Tired is an understatement, ” homeowner Lisa Nesbitt says of her old kitchen, breakfast nook, and sunroom that were last updated 25 years ago. “It was time to freshen up.” To make over the rooms where guests always seem to congregate in her 1880s Cullman home, Lisa called Birmingham designer Heather Chadduck. Together, the duo wanted to create a beautiful, family-friendly space out of the three disparate areas, Heather says. The first step was to unite the three spaces that open onto each other. “A fresh coat of paint makes everything better, ” she says. “We painted every square inch of these three rooms—ceilings, trim, walls—and even refinished the floors.”
With wood floors stained dark walnut and walls painted a creamy white, the pair had a blank canvas on which to build. “The classic architecture of the house was guidance for what to do—beautiful windows needed adornment, high ceilings needed a fresh new color and an updated lighting plan, and all of the woodwork needed a facelift, ” Heather says. Both Heather and Lisa fell for a floral fabric— Brunschwig & Fils’ Kashmiri Linen Print—and built the rooms’ color palette around its blues, green, and greige. “We both like to have things that are traditional with transitional fun things mixed in. We both love to use color. And we wanted a distinctive Southern feel, ” Lisa says.
Heather had all of the room’s furniture—the ottoman, an extra-long sofa, armchairs, and a large rug—crafted to an appropriate scale for the space. “When I sit in the sunroom on one of the club chairs and take in the blue ceiling and the view outside, it is pure heaven, ” she says. “I look out through the beautiful arbor at stone columns, wisteria, and two types of grapes that were here when the house was built. The rooms are just so inviting and welcoming.”
“The house is large and imposing from the outside. I didn’t want to walk into a museum. My house is one to live in and enjoy.” — homeowner Lisa Nesbitt
TIP: “One of my favorite ways to add color in a room is painting the ceiling pale blue. It’s often seen on porches, ” Heather says. “But why not bring the tradition inside?” The color pictured here is Light Blue no. 22, Farrow & Ball.
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Meet Heather Chadduck
Designer Heather Chadduck (and style director of Southern Living) lives in Forest Park in a 1920s Federal home with her photographer husband, David (Hillegas), and their rescued German Shorthaired Pointer, Harley. “Our house is almost all blue and white and natural inside. David often refers to it as our Birmingham beach house.” The beach—Jamaica, specifically—is a favorite inspiration for Heather’s design choices. “Round Hill Hotel & Villas has a classic elegance. The interiors, designed by Ralph Lauren, inspire me each time we visit, ” she says.
Heather’s current endeavors include a new fabric line, Heather Chadduck Textiles. “All of the imagery is drawn and painted by hand, by me, and screen printed in the USA on 100% Belgian linen she says. “The authentic process is reflected in the quality of the product. I’m really proud of it!”
RESOURCES
Designer: Heather Chadduck Interiors & Decoration, LLC 214.215.4260, heatherchadduck.com
Walls, cabinets, and trim paint: Farrow & Ball Clunch no.2009 Kitchen chandelier: Clifton from Hudson Valley Lighting, hudsonvalleylighting.com Cabinet doors and walnut top: Canebrake Cabinets and Millwork, LLC., Eldridge Pettis 334.654.0089 Fine art photography in breakfast nook: David Hillegas davidhillegas.com and in person at Ware & Co. in Mountain Brook Village Breakfast nook table: The Nest • 2718 19th Place S, Homewood. 205.870.1264 thenestantiques.blogspot.com Ottoman/coffee table: Michael Morrow, MDM Design Studio 205.871.3540 mdmdesignstudio@aol.com Roman shade fabric: Sunswick by Sister Parish sisterparishdesign.com Bamboo floor lamps: Village Firefly • 2816 Culver Rd., Mountain Brook. 205.870.4560
Text by Lacey Howard • Styled by Heather Chadduck • Photos by David Hillegas
