Little details that would be lost in large venues become jewels in the crown of a small garden. Working with only 3, 000 square feet, Max Garcia and David Swindal, created a series of walled gardens that rival those found in historic Charleston. Of the many challenges this project presented, the narrow footprint of the property required careful planning to maximize the limited space, while at the same time creating the secluded retreat the owners envisioned. The home’s expansive windows created yet another challenge: how to create a view where there is none?

David says, “Judy indulged me completely. My talent is thinking up whims for a garden. Max’s talent is turning those visions into reality.” Calling himself a landscape artist, David says he doesn’t find solutions by drawing out plans on a grid or following strict rules—he leaves that to Max. So, as David dreamed, Max transformed the fantastical descriptions into a workable plan. The result gave way to David’s vision and Max’s skill.

ABOVE The dining room and master bedroom open onto the main courtyard, providing what Judy describes as their “oasis.”

BELOW The planting bed adjacent to the house is anchored with a fragrant tea olive tree. An early 19th-century urn from Turkey, rosemary, lambs ear, dwarf lemon trees and climbing confederate jasmine also provide year round interest. Perennials such as purple coneflower, brown-eyed susan, Guatemalan elephant ear, and hosta recede during the cooler months.
 

Max’s craftsmanship produced hand-cobbled stonework, an arbor, and raised beds that work to create structure and a feeling of spaciousness. David’s affinity for garden antiquities and artful treasures can be seen throughout the outdoor rooms. The sound of water bubbling from two fountains provides a soothing backdrop and helps to erase any sounds from the neighborhood that might suggest you aren’t in a country villa. Antique honey pots, olive jars, urns, and treasured keepsakes are carefully placed throughout the series of rooms, with no space left unadorned or unused. Ensconced with stone planters and niches, the ten-foot walls take on the timeless old world feel that Judy had imagined.

  The view through the wrought iron gate, (looking toward the fountain garden, pictured right) is as enchanting as any secret garden that could be found tucked away in Charleston or Savannah. Lush green color is provided by smilax over the arch, a variety of ferns and Boston ivy, impatiens, violas, hosta and Moon Light caladiums fill-in with pops of color, creating a path that is as much a special destination as a gateway.

For plantings, great attention was given to creating texture and a sensory experience. Tea olive trees, climbing roses, gardenias, citrus trees, jasmine, and pungent herbs create sensory enjoyment for virtually every season of the year. A variety of ferns, vines, ground cover, and herbaceous plants provide textures that are interesting to look at and irresistible to the touch.

David’s best advice is to begin with tall foundation plants.  “In order to get a natural look that is pleasing to the eye, play around with the placement of perennials and annuals. Judy and I just moved things here and there until we were happy with the results. Sometimes it took us several tries before finding the perfect spot, but, as Judy says, once you achieve harmony,   ‘It is healing to the soul.’”

Check out Judy’s endeavor: gardencalling.com. She promises it will be rich with thoughtful reflections, garden wisdom, and practical gardening advice.

RESOURCES

landscape artists, installation and garden antiquities:  MAXIMINO GARCIA AND DAVID SWINDAL, GARTENFEST, LLC Birmingham, AL • 205.414.6740 • [email protected] • Gartenfestllc.com urn on front loggia: TSITALIA IMPORTS  Birmingham, AL • tsitalia.com outdoor fabric: SUNBRELLA, KING COTTON DECORATOR FABRICS Birmingham, AL • 205.322.5878 • kingcottonfabrics.com interior designer: KITTY ROCHESTER Birmingham, AL • 205.322.5878 • [email protected] faux finish on olive jar: LISA OPELIELINSKI 205.229.3066 • [email protected] • lisaoartist.com

Text by Sally Herring • Photography by Jean Allsopp

The Nondescript brick house, pictured left, was due for an overhaul, and its owners were overdue for a comfortable, livable home. “Functionally, the house was not adequate, ” says architect Adam Gerndt of Adams Gerndt Design Group, who headed the rejuvenation project.

Among the dysfunction was a kitchen that was small and showing its age. Another impetus was the desire for a workable master suite. The couple had never used the original master bedroom because its position next to the kitchen did not allow privacy. Plus, when the owners first moved in years ago, they didn’t want their two small children (now grown) isolated in their upstairs bedrooms.

Instead, the original master bedroom was used as a den, and the couple settled into an upstairs room with a narrow bath and limited closet space. The husband used the small bedroom closet, while the wife kept her clothing in the downstairs master/den closet. “For over 20 years, I went downstairs to get my clothes and back upstairs to get dressed, ” she says.

Despite the inconveniences, this couple stayed in the home because they love its location. One of the home’s greatest charms is a captivating vista of Shades Mountain, and the owners did not want to leave that behind.

The clean lines of the master bedroom make for a calm and sophisticated retreat, positioned away from the rest of the house. “The scale of the room was such that we needed vertical pieces, ” builder Adam Gerndt says. An antique linen press and a tall, custom linen headboard help to draw the eye upward. The vaulted ceiling is warmed with oak beams reclaimed from an old tobacco barn. Literal warmth is provided by a limestone fireplace.

Having given up the idea of searching for their dream house, the couple finally realized they could create it themselves—right where they were! This way, they were sure to get everything on their wish lists, including an exercise room, swimming pool, and sun porch. And one more thing—while the Georgian-style house was stately, it was, perhaps, a bit staid. Could it be more French?

Fortuitously, Adam found that fitting an addition onto the house necessitated design choices that made a translation from English to French not only possible but the natural outcome. “In the design of the addition, we came up with a flat roof system with a parapet, and that dictated a French style, ” he explains Adam’s design exchanged the Williamsburg-like brick façade for the earthy, Mediterranean texture of stucco. A new limestone entry, illuminated by French gas lanterns, anchors the transformed exterior, while limestone headers over the windows reinforce the country manor appeal. Rustic shutters complete the look.

Bathed in natural light, the master bath is resplendent in marble, with a mosaic inlay on the floor breaking into the overall white for added interest. Curves, from the barrel-arched ceiling to the classic footed tub, set a feminine mood.

Inside, the design allowed for a modern reinterpretation of a Mediterranean villa. Spacious and flowing, the interior lives up to the exterior’s promise of luxury and comfort. The new master suite is lordly, with noble proportions, a dream-size closet, and a posh bath with a Euro-spa feel.

The transformation from American colonial conventionality to French joie de vivre better suits the house in its ridgetop location, commanding a baronial prospect of natural beauty. And with the interior now tailored to their lifestyle, the owners have a renewed love of their longtime home.

  
Kicking the kitchen up a notch or two was one of the primary goals of the remodeling project. Before, the kitchen was functional but prosaic. Through the renovation, it was translated into a gourmet kitchen with a Euro-style coffered ceiling, a massive island, limestone countertops, and custom cabinetry by Cantley and Company that included such touches as appliance garages.

ABOVE The rear of the property offers a fabulous view, but the original house didn’t provide many places from which to enjoy it—just a few windows and a conventional deck. Now, a pool that is serenity itself offers a place to take in the surroundings. Before the renovation, the pool deck was a ravine. Even after the addition of a retaining wall and fill dirt, the property’s precipitous dropoff dictated the deck’s distinctive scalloped lines.

RESOURCES

architecture and interior design: Adams Gerndt Design Group 205.939.1113 • adams-gerndt.com | Defining Home 1916 28th Avenue South Homewood / Alabama • 205.803.3662 • defininghome.com cabinets: Cantley & Company 2821 Second Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama • 205.324.2400 countertops and tile: Triton Stone 205.592.0202 • tritonstone.com pool: Shoemaker Pools 2811 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama • 205.967.1644 gas lanterns: Architectural Heritage 205.322.3538 • architecturalheritage.com door and cabinet hardware: Brandino Brass 2824 Central Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama • 205.978.8900 • brandinobrass.com

Text by Lucy Merrill • Photography by Jean Allsopp

Suite One: A Study in Romance

When this Mountain Brook family decided to do some remodeling, their first thought was the master bathroom. Although more spacious than some, their bathroom, which sported Doric columns, a black bathtub, and a gigantic wall size mirror, was in dire need of some updates. But, after calling on the expertise of architect Cherri Pitts and builder Mitch Bradford, it was clear that this remodel could be so much more for the couple than simply a bathroom makeover. Quickly, the renovation grew from a bath project, to a total master suite overhaul.

ABOVE LEFT Before ABOVE RIGHT AND BELOW Since the bathroom was the original reason for the remodel, Cherri Pitts made sure to spare nothing in the design, assuring that the owners got everything they wanted in the space—specifically, a soaking tub with hidden television for her and a spacious steam shower for him.
 

“As busy parents with active kids, they wanted their space to feel like a peaceful retreat, ” explains Cherri. So, taking cues from the couple’s much enjoyed European travels, the architect began the planning, which included large structural changes.

To create the opulent, spa-like master bath, complete with two lavatories and two large vanities, Cherri knew that she would need to take 5 feet from the bedroom. The tray ceilings also had to be reconstructed to make way for the reclaimed beams. And, as the construction began, Cherri realized that the unused screened porch was the best spot to build a study for the husband, pictured below, creating the perfect addition to the suite.

But it isn’t just the big changes that make this suite so breathtaking; it’s also Cherri’s perfect attention to detail. “I enjoy doing special pieces designed just for a space, ” she says. The evidence is found in the custom petite limestone sink, the antique door knobs, and the tiled barrel vault shower. It’s these seemingly smaller things that actually make a big impact in giving a space the appeal of a one-of-a-kind retreat.

RESOURCES

architect: CHERRI PITTS OF STUDIO C ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS LLC 205.322.2315 • studiocarch.com builder: MIKE BRADFORD OF SANDERS BRADFORD 205.871.1717 • saundersbradford.com interior design: RICHARD TUBB INTERIORS 205.324.7616 • richardtubbinteriors.com beams: SOUTHERN ACCENTS 877.737.0554 • sa1969.com cypress paneling: SANDERS BRADFORD limestone and marble flooring: KENNY & CO. 205.323.5616 • kennycompany.com shower: KENNY & CO. tub faucet: KENNY & CO. petite limestone sink: GARNER STONE 205.951.2974 • garnerstone.com

Suite Two: From Ordinary to Extraordinary

When builder Mitch Bradford was given the task of updating this Homewood master suite, he knew just what he had to do: Create a relaxing space that mirrored the personalities of the homeowners. Although this suite was spacious and had some great amenities (separate shower and tub, large vanity, and bay window), the space was very generic looking and did not match the couple’s taste. So, Mitch set to work creating a private hideaway that was functional, beautiful, and abundant in charm.

AFTER 1. Chandeliers give this romantic getaway an instant boost of sophistication. 2. Replacing the carpet with wood balances the room’s heavy beams. Peacock Pavers give the bathroom a warmer feel and offers contrast against the white walls. 3. While beams were not added to both bathroom and bedroom, the new flat ceilings in both give the suite a cohesive feel.
 

Bedroom Before	Bathroom Before

LEFT, BEFORE 1. Although functional, the fan above the bed and the lantern in the bathroom were unattractive and dated. 2.  Khaki-colored carpet and tan walls left the room heavy and bland. Nondescript white tile in the bathroom made the space feel ordinary and cold. 3. Tray ceilings made the rooms feel generic and less like the customized space the homeowners were looking for.
 

Perhaps the biggest undertaking, but one of the most striking changes, was the removal of the tray ceilings to make way for the reclaimed wooden beams. This one change gave the room an almost instant upgrade in character. From there, Mitch completely refashioned the bathroom from a dark outdated space to a fresh room for relaxation. He replaced the old jet tub with an antique-style soaking tub and removed the glass block window, installing traditional paned windows in its place. This simple upgrade brought plenty of natural sunlight into the room. Additionally, the shower, which had previously been a dim cramped space, was enlarged and retiled, offering a gorgeous counterpart to the new bathtub.

At the entrance into the retreat, Mitch installed heavy wooden doors, complete with a glass transom detail over the top. Finally, the suite was painted a crisp white, contrasting well with the dark doors, beams, and flooring and opening up the suite visually. To look at the old pictures of the master suite, it’s hard to believe that such a wonderful transformation could take place. When asked about his favorite aspect of the new space, Mitch said proudly, “I just love how clean and bright it all looks. I think it turned out really well.”

RESOURCES

builder: MIKE BRADFORD OF SANDERS BRADFORD 205.871.1717 • saundersbradford.com beams: SOUTHERN ACCENTS 877.737.0554 • sa1969.com bathroom tile: PEACOCK PAVERS 800.264.2072 • peacockpavers.com shower, tube, and fixtures: KENNY & CO. 205.323.5616 • kennycompany.com

Text by Cassandra Ramos Lenard • Styling by Lydia Pursell • Photography by Jean Allsopp

Situated on a wooded Mountain Brook lot is a house that the owner calls an ongoing, living art piece. It exists in a state of flux as subtle, constant changes add to its appeal. “I’m always bringing in things from the outside, ” says the owner, who has a special affinity for trees, birds, and art— thanks to the influence of her mother and paternal grandmother on her own family tree.

The homeowners worked with interior designer Lauren Conner and builder David Camp of Camp Construction Company to transition a dressy, brick traditional into a casual residence with an inviting feel.

Friends since high school, Lauren and the owner knew each other well, which facilitated the best possible working relationship. “She’s vivacious and she wants things done right, ” Lauren says of her friend. “We worked well together.”

With open spaces and views, sans window treatments, the remodeled space expresses the owner’s love of contrasts, as seen in the stainless tabletop with its rustic wood base. Rough-hewn wood details complement sleek furniture pieces for classic style with modern flair.

David Camp was recruited to remodel the kitchen and den. Seeing that the home’s front faced away from the view and that the location of the driveway made entry awkward, David began to contemplate an about-face.

“Soon after I started the design work, I broke the ice with the idea of reversing the house, ” he says. “The first thing I did was show them a sketch that would bring the driveway around the house for guests to enter from the front corridor.”

LEFT A leftover holiday display remains over the stove. “At Christmas, Sybil hung ornaments from the driftwood. I liked it so much, I left it, ” the owner says. RIGHT Doors open onto the home’s addition—a screened porch.

Keeping the original footprint almost intact, David drew up the plans that reversed the house. “One of the most important elements of making a beautiful home is finding a way to make it connect to the setting, and this house has a beautiful setting, ” he explains. “The screened porch we added makes a connection on one side. The other side has an expansive view.”

A burlap swing, hung on the entry-level front porch, makes a natural transition from the foyer to the landscape. The swing was the first piece the owner bought with a “tree house” home redesign in mind. Its neutral tones are enhanced with bright pops of purple and aqua.

In the renovated kitchen and den area, pale walls create a neutral backdrop, showcasing rustic, exposed beams and dark wood window and door trim. The contrast creates a light, open feeling.

The stainless-top kitchen table has a rustic wood base, a hardy piece in keeping with the re-styled area. With two sons, the owners appreciate such resilient materials—from floors to furnishings.

“They wanted furniture that was durable, ” Lauren says, a factor that prompted the inclusion of chenille, slate-colored armchairs in the family room. “We used a neutral palette with a punch of color—turquoise and citron—and some fun artwork.”

It wasn’t just the home that had a role reversal from formal to casual. Many of the furnishings found a new purpose as well.

“She used everything from her old house, ” Lauren says of the homeowner. “She took a Chippendale bench and recovered it to make it a little edgier. She has classic things, but they have been updated.”

A sofa from the owner’s maternal grandmother, circa 1940s, was given new zest with deep lavender upholstery. Placed in the library, the piece is accompanied by two chairs with geometric prints on the same purple background. A portrait of her grandmother looks on, proudly.

In the dove gray dining room, a seagrass rug, one of the few floor coverings in the house, sits beneath a traditional table and chairs. A casual iron-and-wood light fixture replaced a heavy, crystal chandelier to create a more understated atmosphere.

At Lauren’s suggestion, the kitchen showcases a high-end sleekness through the use of marble tile on the entire back wall. “Lauren was great at pushing me into that, ” the owner says. “I looked at other materials, and I thought about painting it. But if you look beyond the wall into the yard outside, it’s a sleek interpretation of all of the rock ledges behind it.”

David and Lauren made the perfect team to meet the owner’s objective of blending modern styles with old designs and “rough edges, ” including exposed beams inside and geologic formations outside. “I like a little bit of everything, ” the owner explains. “We’re emotionally attached to family furniture but are drawn to modern pieces as well.”

The end result is a home that gives a nod to family tradition while maintaining a contemporary look.  “This was a beautiful house when we bought it. It was just more formal than we are, ” says the owner. “We wanted to open it up. We have always called it our big tree house with windows, and now we have made that even more true.”

RESOURCES

builder: David Camp 205.879.9830 interior design: Lauren Conner 205.223.1573 floral design: Sybil Sylvester 205.322.1311 select art: Studio By The Tracks 205.951.3317 lamps: Village Firefly 205.870.4560 traditional furnishings: Cresent Furniture 615.452.1671 sunburst mirror: Three Sheets 205.871.2337 modern pieces: Richard Tubb Interiors 205.324.7613 At Home 205.879.3510 Circa Interiors and Antiques 205.868.9199 Chickadee 205.969.3138 purple sofa upholstery: Andrea Carmichael Inc. andreacarmichaelinc.com

Text by Cara D. Clark • Floral Design by Sybil Sylvester • Photography by Jean Allsopp

Mix of Materials 
In addition to plant texture, Troy introduced a variety of surfaces to this backyard garden. Bluestone pavers, brickwork, and a lush lawn invite transition between garden and patio.

Classic Lines
The garden is divided into a grassy lawn and four symmetrical parterre gardens. The low hedges create a framework for filling in with annuals or perennials.

Privacy Hedge
A lush green hedge is sure to win over any neighbor. While a hedge takes a little longer to grow in than a wooden privacy fence, the wait will result in a natural scene and offer an evergreen framework when other deciduous trees and shrubs begin to fade.

Architectural Details
Brick pillars support garden ornament and urns overflowing with perky ferns. A monogram, below, carved into limestone breaks up the expanse of the home’s brick wall.

Plenty of Seating
A garden this lovely is meant to be enjoyed up close, as well as from the comfort of a outdoor seating area. The natural décor of a garden is the perfect setting for any good evening.

Water Feature
Is there anything more soothing than the soft splash of a fountain? This simple, low-maintenance wall fountain, below, provides just enough of the magical sound.

Colorful Annuals
With such a strong framework of hedges, evergreen walls, and pots, annuals (above) are easy to change on a whim. This garden offers the option of changing out color year-round.

Lush Lawn
There’s just enough of the green carpet for kids to play or for grownups to enjoy a barefoot picnic.

Vertical Horizons
A cypress hedge, climbing fig ivy, and shade trees—along with strong vertical lines on the home’s siding—make for interest on all levels.

Focal Points
The garden is arranged for focal points at every turn: the patio, a faux bois garden bench, fountain wall, and limestone monogram.

Troy Rhone Garden Design
205.249.1030 •  troyrhonegardens.com

Photography by Edward Badham

Oh I envy the Green Thumbs who seem to have a way with flowering plants such as dahlias, peonies, and heirloom roses. I’ve never had much luck with the tricky varieties and yes, I have tried—for the last 20 years. Many hours and dollars went to planting the imagined border gardens I filled with persnickety blooms only to be lost to fungus, pests, or a week away without water. A prolific garden shows dedication, determination, education, a lot of trial and error, and just a bit of luck. Despite my attempts to grow what I consider fancy plants, I have found a few tried-and-true flowering perennials that seem to get along with me. I love these choices for their profusion of flowers and their forgiving nature. Whether you are a pro or a frustrated gardener, this list has proven practically fail proof for me. Good Luck!

1. Butterfly Bush, Buddleia (pictured above, left) 2. French Hydrangea (not shown) Hydrangea macrophylla (Don’t forget our native Oak Leaf Hydrangea!) 3. Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia (not shown) 4. Gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides (pictured above, right) 5. Knock Out Roses  (not shown) (single and double blooms)

6. Mexican Sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia (above, left) 7. Echinacea / Coneflower Asteraceae (above, right)

8. Hosta (all varieties) I love to mix the varigated leaves with dark and light varieties. (above)

9. Sedum, Autumn Joy (above, left) 10. Lantana, Verbenaceae (above, right)

Cathy Still McGowin