Stars Fell on Homewood

Homewood just keeps getting better. Thanks to smart city planning and a very walkable community, the city unites a vast array of design shops, eateries, and clothing boutiques. Once upon a time, you could tackle the main strip and sidestreets in a day. Now, you’d better reserve a weekend. Take a look at some of our favorite don’t-miss spots. You’ll find yourself coming home with a new outfit (or two), gifts for everyone on your Christmas list, and plenty of new ideas for updating your home.

Design & Interiors

At Home Furnishings

ARGENT ANTIQUES
Of course, we know that Argent Antiques has an outstanding selection of sterling silver. The display case filled with shiny accoutrements is dazzling. Don’t get blinded, though, and forget to take in all of their other amazing offerings: antiques, art, and accessories—plus fantastic transitional pieces from Gabby furniture. 

2949 18th St S • 205.871.4221 argentantiques.com

AT HOME FURNISHINGS
At Home nearly doubled in size last year—which means more inspiring room vignettes and more designs to perfect your style. Their creative team likes to change things up often, so there are always fresh new ideas. From tableware and lighting to case goods and upholstery, At Home offers large furnishings as well as gift items and home accents. Their window displays are especially lovely during the holidays. And don’t miss their sister shop, Three Sheets, just across the street. 

2921 18th St S • 205.879.3510 athome-furnishings.com

SEIBELS
Need a vacation fix? Step into Seibels—the go-to place for chic lake house and mountain house style. You’ll be tempted  to grab one of their soft blankets and snuggle up in one of the swinging beds.

2927 18th St S • 205.879.3558  facebook.com/SeibelsCatalog

DEFINING HOME 
Part furniture showroom, part workroom, and, with its increasing display of local artists—part gallery. If you don’t see something you are looking for on the floor, just ask. The resource room is stuffed with catalogs and fabric samples. Onsite designers are super helpful when it comes to putting together custom designs. A bonus? Defining Home is Birmingham’s exclusive dealer for Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams.

1916 28th Ave S • 205.803.3662 defining-home.com

STOCK AND TRADE DESIGN CO.
The 20, 000-square-foot showroom is stocked with so many enticing room displays that it’s easy enough to point, choose, and take it home that day—if you want. The designers thrive on mixing and matching seating, fabrics, tables, lamps, ottomans, bookshelves, beds, dressers, and more to create custom looks.

3048 Independence Drive • 205.783.1350 stockandtrade.com

Hiltz-Lauber

​HILTZ-LAUBER 
Hiltz-Lauber may best be known for their vast array of carpets, but there’s a lot (A LOT) more than flooring in this two-story homes boutique. In addition to all that gorgeous carpet, you’ll find upholstery, a lighting gallery, art, European and South American antiques, and new pieces that are destined to become heirlooms.

2838 18th St S • 205.879.0039 hiltzlauber.com

​MANTOOTH INTERIORS
Be prepared to have your senses awakened when you step into Mantooth Interiors. You’ll want to breathe in the scents of the amazing candles, feast your eyes on the bold furnishings and patterns, and touch everything. Furnishings consist of warm, rich woods, and fabrics and draperies are wrap-up-in-luxury linens and silks. 

2813 18th St S • 205.879.5474 mantoothinteriors.com

SOHO RETRO
If modern is your style, you’ll love the curated mix of vintage finds and new retro styles. Whether you’re seeking a Danish bookcase, Eames chair, or Heywood Wakefield dining set, you’re likely to find it here.

2805 18th Street S • 205.870.7655 shopsohoretro.com

SWADDLE 
Swaddle is a must-stop for every expecting parent and grandparent. The boutique offers every necessity found in a big-box store but somehow, it seems Swaddle babies are going to enter the world a little more comfortable and a lot more chic. Their website is worth a visit too. Check out the guest blogs for helpful new-parent tips and insights from other Birmingham parents.

2825 18th St S • 205.870.3503 swaddleonline.com

​18TH STREET ORIENTALS
Shopping for a rug is a lot like shopping for a piece of art. Provenance, style, and color all come into play. Thankfully, this family-owned business knows the difference between Persian and Turkish, vegetable dyed and synthetic, and they are more than willing to share their years of experience. Whether you seek bright and bold or soft and subtle, the expansive showroom makes it easy to check out all of your options.

1808 29th Ave S  • 205.870.3838 18thstreetorientals.com

Finishing Touches

B BAYER 
Looking to put your personal stamp on anything and everything? This monogram shop has moved to the main strip in Homewood—bringing all of the good stuff to its new location. Find the perfect monogram to customize your pillows, linens, and more.

2815 18th St S 205.870.4126 • facebook

​BRANDINO BRASS 
Hardware is like jewelry for your home. And Brandino Brass is ready to help you dress it up. The 62-year old company serves hardware needs ranging from doorknobs to kitchen pulls to outdoor lighting. The designers are knowledgeable about trends and classics and have an amazingly wide variety of lines to show for it. This Homewood treasure is a favorite for designers and retail clients alike thanks to their stellar customer service.

2824 Central Ave • 205.978.8900 • brandinobrass.com

AVX
Want to turn up the volume? Add some hi-tech features to your home? Theatre? Surround sound? Security? Uplighting? AVX can turn your home into the coolest house on the street. The best part of all? They’ll make triple sure you know how to make it work on your own—and, they are always on call just in case you forget.

1917 29th Avenue S 205.871.7289 • avxinc.com

DK2 GALLERY
Tucked into a long, narrow space next to Dave’s Pizza, dK2 Gallery is a cool oasis of rotating exhibits and openings showcasing contemporary local and regional artists. Curator Donna Krueger’s second gallery (thus the 2, dK is in Marietta, Georgia) loves to share her knowledge and help beginning and seasoned collectors find that just-right piece. Check out her Facebook page so you don’t miss her next themed event.

1825 29th Ave S • 205.900.8889 dk2gallery.us

House Shopping?

Homewood is one big community connected by several smaller neighborhoods. There’s the Tudor and Spanish style homes in Hollywood, loft living in the city center, and Edgewood cottages and bungalows. There are also some amazingly talented architects and builders that have had the foresight to improve and update the neighborhood homes while staying true to classic Homewood styles. You can’t drive down the streets without seeing signs for Twin Construction, Mayfair South, and Willow Homes. Best part about these builders? They live in Homewood too.

Clothes Shopping?

Whether you prefer to dress up or down, Homewood has shops that make you want to find a reason to do both. Don’t miss SOCA for trends and staples (and their amazing jeans selection), and SOCA girl (for mini-me outfits). 

For eyewear, shop JJEYES. 
Even if you don’t wear glasses, you’ll want to after seeing their array of super stylish lenses. They take the time to evaluate each client’s face shape, coloring, and personality when fitting for a pair of glasses. JJ Eyes is one of the only eye exam facilities in the region where the patient receives 100 percent of the eye testing from a doctor.

2814 18th St S • 205.703.8596 jjeyesoptical.com

Dining Out?

After all that shopping, we know you will be hungry. Here’s a list of our favorite places to dine:

GianMarco’s: 205.871.9622
Homewood Gourmet: 205.871.1620
​Jinsei Sushi: 205.802.1440
Johnny’s Restaurant: 205.802.2711
O’Henry’s Coffee: 205.870.1198
Real & Rosemary: 205.820.7100
​Zoes Kitchen: 205.870.1100

Photography by Art Meripol