In Vestavia Hills, interior designer Kelly Neely’s own home proves that young children and high style can coexist.
Life is messy—especially when you share your home with young children. But two small humans, ages 4 and 2, didn’t stop interior designer Kelly Neely from creating the beautiful home she desired for her family. “Yes, it drives me a little nuts when they jump on the sofa, color on the walls, and get chocolate on pillows—all of which happens often—but this is just the season of life our family is in,” says Kelly. “They have to have fun and be able to really live in the house.” Rather than hold her sense of style back in order to keep furnishings and accessories safe from accidents, the designer has gone boldly forward. “I have learned to let go,” she says. “I would rather have the things I want in my house than live in an ‘unfinished version’ because I’m afraid things will get messed up.”
When Kelly and her general-contractor husband, Ross (Neely Construction) first chose their Vestavia Hills property, they didn’t do so with kids in mind. “We bought the house in January 2015 and made cosmetic updates through April 2019,” says Kelly. “But when we welcomed our first child in 2020, we made the decision to tear down and rebuild so we could have more room to grow our family. We love our location, so building on our lot was a no-brainer.”
With the unique opportunity to reimagine what her home could be, Kelly went to work dreaming big. For the exterior, she skewed away from the beaten path of the homes around her. “I really wanted to push the envelope with a modern vibe. A dark paint color and flat roof are not typical design elements in our neighborhood, so it was definitely a leap,” she says. “Today I’m so thankful that I didn’t give much thought to what others would think about our out-of-the-box design choices.” She also bucked some trends with the floorplan. “I wanted a great flow, but I didn’t want open concept. I really like a formal dining room, and we needed an office and dedicated playroom. It was important for me to have separation in spaces so that each room could have its own character.”
“We often entertain family and friends of all ages at both large and small gatherings. I never want anyone to feel like something is untouchable or off-limits.
—Kelly Neely
As a hostess, I hope I’m always creating a sense of calm and ease for our guests.”
Although individual rooms stand alone, a color palette of soft, sage greens and pretty pinks makes every space feel a part of a larger family. “I commissioned a piece of art by New Orleans-based artist Alexis Walter,” Kelly says of the abstract painting hanging above a sofa in the living room. “The colors were based on a fabric I ended up using in the primary bedroom. That was the catalyst for all the color decisions in the house.”
RIGHT: “A mix of new, modern, and treasured vintage pieces is a very important balance I strive to achieve in all of my projects,” Kelly says. The nursery is a wonderful example where walls are hand-painted by Bridget McCart (inspired by a GP&J Baker wallpaper), a modern Stokke crib sits atop a vintage rug, and pink lamps from Stash are topped by lampshades via Village Firefly.
Green on walls gives a restful quality to both the office and playroom. The color also appears in pleated drapery panels that frame the windows of the dining room and on velvet that covers the bedframe in the primary suite. Pinks pop off throw pillows in the living room and in a floral fabric Roman shade in the kitchen while also blooming in the floral wallcoverings of both the powder room and the nursery. Kelly explains, “On paper, pink and green sound very preppy and bright, but I used muted versions of the colors to create more of a moody vibe.” She adds that the palette brings a sense of calm to the many playful features in the home, making spaces more livable and inviting—for the adults and the young ones alike.
“My vision was pretty simple—a floor plan that had a nice flow with enough separation to feel intimate. I wanted a feeling of connection and togetherness even if we were spread out in different spaces.”
—Kelly Neely
Comfort & Joy with Kelly Neely
Designer Kelly Neely shares tips for balancing beautiful interiors with the realities of a busy life with young children.
DON’T SWEAT IT. “Friends, acquaintances, and clients ask all the time how I keep my kids from destroying everything. The answer is that I don’t,” Kelly says. “We teach them to respect the house and what’s inside of it—but at the end of the day, kids are kids.”
CHOOSE PERFORMANCE FABRICS. “We used performance fabrics where they made sense,” Kelly says of upholstery, pillows, and other items often touched by little hands.
BUILD SMART STORAGE. “The wall of cabinetry in the playroom is full of toys,” says Kelly. “The floor-to-ceiling doors and drawers make cleanup a quick-and-easy task.”
