A Colorful Escape in Edgewood
In Birmingham, while totally committed to their Edgewood neighborhood and still in love with the charm of their 1934 home, the Lyntons were seeking more space, especially larger-scaled rooms to spread out in and entertain. Instead of moving, they settled on an addition that cleverly joins to the original home and encompasses the backyard carriage house footprint. The project also provided the perfect opportunity for Stephanie Lynton to show off her innate talent for creating bold rooms full of surprises and color.
Meet the Birmingham Designer with a Texas-Sized Eye for Color
The multi-talented native Texan who, despite more than 30 years in Birmingham, maintains some of that independent Lone Star State spirit. When it comes to her decorating aesthetic, Stephanie is writing her own music, a tune that’s filled with zesty color, a mix of styles, plenty of personality, and a well-honed eye for detail. Her passion for design took root as a child when, instead of playing with Barbie, she was constantly decorating the doll’s three-story Dreamhouse.
I used everyday things I found around the house. Patterned paper towels were wallpaper and drapes, and big matchboxes—don’t get me started—they made great dressers, sofas, etc.
While practicing law for 25 years, Stephanie pursued her early passion on the side. And once she had her own home, she began studying design in earnest. As any successful attorney would, Stephanie made sure she was well-versed and prepared before starting every project. She eventually traded in her legal briefs for paint chips, and the result speaks for itself in her Homewood home—a collection of chic rooms beyond even Barbie’s wildest dreams.
A Kitchen Designed for Entertaining
The kitchen has all the dreamed of items for preparing family meals and for lots of baking, including a convection wall oven, a standing mixer lift, and a Lacanche range with a custom hood designed by Stephanie that’s evocative of a pagoda. But the area also houses a La Mattina (Italian for “the morning”) and contains everything the Lynton family and guests need for breakfast collected together along one wall—built in refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher drawers; an espresso maker; a sink, and storage for cereals and the like.
Surprising Spaces Around Every Corner
An extension of the pantry provides a hardworking space for projects and gift-wrapping with its ‘Colorado Gold’ marble countertop (also used in the kitchen). The area is decorated with whimsical teapot brass lanterns and a mounted “long-horned steer head” made out of a mix of materials that gives a nod to Stephanie’s Texas roots. Even the family pet, Jack, scored in the pantry with a built-in custom dog bed that blends in with just the right amount of style.
A Glamorous Bedroom Retreat
“I just had to have a canopy bed, ” laughs Stephanie. “It was a childhood dream of mine!” The fabric treatment hangs directly from the ceiling, creating a dramatic focal point in the space. The hotel suite-like room is wrapped with lacquered walls and built-in bookcases in Benjamin Moore’s ‘Polo Blue.’ An English antique chest, a Swedish settee, and pillows in a checked print bring in a casual note.
The Red Library That Doubles as a Guest Room
It’s no surprise that the designer would dedicate an entire room in her vibrant home to bold red. The lively library is wrapped in lipstick-hued walls and layered with eclectic textiles, creating a space that feels both dramatic and inviting. Practicality meets personality here as well—the sofas rest on casters so they can easily shift to face the television, while a wall adorned with a Zendek weaving conceals a Murphy bed, allowing the library to effortlessly double as a guest room. For the home’s official guest suite, Stephanie leaned even further into her love of color and global inspiration. “This room was about creating a happy space full of color and pattern,” she says, noting that portraits of a Tibetan man and woman—along with their richly layered clothing and accessories—inspired the design. Echoing the robes of Tibetan monks, the walls are painted a vivid saffron orange, setting the stage for dramatic textiles, including Clarence House’s tiger-print fabric, fittingly named Tibet, in a deep cinnabar colorway for the window panels. A mix of patterned bedding completes the room, proving that bold color and thoughtful layering can transform a guest space into a joyful, unforgettable retreat.
When it comes to design, I don’t swim in one pond. I do whatever makes me happy.
Outdoor Living with Color and Comfort
The original stone courtyard has been “Stephanized” with plenty of bright color paired with comfort. Deep cushioned chairs and a large table invite guests to linger over meals. The orange-and-blue combination speaks to the interiors, creating a sense of continuity inside and out. A stone console table serves as a buffet with a giant clam shell for chilling the wine. To make the space feel more like a room, Stephanie hung a piece of artwork over the console.
RESOURCES
Design: Stephanie Lynton Home, IG: @stephanielyntonhome Architect: Poole & Company Builder: Saunders Bradford Building Company Lighting: Mayer Lighting Hardware: Brandino Brass Countertops: Triton Stone Fixtures: Fixtures & Finishes Rugs and Mongolian pillows: Paige Albright Orientals Pantry Pavers: Peacock Pavers Tile /Backsplash: Fixtures & Finishes Verellen Sofas: Patina Paint: Fine Paints of Europe / Benjamin Moore Custom finishes: Paintworks Design Studio, LLC Floor on Side Porch: Alabama Brick Topiaries: Shoppe, Leaf N Petal Pantry Cabinets: Southern Expression Kitchen and Bath Cabinets: Lane Woodworking LLC Table: Circa Interiors and Antiques Security / Surround System: Sphere Home Technologies / Tamburello Protective
