When homeowner Jane Kelly decided her lifestyle was a bit cramped in her Forest Park cottage, she changed her view from manicured lawns to city lights in a brand-new high-rise condominium.

“It was just a concrete shell, ” says interior designer Andrew Brown. “Jane enlisted the help of Shepard & Davis Architecture, who customized it to fit her lifestyle.” That lifestyle called for open spaces, abundant natural light, and an emphasis on livability. Andrew then lent his expertise to ensure the furnishings reflected her adventurous personality.

“Jane is a positive, energetic, outgoing, intelligent, stylish lady who enjoys her grown son and daughter and grandkids, ” Andrew says. “She was ready for a change. She wanted more space and more of a city feel.” Achieving that “city feel” was a balancing act, avoiding the extremes of cottage-style clutter and chilly modernity. Jane had collected a house full of furnishings that had to be divided into those that would move up with her and the ones that no longer fit into her life.

“She has incredible antiques, but she was ready for a fresh approach to the interiors, ” Andrew says. “We looked through all her stuff and picked the pieces to keep and work with.” Andrew incorporated the keepers from Jane’s assortment of antiques to create an eclectic ambiance in the condo, although he eschews the word “eclectic.” Instead, he calls the style “collected, ” the natural result of a lifetime of acquisitions. It includes a little of everything—art, furniture, mementos—that strikes the fancy. “When you get them over a lifetime, you have a great mix of styles—modern and antique, shiny and dull, expensive and inexpensive, ” he says.

Andrew doubled down on the clean lines of the condo with an overall neutral palette. Then he judiciously applied pops of color inspired by Jane’s treasures. “Jane had cherished pottery pieces in a deep olive-black, ” he says. “I chose that color to contrast with the walls. Drawing on her artwork, I then injected gold and burnt orange.”

The colors provide a visual thread connecting the different spaces created by furniture groupings in the condo’s large, open living area.

While crisp, contemporary lines and neutral colors can feel a little cool, Andrew warmed the space with dollops of different textures, from leather to velvet to linen. Antiques, solid and storied, provide their own warmth, while snappy new pieces and updated old ones, such as an antique French armchair re-covered in white leather for a modern edge, bring energy to the mix. The result is a home interior that suits its city location and portrays its owner’s new stage of life with a fresh vibe.

LEFT: In the master bedroom, a white headboard and crisp linens make a dramatic impact against a wall upholstered in olive-black silk. Flanked by a pair of convex mirrors, an antique tortoise shell creates a unique focal point above the bed. Andrew snagged the leather-topped 1920s stools on a buying trip to Buenos Aires. RIGHT: In the entry foyer, a dark lacquered wall in the thematic olive color contrasts with a white waxed floor to set the tone for the interiors. Artist Jan Roberts repeated the deep hue with a hand-painted star medallion on the floor. The result appears to be a reflection of the star-shaped light fixture.
 

LEFT: The master bath custom cabinetry, designed by Shepard and Davis, is stained to appear more as a found piece of furniture and presents a contrast with lower cabinets painted to blend with the white marble countertops. The mirror, a traditional French design, came from Jane’s former home. “I convinced her to let me paint it a high-gloss white to give it a modern edge, ” Andrew says. RIGHT: Styles and textures blend for a comfortable look that Andrew calls “collected.” This sitting area pairs the softness of a custom love seat covered in white linen velvet with the smoothness of a modern coffee table in a tortoise-shell faux finish. An unusual chrome sconce is a mid-20th-century design by Tommi Parzinger.
 

RESOURCES

interiors: Andrew Brown Adorno, Inc. 205.879.7949 • andrewbrownadorno.com architect: Shepard & Davis Architecture 205.322.7770 • shepardanddavis.com countertops: Birmingham Marble works 205.988.5585 living room: chandelier and floor lamps: Visual Comfort & Co. visualcomfort.com sunburst mirror: Henhouse Antiques 205.918.0505 • henhouseantiques.com Rococo mirror: Crawford Bray Design crawfordbraydesign.com white cabriole leg side table: Arteriors arteriorshome.com round goldleaf mirrors: Made Goods madegoods.com hand painted star: decorative artist Jan Roberts 205.902.3644 convex mirrors: Restoration Hardware restorationhardware.com antique tortoise shell: 1st Dibs 1stdibs.com sconces: Visual Comfort & Co. visualcomfort.com framed military epaulet: Time Frame timeframeonline.com

Text by Lucy Merrill • Photography by Jean Allsopp

A house with good bones will always pass the test of time. While this one got a little tattered around the edges and weathered at the seams, the envelope was solid. It just took some homeowners with faith and a design team with vision to give it new life.

Built in the mid 1950s by Birmingham architect Nelson Smith (best known for designing St. Luke’s Episcopal Church), the home exhibited lines reminiscent of the modern aesthetic in vogue during that period. As years passed and mid-century modern gave way to suburban McMansions and cottages, the house fell out of style—eventually sitting empty. Still, it had merits: three wooded acres and close proximity to the Mountain Brook villages. Even better, designer Betsy Brown, architects Paul Bates and Jeremy Corkern, and landscape designer Norman Johnson had an itch to team up and revive the home as a fine example of what modern means now.

From the main level of the house, the striking rendition of Dulcinea, Don Quixote’s love interest, painted by Spanish artist Lita Cabellut, can be fully appreciated. A glass wall on the right-hand side of the fireplace provides a barrier to the living room without breaking the visual plane. Comfortable chairs and an ottoman situated adjacent to the dining room table punctuate the multipurpose aspect of the room. “One of my favorite things about the house is that we live in all of it. No area is set aside for one purpose only. Most areas function in multiple ways.” —homeowner

“The original house was sited beautifully to the property, but it wasn’t open to the views, ” says Jeremy. By replacing walls with load-bearing supports, the design team aired out the interiors to reveal a bright spacious home consisting of one great space.

The view as you enter through the massive front door poses multiple temptations. Initially the eye is drawn across the light-filled room and through the full-length glass-and-steel windows and doors that form the opposing wall of the house, and then out into the wooded landscape.

From the kitchen, below, with the clean lines of its Italian Carrara marble-topped island and custom-built white oak cabinetry, to the elevated living room and adjacent screened porch, each area compels the visitor not only to take a closer look but to stay a while and enjoy the space. 

 Clean stainless steel surfaces, Italian Carrara marble (from Triton Stone, fabricated by Birmingham Marble Works), and the bleached white oak of the island create a kitchen that is as pleasing to view as to use. The chrome barstools, designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952, and the Brutalist steel rotating wall sculpture provide an edginess that is true to the roots of the new home.

With multipurpose functions as an entry, a dining room, or simply a place to settle down with a cup of coffee and a book, the expansive main room welcomes visitors in with unpretentious warmth. As Betsy Brown explains, “Not a dedicated dining room or entry, the grand expanse of space did present a challenge. The furniture scale needed to be large enough to fill the space and create a dramatic entry but at the same time comfortable enough to entice the family to relax and really live in it.”

The design of the home stayed true to the mantra of its modern lineage: form follows function. From air vents that disappear into their surroundings to custom-designed hardware, lighting, and furniture, each detail was carefully considered. Jeremy and Paul credit the influences of David Adler and French designer Jean-Michel Frank for their devotion to details. Doors that hide ample storage closets seem to seamlessly blend into walls with no break in the strong horizontal lines created by the white oak planks. Functionality and beauty combine in perfect harmony to complement the overall design.

LEFT: The master bedroom and adjacent lounge are tucked away from the rest of the house. In the bedroom, the soft whites and pale grays of the upholstery and walls create a serene ambiance. The large painting above the fireplace is by local artist Clayton Colvin (Beta Pictoris Gallery).
RIGHT:  Natural light reflects off of the hand-waxed fluted vanity and bleached white oak cabinets. A plush reindeer rug softens the clean lines of the dominant elements.

The results speak clearly of multiple creative energies that were skillfully intertwined through the design team. With a nod to its original “modern” roots, the aesthetically-pleasing home embraces the new “modern” ideals of versatility, efficiency, functionality, and comfort.

LEFT: For the front courtyard, landscape designer Norman Johnson chose brown Tennessee river gravel for a seamless amorphous effect. Horsetail reef plants will maintain their clean vertical lines to accent the linear aspects of the home.
RIGHT: The water feature, a special request from the homeowners, provides tranquil background noise that reinforces the natural elements.

RESOURCES

interiors: Betsy Brown/BETSY BROWN INC 205.871.2424 • betsybrowninc.net architects: Paul Bates and Jeremy Corkern/BATES CORKERN STUDIO 205.414.9939 • batescorkern.com  garden design: NORMAN KENT JOHNSON • 205.960.8902  construction: HUFHAM FARRIS CONSTRUCTION 334.215.4495 • hufhamfarris.com  wood finishes: JOHN POWERS 205.482.0904  custom furnishings (dining table; credenza; coffee table; side table in master): BETSY BROWN art over living room fireplace: LITA CABELLUT, BILL LOWE GALLERY lowegallery.com  custom kitchen and bath design: BATES CORKERN STUDIO marble countertops: Triton Stone 205.592.0202 • tritonstone.com countertop fabrication: Birmingham MarbleWorks 205.598.5585 rug: PAIGE ALBRIGHT ORIENTALS  205.877.3232 • paigealbrightorientals.com  lantern by front door: BATES CORKERN STUDIO floors: River Bottom Pine 205.914.4572 • riverbottomstone.com

Text by SALLY HERRING • Photography by jean allsopp

A photostylist’s job is to enhance a scene, create a vignette, and give a little extra pizazz to the ordinary. Leslie Simpson knows the job well. With a degree in art from The University of Alabama, and a career that has crossed Southern Progress magazine and book titles, Leslie has a trained eye for putting together pieces that work—no matter their era or origin. Often, stylists are privy to prop closets, prop budgets, and trips to market to stay ahead of the curve. So when it comes to their own spaces, careful editing is a must.

With life changes, Leslie found the opportunity to move and redefine her living space for herself and her two daughters. “After 15 years of taking a more conservative approach, I went back to what I liked the most: art and unique accessories. Now my home reflects more of my personality and personal style, ” says Leslie. Leaving tradition behind, she moved from her Crestline home filled with toile fabrics, buffalo checks, and fine antiques. Still, she had a little whimsy mixed in—and that’s what she plays up in her new space.

At her home in Brook Manor, a new development in Mountain Brook Village, Leslie says she didn’t have to do a thing before she moved in. “I needed a spot to land in the Mountain Brook school district, and one of the duplexes was available, ” she explains. “It has been effortless. The quiet street is a hidden secret, and I am grateful for such a lovely spot. There is something to be said for a well constructed new place. It was even painted my favorite white paint color (Glacier White, Benjamin Moore).”

Leslie held on to a few of her favorite antiques, but she reinvented them in fresh ways. “I simply bought 40 yards of white linen fabric from King Cotton and re-covered two French chairs and a camelback sofa that had been wearing a chartreuse toile for 16 years, ” Leslie says. “I also removed the same toile slipcovers off my dining chairs and went with a simple stretched seat bottom. It lightened up the room and basically gave me a blank canvas to do anything.”

Regrouping her collections, Leslie says she kept what she loves in plain sight. “I handpick all of my own accessories, so they all have a special meaning or a story to go with them. I’m drawn to color, and I also enjoy a little humor in a room.” That humor is evidenced in witty quotes on the living room mirror, pictured at left. Ever changing (Leslie uses a dry-erase marker), the quotes are sometimes poignant, always amusing.

“The introduction of contemporary art in my interiors excited the conservative walls from my past, ” Leslie explains, referring to the fact that she once hung antique botanicals. “One of my favorite pieces is a 4- by 8-foot charcoal by a student from Birmingham-Southern. I bought it off the wall one night while having a glass of wine with a good friend at Little Savannah restaurant in Forest Park. I paid $400 for it.” Another favorite? The large painting by Al Sella, Leslie’s former art teacher at The University of Alabama.

Collections also enliven Leslie’s fresh white canvas. “Probably the most visible and frequently used accessory I have is my Tena Payne pottery collection (Earthborn Studios), ” she says. “Tena and I worked together at Southern Living  25 years ago before her business was an institution like it is now. I use her pottery for everything—every day and every time I entertain. I will never stop collecting it.”

Bar accessories, drink stirrers, and an assortment of cocktail accoutrements are displayed on Leslie’s antique Irish sideboard. “I also have the last 39 Kentucky Derby glasses that I love to pull out for company, ” she says. “And I could not live without my cookbook collection. They are the only books I have displayed in bookshelves. Next, I am going to collect vintage typewriters. I have one red Royal, and I am going to start bidding on eBay soon.” 

Leslie finds comfort in the recognizable accessories that have moved several times with her. “It doesn’t really matter what setting they are in, ” she says. “They are all special to me.”

Text by CATHY STILL MCGOWIN • Photography by jean allsopp

Audible Image

2594 Inverness Point Drive • Birmingham, Alabama 35242 • (205) 612-1953 • www.audibleinc.com

Is your TV installation a mass of unsightly cables?  Do you have so many remotes that there is no place to set a cup of coffee?  Let Audible Image and Data make your home into a place of comfort and beauty with a single universal remote that will optimize your viewing with a single click.  Better yet, whip out your iPhone or iPad and wirelessly transmit your favorite songs instantly to your audio system.  Call Tony Nichols, president of Audible Image for a free estimate at (205) 612-1953 or visit us on the web at www.audibleinc.com.

Alabama Lock and Key

1800 Green Springs Hwy S. • Birmingham, Alabama 35205 • 205-328-1122 • 800-863-8424

Medeco Logic is a new digital masterkeying system that is self-contained within a retrofit cylinder. Logic offers nearly all of the functionality of more sophisticated access control systems. It includes features like scheduling, audit trails, and the ability to easily add and delete user keys. However, Logic installs without any wiring, door or frame modifications, or additional hardware. In fact, most doors can be upgraded to Logic in less than five minutes. Manage your system remotely using secure online connections. Capabilities include changing key and cylinder access rights, instigating a key or cylinder audit procedure or review historic programming or audit information. To learn more about this system, contact the experts at Alabama Lock & Key.

European Kitchen of Alabama

Superior Kitchen by Design at Pepper Place 2717 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 • www.EuropeanKitchenAL.com • 205.978.5629

Experience first-hand The Kitchen Perfect by ALNO and Miele at The European Kitchen in Pepper Place. We feature true innovative European design with high tech server-drive powered cabinetry that opens at the slightest touch, available in a variety of wood or glass finishes, and with all the convenient design and quality options. We are your complete Kitchen Design Resource Center for European and American cabinets and appliances. Whether your taste runs to traditional or modern, visit The European Kitchen to be inspired and let our design team assist you in your upcoming new construction or renovation.

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Birmingham: 2800 2nd Avenue South • 205.254.3454 • www.ferguson.com

Have a spot in the bathroom that’s hard to light? Or perhaps you want to add beautiful custom lighting behind a mirror or under the vanity? Kichler’s new LED tape fits just about anywhere and is easy to use. The LED lights come in strips, can be cut to length with scissors and adheres to most surfaces. They also offer a range of Kelvin color temperature options, so you can customize the warmth of the light to your needs. To purchase Kichler LED tape or other great lighting solutions, visit Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

ELECTRONICS TO BEAUTIFY AND SIMPLIFY YOUR HOME

Kevin McCroskey, partner at Twist Technology, a Birmingham based home technology company knows how to integrate electronics seamlessly into the home.
When should you hire a home technology company?
What we do used to be thought of as a luxury, but today electronics have become such a big part of our lives and the options of what can be done are endless. If you start with a company like ours rather than buying piecemeal, you get a system that works like it should, is easy to use – so you’ll enjoy using it more.
You mention luxury item. Aren’t custom systems expensive?
Some are, but they don’t have to be. Everything is upgradable today. Many of our clients start small with a simple control system and add to it.
Can you add a system to an existing house?
Sure, that’s easy. With wireless communication becoming better and better we can install home control, audio and video systems, and lighting control into any home. It’s still always best to prewire if you are building or renovating, but we have incredible flexibility and options for installation today.
You don’t have to have a dedicated home theater, do you?
Absolutely not! Designers love us because we integrate our systems into the home. If you want to see the equipment, we can do that, but often our systems are hidden so the decorating and design of a room can shine. That’s one of the biggest benefits of working with a company like ours.  We approach technology from a design point of view while focusing on systems that offer simple control and usability our systems offer.

Triton Stone Group

4500 5th Avenue South • Building G • Birmingham AL, 35222 • 205.592.0202 • www.tritonstonealabama.com

Triton Stone Group is the exclusive Birmingham dealer for Artistic Tile.  Their commitment to using state of the art technology allows us to offer intricate designs that were previously inaccessible to most people. In 2010, we added a Waterjet Cutting Machine to our Secaucus, New Jersey production facility. The 60, 000 psi cutting head of a waterjet machine can cut intricate shapes in a wide variety of materials, including stone, porcelain and glass, yielding tightly nested parts. The computerized control of the waterjet utilizes the most modern technology of our industry. Curves and intricate details in many materials are an option using a waterjet machine – giving Artistic Tile (and you) endless possibilities.

Twist Technology

205.588.4288 • twisttechllc.com

Let the experts at Twist Technology simplify your life. We design home audio, video, lighting and control systems that make your home more convenient and comfortable.
And, we know your time is at a premium so our commitment to our clients is to make the design and installation process just as easy as our systems are to operate. Call Twist Technology for a free home assessment.
OUR SERVICES  Audio &Video Design and Installation • Lighting Design and Control • Home Automation and Control • Multi-room Audio and Video

VW Gallerie

3320 Second Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35222 • 205.324.9521 • www.vwsupply.com

Solna Kitchen Faucet by Brizo (pictured, far left)  With Brizo’s Smart Touch Technology, simply touch anywhere on the faucet body or handle to turn on or off the water. When you tap the faucet ON, the LED light indicates SmartTouch is active. When you tap the faucet OFF, the light goes off.

Moxie Showerhead by Kohler (above, center)  This American kitchen and bathroom brand has developed a bluetooth-enabled showerhead that streams music from smartphones into the shower…or really anywhere else, because the speaker can be moved all around the house.

Geyser by Bain Ultra (above right) Inspired by hot mineral springs, hot jets of air provide a deep and intense massage therapy session in your bath. This technology allows the air to be heated and then humidified so that it holds onto its thermal energy, keeping the bath at a steady temperature for longer.

Seamless Addition

A new master bath proves to be the perfect accessory for a historic home.

WHEN THE OWNERS OF THIS MOUNTAIN BROOK RESIDENCE approached Alex and Jeannie Krumdieck about renovating their home, they gave the architects two challenges: Restore the old house to its former glory (it was vacant for almost a decade), and create a seamless addition that would update it for today’s living. Of utmost importance to the project was a new master bath. The result is a roomy, light-filled space with classic character and modern amenities. “The aesthetic qualities inherent in the residence were subtly reinforced in the details of the addition, capturing the home’s past while giving it relevance in the present, ” Alex says.

WHY WE LOVE IT…

1 Heated Floors Radiant floor heating chases away chills and warms toes on cold winter mornings.  “It’s my favorite thing in the entire bathroom, ” says the homeowner.

2 Light and Bright The homeowner wanted an all-white, crisp design. To achieve that look, the Krumdiecks used the same Carrara marble, cut in varying sizes, throughout the room. Walls and cabinets were painted white to match the marble.

3 Smart Details The room’s design is not only beautiful but also functional. A special request of the homeowner: recessed niches in the shower, with a bottom nook just the right height for her foot to rest while shaving.

4 Quality Cabinets Aaron Lane built the cabinets with furniture-style features (look at the feet!). The center tower makes linens easy to access, while plentiful drawer space allows for organized toiletries.

5 Picture Perfect A slipper tub sits at an angle to show off its ornate feet and pretty nickel hardware. “If you have a tub this beautiful, you don’t want to hide it, ” the homeowner says.

RESOURCES

architects and interiors: Krumdieck A+I Design 205.324.9669 • krumdieck.com cabinets: Aaron Lane Woodworking 205.337.2811 • lanewoodworking.com tile: Crossville Tile & Stone 205.987.3617 • crossvilletileanstone.com faucets and fixtures: VW Gallerie 205.324.9521 • vwsupply.com lighting: Circa Lighting circalighting.com cabinet hardware: Restoration Hardware restorationhardware.com paint color: Decorator White Benjamin Moore benjaminmoore.com

Soaking in
the Sights

Formerly a porch, this bathroom takes advantage of a grand brick arch to relish the view.

IN ITS PAST LIFE, THIS SPACE WAS A PORCH that offered exquisite views of the wooded landscape—a spot to relax and rejuvenate. So what better place to create a bathroom with the same intentions? Architects Tom Adams and Adam Gerndt of Adams-Gerndt Design Group knew right away that the expansive brick arch of the original porch was too beautiful to do away with, so they chose to work with it. The arch-turned-picture-window ultimately became the inspiration for the sleek, industrial design of the entire space.

WHY WE LOVE IT…

1 Picture Window One step into this guest bath, and you may never want to leave. A soaking tub strategically placed by the wall-sized window means long baths with unobstructed views—the epitome of relaxation.

2 Double Vanities No guest bath is complete without double vanities. Placed on opposite walls, they create a pleasing symmetry that complements the window focal point.

3 Industrial Finishes With exposed brick walls, this bathroom was a natural candidate for more modern, streamlined finishes. Urban-inspired lighting and sleek chrome faucets  maintain the industrial style.

4 Made for Guests The end result of the project is a bathroom that feels more like a retreat at a resort. What better way to literally, and figuratively, bathe guests in luxury?

RESOURCES

architects: Tom Adams and Adam Gerndt of Adams Gerndt Design Group 205.939.1113 • adams-gerndt.com cabinets: custom countertops: Triton Stone 205.592.0202 • tritonstone.com tile: Triton Stone faucets and fixtures: Kohler kohler.com VW GALLERIE 205.324.9521 • vwsupply.com lighting: Visual Comfort & Co. visualcomfort.com cabinet hardware: Brandino Brass 205.978.8900 • brandinobrass.com tub: Cheviot Products cheviotproducts.com

Want to spruce up your bath? Let these local finds transform your at-home retreat and take your space from functional to fantastic.

Bathing Beauty

Previously a study, this master bath becomes a place for relaxation instead of work.

Styling by Missie Neville Crawford

WHY WE LOVE IT…

1 Color Play Soothing hues of gray add to the serene surroundings in this bath retreat. Swirls of the color in the  tile and countertop complement  the clean lines of the solid-colored vanity.

2 Smart Shelving Storage can be beautiful, as evidenced in a sleek row of shelving to the left of the tub. Tucked into a corner, the shelves blend seamlessly into the decor and offer convenient access to towels and other necessities.

3 Modern Art The importance of artistic elements in a space should never be overlooked, even in a bathroom.  A dramatic piece of art with an unexpected pop of color serves as the focal point of the wall. The interesting stump table combines good looks with functionality.

4 Classic Style Meets Modern Details make the difference, and in this case those details step out of the modern décor boundaries a bit. Traditional basketweave tile nicely complements sleek rectangular cuts of marble in the shower. By keeping the two styles in the same color family, they play well together.

5 Separate Identities What could be more luxurious in a master retreat that having a separate tub and shower? This spacious, box-shaped tub overlooks a garden of Japanese maples, adding to the zen-like serenity of this bath. The adjacent shower offers ample space as well, while taking advantage of the same window vista.

RESOURCES

design: Jan Ware Designs, LLC 205.585.7891 vanity: Simpson Homes and Interiors 205.229.3364 hardware: Architectural Hardware Supply 205.323.4641 countertops: Stone Concepts LLC 205.836.6425 artwork: Rebecca Tully Fulmer, Gallery 1930 205.870.1930 • side table: Suite Dreams 205.414.1922 • shopsuitedreams.com faucets and fixtures: Visual Comfort through Jan Ware Designs, LLC tub: Zuma Collection zumacollection.com

Inspired Design

Renovated to bring in light and space, a Homewood bath now reflects the homeowners’ style and includes every amenity.

PAM AND ANTHONY DIPIAZZA WERE TIRED OF THEIR OUTDATED MASTER BATH. They had lived in it long enough to know exactly what they wanted in a renovation—more space and more light. Designer Mary Rooney met those requests—and more. “We installed a custom leaded-glass window to bring in natural light, ” says Mary. She then replaced the cabinet and tub and also enlarged the shower. Luxurious touches such as a waterfall faucet in the tub and multiple body sprays in the shower complete the room.

The only thing the homeowners kept: the colorful striped walls.

RESOURCES

interior design: Mary Rooney Interior Dimensions 205.305.1915 • [email protected] faucets and fixtures:  VW GALLERIE 205.324.9521 • vwsupply.com tile: Robert F. Henry Tile Co. 205.592.8615 henrytile.com; and Crossville Tile & Stone; 205.987.3617 • crossvilletileandstone.com marble slabs: Triton Stone; 205.592.0202 • tritonstone.com cabinets: Custom Mary Rooney Interior Dimensions and Village Woodworks, LLC leaded-glass window: Infinite Design Concepts 205.948.5989

Photography by Jean Allsopp

GLOBAL STYLE

The design team at Marjorie Johnston & Co. designed the room pictured above for a fall show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Here are their tips for getting this young and modern look.
1. Look for new adaptations of classic designs. “Notice the quatrefoil on the Suzanne Kasler floorlamp, ” Marjorie Johnston points out. This time-honored motif also appears in the orange side table.
2. Make color sense. “When you work with a multitude of colors, you can’t just pick any color, ” Marjorie says. “These are all strong colors with the same depth and vibrancy.”
3. Find some control in the chaos. “To tame color and pattern, stick to one intensity and choose a similar pattern, ” Marjorie says. Here, geometric shapes offer a consistent look. (Rug sampler from Paige Albright Orientals.)
4. Pick a neutral to rest your eyes. The designers chose an off-white sofa and a navy wall for a quiet backdrop to anchor all the color and pattern.
—Marjorie Johnston, Wendy Barze / Marjorie Johnston & Co. / mhjinteriors.com / 205.414.7860

Colorful wallpaper in bold patterns is in and my clients are asking for it more and more. Acrylic furniture has been around forever but I am seeing it used in more creative ways. I purchased two acrylic cubes with rope handles on either side recently for side tables and they are knock out!! As for the Pantone colors (see below), I am crazy over the Grayed Jade. It would be fabulous on the wall, ceiling, upholstery, or as an accent!!! —Mark Kennamer Design • 205.413.6976 • [email protected]

I’m loving the push in texture! Grasscloth wallpaper, paneling on walls, reclaimed materials on floors and ceilings, nubby linen, sweet lace, and velvety textiles are all so good and a visually interesting way to make a statement.” —Katie Gaston, Full Circle • 3908 Clairmont Avenue S (located in Forest Park) • Birmingham, AL 35222 • 205.202.5907 • shopfullcircle.com

Favorite Find Lately? “I recently got the most amazing throw at Suite Dreams! The Matouk Dream Modal Blanket is to die for… I bought it for a master bedroom for a client’s home in Vestavia and it pulls the whole room together! We paired it with custom embroidered sheets, and it looks so yummy!” —Cameron Caradine • Christopher Interiors • [email protected] | Suite Dreams • 205.414.1922 • shopsuitedreams.com

Brass really is back, or any gold tone for that matter. We like the unlacquered matte finishes. There’s a really nice warmth to the material. After seeing so much cool nickel and dirty oil-rubbed bronze everywhere for so long the elegance of brass is refreshing, and it’s a finish that we have found marries very well in renovation projects where existing brass hardware and fixtures are present. We really like the way that brass will patina and age over time in a way that other finishes don’t seem to as easily. —Hannon Kirk Doody & Doug Davis • Hannon Douglas Interiors • hannondouglas.com

I am personally very excited about the art of combining many decorating styles. Homes are not just about one period or style anymore. It’s the powerful combination of many different looks and styles that make a home more personal, more valuable, more classic, but still modern. The emerging style is based on the art of finding the perfect blend of informal and formal, industrial and glamorous, modern and antique,   solid and patterned, neutral and color. I am thrilled to see formal coming back on strong!  The trick with formal decorating is in the combination and balance with other styles to keep it modern and livable.  —Beth McMillan • McMillan Interiors Inc. • [email protected] • mcmillaninteriors.com • 205.326.1548

Beth's Trends To Watch For

• Dark stained wood in combination with light wood or washed wood.
• Antique crystal chandeliers hanging next to industrial fixtures.
• Tight upholstery mixed in with a few slipcovered pieces.
• Fabulous textiles and fabrics of all kinds.
• Antiques and the art of collecting mixed with reproductions and newer pieces.
• Collectible artwork with fun fashionable/trendier items.
• Floorplans that offer separation of the kitchen and den.
• The resurgence of an actual dining room and/or living room.
• Combining neutral/white walls with wallpapered rooms and dramatic paint color combinations.
• Antique rugs next to hides and rugs made from natural  fibers.

I am all about a great new store that has recently opened at the Summit. Sur La Table is design Mecca for the cooking enthusiast. They have everything you could ever want in a well-stocked kitchen and cooking classes that would allow your inner Julia Child to shine. From the tiniest spoon to the most fabulous expresso machine, they have it all. • As for Pantone’s color predictions, Liz says, pair Pantone’s Grayed Jade with a soft white and a charcoal gray for a subtle, serene bedroom. For a bright pop, add a bit of pink. —Liz Hand Woods / DETAILS • 2337 20th Avenue South / Birmingham, AL 35223 • [email protected] • 205 870.8005

I love muted rugs and I love mixing a piece of acrylic furniture with antiques. —Aimee Belden • Belden Designs, LLC • beldendesignsllc.com

“I am always looking for ways to use old things in a more current or unexpected way.  Using personal items brings a sense of familiarity into your home and reinventing how you use them makes old things new again.  I am seeing the resurgence of chintz-inspired textile patterns and wall papers in documented patterns with updated colors. —Tammy Connor • Tammy Connor Interior Design • 205.871.9797 • tammyconnorid.com

Gold is Back Baby! I can’t get enough of it…in sconces, lamps, pillows, hardware, and accessories. Right now, my favorite jewelry combination is gold and silver together…I am piling pieces on top of each other and loving it. And, I’m doing the same thing in interiors! • My favorite “sit around” at the moment is the new huge Jonathan Adler brass horn. I just ordered myself one today. • As for color, I am normally a turquoise and lime girl, but lately I can’t get enough of the cobalt blue and Kelly greens. I like things a little more primary these days. —Lisa Flake, Caldwell Flake Interiors • caldwellflake.com  • 205.222.9139

We love blue-and-white porcelain, and Pantone’s color of Spring, Monaco Blue, is making this classic Asian accessory brand new again. Blue-and-white fits in any room with any style, and the blue in the design is right on target with this color. It is timeless; it is classic; and it is here to stay. 

—Dianne Clark / Clark Antiques Gallery • 2717 Second Avenue South • Birmingham, AL 35233 • 205.325.1919 • clarkantiquesgallery.com

Looking to Modernize Your Interiors?
Decorator Rebecca Hawkins Shares Some Easy Ideas:

Treat a dark color such as Monaco Blue as a neutral. Pretty much every color plays off and/or blends with a dark blue. Painting a smaller room’s walls and ceiling in a color like Monaco Blue can actually make the room appear larger.
Crown moulding is becoming obsolete, but baseboards are getting bolder (6-8” high).
If you do have crown moulding, paint it the same color as the walls so it fades away. Similarly, paint brick or wood-trimmed fireplaces the same color as your walls.
While cabinets are getting sleeker, hardware is the place to make a statement. Brass, pewter, and bronze are the new oil-rubbed bronze.
Look for a mix of materials in a single piece of furniture.  I love seeing a great table, sideboard,
or desk in something other than wood or glass.  Watch for combinations such as lucite and wood, lacquered wood and glass, metal and wood, or metal and glass. Shagreen coffee tables or leather tables and chests are super cool too.
Create a mood with lighting. Instead of can lights and typical ceiling fixtures, create ambient light with floor lamps, table lamps, sconces, and chandeliers. Lighting designs have become more sleek and unusual, becoming pieces of art. Oversized lamps with a metal or colorful lampshade add drama.
Photography is making a comeback. Blown up to a large scale, photography is super hip and modern.
Try using black and white photographs in a grouping with a colored frame or mat for a touch of glam.
—Rebecca Hawkins Designs • 205.919.8842 • [email protected]

When it comes to hardware, simple clean lines are still in. Clients want a look that is edgy—but not too contemporary. We still love manipulating new materials to look old. We’ve also seen the emergence of custom bronze tones. —Eric Brandino, Brandino Brass • brandinobrass.com • 205.978.8900

I always recommend investing in quality pieces that will last while watching the price point on trendy ones. This way, when the trend has past, you won’t feel badly moving it out of your home. Lavender (African Violet) has become one of my favorite go-to colors this year. It is beautiful and soothing paired with slate gray and creamy white. The key to using any trendy color is to use it as an accent or in ways you won’t tire. While I like a little edge in every room I design, I do want each space to stand the test of time. To acheive that, I use neutral colors on my big ticket items and pull in color through my pillows, art, and accessories. —Dana Wolter • danawolterinteriors.com • 205.907.7758

Take a neutral room and add silk velvet pillows in Monaco Blue, trimmed in tiny Tender Shoots cord, the perfect pop of color.  If you like to change your accent color frequently, pillows are the perfect way to add it. And, it’s easy to change if the color grows tired.  —Iris Thorpe • Iris&Co. • 3934 Crosshaven Drive • Birmingham, AL  35243 • 205.969.5727  • irisandcompany.net

Just to list a few things I’m drawn to right now: A good white (I love Benjamin Moore Cloud White), as well as deep chocolate browns and charcoal. I am really into metallics in soft muted shades and cotton velvet is my fabric of choice at the moment.   What I am most excited about are all the fabulous grasscloth wallpapers. I recently had a client’s master bedroom ceiling covered in a grey blue grasscloth. It is beautiful!  —Decorative artist and designer Kitty White •  kittywhite.com

I see people using more and more color—but I still like to play the colors off of neutrals!  —Jane Hoke / Hawkins Israel • 205.879.3406

I’m noticing a huge wave of super-pow-wow eclectic mixtures in color, fabric, and texture. Loads of blue are coming into the scene—all shades, but especially blues with green and black undertones. These blues look great layered with other saturated colors like reds, oranges, corals, purples, and jewel tones galore. Ethnic fabrics are an important piece of this color trend—they used to be so hard to find! Pairing them with aged, more traditional things is just like adding curry and raisins to your grandmother’s chicken salad recipe! Other strong trends includes a mixture of rustic with super elegant pieces for a young, fresh feeling. And, Belgian design still carries lots of clout because it is such a beautiful mixture of refined and rustic living. No matter what your design, think durable and easy clean fabrics to make every room in your house lovely AND liveable! No room should be “off limits.” —Fran Keenan • Fran Keenan Interiors • 205.821.8183

Design blogger Mandi Smith T (interiordesignmusings.com)
shares her 3 favorite trends:

1. Metallic linen is very hot. It comes in an array of different colors with both gold and silver metallic accents. I love using this fabric for upholstery on accent chairs. This trend is already spinning off into wall coverings (Look for metallic grasscloth.)
2. 1980’s floral is back—but with a twist. The Laura Ashley dress days are gone, but florals paired with fretwork patterns, small scale prints, and moorish designs, make the prints fresh again.
3. My pick for the hottest design trend of 2013 is Agates (which is a spin off of the gemstone trend from last year). Agates are influencing artwork, fabrics, and accessories.  I love turning unusual items into artwork, and the agates are my latest find!   I love them so much I’m having a set framed as we speak for my master bedroom. (Look for the reveal on Mandi’s blog soon!)
—Mandi Smith T • Mandi Smith T Interiors • interiordesignmusings.blogspot.com • mandismithtinteriors.com • [email protected] • 205.602.6286

This modern bedroom is a mix of geometric and traditional prints. White really stands out with bursts of strong pink and  lime green. Mixing in lacquered furniture such as the night stand is a bonus to the look.  —Jenny Edwards / J. Edwards Interiors • jedwardsinteriors.com • 205.870.5100 (photo by Brian Francis)

I  love the bold trellis and geometric patterns I see in accents and wall coverings—especially those inspired by David Hicks. I am using them in bathrooms and powder rooms and painting the ceiling a deep shade that contrasts or complements the pattern.

—Dian Diamond • 205.967.7616

You might say that marble, a staple for use in the Renaissance period, is enjoying a renaissance of its own.  What’s popular now are stone details that require the craftsmanship that we take pride in providing.  It’s the use of thicker slabs, stone legs, full height stone splashes that cover the entire wall, unexpected edging, and custom cuts for hidden vents, speakers and lighting to merge modern technology seamlessly into a timeless design. —Dan Weingarten • Birmingham MarbleWorks, LLC • 205.988.5585

Green is a natural with blue in solids or paired with white and plenty of texture. (think trees and sky.) charcoal drawings and a bit of chinoiserie is very snappy. —Mary Evelyn McKee • 2815A Eighteenth St. South • Homewood, AL 35209 • 205.879.7544 • maryeevelyn.com

“We like to use pattern in small doses because people’s taste tends to change over time. It’s much more cost effective to recover a chair than an entire sofa, change the patterned trim on a drapery panel than an entire patterned panel, so pattern used in smaller amounts can still be as effective but much easier to change out in the future. Slipcovers have become even more popular now with their ability to change the color and lines of a piece of furniture without have to purchase a new piece. It’s also a great option for you if your piece is covered in an expensive fabric and you want a new look but aren’t quite ready to commit to having the piece recovered.” —Bill Ingram Architect • billingramarchitect.com • 205.324.5599