The fire started on a Sunday afternoon, setting off a long rebuild that became a story of loss, resilience, and a home made new again.
A Day That Changed Everything
What was supposed to be just another regular day in January 2017 would quickly turn into one of those dates that marked what came before, and what happened after.
The fire started on a Sunday afternoon. Karen Welden was in the back yard with her young grandson when she noticed smoke billowing out of her kitchen. She only had time to run inside, grab her purse and Bible, and exit for the street. She called the fire department and knocked on neighbors’ doors to warn them. Then, she and her grandson just sat and watched as the home where she and her husband, Joey, had raised their now-grown children was practically destroyed.
Finding Grace in the Aftermath
“We received so many unexpected blessings through this—acts of kindness I would never have even thought about,” says Karen. Right away, friends brought her some basic necessities and booked the Weldens a hotel room at the Grand Bohemian. The next day, her interior designer and friend Pat Hiden took her to buy new eyeglasses (Karen’s had melted on the bedside table). Fortunately, Joey was returning from a golf trip, so he had some essentials in his suitcase.
After a few nights at the hotel, the Weldens moved into their friends’ garage apartment for three weeks. Then, they settled into Lane Park apartments while they worked out the logistics of rebuilding. They had to determine what, if anything, was salvageable; they had insurance claims to file; and they had a loss to grieve. “We had to jump through a lot of hurdles to rebuild,” Karen says.
Assembling Birmingham’s Finest Design Team
“It took a while, but eventually we were able to view what happened as an opportunity.” And she readily says she could not have done any of it without her team. Along with Pat, the Weldens called on architect Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates, as well as Francis Bryant Construction, to assess the damage and reconfigure a better version of their home within the existing footprint—a requirement in a rebuild of a registered historic house.
To start, the design professionals were instrumental in assisting with the insurance evaluation. “Because the house was nearly 80 years old, there were a lot of things that couldn’t be easily valued or replaced,” Pat says. Hank and the team at Francis Bryant were able to identify structural needs and building materials that were necessary to maintain the home’s integrity for a restoration. Plaster walls, beams, and old windows were among the irreplaceable items, along with the tile roof, something the experts at Francis Bryant were able to salvage by taking it down and cleaning each tile individually, and reinstalling them.
“Before the fire, the house was decorated with a
long-collected mix of family heirlooms and new
pieces. By starting over, and with the help of Pat,
I was able to truly realize my style.”
– homeowner Karen Welden
Reimagining Space for the Future
Though there were some limitations, a rebuild also meant that the Weldens could reimagine the house for how they want to live now—and, as another bonus, bring the home up to code. “We got to do things that weren’t possible before,” says Karen. Even with the given confines, the team was able to reallocate spaces. They closed in the sunporch and made space for a bar, moved the powder room, and added a home office for Karen and a hobby room for Joey.
Hank also brought in symmetry with matching arched openings accessing the living room and kitchen. The home gained a second laundry room, as well as an elevator for aging in place—something that would have been very difficult to retrofit.
A Fresh, Vibrant Color Palette
When it came time for new art and furnishings, Pat and Karen reevaluated what Karen had prior and then made plans for the fresh interiors. Pat was familiar with Karen’s penchant for blues and greens, and she upped the ante with more vibrant selections.
With the color palette in mind, Pat and Karen began to look for upholstery and accents in the cheerful colors. Bold blues dressed the living room sofa, pillows, and kitchen barstools. The dining room perked up with blue-and-white Chinoiserie wallpaper, and a radiant custom-blue paint mix jazzed up the new bar.
Sourcing from Local Mountain Brook & Birmingham Shops
For furnishings, Pat shopped for many pieces locally—a hall mirror from Maison de France, rugs from Paige Albright Orientals, and antiques from Henhouse Antiques. To round out the art, they turned to Laura Vogtle with Design Supply. “Laura brought over a huge selection and we just started playing with what could go where,” Karen says. “That was a fun day—and one more person who helped take away some of the pain.”
Welcome Home Again
Now, thanks to the help of friends, family, and local talent, the Weldens have settled back in with no intention of going anywhere. “We have lived here for 43 years,” Karen says. “And now we are home again.”
Resources
Architect: Hank Long, Henry Sprott Long & Associates; Construction: Francis Bryant Construction; Interior designer: Pat Hiden; Art and furnishings: Laura Vogtle, Design Supply; Hall mirror: Maison de France; Rugs: Paige Albright Orientals; Antiques: Henhouse Antiques; Wallpaper: Schumacher; Paint: custom-blue paint mix; Furniture style guidance: Karen Welden and Pat Hiden
