Birmingham Home & Garden - May/June 2020

BACK TO THE BASICS: Comfort Food Pretty Gardens Easy DIYs

Take a look inside this 800-square-foot Homewood cottage.

PS: This is just the shed! p. 32

Before & After SMALL-SPACE MAKEOVERS AWARD-WINNING STYLE

2 0 2 0 $4.95

m ay / j u n e

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Lake Mart

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tin Realty

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CON T EN TS M AY/J U N E 2020

Photo: Laurey Glenn

Photo: Jean Allsopp

{ vol. 18 no. 3 }

gardens

18 In the Garden with

Becky Satterfield

Chef Becky Satterfield fills her backyard garden with organic produce, along with an array of plants for attracting honeybees, butterflies, and birds.

20 Birmingham Gardening Today

Gardening expert John Floyd shares why May and June are the ideal months to plant almost anything.

homes

24 Inspiration Home

We’ve broken ground in Homewood!

Birmingham Home & Garden and Willow Homes are teaming up for this year’s Inspiration Home. We’ll be ready to greet you soon!

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32 Small Wonder A first-time

special sections

40 Full of Potential

Meet some of our favorite local design shops and the teams who offer their talents and expertise along with top-notch service to keep our homes looking their best.

26 Showroom Style

homeowner and magazine editor uses her DIY expertise to add character and personality to her 800-square-foot Homewood cottage.

By looking past the piles of junk, Leigh and Kevin Misso of River Brook Design & Construction saw the potential in this condemned Homewood property.

58 Area Awards

Interior designer Lesley McRae uses her imagination to create a mountain-like retreat in her 1970s townhome.

The Home Builders Association of Alabama recognized the best in remodeling with the Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards (AREA). Birmingham claimed plenty of top honors. Check out some of the winning entries.

54 Move-In Ready

recipes

48 Nesting Instinct

This Birmingham staging company creates inviting interiors for homes on the market, as well as for everyday living.

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70 Comfort Food

Leslie Register shares her go-to for keeping things simple: The Classic BLT.

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FROM THE EDITOR

Hello out there!

I sure have missed you!

Thank goodness for social media and all of the other clever ways we can stay connected. I have loved seeing your spring cleaning and DIY projects, newly-planted gardens, exercise routines, dress-up family dinners, drive-by birthdays, and cocktail Zoom parties. As this issue goes to press, we have two more (official) weeks of quarantine. If there is anything I have learned through this crazy time, it’s that community truly matters.

In this issue, we are embracing some of our amazing local businesses.

On page 16, we visit with chef and restaurateur Becky Satterfield in her home garden. (A special shout-out to Becky and all of our restaurants for Don’t miss the award-winning before-and-after projects beginning on page 58. From showcasing a downtown loft to bath, kitchen, and whole-house makeovers, our local talent continues to make Birmingham shine.

your curbside service!) We also take a look at a few favorite local shops that have quickly altered the way they are meeting our design needs (Showroom Style, page 26). Thank you for keeping your phone lines open and your doors cracked for all of our decorating projects.

In our homes section, we showcase small-space living. We’re all feeling pretty confined right now, but no matter how much square footage you live in, the key is to make your house/apartment/condo feel like home.

Magazine editor Zoë Gowen shares some design and DIY tricks of the trade she used to add character and style to her tiny 800-square-foot cottage in Homewood (page 32). On page 48, designer Lesley McRae takes a 1970s townhouse and turns it into a retreat for self-renewal, something we can all find inspiration in right now. And for Leigh and Kevin Misso of River Brook Construction, creating the ideal home for their young family meant seeing the the hidden potential in a tear-down (page 40).

No matter what lies ahead, I hope we can all find comfort in our homes and community, continue to move forward and support each other, and come out of this better than ever.

Birmingham Home & Garden is published bimonthly in addition to two special issues by PMT Publishing Inc. © 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO: Birmingham Home & Garden, 3324 Independence Drive, Homewood, Alabama 35209, 205.802.6363. Letters to the editor are welcome. Please query the editor before sending unsolicited articles or photographs. Moving? Please send the old label along with your new address to Birmingham Home and Garden, P.O Box 923773, Norcross, GA 30010-3373.

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BIR M INGH A M

Publisher / Walker Sorrell Editor / Cathy Still McGowin csmcgowin@pmtpublishing.com Art Director / Rebecca Reeves PHOTOGRAPHER / Jean Allsopp WEB EDITOR / Abby Parrott Copy editor / Julie Gillis Contributors / John Floyd, Laurey Glenn, Lacey Howard, Caroline McKenzie, Amy Murphree, Madison Pincombe, Leslie Byars Register, Christiana Roussel, Mark Thompson—Shoppe Birmingham, Graham Yelton Advertising / Sales Hope Roddam 205.802.6363 ext. 114 hroddam@pmtpublishing.com Elizabeth Yeilding 205.802.6363 ext. 106 eyeilding@pmtpublishing.com Director of media & events / Sheila Wardy Office ManAger Sonia DeWerff accounting Keith Crabtree Circulation / distribution Anita Miller Advertising Sales Office: 3324 Independence Drive Homewood, Alabama 35209 Office: 205.802.6363 \ Fax: 205.802.6393 TO SUBSCRIBE OR FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, CALL 1-833-454-5060 or visit birminghamhomeandgarden.com T.J. Potts / President, PMT Publishing Inc. 3729 Cottage Hill Road, Suite H Mobile, AL 36609

Cover Photo: Laurey Glenn

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GA R D E N S

In the garden with

Becky Satterfield Located just a short drive from her eponymous restaurants in Cahaba Heights, Chef Becky Satterfield’s garden inspires her creative energies.

Text by C H R I S T I A N A R O U S S E L / Photography by J E A N A L L S O P P

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Becky’s garden includes a variety of plants that attract butterflies, birds, and honeybees. In fact, the hummingbirds that frequent her garden are the inspiration for El ZunZún, the traditional Mexican restaurant she opened in Cahaba Heights. Zunzún is the Spanish word for hummingbird.

arlic is not an unusual scent to encounter in a chef’s kitchen, but in Becky Satterfield’s garden, the minced cloves aren’t going into a salsa or marinade.

Scads of them are steeping in hot water to make garlic tea that Becky will use to organically combat the Japanese beetles trying to lay waste to her beloved roses. Becky is a stickler for how her garden is maintained, keeping it free of pesticides and chemicals. She is equally passionate about pollinators and makes a point to plant species that butterflies, honeybees, and birds are naturally attracted to—a giant towering trumpet vine, butterfly bushes, milkweed, zinnias, fennel, and sunflowers. Part ornamental and part filled with produce, her backyard seems to literally hum with activity.

In the vegetable garden, Becky starts almost everything from seed (heirloom varieties, if possible) in the most fantastic setup in her garage, with grow lights on timers and calibrated ventilation and fans to build strong stems. Early growth specimens are transplanted to an outdoor sheltered spot with good light so they may acclimate before going into the ground. A smaller chef’s garden filled with fresh herbs offers the perfect garnishes for a piece of grilled fish or skewered kabobs. This is a garden that has grown over time as new plants are installed and others are culled. Here and there, Becky has let some varieties go to seed to replenish themselves while allowing others to be nibbled on by visiting creatures (rabbits more likely than beetles).

No matter what is in season, it’s all fodder for her restaurants, Satterfield’s and El ZunZún. Working with two very different types of menus, Becky finds plenty of reasons to plant, grow, pick, and experiment for fabulous dining (in-house or takeout).

Satterfield’s, 205.969.9690, satterfieldsrestaurant.com • El ZunZún, 205.791.7711, el-zunzun.com

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Sunset in Tulum Try your hand at re-creating this favorite cocktail from El ZunZún.

Serves one but is easily doubled.

1.5 ounces Mezcal 1.5 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice ½ ounce Ancho Chile Reyes ½ ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce agave 2 dashes orange bitters Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a scoop of ice. Shake and strain into the colorful tumbler of your choice over a large cube of ice. Garnish with a wedge of fresh orange.

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BIRMINGHAM GARDENING TODAY...

with J O H N F L O Y D

My Favorite Gardening Months Dove Tree

Asiatic Lilies

For daily tips and more garden information, visit birmingham gardeningtoday.com or birminghamhome andgarden.com

Dahlias John Floyd has been gardening in the Birmingham area for more than 30 years.

In addition to his day-to-day experience, John has degrees in horticulture from Auburn and Clemson Universities and was editor-in-chief of Southern Living.

Southern Catalpa Tree

With their warm soil conditions, May and June are ideal months for planting almost anything. Just be sure to include plenty of water and fertilizer.

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ay is perhaps one of our most enjoyable gardening months, and June is when we really start to enjoy the rewards of spring-planted vegetables. One of the biggest assets of gardening during this time is that the soil is warm, which creates perfect growing conditions for many of our favorite plants. It’s not too late to plant almost anything in the garden, so continue planting summerflowering annuals and perennials, as well as summer vegetables.

This is the time of year that your oriental and Asiatic lilies are growing or are about to come into bloom. The lilies are so beautiful, but sometimes the flower cluster outweighs the stem to stand upright. I like to stake these plants before they come into bloom, if possible. Thin bamboo stakes work well for this. Simply slide them as close to the stem as possible and tie them firmly, but not tight, at several spots below the blooms so as not to distract from the sensational flowers. I leave these stakes up until the stalks die and then remove them at the same time I cut down the stalks.

May and June are also the perfect months to plant dahlias for fall bloom.

Remember that these are tuberous roots and should be planted as such.

For best results, good fertile soil and a sunny location are important. After I dig a deep hole that is about one-anda-half times the width of the tuber, I add rich organic soil or compost mixed with the native soil. Then I add Âź cup of a low-nitrogen fertilizer (like 5-5-10) and mix this well in the planting spot.

Once this is done, I plant the tubers in the hole about a foot deep. Be sure not to cover the tuber with the soil more than an inch until the growth on the tubers is visible. Over a period of the next few weeks, I slowly add soil until the tuber reaches the original soil line.

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BIRMINGHAM GARDENING TODAY...

Support the Gardens

Now is a great time to support the Birmingham Botanical Gardens by becoming a Friend of the Gardens.

Membership dollars benefit the ongoing stewardship and enhancement of the Gardens, as well as educational programs and outreach activities. As a member, you’ll receive benefits such as access to membersonly classes and events, free general admission to Antiques at the Gardens, and discounts on certain worshops, as well as many other perks. Visit bbbgardens.org to learn more and sign up to become a member.

Crepe Myrtle Trunks

Lantana

Angelonia

Floyd’s To Do List: MAY/JUNE Continue planting flowering annuals and perennials. Lantana, Angelonia, marigold, and all of the salvias do better when planted once the soil has warmed up rather than in early spring. The keys to successful summer flowers are water and fertilization. Be sure to water before your plants look like they are beginning to wilt. Liquid feeding every other week throughout the hot days of late June and July is recommended. After that, monthly fertilization should be sufficient.

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conditions, so place it as thick as possible around plants without covering them up.

I like to water the mulch to stabilize it, especially if it’s windy. An added benefit of mulch is that it helps the landscape look more manicured.

Remove all of the suckers at the base of crepe myrtles, as well as any awkward shoots that seem out of place in the plants. Cut the suckers as close as possible to the central trunk. If they are tender enough to pull off, that is an even better way to remove them.

Mulch now if you haven’t already done so. My favorite mulch is pine straw.

It makes no difference whether it is longleaf pine that usually comes in the round bales or the regular straw that comes in square bales. Remember that the main purpose of mulch is to help protect plants from dry

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Prune and shape azaleas that have finished blooming. Remove tall shoots, crossed branches, and spent blooms that are still present. Then reduce the size of the plants if needed. Using a hand pruner is best. Once the pruning is complete, fertilize with a formulation like 15-0-15 to promote new growth and good plant color.

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now with no problems. Many rose varieties tend to be high-maintenance, so I like to look for roses that will not involve as much work but will still bloom all summer and into fall. I have had a lot of luck with the flower carpet roses.

With only water and fertilizer, they will continue to bloom until the fall nights get below 50 degrees. I do suggest two things that really help with the flower production of these bushes. Before the roses begin to flower, treat them with Bayer All-In-One Rose and Flower Care. Then, after every flowering, remove the spent blossoms and lightly fertilize the plants.

I look forward to seeing three trees bloom this time of the year: dove tree, loblolly bay, and southern catalpa. These trees are not common landscape trees and may be more difficult to find, but they are worth tracking down as they offer sensational white flowers that bloom in very different ways.

Dove trees and loblolly bays (more often called by the genus Gordonia) are small trees that showcase their flowers in late spring until it gets hot in our area.

They like good soil, I also make sure to plant them where they get some late afternoon shade. The flowers of dove trees look like tiny white handkerchiefs waving in the breeze. The tree is a member of the blackgum family, so it is okay to plant in damp locations. The same is true of loblolly bay, as its native habitat is swampy pinelands. To me, its flowers resemble a single anemone.

One of the best large trees you see in bloom around Birmingham this time of the year is the southern catalpa. It was one of the earliest street trees planted here but fell out of favor as new trees became available. If you see this large tree covered with its clusters of white blooms in early May, rest assured it is a showstopper. If you need a large tree in your home landscape, this one would be beautiful. In fact, the great thing about all of these trees is that once established, they are curiosities for your garden. m a y. j u n e 2 0 2 0 | BH&G

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OPENING HOLIDAY 2020 Birmingham Home & Garden is partnering with Willow Homes to break new ground in Homewood.

Announcing our 2020 Inspiration Home PLAN HIGHLIGHTS

BEDOOM 5

• Five bedrooms with master on main

REC ROOM

GARAGE

• 4 ½ baths • Two fireplaces • Vaulted ceilings • Open-concept dining room and kitchen

LAUNDRY

• Private courtyard with fireplace and dining porch

COURTYARD KITCHEN

• Three-car garage with guest suite above

DINING

COVERED PATIO

PANTRY BEDROOM 3

GREAT ROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

BEDROOM 2

ENTRY HALL

MAIN FLOOR

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HIS FRONT PORCH

BEDROOM 4

M. BATH

DEN

TERRACE

HERS

2ND FLOOR

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We can’t wait to show off innovative ideas, beautiful home furnishings and accessories, and the knowhow from Birmingham’s best designers, shop owners, building suppliers, and service providers.

We’ll keep you updated in every issue and on social media. This is one Inspiration Home you won’t want to miss!

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Welcome to Homewood

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ough-faced stone, cedar-shake roofing, and artisan siding provide textural details for this classic Southern cottage in Homewood.

Outdoor living areas include a front terrace, entry porch, dining porch, and a private courtyard with fireplace, arbor, fountain, and outdoor kitchen.

The wide front door opens to an entry hall complete with a library wall, window seat, and dramatic twostory staircase. The main-level master suite includes his-and-hers closets, a pedestal tub, and a zero-entry shower.

Reminiscent of English manor homes, the enormous dining/kitchen space features vaulted, beamed ceilings and a telescoping door opening onto the courtyard. Upstairs in the main house are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a cozy den. Above a three-car garage at the rear of the home is the ultimate man cave or in-law suite with a private bedroom and bath.

The home, located on Firefighter Lane, is in easy walking distance to some of Birmingham’s best restaurants and shopping.

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Rather than rip off the old metal awnings, which would have necessitated new siding, Zoë painted them with a cheerful two-tone stripe in Sassy Green and Creamy from Sherwin-Williams.

meet ZOË GOWEN

As the former senior home and garden editor for Southern Living magazine, and now executive editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Zoë knows the ins and outs of combining high design and bargain finds.

personal style ”I’d describe it as

old-lady chic with a big twist of straightforward practicality,” says Zoë.

design inspiration

”I’ve been subconsciously re-creating my favorite spot in my childhood home since I left it at age 18,” Zoë says. “It’s a shrimpcolored living room with a big chintz sofa where I read all of my books.”

best zero-dollar find

“The sunny yellow lamp on my screened porch,” says Zoë. “I found sitting it on a curb while on a walk.”

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small wonder An ambitious first-time homeowner rolls up her sleeves to take her 800-square-foot Homewood cottage from dull to delightful with stylish finds and clever DIYs at every turn.

Text by C A R O L I N E M C K E N Z I E / Photography by L A U R E Y G L E N N Styling by M A R K T H O M P S O N / S H O P P E B I R M I N G H A M

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BEFORE: Wainscoting made the dining room feel choppy instead of charming. With adjoining rooms on three sides, the space was also starved for natural light.

AFTER: Peach striĂŠ walls (Summer Melon from Benjamin Moore with a gold glaze) give the center of the house visual presence. A skirted dining table adds a sense of formality to the space. Beyond, new French doors replace the original window to draw the eye outward to the new screened porch.

ZoĂŤ saved money by sanding the hardwoods herself and then painting them Shaded White from Farrow & Ball. She also upcycled a ho-hum basket into a light fixture with the help of white spray paint and a hanging bulb kit.

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Zoë’s collection of furniture and accessories consists of fine antiques, estate-sale finds, and closeout bargains, as well as magazine prop-sale items. A rug from Paige Albright helps unite the fresh pink, orange, blue, and green color palette. A china cabinet (opposite) holds an array of table matters, including silver, McCartys pottery, and export china from Tom Fortner Antiques in Memphis, Zoë’s hometown.

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I

found your house.” That’s what Zoë Gowen’s friend and soon-to-be neighbor said when she called to tell her about a little cottage she’d spotted on a sought-after street in Homewood. Upon seeing the home, Zoë promptly agreed. “It had the intangibles—great neighborhood, wonderful natural light, and lovely proportions,” she says. What the 800-square-foot house didn’t have, however, was character of any sort.

From the shabby brown exterior to the drab rooms (all six of them!) and the falling-down back deck and shed, it was depraved of charm. But Zoë, a veteran homes and gardens magazine editor, saw potential where others saw problems. “I had been writing about renovations and small homes for years, so I was ready to see

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Worth the wait: Zoë held on to a swatch of peony pink fabric for more than five years before finally splurging on her Lee Industries sofa in that color. “I wanted a deep sofa I could basically live on,” she says. “I saved up until I could afford the fabric and a sofa with the plush down filling I wanted.”

“I knew my first house wouldn’t be my forever home. With that in mind, I decided to invest in items I could take with me and get scrappy with elements that would have to stay.” —ZOË GOWEN

BEFORE: Drab tan walls and scratched brown floors made the small room feel even more compact.

AFTER: Warm white walls and stylish textiles add both softness and sophistication to the living room.

“I approached the house as though I was decorating one big porch. From there, designing a small space in a fun but cohesive way just fell into place.”

—ZOË GOWEN

Zoë spiffed up the porch with upholstered furniture, draperies, and lamps.

The latter were revamped with spray paint like the turquoise one shown above. Another thrifty DIY: upcycling a vintage curtain panel into pretty floral throw pillows.

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space savers

if I could make it work in my own home,” she says. “The house had been on the market for 250 days.

I was the one ready to finally tackle it!”

And tackle it she did. The gung ho first-time homeowner left no surface untouched as she took the cottage from eyesore to eye-pleasing.

The first order of business was twirling up the exterior. “I knew that the house was small enough that I could basically do every cutesy cottage thing,” Zoë says. She started by adding a Dutch door and window boxes, as well as giving the exterior a cheerful new green-andwhite color scheme.

Inside, painting was the top priority. The formerly beige walls were coated in White Dove by Benjamin Moore. Zoë also put the floors in neutral, so to speak, opting to paint them Shaded birminghamhomeandgarden.com

1 } Paint It White. A neutralpalette backdrop of white walls and floors is a foolproof way to create a larger, more open feel.

2 } Opt for Full-Size Furniture.

Small spaces do not call for equally tiny furnishings.

A few generously proportioned items will keep a room from feeling bitsy in scale.

3 } Skirt the Situation. Fabriccovered pieces, such as Zoë’s dining table and washer and dryer, introduce feminine flair and conceal extra storage.

4 } Make Way for Mirrors.

Large mirrors amplify natural light. They are an easy way to give even the tiniest room a new, airy lease on life.

5 } Embrace Outdoor Spaces.

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BEFORE & AFTER: A dilapidated shed found new life as Zoë’s design studio. As a sometime decorator (in addition to her full-time magazine career), Zoë uses the space to scheme new designs for her clients. It also doubles as a very charming second dining room. A unique light fixture from Serena & Lily hangs above a custom table and chairs. The Roman shade was made from two tablecloths (marigoldliving.com).

Bench fabric is from Hobby Lobby.

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White from Farrow & Ball instead of refinishing them with a stain. The economical choice was also a matter of small-space style. “It just made everything feel so open and cohesive,” she says. With her penchant for exuberant colors and patterns, not to mention a soft spot for estate sales, Zoë then layered in bright textiles, bold artwork, and a hodgepodge of vintage finds to create sophisticated rooms that belie the home’s small footprint.

Once the house was in tip-top shape, Zoë turned her attention to the deck and shed that were both begging for some TLC. She worked with friend and architect Ebee Tullos to replace the rotting decking with a dreamy new screened porch that enhances the home’s available living space and also cleverly conceals a much-needed laundry nook. As for the shed? It became the novice renovator’s masterpiece project. Zoë reimagined the ramshackle outbuilding into a serene studio with the help of a new HVAC, paneled walls, slate flooring, and (surprise!) buckets and buckets of white paint.

From the front door to the back porch, the house now brims with verve and hospitality—just like the spunky magazine editor who calls it home.

RESOURCES: Interiors: Zoë Gowen Porch addition architecture: Ebee Tullos, 404.931.6889 Styling, plants, floral arrangements, containers: Mark Thompson of Shoppe Birmingham, shoppebham.com, 205.224.4450 Front exterior: Dutch door Jeld-Wen, jeld-wen.com Hardware: Brandino Brass, brandinobrass.com Living room Painting: Hanna Antiques, hannaantiques.com Framed photos: iPhone travel photos blown up via whitewall.com Chest: antique from auction, refinished by Charles Wade, 205. 251.9233 Mirror and pressed-botanical print: Shoppe Birmingham Dining Room table skirt: Citrus Garden in Primary, Schumacher, fschumacher. com Pillows: World Market, worldmarket.com Art: Birmingham Vintage Company through Hanna Antiques Chairs: vintage, Chelsea Antiques, chelseaantiques1.com Screened porch: Sofa and table: chairish.com Chairs: Ikea, ikea.com Outdoor cushion fabric: fabricguru.com Mirror over bar: World Market m a y. j u n e 2 0 2 0 | BH&G

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full of potential Leigh and Kevin Misso of River Brook Design & Construction transformed a condemned Homewood property into their personal home.

Text by M A D I S O N P I N C O M B E

/

Photography by L A U R E Y G L E N N

This Homewood property was scheduled to be torn down when Leigh and Kevin Misso of River Brook Design & Construction made an offer. “The home obviously hadn’t been taken care of,” Leigh says. “The inside was filled with piles of bottles, personal belongings, and trash. But we saw the potential that the structure had and took advantage of the location.” The couple closed on the property within a week, had it removed from the city’s demolition list, and began work.

Before they could start the renovation, the Missos had to tackle a cleanup that required eight dumpsters just to remove the junk from the property. “When you first opened the door, you were immediately stepping on probably six to ten inches of stuff,” Leigh says. The home also needed major mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and flooring improvements. Since 40

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BEFORE: The property’s front yard had enough stumps to fill one dumpster, enough concrete to fill another, and enough excess dirt to fill six dump trucks.

AFTER: “We took the outdated ranch-style house and gave it a contemporary exterior with traditional and coastal influences,” says Leigh. New siding, windows, doors, front porch, and pitched roof helped the couple achieve the look. They redesigned the front yard and grade with all-new landscaping, a new driveway, and a retaining wall.

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BEFORE: Junk removal revealed purple carpet; dark wooden bookcases; and an old wood-burning stove.

AFTER: The Missos removed the bookcases to open up the narrow living room. Hardwood floors and a clean color palette elevate the expanded living and kitchen space. Antique, hand-hewn, white-washed beams from Evolutia were installed to accent the newly vaulted ceilings and bring rustic elements to the home.

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“As many times as we have flipped or renovated properties, I still get skeptical when I first walk into a house that smells musty and is overloaded with junk.”

—HOMEOWNER LEIGH MISSO

Architect Alex Krumdieck worked closely with the Rhodens to create a footprint that sacrificed as few trees as possible. The result is an unobtrusive structure that hugs the shoreline and blends in with the bosky surroundings.

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BEFORE: Kitchens in older homes were more utilitarian than today’s designs.

Leigh says when they first toured the house, dirty dishes and sticky notes covered the narrow galley kitchen’s surfaces.

AFTER: Removing walls and reassigning spaces allowed the kitchen to become an extension of the living area and provided space for the lifestyle and convenience features the Missos desired—an island, bar seating, larger appliances, and plenty of storage. The kitchen backsplash is fireresistant, fiber-cement HardiePlank.

the Missos own their own design and construction firm, they handled all the construction, designs, and décor in-house. Kevin and his team took the house down to the studs, waterproofed the ground floor, and completely reframed the interior. The couple reimagined the main level to be modern and open, removing walls between the kitchen and living room and creating a larger master bathroom with ample closet space. On the lower level, they turned what was just basement storage into an in-law suite and playroom for their growing family’s future needs.

Once construction was finished, Leigh dressed the home in her personal style. “I created a contemporary blend of birminghamhomeandgarden.com

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GROUND LEVEL BEFORE (FIRST FLOOR)

GROUND LEVEL AFTER (FIRST FLOOR) W

THE MISSO'S

STORAGE OWNER:

STORAGE

BEDROOM

KENSINGTON

BEDROOM

PROJECT:

TBD

PROJECT NO.

PLAY ROOM

N/A

RE-ISSUE

GARAGE

BEFORE: The home’s existing ground level featured a one-car garage and a mostly open floor plan. The main level included cramped kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom spaces.

MAIN LEVEL AFTER (SECOND FLOOR)

A 1.2

Scale: 1/8"

MAIN LEVEL BEFORE (SECOND FLOOR)

PROPOSED PLAN LOWER LEVEL

LM

SCREENED PORCH

DRAWN BY

AFTER: The Missos turned the ground floor into an in-law suite, adding two bedrooms, a bathroom, a laundry room, and a playroom. They were challenged with maximizing natural light and meeting code with two forms of egress for each EXISTING PLAN-LOWER bedroom. Upstairs, they relocated the kitchen and dining, LEVELto the master suite, added a walk-in closet and large bathroom and added roughly 950 square feet of outdoor living area.

A

Scale: 1/8"

DECK

GRILLING AREA

KITCHEN THE MI S S O'S

PORCH

D

LAUNDRY

DINING

OWNER:

KITCHEN BDR 1

KENS I NGTON

LIVING

PROJ ECT:

TBD

PROJ ECT NO.

N/A

RE- I S S UE

BEDROOM

W/D

MASTER

LIVING

MASTER BEDROOM

BDR 2

LM

DRAWN BY

M.BATH

S TI NG PLA PLAN L N to consider.

Is it worth saving?EXIThings A S c ale : 1 /8 "

Look for structural issues. Evaluate the bones of the house. Particularly assess the condition of the foundation and four perimeter walls. Before committing to a renovation instead of a new build, be sure that you’re working with a strong foundation. Have a professional inspection to check for any sort of water or insect damage.

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A

1 .1

Evaluate marketability. Compare the current value of the property or listing price to the price for the lot. If the value of the property (lot + structure) is more than the value of the lot alone, tearing down the structure means you would immediately lose money. “Try to maximize on the value or equity that’s already in the property,” Leigh says.

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Consider the lot. Is there room for a larger house? How is the house positioned on the lot? Is the lot big enough to build two houses? “If the lot is large and could be subdivided into two lots instead of one, you could potentially have two properties for resale,” says Leigh. (Always be sure to check neighborhood variances.)

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PRO PROP MA MAIN

Scale Sc

BEFORE & AFTER: A small bedroom was eliminated to create space for a larger master bath. “I wanted a freestanding tub, his-and-hers sinks, and a nice shower for my husband,” Leigh says.

The couple also utilized part of the former bedroom space for a walk-in closet with main-level laundry.

modern lines and monochromatic spaces, but I also incorporated heirloom antiques,” she says. For example, antique doors from Charles Phillps Antiques in Theodore, Alabama, bring history and patina to the house and ensure that modernizations feel new but not sterile. Sleeker pieces, such as the custom cabinet on the ground level that hides toys and the television, maintain a clean feel.

Was the complete overhaul worth it? Leigh emphatically says yes and mentions that they’ve considered selling the property because of the added value. But for now, she says they’re staying put. “We are expecting baby number two in July, and this house has given us plenty of room to expand.” birminghamhomeandgarden.com

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BEFORE: Open storage space occupied much of the ground floor. With its woodpaneled walls and dark, dated tile, this area lacked purpose and natural light.

RESOURCES: Builder, interior design, landscape: River Brook Construction and River Brook Interior Design, riverbrook.construction Kitchen: Hardware: Brandino Brass, brandinobrass.com Appliances: Allsouth Appliances, allsouthappliance.net Lighting fixtures: Mayer Lighting, mayerlighting.com Countertops: Maranatha, maranathagranite. com Flooring: Morton Flooring, mortonflooringllc.com Bathroom hardware: Brandino Brass Bathroom tile/backsplash: Floor & Decor, flooranddecor.com Furniture, accessories, art, fabrics: Stock & Trade, stockandtrade.com; Table Matters, table-matters.com; Suite Dreams, suitedreamsal.com Paint: White Dove and Collingwood, benjaminmoore.com 46

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AFTER: The basement underwent a radical transformation into a guest bedroom and playroom.

The addition of lower-level windows, as well as white walls and neutral furnishings, made the space feel lighter. The Missos also fit a laundry room (left)—complete with wet bar, dog-watering station for Gus, and sliding antique door—into the basement floorplan. birminghamhomeandgarden.com

The former garage became the perfect downstairs den and playroom. Slipcovered, white furntiure contrasts a painting by McKenzie Dove. A custom cabinet (below) hides a television and toys.

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NESTING INSTINCT Text by L A C E Y H O W A R D

/

Photography by J E A N A L L S O P P

A 70s-era townhome offers a place for imagination, reinvention, and personal refuge.

BEFORE & AFTER: The living room had great bones thanks to the cathedral ceiling, wood beams, stone fireplace, and pecky pine paneling.

Whitewashing the walls and fireplace, as well as painting the ceiling timbers, brightened the dark mood.

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The portrait on the mantel is from Lesley’s childhood home. “I don’t know who it is, but I call him Grover,” she says. The table ajacent to the fireplace is a cherished possession. “It’s 8 feet long, but I have found a spot for it every place I have lived,” Lesley says. A sectional sofa from Birmingham Wholesale faces the mantel and makes the grand space welcoming. “Big rooms with high ceilings are often not very inviting, but this room feels cozy enough for one person yet big enough for large gatherings,” says Lesley, noting her penchant for hosting Girls Night Out and an annual Oscars party.

Lesley McRae

shares her tips for making a space your own (when a full remodel is out of the question).

PICK A PALETTE. “A fresh paint job brings new life to a space and doesn’t have to be expensive,” Lesley says. She suggests limiting your palette to two or three related colors. ”Then add a flash of color with accessories or by painting an accent wall or ceiling.”

EDIT, EDIT, EDIT. “Declutter, remove small tchotchkes, and gather photos or collections in one place rather than displaying on every surface,” Lesley says. “Leaving some tabletops and shelves open gives your space room to breathe.”

UNDRESS WINDOWS. “Bare windows feel clean and modern,” says the designer. If you need privacy or light control, she suggests using simple Roman shades. “They require less fabric—and money—than drapery panels,” she says.

ADD A STATEMENT LIGHT FIXTURE. “Introduce modern lighting to update traditional spaces,” Lesley says. One of her favorite designs is the Noguchi paper lantern, a contemporary classic.

LIMIT PATTERN. If you use patterns, Lesley suggests limiting them to small furnishings, pillows, and accessories. That allows you to change out these items as you tire of them. “For impact, wallpaper just one wall,” she says. “New peel-and-stick papers make the treatment easy to undo, too.” birminghamhomeandgarden.com

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t is so much fun to transform an ugly duckling into an updated swan,” Lesley McRae says of the 1976 Mountain Brook townhome she renovated that, admittedly, had great bones but outdated feathers—some in questionable condition. “Where others might be put off by all the dreadfulness, I was chomping at the bit to remove rotted windowsills, groovy mirrored walls and wallpaper, acoustical tile ceilings, dirty carpet, and fluorescent light fixtures in order to bring my vision to life.” Lesley’s design perspective is unique—honed with a degree in architecture at Princeton followed by two years of studying fashion at Parsons. “I combined my architecture and fashion backgrounds to become an interior designer,” she says.

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BEFORE & AFTER: Lesley knocked down a wall to open the original kitchen (left) to the dining room. A combination of semi-custom and readymade cabinets (uppers from cliqstudios.com; lowers from Cabinets To Go) balance the pricey GE Monogram glass-front refrigerator (Mazer Appliance). “I’m a big believer in high/low design to stretch the budget,” Lesley says. “The fridge was still expensive even though it was a floor model, but it really makes the space.”

Home Depot tile and marble-look granite counters (Premier Surfaces) trimmed in walnut butcher block complete the space.

LEFT: In the master bedroom, a wine-tasting table and outdoor chairs create a sunny space for checking emails over morning coffee. ABOVE: The blue hue of the front door appears in splashes around the house. birminghamhomeandgarden.com

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Lesley originally planned to have cabinets installed as pantry space at one end of the kitchen until she found a freestanding glass cabinet from At Home in Homewood that fit perfectly and added the character she desired.

BEFORE: The stairs had green carpet, and the wall was papered.

“I liked the glue left behind after the wallpaper came down, so I didn’t paint—just left it,” Lesley says. “It looks like a faux finish.”

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AFTER: Lesley maximized floor space in the dining area by pushing the table against the wall rather than placing it in the center of the room.

This area provides a workspace, as well as a place for entertaining.

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For this project, a 1,950-square-foot townhome, it was personal. Following the death of her husband and getting her youngest child off to college, Lesley was feeling the need to create a space for herself. “I was coming off of a hard time in my life and I wanted serenity,” she says. “I wanted this to be a place of healing, peace, and tranquility. Not too jarring. Not a lot of pattern.”

Lesley’s inspiration was the idea that the townhome, surrounded by mature trees, felt a bit like a mountain lodge. She replaced sliding-glass doors connecting the living room and deck with custom steeland-glass doors and windows that stretch to the roofline. “This was my favorite but most difficult transformation,” Lesley says. “The first guy got in over his head and abandoned the job. I lived with a blue tarp curtain for several months until I could find someone to take on the halfcompleted project.”

Walls that once divided the kitchen from the dining and living space also came down. The kitchen received a to-the-studs makeover while other spaces only needed minimal changes. “I added wood floors to the kitchen and master bedroom and refinished parquet wood floors elsewhere,” Lesley says.

Shortly after the renovation, as fate would have it, Lesley fell in love, married, and moved to Tuscaloosa with her new husband. “I never fully got to enjoy living here, but life throws you unexpected curveballs,” Lesley says. “Staying grateful and looking ahead has always been my modus operandi. I hope people will not only find this space beautiful but will also feel inspired by my story. After all isn’t that why we do what we do?”

RESOURCES: Designer: Lesley McRae Design, lesleymcrae.com Builder/contractor and custom wood stain/pickling Rick Armstrong via Lesley McRae Design Living room: Steel-and-glass window wall: Jacob Rinker of Woodgrain Design, 662.801.7181 Purple ottoman: Patina, 205.802.9805 Mirror over green table: Henhouse Antiques, 205.918.0505 Banquette in kitchen: custom upholstery by Mark V Jordan, 334.220.1056 Painting over banquette: Tal Walton, bought in Santa Fe. Rug: Overstock.com birminghamhomeandgarden.com

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move-in ready Set to Sell, one of Birmingham’s premier staging companies, talks design, return on investment, and how they turned one downtown loft into an award-winning space.

Photography by G R A H A M Y E LT O N

BEFORE

You offer both staging and interior design services.

How do you approach each side of the business?

In everything we do, we always have the same goal—to make spaces beautiful. For staging, we focus on presentation and design that looks most appealing to potential buyers. We want to make sure we highlight the home’s best features and make the most of any undesirable factors. We ask ourselves 54

the same questions they would ask as they walk through a potential new home. Does the furniture layout make the room feel spacious and demonstrate the functionality of the room? Is it clear where they could place their TV? Can they envision how to use a smaller space? We also ask these questions through the lens of photography, looking at which pieces will show well for listing photos.

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Set to Sell received a Gold Award from the National Association of Home Builder’s National Sales and Marketing Council for their work on a model at Franklin Lofts.

For interior design, we consider function and beauty at the same time. We always talk to the client about their vision for their spaces and how they will be used, ensuring our selections serve all of their purposes. Interior design is much more personal than staging. The pieces selected for interior design are curated for the individuals who will be living in and using the space. birminghamhomeandgarden.com

For your project at Franklin Lofts, what were some things you did to soften the industrial edges?

The loft in its original form felt very dark. We lightened the space by painting the walls and floors in Incredible White by Sherwin-Williams. Adding white linen curtain panels along the windows helped soften the walls. We incorporated different textures in our furnishings, such as m a y. j u n e 2 0 2 0 | BH&G

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5 MUST-HAVES FOR ANY SPACE artwork We look for creative ways to display artwork.

Sometimes we mix and match complementary pieces or create a vignette by layering multiple prints. a chair in the bedroom The corner of your bedroom is so much more luxurious when you have a little nook to enjoy.

fresh & faux greenery We use faux greenery in our staging, of course, but will often visit a local florist to grab various flowers and succulents for that extra layer of lifestyle.

beautiful throw pillows Pillows bring accent colors and textures to a space. They have the potemntial to change the look and feel of an entire room.

unique mirrors In particular, we love antique mirrors for their rich texture and depth.

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the beautiful velvet swivel chairs by Atelier, the antique chest, and the wood-and-stone coffee table in the living room. The large mirrored panels by Aidan Gray brought a lot of drama into the space and helped divert attention away from the industrial feel of the space. The use of beautiful Gabby and Regina Andrew light fixtures gave the loft more of an elegant, transitional feel.

Does anyone ever walk in and say, “I want it all!”? Yes, it happens all of the time. We do offer an option to purchase furniture for those interested in our staging items, but we order the items new rather than selling our inventory. Because we get this question so often, we created Turnkey Luxury Furniture Packages, which are pre-selected groupings of furniture, rugs, artwork, and lighting for the main rooms in your home or apartment. There are six design styles per package, ranging from bohemian to transitional to modern. Each furniture package is custom-fit and priced to match your space. If someone is interested in learning more about these Turnkey Packages, we schedule a complimentary design consultation and go from there.

Why is it a good idea to stage a house before selling? What’s my ROI? The numbers don’t lie. 96% of realtors confirm that buyers react more positively to staged homes than they do empty ones, and 94% of realtors state that staged homes sell more quickly than vacant ones. It’s rare for one of our stages to sit for longer than a month, and it’s not uncommon for them to sell within a few days. Staged homes sell more quickly and at a higher value, so the cost associated with staging is more than offset by the benefits. Everything is online-based now, which makes having desirable listing photos more important than ever. We often post “before-and-after” images on our social media channels so people can fully grasp how much of an impact staging

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makes. You definitely do not need to stage every room in your home to make an impact. If the home is completely empty, we suggest staging the main rooms: living room, kitchen (with breakfast nook), dining room, and master suite. One thing we always recommend is staging any room that has an ambiguous purpose. We see this a lot with small nooks or rooms with confusing structure. Staging helps a buyer realize that nothing is wasted space.

Do I hire you or does my realtor hire you? Either! We work with a lot of real estate agents on a consistent basis, but we are also contacted directly by homeowners.

Where do you get the furniture and accessories?

We work with about 250 brands to select furniture, lighting, artwork, and accessories for our staging. While we never want any of our designs to be bold enough to detract from the home itself, we do like to keep abreast of current trends and rotate our inventory out.

We also find new ways to mix and match our inventory to align with the home’s target market and what trends they’re looking for in the moment. We have a large warehouse in West Homewood, and we host two warehouse sales per year where we sell our staging inventory at great prices. birminghamhomeandgarden.com

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Sarrah Weston, Office Administrator; Hayden Williams, Warehouse Manager; Merilyn Scivley, Home Stager; Britney Bradford, Owner, President; Bee Little, Founder; Caroline Harding, Director of Marketing + Home Stager; Carson Bee, Warehouse Team Member; Crawford Bumgarner, Home Stager Set to Sell has been serving the Greater Birmingham area and beyond for more than 12 years. The design professionals work with homeowners and real estate agents, as well as residential and commercial builders and developers. Working with Ingram Homes and Farris Properties on the Franklin Lofts, Set to Sell was recently honored with a Gold Award in the Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $300,000 to $500,000 category.

Set to Sell • settosell.com • 205.277.0326

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RECIPES

learn from Leslie

Set up a self-serve buffet with all the fixings and let your family or guests do the work. Get creative with your BLTs. Add a flavored mayonnaise or a dollop of pimiento cheese. Then top it off with a few homemade pickles—just because. Last but not least, take it over the top with a potato chip bar.

Why not?! Your family will love you.

Comfort Food

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been preparing simple foods that evoke fond memories, and comfort me. It’s been that kind of month. I think a lot of people are doing the same thing. The classic BLT is welcome really any time of the day—breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. So when times are tough, stick with the basics—this no time to reinvent the wheel!

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Recipes and Photography by L E S L I E B YA R S R E G I S T E R

For more recipes and fun entertaining ideas, visit dearpartydiary.com or birminghamhomeandgarden.com

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