Small-Scale and Savvy

By
Lucy Merrill
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Cynthia Massey calls her residence a garden home, for lack of a better term to describe the contemporary concept of more floor space and less lot. But the original tangled wilderness she saw from her back windows certainly did not meet the definition of a “garden.”

“The backyard was a narrow area with a significant grade, and it was invaded by kudzu, ” Cynthia says. “It was completely unusable.” While there was a patio, the space was small and encircled by a retaining wall,  giving the sense of being in a hole. Its claustrophobic feel and plain brick construction seemed mismatched to the home’s newly updated, expansive, and sophisticated interior.

Realizing the backyard needed a serious upgrade, Cynthia didn’t just hire a landscaper. Instead, she sent out a garden mayday. As a result,  an ad hoc group of first responders—landscape architect Lois Mash,  interior decorator Tommy Porter,  and Rodney Griffin of Gardens by Griffin—convened to rescue the outdoor space, “I put together what I considered to be a dream team, ” Cynthia says.

Each team member brought certain strengths to the project. Lois provided the structure, and her training and experience emphasized the gritty details. Her initial advice was to order a site survey so that the team would know exactly what the problems were and where they were located.

Tommy contributed an artistic imagination that found the key to opening up the garden’s beauty. “He had the idea to take the retaining wall back and open up and flatten out the yard, ” Cynthia says. Pushing back the retaining wall, which required removing close to 200 tons of dirt, provided a flat expanse that allowed the team to create a dream outdoor living space.

Rodney’s role was to color within the lines of the team’s concept. He fulfilled more of Cynthia’s garden wishes—an herb garden, flowering shrubs to provide blooms to cut, and even fruit trees‹with plants selected with an eye to space, low maintenance, and color (the garden features hues of blue and white, with the occasional yellow), as well as an emphasis on native species to attract birds and bees.

“In the beginning, they asked me for ideas, ” Cynthia explains. “They told me to dream big and tell them anything I’ve ever dreamed of having.” Her outsized wishes for the space included a fireplace, an arbor,  a kitchen garden, a water feature, and an al fresco dining space.

With imagination and intelligence, the team made her wishes come true. Now this petite patch of earth is a place of beauty and practicality, giving new meaning to this garden home.

Through a savvy use of space, a small backyard is transformed into a tranquil outdoor retreat, as seen in the rendering of the garden plan.
 

Built into a hillside,  Cynthia Massey’s home and garden presented a special challenge with water and drainage during construction of the new outdoor space. Moving tons of dirt would affect the property’s drainage, which was never adequate to begin with. “Every time it rained, it was a disaster, ” Cynthia says. “The mosquitoes were so bad (because of standing water), I’d have to have a transfusion after being outside.”

And it wasn’t just rain runoff at the root of the mess. During construction, the contractor, Rodney Griffin, found two natural springs contributing to the garden and patio’s water problem.

To remedy the issue of way too much of a good thing, Rodney designed two French drains to collect the excess water and, using that principle of downhill drainage, direct it away from the property. (French drains, by the way, aren’t European. They’re named for a 19th-century American farmer, Henry French.)

Now the water that once pooled on Cynthia’s patio runs off harmlessly to the storm drains on the street.

Before

After

The contours of the lot contribute to the garden’s lushness and sense of depth by providing a backdrop of greenery and blooms, including espaliered apple and pear trees and lollipop-shaped awabuki ‘Chindo’ viburnum on the high wall, white drift roses over the fountain,   and winter gem boxwood and gardenias at patio level.
 

  

The Massey Garden received the 2013 Alabama State Merit Award from The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
 

  

“I had ideas of what I wanted, but I never imagined how fabulous it would be.” — homeowner Cynthia Massey
 

Resources

Landscape Architecture: Lois S. Mash, Greenview Studio, Inc. Birmingham, 251.923.7367 • greenviewstudio.com; Design Consultant: Tommy Porter and Scott Martin, Porter Bros. [email protected];  Construction and Plantings: Rodney Griffin, Gardens by Griffin 205.965.3607 • gardensbygriffin.com

text by Lucy Merrill • styling by Scott Martin and Tommy Porter • photography by Jean Allsopp

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Professional Help

By
Lacey Howard
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With additions made by former owners, this Crestline home seemed a good fit for Aimee and Wil Puckett and son McGivern. Still, upon first look, they had some concerns—namely the kitchen. “There was an oven from the 1950s!” Aimee says. To help determine if the house would be a good match, the couple invited designer Marianne Strong and builders William and David Siegel of Twin Construction to see the house they were considering purchasing in the fall of 2011. “We wanted to know what possibilities they thought existed in the house, ” explains Aimee.

“It had a lot of nice features, including a master suite addition and a large den area, ” William Siegel says. “However, the kitchen did not fit in with the other updates.” Marianne agreed. “The bones and layout of the house were great, but we really needed to start from scratch decorating-wise and create a neutral canvas, ” she says. The pros offered up their ideas for making the house work for the Puckett family, and together they decided on a course of action.

Upon purchasing the home, the Pucketts handed the keys to Twin Construction and the kitchen remodel was under way. “We took the kitchen back to the original framing and installed all new modern finishes, including cabinets, ” William says. The remodel didn’t involve moving walls or appliances, but Aimee says it was the small changes—such as eliminating a step down between the kitchen and breakfast room and enlarging the kitchen’s doorways—that made all the difference. “Creating a more open floorplan was some of the best money we spent, ” she says.

Marianne helped choose the kitchen finishes—from countertops and backsplash to cabinet color and tile—and while the remodel was progressing, she refinished floors and painted every room in Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee to create the blank slate on which she could build the interiors. “The one cohesive, clean, fresh color made a huge difference!” Aimee says. “It helped lay the foundation.” From there, Marianne explains, “We worked together on the décor—furniture, rugs, lighting,  bedding, accessories, art placement.”

When it comes to the couple’s personal style, “Wil and I are very similar, ” says Aimee. “We both like more neutral colors and clean lines. And sometimes I like to mix contemporary pieces in, such as the IKEA chairs in the breakfast room.”

Six weeks after purchase, the Pucketts moved in to their new home, with its updated kitchen and decorated family room and master suite. Over time, Marianne has continued her work in other rooms throughout the house. Currently, the formal living space and entry are in progress, the dining room will soon have a makeover, and, Aimee says, “Farther down the road, two baths need to be renovated.”

As their home evolves, the Pucketts will continue to call on these trusted professionals. “Marianne is great about working in phases. She lives like I do and can relate. When I say I can’t do it all right now, she’ll say something like, ‘What if we do the chairs now and then later we come back and do the sofa?’ She helps me make wise investments and good decisions to get maximum impact for my budget.”

DINING ROOM This narrow space was underutilized, so the designer placed a table against the long wall and added a painting for visual impact. The original pavers seen here were replaced with a rug over hardwoods, and the walls received a fresh coat of paint. Aimee appreciates Marianne’s flexibility. “I like to do some of the shopping, and Marianne is good at mixing my off-the-rack purchases with custom pieces so nothing looks like its came straight from the showroom, ” she says.

KITCHEN New cabinets, countertops and appliances give this space a much-needed boost, complemented by the natural light flowing in from a large window over the sink.

FAMILY ROOM Marianne worked to create a blank canvas on which to build the interior design. (All of the walls are painted Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.) “When all of your walls are white, it is important to add warmth with texture, ” Marianne says. The family room, now open to the kitchen and breakfast spaces thanks to enlarged doorways, provides that kick-back space. “We didn’t need a big house, ” Aimee says. “Just comfortable space for the three of us.” The painting over the fireplace, by artist Annie Butrus, is Aimee’s prized possession. “It was a gift from my husband the first Christmas after we got married, ” Aimee says. “It’s one of those pieces I loved the day he gave it to me and I still love it 15 years later.”

MASTER BEDROOM A neutral palette of taupe, cream and white creates a calming master bedroom retreat. A few pops of greenery and a patterned accent pillow add an earthy feel to the space.

Marianne Strong

Timeless Style

Marianne Strong makes each project individual, but she has a few go-to favorites no matter the venue.

1) I love a geometric pattern—whether it’s in a fabric, in a tile, in a rug.
2) I find myself coming back to tried-and-true stone—marble and limestone for kitchens,  fireplace mantels, and furniture.
3) In large rooms, you can’t go wrong with a natural rug as your jumping-off point, even if you layer a smaller rug on top. It gives a nice definition to the space without breaking the budget.
4) Linen—in various shades and textures—linen is easy to work with in a variety of ways.
5) Every room should have something unique to the owner—whether it is a piece of furniture with history or smaller, meaningful items.

Resources

Interior design: Marianne Strong Interiors, 205.222.8876 • mariannestronginteriors.com; Builder: Twin Construction, Inc. 205.802.3920 • twincompanies.com; Kitchen Cabinets: Diamond cabinetry from Classic Cabinets by Design, 205.802.2110 • myclassiccabinets.com

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The Kessler Collection

By
BHG Staff
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Birmingham is anxiously awaiting the new Grand Bohemian hotel in Mountain Brook Village. While the opening is still a year away, we’ve got the highlights of what hotelier Richard Kessler is bringing to our fine city. Can’t wait? Here are four of his other properties to visit in the meantime. 

1. Bohemian Hotel Celebration

Situated lakeside, this elegant property takes guests back to the Florida of yesterday with its old-world architecture. Inside, the boutique hotel offers plenty of modern-day luxury as well. The 115 guest rooms and suites include lavish details such as fresh orchids, original artwork, and incomparable views.

Sneak peek! Highlights of the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook (Spring 2015)

  • 100-room boutique hotel with 12, 000 feet of meeting and event space
  • Grand Bohemian Art Gallery featuring work from local, regional, and international artists
  • Poseidon Spa offering luxurious treatments such as aromatherapy massages
  • Farm-to-table culinary offerings, cooking school three restaurants including rooftop bar.

2. Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville

Picturesque vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains add to the stately nature of this hotel. The historical appeal of its Tudor-style exterior is complemented inside with guest rooms that include antique fixtures and hand-carved furniture. And typical of every Kessler Collection property, the hotel seamlessly blends art, décor, and luxury.

3. Beaver Creek Lodge

With 72 spacious guest suites and a selection of three-bedroom condominiums, this hotel has every amenity imaginable. Located at the base of Colorado’s Beaver Creek Mountain, the property offers convenient access to snowskiing and other winter activities. State-of-the-art touches, such as flat-screen TVs in every room, bring a modern appeal to the hotel, while its rustic-chic décor maintains a connection to the natural surroundings.

4. Mansion on Forsyth Park

This iconic Savannah hotel was renovated and reopened by Kessler in 2006. With its Versace furniture and Verona marble accents, the Victorian Romanesque structure exudes elegance. In addition, this AAA Four-Diamond property features more than 400 pieces of original artwork.

For more information on these and other Kessler properties, visit kesslercollection.com

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A Family of Friends

By
Lacey Howard
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Full house is quite an understatement when all eleven families of Supper Club gather—the Edgeworths, Sains, Hartsfields, Jennings, Douthits, Manowns, Garlingtons, Williams, Pipkins, Stoddards, and Kimbrells—including a current total of 27 children. So when Carla and Alex Edgeworth bought a house at Lake Mitchell—the third house on the lake for their Supper Club—they were thrilled that it would allow even more space for their family of friends to enjoy the group’s annual south-of-Birmingham summer gathering.

Supper Club began more than a decade ago, when Carla (not yet married to Alex) and Lindsay Jennings were new friends and decided to begin what they called ‘Cocktail Club’—a once-a-month gathering of friends. “It started out of necessity, ” Melina Douthit says. “We needed to create our own community and family group. We had all recently finished college and moved to Birmingham to start our adult lives, with jobs, and spouses and some future spouses.”

Carla’s deft decorating savvy took her to flea markets, thrift stores, and discount chains like IKEA for items that could make a big impact on the space—not her bank account. “We were very frugal and yet I love how it turned out!” says Carla. “It’s like a breathe of fresh air every time I walk in.”

“We rotated who would host, ” Carla adds. “As the club grew and babies were born, we turned it into Supper Club and the host family provided a main course—and cocktails, of course—and we all brought sides.”

From the beginning, Carla says, “the lake—then hosted at the Jennings’ house—was a special treat and became a whole weekend get-away instead of one evening together.” Today, the group spreads out among three homes—the Jennings, the Hartsfields, and the Edgeworths—when they gather at Lake Mitchell. Sarah Pipkin says, “The lake is a great weekend because our busy schedules don’t allow for us to get together as often as we used to, and some families no longer live in Birmingham. I look forward to that weekend because we can all hang out, catch up, and our kids have a blast!”

Despite being in the perfect location, the Edgeworth home wasn’t exactly what Alex and Carla were looking for in a lake house. In fact, Carla says they fell in love with the lot—and lucked into the house not being a total disaster. As a full-time mom, Carla takes on clients as a part-time decorator, but she finds her time at the lake more rewarding—especially since she’s revamped the interiors of the not-so-perfect lake house. “There are now two bedrooms and two baths, ” Carla says. “One room is large enough for two queens and a bunk bed; the other bedroom has a king bed.  We also have a sleeping porch with two twins, a queen blowup bed, and two sofas. For such a little cabin, we can sleep a lot of people.”

The décor is mix of treasures found at flea markets, thrift stores, and Goodwill—classic and welcoming, but in modern lake house style. With Carla’s deft hand, “The lake house feels like a breathe of fresh air, ” she says.  “It’s just simple and casual and so is life down there.” Carla says that life on the lake is all about family and their family of friends. “I hope our kids will remember that when we’re there, there’s nothing else that needs to get done: no work, no schedule, no ‘Hold on a minute.’ Its just pure family fun.”

The Supper Club family provides that fun at least one weekend each summer. “No matter which way our lives take us, with kids’ activities and new friends, we will always have our friends from Cocktail Club, ” Amy Hartsfield says. “We will forever have that bond.”

ABOVE Carla Edgeworth, Sarah Pipkin, Lindsay Jennings and Melina Douthit relax in the window-lined living room as Ford Douthit grabs a hug from Mom.
 

  

ABOVE LEFT Homeowner and decorator Carla Edgeworth says her Lake Mitchell home is a humble mixture of flea market and thrift store finds that she gave new life. “Seriously! I paid $50 for the dining chairs, ” she says.  

ABOVE RIGHT The Edgeworths made a few changes to their lake house to make it function better for their family: They expanded a half-bath into a full bath and opened up the floor plan by taking down one living room wall and enlarging the opening into the kitchen. 
 

ABOVE The eleven couples of Supper Club have a combined 27 children—20 of them boys!
 

Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders

This recipes is courtesy of The Pioneer Woman (thepioneerwoman.com).

2 pounds ground meat (beef, bison, turkey)
salt and pepper
4 tablespoons butter
1 whole large onion, diced
½ cup whiskey
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup jarred jalapeno slices (more to taste)
12 whole slider buns or dinner rolls, split

1. Form the meat into 12 (or so) miniature patties and salt and pepper them on both sides.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties until just about done in the middle, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
3. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of grease, then return the skillet to the stove.
4. Throw the diced onions in the skillet and stir to cook, about 3 minutes. Pour in whiskey (be careful if you’re cooking over an open flame; turn it off momentarily to be extra careful) and stir.
5. Allow the whiskey to reduce by half, about 2 to 3 minutes, then stir in jalapenos and the barbecue sauce.
6. Reduce the heat to low and place the patties in the barbecue sauce, turning to coat. Allow the patties to simmer in the sauce until everything’s hot and bubbly.
7. Place the patties on individual buns and be sure to spoon extra sauce (with the jalapenos!) over the top of each one before topping with the other half of the bun.

Pimiento Cheese

This easy dish is Alyce Manown’s family recipe. Serve the cheesy concoction with an assortment of crackers for an easy snack the kids will love on a busy day. 

2 lbs sharp cheddar cheese
1 (7oz) can pimientos
½ bottle Durkee’s dressing
1 pt mayonnaise
2 T lemon juice
1 tsp mustard
½ tsp Worcestershire
½ tsp red pepper
3 cloves crushed garlic

1. Mash pimientos with a fork. Add Durkee’s, red pepper, garlic. Blend in mixer.
2. Add grated cheese and beat until well mixed and smooth.
3. Chill and serve. Makes about 2 quarts.

Sweet Salsa 

This tasty recipe is a porch favorite.

2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cans shoepeg corn (drained and rinsed)
8 oz feta
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil (very important…do not use olive oil…yuck!)

Mix together and let sit over night in the refrigerator before serving. Best served with frito scoops! Any time the girls get together, they always assign someone to bring Nabeels hummus and chicken salad and homemade pita chips from the Piggly Wiggly.

  

Alex’s Stout Margarita

Patron (Tequila)
Patron orange liqueur
lime juice
Stirrings Simple Margarita mix

Mix to desired strength.

Alyce’s Missionaries

1 can frozen lime-aid
1 can full of rum
ice
handful of mint leaves

Toss in some strawberries and blend!

text by Lacey Howard • photos by Art Meripol • Styling by Missie Neville Crawford

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Beach Refinements

By
Lynn Nesmith
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A house along the water is a luxury regardless of the square footage or aesthetic ambitions. From simple beach cottages to grand family compounds, each home seems to embrace the spirit of the coast while possessing a style all its own. Linda and Charles Israel’s new home in Seagrove follows this cherished coastal tradition, celebrating the unique sights, sounds, and diversions of living along the water. 

“We starting coming to Seaside when the town was new and our children were young, ” recalls Linda. The Birmingham couple fell in love with the area and later purchased a classic concrete-block house in Old Seagrove in 2004. And as Highway 30A grew, so did their family.

A sheltered screened porch functions as a true outdoor room overlooking the Gulf, providing the perfect place to toast the sunset.

“We all like to come to the beach at the same time, but with five children, spouses, and grandchildren, we needed more space, ” explains Linda. They considered adding on to their cottage because they loved the location, but when a large lot just down the street became available, the couple decided to start from scratch. To create a home befitting the prime location high on a bluff overlooking the ocean, the Israels enlisted interior designer Georgia Carlee, architect Tom Christ, and builder Buster Woodruff.

The house honors its nautical address with deep porches, plentiful balconies, abundant French doors, and large windows. “I had seen a magazine cover of a house in WaterColor that Georgia designed, and I was drawn to her look, ” says Linda. The easygoing rooms, slipcovered furnishings, soft textures, and mix of old and new appealed to Linda’s sense of style. “Georgia and I hit it off immediately, ” she says.

The designer balanced a sense of grand and intimate spaces with a neutral color scheme drawn from nature, along with even-handed tailoring and practical furnishings that feel accumulated over time. Rough-hewed exposed beams, wood paneling, custom cabinets, and pecky cypress ceilings are layered with restraint to add density and scale. Upstairs, wood floors are hand-scrubbed for a finish that ages well under sandy feet and wet bathing suits.

The appeal of this house is its mixture of comfort, elegance, and liveability. First-time visitors and longtime friends move about with the same of sense of belonging as family members. “We christened the house with a graduation trip for our daughter and 17 of her friends, ” laughs Linda. “Everyone had her own bed and a good time.”

In the end, it’s all about the beach, family, and camaraderie at this refined retreat along the Gulf. For the Israels,  this truly is home away from home. 

ABOVE Soft hues in the living room interact differently throughout the day according to the sunlight, sometimes evoking the warm tones of the wood and other times mirroring shades of the Gulf.
 

  

ABOVE LEFT A sunny sitting room off the kitchen features four upholstered chairs that swivel to encourage interaction with the cook or to allow for intimate conversation. 

ABOVE RIGHT Georgia mixed natural stone and textured wood finishings in the generous family kitchen. A herringbone-patterned backsplash and large wooden corbels animate the stove’s recessed niche.
 

ABOVE French doors opening onto both a screened porch and a side terrace flood the spacious dining room with natural light.
 

  

ABOVE LEFT The guest house bedroom easily accommodates two queen beds and a round table for games or casual meals.

ABOVE RIGHT Waves of blue accents in the master suite pay homage to the coastal locale. Furnishings and simple accessories defer to the views and the play of natural light. 
 

ABOVE In the luxurious master suite, Georgia layered soft linens and textures with a contemporary chaise longue, sisal rugs, antique doors, and salvaged architectural fragments.
 

ABOVE A trio of oyster shell lanterns, large porthole-style mirrors, and natural stone finishes enliven the downstairs guest bathroom.
 

  

ABOVE LEFT Georgia arranged six mirrors above the bed to accentuate the niche and give depth to the downstairs guest suite. 

ABOVE RIGHT A large contemporary farm sink enlivens the loft bathroom and adds an unexpected touch.
 

ABOVE A whimsical playroom occupies the third floor and includes built-in beds set under the eaves.
 

ABOVE Welcoming but not overwhelming, an archway defines the front door and beckons visitors. 
 

RESOURCES

Interior designer: Georgia Carlee, GCI Designs Santa Rosa Beach, FL • 850.217.8155 • gcidesigns.com; Builder: Buster Woodruff, Woodruff Construction, Santa Rosa Beach, FL • 850.231.3202; Architect: Tom Christ, Christ & Associates Grayton Beach, FL • 850.231.0883 • christandassociates.com; Custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets: Gulf South Kitchen Design Fort Walton, FL • gulfsouthkitchendesign.com; Kitchen cabinet hardware and pulls: The Fixture Exchange Destin, FL • 850.654.8883 • thefixtureexchange.com; Hanging light fixtures – kitchen/bathroom: Destin Lighting, destinlighting.com; Bath and kitchen fixtures: Kenny and Company, Birmingham, AL • 205.323.5616 • kennycompany.com; Paintings in master bedroom: artist Sherry Sandquist, sherryfloydsandquist.com

text and styling by Lynn Nesmith • photography by Jean Allsopp

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BBG Plant Sale

By
Major Adam Colbert Photography
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Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is hard at work planning its largest annual plant sale fundraiser set for the weekend of April 11. Whether you are looking for shrubs, trees, perennials, or that hard-to-find native, you are sure to find it at the sale—along with helpful tips and ideas from experts who will be on hand.

“It’s rare that a plant is bought without a question or two—or ten! Buyers want to know where to grow it, how to grow it, and how to care for it, ” says Frederick R. Spicer, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. “Our volunteers typically grow many of the plants in their area of expertise. Their knowledge supports our mission of educating people about plants, gardens, and the environment.”

More than 100, 000 plants will be available. Per tradition, the sale features signature plants each year. For 2014, the gardeners chose a golden theme. Look for GoldDust™ hybrid mecardonia, Gold Lace coleus, deep yellow calibrachoa, Lucky™ pure gold lantana and golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’). Each is available for just $5. 

  

Where:

The former JCPenney at Century Plaza • 7580 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35210.

When:

Thursday, April 10
Preview Party: 5 – 6:30 p.m. ($45 in advance, $50 at the door)
Members-Only Sale: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Friday, April 11
Public Sale: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Free Admission)

Saturday, April 12
Public Sale: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Free Admission)

Sunday, April 13
Public Sale: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Free Admission)

For more information about the Spring Plant Sale or to purchase tickets to the Preview Party, call 205-414-3950 or visit bbgardens.org/springplantsale.

The Spring Plant Sale is sponsored in part by The Howard Hughes Corporation,  Leaf & Petal at The Gardens, Birmingham Home & Garden magazine, Buffalo Rock,  Fox 6, ValPak of Central Alabama, and birmingham365.org.

Photography by Major Adam Colbert

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Designed for Downtime

By
Lucy Merrill
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A vacation home is all about getting away from the everyday—work, school, day planners filled with obligations. For many Birmingham families, the place to find recreation and relaxation is along the shores of Lake Martin—close enough for weekend retreats, far enough for freedom.

Last summer, a new Birmingham couple joined the community of homeowners in Russell Cabins at The Ridge, Russell Lands’ answer to the demand for old-fashioned lake cabins, updated for today’s families. “My kids were always being invited down to the lake, ” says the owner. “We needed to buy a place so my husband and I could go too.”

The couple decided on a lot at The Ridge because it combined a private, getaway feel with easy distance to Kowaliga—a casual lakeside restaurant, Willow Point Golf Club and, especially, SpringHouse—the wildly popular fine-but-casual restaurant. That was important in persuading the husband, a committed beach guy, that he would enjoy lake living. “We are used to having fabulous places to dine at the beach, ” she says. Now, the family can enjoy a lake variety—including at-home entertaining thanks to the smart floorplan.

To accommodate family and guests, the owners chose the “2 Plus 2” houseplan from the cabin plans offered. The main level offers two bedrooms, each with a private bath, as well as an open living/dining/kitchen area. A kitchen is the heart of any house, and a lake cabin is no exception. (Early pioneer cabins were basically kitchens with sleeping quarters wedged in as needed.) This kitchen retains the rustic look, while providing the amenities, such as the copper farm sink and pecky cypress island, for easy meal preparation and casual dining. The island, with its barn-like crosspieces, is the homeowner’s favorite design element in the house.

The design was perfect for the family with three kids ranging from 14 to 20. “I liked the second den and bedrooms down (on the “lake level”) where the kids could have their own space, ” their mother says. “Also, it fits the lot so well.”

The owners worked with designer Nan Jackson to create an interior that reflected the away-from-it-all feeling of a lake cabin.

The powder room mirror is framed with driftwood, the metal cage sconce evokes an old-time seaman’s lantern. The mirror and the copper vessel sink are offset to free up counterspace.

True to its location and architecture, the interior needed to be rustic, while maintaining the level of comfort and aesthetic appeal of a home. Pine flooring sets the right tone, enhanced with stained wood and beamed ceilings varying the look of distinctive spaces.

Furnishings for the cabin are a mix of things relocated from the owners’ home and things bought specifically for the lake. Comfort and simplicity guided the selection of furniture, with playful touches such as the hanging beds in the downstairs bedroom. Experts at Seibels Camp & Cottage Outfitters, a specialty store for vacation home decorating, were a major source for rusticana and décor such as the cheery living room pillows and willow canopy bed.

“We wanted a rich-looking interior, with a lake feel, ” says Nan. “You feel good when you’re here.”

A PLAN FOR LAKE VIEW LIVING

Ever since Mr. Martin built a hydroelectric dam on the Tallapoosa River, the resulting Lake Martin has been a mecca for weekend getaways. Leases for the original Russell Lands cabins are hard to come by, often passed through generations of families.

Now it’s possible to own a piece of lakeside peace in The Ridge, a community of lake homes for sale. The latest section, Russell Cabins at The Ridge, “is a throwback to what lake life was like in the 1950s and ’60s, ” says Steve Arnberg of Russell Lands. “We wanted smaller structures on larger lots for privacy, ” Steve says. “We didn’t want them to be too house-like. We wanted people to say ‘That looks like Lake Martin.’”

The 2 Plus 2 design offers plenty of room for family getaways, with four bedrooms and two family rooms, without outgrowing its roots. “It’s reminiscent of the original Russell cabins, but larger, ” Steve says. “The challenge was to make it still feel cabin-like.” The two-story design has lots of windows that focus on the lake. A covered porch and a screened porch equals half the interior floorspace. The updated nostalgia is built into every step of creating the new Russell Cabins. “Everybody involved in the process has memories of coming to the lake, ” Steve says.

ABOVE The main-level living area keeps the focus on the lake, with a window wall opening onto a long screened porch. The homeowner especially loves the club chairs that swivel to allow for conversations all around the room, as well as gazing out on the natural beauty outside.
 

  

ABOVE The cabin’s open floorplan offers a dining area perfect for dinner parties while staying in the midst of the action. The area is defined by its ceiling, stained a shade off from the floor stain, and contrasting with the living area’s beamed ceiling. The little interior window is a wink to traditional cabin design that often added rooms as the owners’ prospered, with windows on the world subsumed into the home’s interior.
 

ABOVE A main-level bedroom shows that rustic can be feminine.The light-stained, raised ceiling adds a feeling of roominess, while a window seat provides a perfect spot for a rainy day read. The room is dominated by a twig bed from Seibels Camp & Cottage Outfitters in Homewood.
 

ABOVE In the children’s bunk room, bigger-than-twin beds provide lots of sleepover space. Taking inspiration from rope-swing beds, Nan rigged ropes from boat cleats for a nautical look, while keeping the furniture legs firmly on the floor. A colorful painting of a fish is a standout against the blue-and-white scheme. 
 

RESOURCES

Construction and landscape architecture: Russell Lands on Lake Martin  256.329.0835 • 866.329.0835 • russelllandsonlakemartin.com; Interior designer: Nan Jackson • Interiors etc. by Nan [email protected] Russell Home Décor 1836 Alabama 22 • Alexander City, Alabama • 256.212.9803; Kitchen: cabinetry: Creative Cabinets 1920 Radio Rd • Alexander City • 256.234.0842; Dining room: chandeliers: Restoration Hardware, 215 Summit Blvd., Birmingham • 205.967.1901; Dining table and chairs, Guest bedroom twig bed, Family room saddle stool: Seibels Camp & Cottage Outfitters, 2927 18th St S •  Birmingham • 205.879.3558.

text by Lucy Merrill • photography by Jean Allsopp

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Parade of Homes

By
BHG Staff
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Potential home buyers and builders can visit the latest construction techniques and home trends at this year’s Parade of Homes. Among the 60 plus new homes highlighted on the 2014 Parade, 20 villages also will be featured across the greater Birmingham area. Parade villages are new home communities with at least one home entered in the Parade. These villages offer a special opportunity to learn about the features and amenities of the communities in which Parade homes are located.

An annual event since the early 1960s, the GBAHB Parade of Homes inspires unique design and a high level of craftsmanship. “The Parade gives people the opportunity to tour some of Birmingham’s most elegant and beautiful new homes, ” says Matt Morrow, executive vice president for the association. “It’s an annual tradition for a lot of families. And with new homes to see in every size and price range, people often discover exactly the home they’d like to own next.”

TurnKey New House

This Trussville home features a huge family room with a gas fireplace and a fabulous kitchen with island and walk-in pantry. The dining room boasts a handsome coffered ceiling. A main level master suite includes a spa bath and custom closet. This plan also offers a convenient main level guest suite plus two additional bedrooms and play room upstairs. The finished basement level includes a media room, den, bedroom, full bath, and wine cellar. This energy-efficient home includes an exclusive 1 year D.R. Horton Inc. Warranty.

Liberty Park

Liberty Park’s New Plan Development incorporates three different architects in our new developments with an emphasis on value-oriented spacious features.

The Logan: New Plan Available
One of the seven new plans at Liberty Park, The Logan includes amenities such as: The ultimate in single level living with a main level 3 car garage, private guest suite, Jack & Jill bathroom, spacious gourmet cookery, butler pantry, open great room with vaulted ceilings, owner’s suite with walk-in dressing room, and optional main level suite/study.

Move in Ready Home: 894 Vestlake Drive
This elegant Tudor-style home Vestlake Ridge neighborhood. Castle doors open to a free-flowing floorplan ideal for entertaining and family living. The main level is detailed with crown molding, granite countertops, and hardwoods. The formal living room flows into the dining room. The gourmet kitchen opens to the breakfast area and family room. The master suite is on the main level. Upstairs hosts three bedrooms, two full baths, and bonus room. The deck and covered patio overlook the level backyard. You’ll also find a large basement and additional garage.

Embassy Homes

Embassy Homes is an award-winning Master Builder Certified home builder. Embassy Homes blends livable floor plans and quality craftsmanship in every home. Committed to excellence, regardless of the product level or price point, dedication to deliver buyers the home of their dreams, along with superior customer satisfaction is the company’s number one priority. embassynewhomes.com

Don’t Miss the 3rd Annual GBAHB Ideal Home

This showcase house displays the latest in home design, décor, technology, and sustainability. The 2014 Ideal Home is located in the Glasscott community of Ross Bridge, voted by the National Association of Home Builders as the Best Community in America in 2011.

“The GBAHB Ideal Home will be built by Murphy Home Builders, ” says Rusty Fowler of Fowler Custom Homes, and 2014 Parade of Homes Chairman. “It will feature exciting new home technology and automation, beautiful furnishings, top-of-the-line appliances, an outdoor living space and more.”

Viridian

Located in Vestavia Hills, Viridian is the only green community in the Birmingham. The community provides all the charm of a classic vintage neighborhood with the latest in energy-efficient green homebuilding. On the Web

Lot 16 Viridian
The open living room with vaulted ceiling adjoins the kitchen with huge island, breakfast nook and rear porch. The private master suite includes his and hers vanities and separate tub and shower. Wooded lot. Completed in May.  

2101 Shades Crest Rd
This 4 bedroom 3 ½ bath home has an open Living Room with vaulted ceiling adjoining the kitchen with huge island and walk-in pantry, a breakfast nook and rear porch.  Custom built lockers in the side entry for your family to store all their items.  The private master suite includes his and hers vanities and separate tub and shower. Three large bedrooms and two baths upstairs. This home will have a great flat back yard.

Plan Your Personal Parade Route With These Online Tools

Visit BirminghamBuilder.com for Parade maps, home and village previews, Ideal Home information, and much more; “Like” the GBAHB Parade of Homes on Facebook and follow the GBAHB Parade of Homes on Twitter.

The Parade of Homes is a free event on Saturdays (April 5 and 12) from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays (April 6 and 13) from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

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Grand Scheme

By
Sally Herring
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Rolling hills and gracious wooded neighborhoods still reflect the vision of Warren H. Manning, the master planner of the original Mountain Brook subdivision created in 1929. With Manning’s time-honored principals in mind, this project began with a goal of preserving the natural beauty of the existing lot while relating the design to the newly-renovated Georgian home.

For Mountain Brook homeowners Karen and Michael Luce, the decision to expand and remodel their Georgian home took an approach that would transform not only the interior spaces, but also the exterior grounds. Landscape architect John Wilson of Golightly Landscape Architecture worked closely with architect James Carter to create a seamless transition between the renovated interiors and the new outside surroundings.

The gate, part of an earlier renovation, welcomes visitors into the backyard with graceful lines that echo the English feel of the gardens and the Georgian architecture of the home.

At one time, the yard had provided the perfect setting for family Easter egg hunts and informal dinners on the narrow stone terrace. But as toddlers became teenagers, the shady, steeply sloped backyard no longer seemed to fit the lifestyle needs of the Luce family.

The site created several challenges—the most immediate being the extreme slope. John resolved this issue with a series of terraces shaped as ellipses extending from the home’s axis. Steps and areas of lawn lead down to the pool—all designed with minimal site disturbance.

Another challenge was to preserve as much of the existing mature plantings as possible, which included more than  2, 000 square feet of mature American boxwoods (some over 6 feet tall), and 15-foot-tall camellias planted almost 80 years ago by the founder of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Camellia Garden, a one-time owner of the Luces’ property. A 25-foot Green Leaf Japanese Maple was successfully relocated from one side of the property to the other—one of John’s proudest accomplishments.

A major component of the project was the addition of the swimming pool. Karen envisioned one that blended into the lawn, with clean lines that would complement the overall design. The result is a rectangular pool positioned farther from the house with an open-air pavillion at one end.

With the project complete, Karen knows the new landscape design is a perfect fit. “It was hard to picture it as I watched parts of my yard being torn up, ” she says. “But the new design is better than ever.”

ABOVE Originally a lawn, this shady niche features a boxwood parterre with a small fountain surrounded by Selma brown pea gravel. Seasonal plantings of annuals, such as caladiums and impatiens in Karen’s favorite colors of white, lavender, purple, and pale pink, are added each spring.
 

ABOVE I am very happy with the pool but I think Bentley, our yellow lab, enjoys it more than anyone else!” — Karen Luce
 

ABOVE Flanked on all sides by a 2-foot border of 3-inch blue stone coping and a lush carpet of zoysia, the pool seems to barely interrupt the landscape. Existing pines and mature camellias, along with the addition of hollies and magnolias, provide a lush evergreen backdrop for the space, as well as needed privacy. 
 

  

ABOVE LEFT Nestled into Lace Bark Elms and boxwoods, the pool’s open-air pavilion, designed by architect James Carter, reflects the formal style of the Georgian home’s exterior with its clean lines and very few features so as not to detract from the elegant appeal of the overall project. The inviting deep blue of the rectangular pool was achieved by using a darker shade of plaster.

ABOVE RIGHT The Luce garden won a ‘Merit Award’ for design from the Alabama Chapter of the ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) in 2013. The view looking up captures the feel of the graduated terraces that lead from the house down to the pool.
 

Meet Landscape Designer 
John Golightly Wilson

A Birmingham native, John Wilson graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture. Prior to opening Golightly Landscape Architecture (GLA) in 2004, John worked for award-winning firms in Georgia, Connecticut,  and Washington, D.C. GLA’s focus is residential landscape architecture and garden design. The firm’s philosophy is that gardens and green spaces should build on the existing landscape and ecosystem, complementing the architecture while providing a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces.

Resources

Landscape architect: John Golightly Wilson: Golightly Landscape Architecture, 205.212.8048 • golightlyla.com; Architect: James F. Carter: James F. Carter, Inc 205.871.7873 • jamesfcarter.com; Landscape contractor: Pratt Brown: Pratt Brown Landscapes Inc. 205.951.3384; General contractor: Francis A. Bryant & Sons Inc. 205.802.7722 • fabryant.com; Stone masons: William & Carrigan Stone Masons, 205.323.0031 • wcarrigan.com

text by Sally L. Herring • photography by Jean Allsopp

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All in the Details

By
Paige Townley
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Many times, the perfect home is found in the details. Architect Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates and designer Jenny Edwards of J. Edwards Interiors collaborated on a new home for clients requesting thoughtful details and personal, sophisticated style. The first issue to tackle: The home would have to be built on a steep slope. “We had to make sure the house didn’t look out of place. It needed to look as though it was supposed to be part of the site, ” Hank says. “We spent a lot of time walking the property to determine how the plan should develop.”

In the foyer, neutral tones of the antique commode and Oushak rug give a hint as to the home’s overall palette.

The homeowners discussed every detail of the exterior with Hank to ensure the 5, 400-square-foot home met their vision, which was inspired by early-American architecture with a nod to French Provincial style. Painted brick offers subtle texture and cedar shingles add a sense of age. Working shutters underscore authenticity, and a limestone surround for the front door stands as a prominent marquee. Inside, the homeowners wanted to play up the wooded backyard views from as many rooms as possible. “The floorplan was all about making sure the house took full advantage of its beautiful surroundings, ” Hank says. “All of the rooms with the most traffic—the kitchen, the porch, the sitting room, the master bedroom—have the advantage of that view.” In the living room, waxed woods gleam against the rough cut limestone fireplace and chimney block. Fabrics are soft velvets and silks with feminine motifs.

Working with Jenny more than a year before construction started—and purchasing most furniture before construction was even close to
completion—the homeowners were able to ensure every interior design detail suited their specific tastes and worked with their architectural plan. “We wanted the house itself to be more traditional but for the décor to have a bit of an edge, ” says the homeowner. “It needed to be a comfortable, functional home for our family use but also good for entertaining. I knew Jenny could translate that into a beautiful design.”

To keep the décor comfortable and casual with hints of elegance, Jenny focused on functional fabric choices and modern pieces mixed with timeless antiques to give an unexpected edge. “We also wanted to keep most of the interiors neutral to help put the focus on seeing the expanse of nature through the windows, ” Jenny says. “We then added in a few pops of color in pillows and accents.”

The result of the meticulous planning proved more than worth the effort. “The homeowners’ strong attention to detail is shown throughout the entire house—and it really makes the place special, ” Jenny says. 

ABOVE To enhance the appeal of the home’s front entrance, a prominent limestone detail was added around the door. A parterre garden connects the house to the motor court, which is made of gravel rather than concrete to give more of a garden-like appearance. “We spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the view of the front as pleasant from the outside as it is inside, ” Hank says.
 

Architect Hank Long's tips for building a custom home

A local architect since the late 1970s, Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates knows a thing or two about building in Birmingham. Here, he offers up tips from his years of experience for those thinking about taking on a custom home build.

1) Secure your site before drafting a final floorplan. “Early on in the design stages,  a great deal of time is spent figuring out how the house will fit properly on the lot. The homeowners need to have a particular lot finalized to allow us to examine it and walk it, ” says Hank.

2) Think through a basic planning program early on. While Hank suggests waiting to finalize a floorplan until after the lot is purchased, he does recommend figuring out the types of rooms desired. “Do you want four or five bedrooms? Do you want a bath for each bedroom? These are things the homeowners need to talk through so the design team knows what’s required in the ultimate plan, ” he explains.

3) Know what you like—or don’t like. “Bring anything—whether it be a single photo, pages from magazines, or photos from Houzz or Pinterest—that will help your architect understand the design desired, ” Hank says. “The most successful homes are the ones where homeowners bring examples of their likes and dislikes to the table in the beginning.”

  

ABOVE LEFT The kitchen’s open space is a popular gathering spot. The hand-applied soft French blue finish on the island brings color to the room and is one of the homeowners’ favorite aspects of the house. 

ABOVE RIGHT The homeowners wanted to keep some formality to the dining room, so designer Jenny Edwards chose a reproduction antique dining table and sideboard and then incorporated antique pieces such as the Louis Philippe antique mirror and sconces. To temper the formality, Jenny chose the casual look of slipcovered chairs.
 

ABOVE The garden adds a surprise element to the front of the house and helps disguise the steep slope of the property. The homeowners worked with landscape architect Blake Segars of Atlanta to design the space, which includes American and English boxwoods, espalier, hydrangeas, and a variety of kitchen herbs. “When we decided to build on a steep lot, I was very concerned about having space to grow some herbs and a few vegetables, but Blake came up with a garden design that fits, ” says the homeowner. “It’s not a huge garden, but it gives me enough space to grow what I want.” 
 

Resources

Interior design: Jenny Edwards, J. Edwards Interiors, LLC 205.870.5100; Sofa, club chairs, Italian sofa, dining chairs: Lee Industries through Circa Interiors and Antiques 205.868.9199; Ottomans, drapes, chandelier: Through J. Edwards Interiors, LLC; Rug: 18th Street Orientals 205.870.3838; Pillows: Circa Interiors and Antiques; Dining room: Rug: Hiltz Lauber Flooring 205.879.3455; Dining table: The Nest Antiques 205.870.1264; Sideboard: Kings House Antiques 205.320.2535; Dining chairs: Lee Industries through Circa Interiors and Antiques; Pillows: Too, Unique Pillow Accents 205.862.8060; Mirror: Interiors at Pepper Place 205.323.2817; Chandelier: Through J. Edwards Interiors, LLC. Foyer: commode: Henhouse Antiques 205.918.0505; Kitchen: Hardware: Brandino Brass 205.978.8900; Stools: Through J. Edwards Interiors, LLC; Paint Colors: Living Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan HC-81, House Color Body: Benjamin Moore Bleeker Beige HC-80, Trim Color and Shutter Color: Benjamin Moore Squirrel Tail 1476, Kitchen Cabinets: Benjamin Moore Muskoka Trail 974. 

text by Paige Townley • Styling by Missie Neville Crawford • photography by Brian Francis

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