardens provide a very specific set of boundaries, which in some ways demands an even keener sense of focus when developing a design.

Q. How does your family use this new outdoor living space? 

A. Our goal going into the project was to create a series of outdoor rooms that ultimately increased the size of our house. There’s a fountain garden where we sometimes eat dinner; the extended porch is where we play board games and relax; and the fireplace patio is what I like to refer to as ‘fiesta central’. The fireplace design incorporates a hidden television hookup on the mantel, so we recently had a family movie night watching one of the Harry Potter films under the stars.

Q. What are some of your favorite materials for hardscaping? 

A. We used Pennsylvania bluestone on the patio. It’s such a timeless and adaptable material. The brackets on the mantel and the lintel at the log box are made of wood that is over 200 years old. I pulled the bolders from a nearby mountain and situated them in the garden so they look like they’re growing out of the earth. The stone veneer is a native moss rock which blends with the walls throughout Mt. Laurel.  

RESOURCES
Landscape architect: David Brush • davidnbrush.com Community: The Town of Mt. Laurel • mtlaurel.com Fireplace: Firerock • 205.639.5000 • firerock.us Console table: Elegant Earth,  800.242.7758 • elegantearth.com

Photography by Jean Allsopp

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Perfect Blend

By
Alice Welsh Doyle
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The façade’s striking curved wall and deep round window is balanced on the other side with an arched porte cochère. The curved driveway ends in a charming gravel walkway which lends a European touch. Photos by Jean Allsopp

When those proverbial birds of a feather flock together in the design world, the result just may be a practically perfect nest in every respect, from the façade right down to the cabinet hardware. That’s what happened when Sumner and Jeff Starling decided to build a house with the dynamic duo of Paul Bates and Jeremy Corkern. 

Sumner has worked in interior design with Marjorie Johnston and grew up with an appreciation for beautiful things and art; but above all, she simply has a great eye. “Sumner has really excellent taste, and she appreciates all aspects of design, ” explains Jeremy. “She had great ideas and pushed us to do things that sometimes felt a little over the top but ended up being perfect and in sync with her style.” And Sumner is equally enthusiastic about the collaboration. “Paul and Jeremy designed the house around how we actually live, not some fantasy of how we should live, ” she says. “I wanted practicality with certain things such as upper cabinets in the kitchen and no open shelving. They really held my hand the whole time to make sure everything I wanted worked together.”

The generous kitchen is filled with details both large and small that give it lasting character, such as the island’s fluted sides, the mix of marbles, and aged brass hardware. A pair of oversized chandeliers nicely balance out the large island and expansive ceiling while also delivering that wow factor.

The Mountain Brook lot that the Starlings chose came with a rather unusual restriction—there had to be front entrances on both sides of the house since it straddles two streets. For the architects, it was a fun professional challenge. Still, the Starlings have a traditional foyer that they use as their primary entrance. 

Jeremy describes the home’s style as pared-down French. “We wanted it to be somewhat traditional but within a more modern form.” Unique interior details, an obsession for all involved in the project, show up everywhere. There’s the x-pattern beams in the kitchen ceiling, random-width tongue-and-groove planks backing the bookcases, deep circular windows strategically placed for interest and extra light, and many curved treatments throughout. Such added elements made a pleasing backdrop for Sumner’s many family antiques and treasures. Mixed in with newer pieces such as modern chandeliers and Lucite nesting tables, these heirlooms bring a sense of balance between traditional and contemporary style. 

Sumner also wanted to repurpose certain items from her old house. Custom silk window treatments that had been a part of her décor for years were refreshed with a fabric border added along the bottom, a feature that looks original to the panels. And beloved pieces of artwork created by her sister and other talented friends gave the new space a personal touch.

While the interior palette reads mostly neutral, it is certainly not staid given the hand-painted wallpaper panels, mix of finishes, and hints of color in the accents. The result of this joint effort is a new home that feels lived in and loved, and of course, very well feathered. 

“We used a mix of random-width boards to give a sense of history, not perfection,” says Jeremy of the built-in bookcases. The arresting and colorful painting and the rug with a wave motif are both by Sumner’s sister, artist Jane Timberlake Cooper.
“I like to start my day here,” says Sumner of the inviting, window-filled sitting alcove off the kitchen. The unique coffee table on casters, filled with shredded paper, was actually an art project by Sumner’s sister, Jane Timberlake Cooper. The top has indentations perfect for holding a morning cup of coffee. Such pieces from the Starlings’s former home take on a fresh look in the new space.
A mix of inherited pieces, antique finds, and a “dream-come true” chandelier from Dennis & Leen, along with a French mirror and framed portraits from old books, come together to complete the elegant dining room.
Hand-painted wallpaper panels from de Gournay appear as art in the room, but they also serve a very practical purpose by opening to reveal built-in storage for china and glassware. A portrait of Sumner’s mother hangs above an antique chair.
Sumner calls her husband’s office the “retro room” with a dose of Mad Men style. The Sputnik-like chandelier, cylinder-shaded floor lamp, and capacious armchairs and ottoman are waiting to enjoy an end-of-the-day cocktail.

RESOURCES
Architects: Paul Bates Architects paulbatesarchitects.com, Jeremy Corkern Studio jeremycorkernstudio.com Builder: Wiggins Building Corporation, 205.823.6161 • wigginsbuildingcorp.com Fireplace: Firerock • firerock.us Kitchen: cabinetry: Bud’s Cabinets, 256.249.3716 • Sylacauga, AL Brass hardware: Brandino Brass, 205.979.8900; Chandeliers: Visual Comfort & Co. • visualcomfort.com Walls: Silver Lining by Pratt & Lambert • prattandlambert.com Keeping room: walls: Field Gray by Pratt & Lambert; Floor lamps: West Elm • westelm.com Dining room: walls: Clunch by Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Hand-painted wallpaper panels: “Earlham” by de gournay • degournay.com Chandelier: Dennis & Leen • dennisandleen.com French mirror: Henhouse Antiques, 205.918.0505 • henhouseantiques.com Living room: brass lamps: Circa Lighting • circalighting.com Office: walls: Arrowfoot by Pratt & Lambert; Bookcase and trim: Zinc by Pratt & Lambert; Floor lamp: Circa Lighting; Chandelier: Arteriors • arteriorshome.com 

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Antique Remix

By
Paige Townley
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Photos by Jean Allsopp

When these empty nesters were preparing to build their Mountain Brook home, they knew their antique collection would play a major role in its overall décor. They also knew they wanted a comfortable, functional space to entertain family and friends with no more square footage than was truly needed. 

Ben Shepard and Darla Davis of Shepard and Davis Architecture worked to create a not-too-big-but-not-too-little English country-inspired home that feels open and airy with lots of natural light. “The house doesn’t have overly large rooms, but because of the tremendous amount of light coming in the oversized windows, we were able to make them feel very spacious, ” says Ben of the mostly one-room-deep house. 

Significant to the plan were materials that created multiple elements of texture on the home’s exterior. Ben and Darla combined painted brick, limestone, cedar roofing, and a heavily-waxed mahogany door to create immediate character and add a sense of history to the new home.

Antiques like the French chandelier, table, and painting in the foyer provide guests with an immediate feeling of warmth when they walk in the door

They carried the same feeling inside with many similar repeating textures, including cedar wood ceilings, heavily-mortared stone walls, and wooden beams. “One of the most pleasing aspects to me is seeing the way the natural light plays with the different textures throughout the house, ” says Darla. “The light works with these elements to create an extra layer of texture.”

Noted Birmingham designer and longtime friend Jane Hodges helped the homeowners combine their love of antiques with new pieces to lend energy to the home. “The addition of antiques adds a beautiful warm touch that you will not get if everything is new and modern, ” Jane says. “That’s why it’s important to hold on to grandmother’s antiques when you can.”

In the living room, a contemporary white chair is added to the mix of antique French chairs surrounding the gray velvet sofa. The dining room features a modern abstract painting that hangs across the room from an antique huntboard and matching mirror that were actually purchased separately but match flawlessly. “One thing I learned from Jane is that it doesn’t matter if everything matches, ” the homeowner shares. “She really encouraged me to mix what I love and that it doesn’t have to match. In fact, it can be more interesting if they don’t.” 

While each room has a mix of traditional and new, Jane made sure to keep the space uncluttered and the décor choices deliberate. “Fewer accessories maintain the warmth, as well as allow the antiques to take center stage, ” she says.

The homeowners commissioned Atlanta artist Andrea Costa to paint an abstract in neutral shades to match the décor of the dining room. The table and European chandelier are items the homeowners have had for years, while the leather chairs with check-patterned backs were actually once Jane’s. “I’ve had so many wonderful family dinners sitting in those chairs, and now my dear friends can do the same,” Jane says.
Ben and Darla kept the kitchen sleek with white cabinets and Carrera marble and softened up the feel with a cedar-planked ceiling and heavy-mortared stone wall. The homeowners put one of their favorite pieces from their collection, the chandelier, on display over the island.
The master bedroom houses an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional furniture. Many of the antiques such as the Turkish rug, dresser, needlepoint chairs, and antique sofa were all pieces the homeowners have had for years. The painting above the dresser is a piece by a French artist the homeowners picked up years ago while traveling. The antique sofa originally belonged to the homeowner’s family—she inherited the piece she grew up with and had it reupholstered.

RESOURCES
Architecture: Shepard and Davis Architecture shepardanddavis.com Interior design: Jane B. Hodges Interiors Design assistant: Jo Anna Cassady Landscape designer: Scott Gilchrist Interior wall color: Pratt & Lambert / Seed Pearl Hardware: Brandino Brass • brandinobrass.com Sofa and white chair: Richard Tubb Interiors Living room antique lamps: Village Firefly • thevillagefirefly.com Living room chests: Circa Interiors & Antiques • circainteriors.com Living room chandelier: Toro-Cordes Iron Arts Entryway and dining rugs: Paige Albright Orientals Custom bedspread: Jim Barnes Mirrors in living room: Paintworks Design Studio Sunburst mirror in master bedroom and mirror in garden: Henhouse Antiques Exterior front lantern: Bevolo Lantern with custom iron bracket: Wade Bradberry

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Meet GABBY

By
BHG Staff
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Birmingham is home to many fabulous designers and shops. It’s also home to one of the fastest growing furniture lines in the country—GABBY, an interiors line and sister to the much-beloved Birmingham-grown brand of outdoor furniture, Summer Classics, started by Bew White.

Following on the heels of his father, William White started GABBY with the goal to create compelling design for inspired living. His initial plan and designs were two years in the making, and since its 2010 launch, the GABBY brand has garnered a loyal following locally and nationally. GABBY furniture, lighting, and accessories are available through designers and favorite local shops including At Home, Defining Home, Richard Tubb Interiors, Trouvé, and Blackjack Gardens. Be sure to check out their newly opened showroom (shared with Summer Classics) in Pelham.

Chris Hutchens

 

GABBY Creative Director Chris Hutchens shares a few tips on how to create swoon-worthy rooms:

1. Make a Statement 
“Architectural accents create the backdrop for your whole house, ” Chris says. Add flair with wainscotting or wallpaper or opt for bold, detailed flooring with a rug, paint detail, wood inlay, or tile. 

2. Create atmosphere
The formal dining room is making a comeback. Chris says comfort, plentiful seating, and an inviting atmosphere will encourage guests to linger long after the last course. 

3. Turn off the TV
“To create conversation areas, furniture placement is key, ” says Chris. “The sofa needs to talk to the chairs. And, there needs to be plenty of pull-up seating such as small stools or ottomans.” Cocktail tables should be within easy reach of seating.

4. Leave room for casegoods 
“It’s a common misconception that seating should be pushed up against the walls, ” Chris says. “People think this makes a room look bigger, but the opposite is true.” Float furniture in the center of the room. “Walls are for cabinets and art, ” he adds.

5. Make a scene
A fan of salon-style walls, Chris insists that mixing in architectural elements or interesting finds is essential to breaking the static of framed artwork.  

6. Add life
“Fill in cold corners with statement-making plants such as fiddleleaf figs, banana leaf figs, or kentia palms, ” says Chris. “They are all low-maintenance choices and breathe life into a room.”

7. Create positive energy
Look for pieces that speak to your personality. Whether its vacation souvenirs, an antique, or a photograph, Chris says these are the pieces that make a space uniquely yours. 

GABBY: gabbyhome.com 
Summer Classics: summerclassics.com
Showroom: 3140 Pelham Pkwy., Pelham, AL 35124. 205.358.9600

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