City Living

A Birmingham custom home showcases unique details

ARCHITECTuRE:

CHRISTOPHER J. LONGE, AIA, ARCHITECTuRE & INTERIORS, bIRMINGHAM buILDER: kELLY buILDING & DEVELOPMENT CO., bIRMINGHAM

HOME ENTERTAINMENT

SYSTEM: SOuNDCHECk, SOuTHFIELD

INTERIOR DESIGN:

MARIANNE JONES, LLC, bIRMINGHAM

LANDSCAPING: MOSHER DESIGN CO., ROYAL OAk

TEXT:

JEANINE MATLOW

PHOTOGRAPHY: bETH SINGER

This was a huge departure from the home the couple, empty-nesters, originally had,” Marianne Jones says about a Contemporary dwelling she worked on with her design partner, Elle Tor. In addition to Marianne Jones, LLC, based in Michigan and California, the homeowners retained Kelly Building & Development Co. and Birmingham architect Christopher Longe. White oak walls warm the library, where a partners’ desk joins upholstered chairs that share an ottoman by the fireplace. Built-in cabinetry merges metal mesh doors with file drawers below. In the living room, an art television was mounted above the marble fireplace, which was offset to connect to the fireplace in the library. A stepped ceiling breaks up the long and narrow space. Swivel chairs along the window wall exemplify another style. “We wanted something that would look sexy from the hallway with beautiful, open backs that add visual interest,” Jones says. A velvet sofa grounds the space.

A dining area is located between the living room and the kitchen. “It’s a sophisticated space, and the floating staircase is an engineering feat,” Jones says. The railing, featuring steel construction and open treads, showcases a classic spindle pattern. The one-of-a-kind design was further embellished by strategically placed pendants.

The homeowner wanted the island facing the dining area to feel more like a buffet, so the seating is tucked behind it. Tor chose a neutral motif for the dining chairs. “It gave it a splash of a texture and pattern that breaks up the space and moves the eye,” she says.

Similar tones appear in the kitchen and dining area light fixtures. “There’s a connection on the entire first floor,” Jones says. In the kitchen, Shaker-style cabinets conceal a

TAKE A SEAT refrigerator and a freezer that flank a pantry. Glass-front cabinets are great for display.

Both pages: “We really enjoy the library, with the fireplace and the TV, and the lounge chairs and the windows,” the husband says. The library is where work truly gets done, thanks to comforable furnishings and lots of natural light.

Symmetrical elements continue on the second floor, where the master bath has an enclosed toilet area to the right and a shower on the left. A floating vanity, porcelain tile flooring, and a soaking tub are among the deluxe touches.

The master suite has a marble fireplace with window seats on either side, and includes furnishings from a previous home. “We wanted to evoke a response for the upstairs that has soft, subtle tones and sea glass colors,” Jones says.

On the lower level, a custom bar on casters can be tucked away, while a round table hosts games and meals.

“The vibe is warm and cozy,” Tor says. “We wanted some warm tones down there, to give it a lounge feel with a sophisticated spin.”

“We really enjoyed the whole process,” the husband says. Adds his wife: “We wanted an in-town home with a great flow for entertaining friends and family, and we’re happy with the result.”