Beautifully in Birmingham THE SECRETS OF LIVING
TIPS FROM TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS
TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS
Whether you’re embarking on a full home renovation or just want to update your space, we’ve pulled together 50+ tips from some of the city’s best interior designers and decorators to make your home a beautiful reflection of your aesthetic and lifestyle. FINDING YOUR OWN STYLE
Make it personal. I love to work around a favorite fabric or piece of art that is personal to our client. Art, antiques and custom pillows do wonders for making a space unique. But it’s also important to take the stage of life that clients are in and work with that—the function of the furniture we choose is key, as is the placement. —Jan Ware, Ware Designs How to design for outdoors. It is easy to get overwhelmed with design choices! I see it all the time when customers come in to Black Jack Gardens. They are so surprised at the many choices in styles, fabrics, textures, etc. for outdoor furniture. I consider it part of my job to help the customer sift through all the many choices available, and make it a fun and enjoyable experience. By asking questions and getting to know my customers, 70
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their likes and dislikes, I can better guide them to the choices best suited for them. First, I ask about the location of their outdoor space. For instance, is it located in the front or back of the home, full sun, covered porch, pool area, sunroom? How do they want to use their area—for dining, relaxing, entertaining large or small groups? It is a process of getting to know our customers and their dreams for their outdoor space. Our strength lies in being attentive, building a relationship and spending time with them to find everything they want. —Tammy Powell, Black Jack Gardens Browse Houzz. Before I begin work with a new client, I always recommend they do some “homework” on Houzz. It is such a great platform to browse for photos of rooms or of elements that they are drawn to, or that illustrate the look they want to achieve. In this case a picture
really is worth a thousand words! My ultimate goal is to create a space that truly reflects the client’s tastes, not mine. The photos they save to their idea books may actually help shorten the amount of time it takes for me to solidify their design plan, which saves them money. —Cindi Jones, Savvy Shoestring Interiors Trust your instincts. My favorite secret design tip is to trust your instincts! The world of design is amazing with how many options are out there and how accessible most of them are, but I often find that instead of people feeling excited about all of the possibilities, they get overwhelmed. This often can create a scenario in which people do not know what they want or what they even like. However, I find that when I am putting schemes together I have a gut feeling on whether or not it’s going to work. If I keep trying to make one thing work and
Richard Tubb is most pleased when customers walk into his Pepper Place showroom and say they want to capture its feeling. Whether you are visiting or using ou r decorating services, we are anxious to listen to you r needs and make you r dreams a reality. With a decorating team with more than seventy five years of total experience, we continue to search for home fu rnishings that are timeless, exciting and beautiful!
2829 2nd Avenue South • Birmingham, Alabama • 205.324.7613 Please visit our website...RichardTubbInteriors.com
Stock & Trade Design Co.
Creating spaces that indulge the mind, body and soul. Stock & Trade Design Co. offers a wide selection of custom upholstery, furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories, and unique objects, as well as, custom pieces from local artisans. We’re committed to providing beautiful and affordable home furnishings…pieces infused with clean lines, modern sensibility, and classic style, making them a desirable part of your décor for years to come. With our vast inventory of in-stock pieces, as well as, thousands of special order options, the design choices are almost limitless. We love the design process from start to finish, and are always excited about being a part of each client›s developing project, no matter how large or small. We believe your home should be your own personal refuge..a reflection of those who live there and their life style. It›s always a pleasure to watch each project evolve, and to help each client achieve their own personal ideal of home. Visit our showrooms in Birmingham, AL and Miramar Beach, FL. Our new Atlanta,GA showroom will be opening in Fall 2018. Our design teams are always happy to assist with your design needs, as you work to make your space special and uniquely your own. (In-Home design consultation available by appointment).
3048 Independence Drive | Birmingham, AL 35209 205-783-1350 11111 Emerald Coast Pkwy | Destin, FL 32550 850-460-8990
www.stockandtrade.com
TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS it just doesn’t sit right with my mind’s eye I can absolutely feel it. The process of design can be intimidating, but by trusting your instincts I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy whatever project you are working on so much more and will end up with results that you LOVE! —Danielle Maros, Harris Doyle Home Find your starting point. Most common question? “I don’t know where to start in this room. What color do I paint the walls?” My advice is that we don’t start with the walls. Every room has a starting point—a textile like a rug or fabric, or a piece of art for instance— and it is there where we find the inspiration for the color palette in the space, including the walls. If we are completely making a space over and keeping nothing from before, there still needs to be a starting point—something to inspire, a point from which we begin. I have decorated an entire home for a client using her favorite scarf as color inspiration! —Cindi Jones, Savvy Shoestring Interiors Be inspired. Start an “inspiration” file. From interior design publications to social media, there’s a wealth of photographs featuring design styles and ideas to provide inspiration and give you ideas. Most people have some basic idea of what they like. They simply have trouble creating a plan and pulling it all together. Working with professional designers and home furnishings stores can help you define items from your wish list and coordinate a design plan to achieve an end product that is beautiful, livable, and a true reflection of who you are. —Christopher Rankin, Stock and Trade Design Co.
MIXING IT UP
Take time to explore your options. There definitely is an art to mixing different styles. The trick is to make it work without it looking like you tried and missed! It is important to realize that there is not just one way to decorate a space. There are so many options that can be incorporated together and make a beautiful and original space. We have 74
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lots of customers who want to use some of their favorite pieces, and we work diligently with them to make their space both beautiful and functional. —Tammy Powell, Black Jack Gardens Divide and conquer. Define your spaces and create a plan by prioritizing the primary living spaces first. Start with each space and see it through to completion before moving on to the next. It will be less chaotic and give you a sense of accomplishment as each specific area is completed. —Christopher Rankin, Stock and Trade Design Co.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CABINETS
Mix farmhouse with industrial styles. My favorite cabinetry trend for all spaces right now is the mix of farmhouse and industrial styles. So many of the farmhouse characteristics feel nostalgic and comforting. Mixing it with industrial touches such as dark metals and brick creates a harmonious space. The industrial look is colder, while the farmhouse touches soften that look and create a fun blend of details. Using subway tiles, shiplap, open shelving, black metal windows, and farmhouse sinks are current and fabulous trends—just watch “Fixer Upper,” and you will see! —Jennifer Thompson, Creative Cabinets & Design Consider functionality. The most common mistake I see in cabinetry is homeowners just looking at things from a surface perspective. One of the most important things to look at is your drawer box. Some clients only look at the outside of the cabinet and do not find out how the inside functions until they are living with it. A solid wood, dovetail drawer box is recommended. Full extension, cushion-close runners are also a plus so that you can access the back of the drawer as well as have the nice cushion-close action on the runners. —Jennifer Thompson, Creative Cabinets & Design Make it last. The finishing process on
cabinetry is extremely important. A painted cabinet can look amazing when first installed, but you need to know what type of finishing process is done to the cabinetry, what kind of warranty you have on the finish, and what type of wear should you expect. You do not want to re-paint your cabinets in three to five years because the finish is deteriorating. A factory finished product is always going to last longer than a shop or job-site painted finish. —Jennifer Thompson, Creative Cabinets & Design Stained or painted? A current trend now is to mix stained and painted cabinets. We do a ton of kitchens with a painted perimeter cabinet coupled with a stained island or hood. Mixing a wood grain with a solid paint gives you a visual texture that keeps everything from being monotone in a space. Color schemes for both are changing a little right now. White paints are getting softer and stains are trending more towards natural or rustic stains to really show the grain of the wood species. —Jennifer Thompson, Creative Cabinets & Design
TOP KITCHEN DESIGN TIPS
Choosing the right material. I always try to discuss the advantages and drawbacks of different countertop materials. For those who love to use natural materials, we talk about the various degrees of durability that each possesses. Some like the patina that comes with stone. Marble has been used for centuries in Europe, and its aged look is beautiful. However, for people who want easy maintenance without a change in appearance, I point to several varieties of quartz that really do look like natural stone. —Mary Rooney, Mary Rooney Interior Dimensions Disguise and de-clutter. Kitchen design should depend on what the client wants and whether or not they cook or just want the space to look like they cook! I do like to cook and have a working
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• interior decorating services • custom drapery and blinds • • custom bedding • custom pillows • reupholstery • • in-home design consultation • furniture selection/shopping • • color & fabric consultation • special order fabrics •
Bill Aroosian Designs 3332 Old Montgomery Highway • Homewood • 35209 • 205.879.5558
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TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS kitchen that doesn’t really look like a kitchen, because it’s off of a den, making the space feel like one big room. In that case, whenever possible I’ll panel large appliances and hide others behind a paneled door—to conceal but also to make one central location for appliances that are used daily. This also allows for a full backsplash uninterrupted by the placement of electrical outlets. These two ideas really can help in presenting a clean, uncluttered kitchen. —Katie Baker Lasker, KB Design, Inc. Consider quartz. We’re definitely seeing a lot of demand for the marble look at kitchen countertops. Definitely our most popular slabs chosen at the kitchen areas are quartz with the marble look. Quartz is perfect for this high traffic and high demand area: it’s very resistant to scratches and chipping, and its nonporous antimicrobial surface means that you can’t stain it (think about those rings that your red wine and olive oil could leave on a soft natural marble slab!). Marble definitely is beautiful and luxurious, and going with a quartz countertop allows you the ability to get that same aesthetic but not worry about the neurosis of keeping your marble unscathed. —Erin Brigham, Harris Doyle Homes Design for Your Lifestyle. When designing a kitchen, I always like to talk to the client about things they like and dislike about their current kitchen. I need to know who cooks in the home, how many cooks are in the kitchen at a time, and what you cook most of the time. Someone who bakes a lot would need plenty of open counter space for rolling dough, making cookies, etc. In a home where there are two cooks in the kitchen, we need to plan prep space for both. We want it to be comfortable and functional for them to work together in the kitchen without competing for counter space or prep areas. —Jennifer Thompson, Creative Cabinets & Design
HOW TO CHOOSE ART
Love what you buy. If the desire is to 76
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select pieces as an investment, then we suggest working with a reputable gallery or professional art dealer. If investment quality pieces are not the objective, there is a wide range of quality commercially produced art that’s both beautiful and affordable. Either way, choose pieces you love and that speak to you in some way. Art is personal. Your choices should be things you find beautiful and enjoy living with every day. We suggest looking for local artists in your area as part of the process. You’ll often find affordable pieces that are unique, have a story to tell, and over time, can increase in value. —Christopher Rankin, Stock & Trade Design Co. Have a story to tell. It is more meaningful if you choose art that has a story. Maybe you have met the artist, and he or she is from Alabama or your hometown. Art is more than a painting or a bowl. For example, I have a bird’s nest on my sofa table and a branched hornet’s nest on my upper staircase wall. —Richard Tubb,Richard Tubb Interiors Make it a focal point. Artwork is so personal! I have a few thoughts on displaying artwork. First, I do not feel your artwork needs to be perfectly matched to your room. You want your artwork to truly stand out and be your focal point. Secondly, for several clients we have designed entire rooms completely around one piece of art. I think that complementing the colors in a particular painting or sculpture can only enhance the beauty of a room. I love when your accent pillows and draperies have an unexpected color that ties in with a beautiful painting. I think that when you have multiple pieces of art in different mediums the display is much more effective in a grouping. Grouping those special pieces together on a gallery wall or bookcase gives a greater visual impact and reduces clutter visually. When looking for that one special piece that truly speaks to you, utilize all of the wonderful galleries Birmingham has to offer. My personal favorite is Gallery Services. They are incredibly knowledgeable and fun to work with. —Ashley Byrd, Ashley Byrd Interiors
The City’s Top Interior Designers and Decorators
AG Designs Annie Bayer Goldberg and Ginny Monheit ag-design.com Adams Gerndt Design Group Tom Adams, Adam Gerndt www.adams-gerndt.com Alabama Furniture Market Avery Rhodes Alabamafurnituremarket.com AllSouth Leah McIntyre allsouthappliance.net Alima Deneke Interior Design Alima Deneke adidstudio.com Alison Smith Interiors Alison Smith Houzz.com Andrea Carmichael, Inc Andrea Carmichael andreacarmichaelinc.com Andrew Brown Interiors Andrew Brown andrewbrowninteriors.com Angie Dean Designs Angie Dean Houzz.com
Arhaus Furniture Suzanne Monk, Ryan Dillow, Karen Valentin arhaus.com Ashley Byrd Interiors Ashley Byrd ashleybyrdinteriors@gmail.com Ashley Francis Design Ashley Francis Houzz.com At Home Furnishings Babbie Styslinger athome-furnishings.com bDot Architecture Brian Roberson, Dan Taylor bdota.com Banks Home Building bankshomebuilding.com Bearden Design Debbie Bearden beardendesign.com Bill Aroosian Designs Bill Aroosian habitationhome.com Billy Brown Flooring billybrownflooring.com
Celebrating 20 years of offering an extensive selection of quality outdoor furniture and accessories exclusive brands
Designer, Tammy Powell
5549 Derby Drive • Irondale, AL 35210 205-836-2933
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TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS HOW TO CHOOSE COLORS
Gray goes with everything. My favorite ‘neutral’ color is Swirling Smoke from PPG. It is so intimidating for homeowners to find the ‘right’ gray simply because gray is one of those colors that can have a variety of both cool and warm undertones—and if the wrong one is selected you will definitely notice it in your space once the paint is applied. But in my opinion, Swirling Smoke is a color that can go well with both cool and warm color schemes. It does have a slightly warm undertone but it’s so faint that if a homeowner uses it in combination with a cooler-trending color scheme, it just makes that space feel cozier and more welcoming rather than having an adverse effect on the design. It is also a relatively light color, which will keep your space feeling open and airy while still giving the impression that there is an actual color on the walls—an added bonus in my opinion. —Danielle Maros, Harris Doyle Homes
When the ocean calls…My favorite color? I will forever be a blue-green natural ocean girl. —Jan Ware, Ware Designs. Color creates continuity. Select and focus on a specific color palette. Limit your primary choices to two colors and a neutral, making sure to repeat your chosen colors or patterns at least once in the space. We also recommend using the same colors throughout your home to create a cohesive visual flow. Even a home where the floor plan isn’t open concept will feel more visually connected throughout the space, if the colors are kept consistent. Use textiles to layer on texture and visual interest, including pillows, throws, and rugs. —Christopher Rankin, Stock and Trade Design Co. Just enough color. Personally I love Benjamin Moore—Edgecomb Gray and Benjamin Moore—Revere Pewter. I feel their names are slightly misleading, they fall more into the “greige” category. Both colors work well with warm and
Blackjack Gardens Tammy Powell blackjackgardens.com Burgess Interiors Jim Burgess burgessinteriors.com Burrow Interior Design Leigh Ann Harris burrowid.com CBM Interiors Celia McGarity Cox Blakely McGarity Oberneder cbmdesigninc.com CS Interiors Caroline Sain Houzz.com Caldwell Flake Interiors Lisa Caldwell caldwellflake.com Cantley & Company, Inc. Cyndy Cantley cantleyandcompany.com Case Design Jennifer Blach, James Giles, Alicia Justine, & Randi Riley casebham.com
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TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS cool tones, they make a great neutral palette. These two paints give just enough color allowing you to highlight your furnishings, accessories and artwork. Both paints are also great for showcasing your architectural and interior accents. These colors are timeless and should stand the test of time. I also love these colors for exteriors, particularly for painted brick exteriors. —Ashley Byrd, Ashley Byrd Interiors Make bold colors/patterns count. I still believe the bones and the largest pieces of a room should be timeless and somewhat neutral. For pops of color and interest that are easy to change out, add oversized pillows in saturated colors, or a vibrantly upholstered pull up chair or ottoman in a whimsical pattern. Florals are coming back. (Keep it from feeling grandmotherly by incorporating modern lighting and art.) For my own home I bought red lampshades, set out cobalt blue glass bowls by Elsa Peretti and placed fresh green plants around. —Lesley McRae, Lesley McRae Design
Add some drama. If you’re just for a general color, my favorite neutral these days is a deep gray. I absolutely love dramatic spaces and one of the quickest ways to shake things up is by throwing paint on the walls. I absolutely adore deep cool grays and I think they can be applied anywhere from a powder room to a kitchen to a master bedroom. I know that choosing a darker color is scary for most people, but if a person is looking to change things up a bit and is willing to take a risk I think they will be surprised with how much they love the end result! —Danielle Maros, Harris Doyle Homes Bursting with color. The neutrals will always be a part of our lives. However, a burst color is always nice in someone’s home. Bold, bright strong colors are always nice to accent with. —Bill Aroosian, Bill Aroosian Designs Make me blush. My new favorite color right now is the new Blush that is everywhere. Blush is a soft pinky/peach/
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At Kitchen & Bath Dimensions, you get the benefit of our whole design team. All plans are reviewed and checked out in detail by our team well before the project is bid. This team approach has garnered more than 45 Alabama Remodeling Excellence awards just since 2010. We are celebrating our 30th year in business with some special discounts. Give us a call and allow us to help make yours the kitchen or bath of your dreams.
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TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS beige that adds some warmth and depth to neutrals. This is a nice way to add some soft color to you home that is not overpowering and helps warm up simple neutral rooms with a pretty color. Blush is one of the softest, prettiest colors out there. A little stronger than an off white but a color that everyone’s skin tone looks good in. Just a very pretty color. —Bill Aroosian, Bill Aroosian Designs
TOP WALLPAPER TIPS
Start with the powder room. The powder room is definitely one room in the house where you can experiment with wallpaper and not grow tired of it. It’s a small enough space where you could afford to hang a beautiful hand painted classic Chinoiserie panel by Gracie or Zuber or have fun with something more trendy and bold like a giant malachite pattern. If you’re shy, feature just the wall behind a wall-mounted floating sink. Here’s one to try: (bonus, it’s removable!) Pink Agate Wallpaper Mural from luluandgeorge.com. —Lesley McRae, Lesley McRae Design
UPDATE YOUR SPACE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Mix it up. Incorporating modern light fixtures or changing out your musty dusty lampshades for simple clean-lined paper shades will update your room. Add a graphic flat weave rug to jazz things up. Alternatively, if your space is already modern then hang an antiqued gilt mirror for sparkle, contrast, and patina. It’s all in the mix. —Lesley McRae, Lesley McRae Interiors Texturize. Fresh textiles are a quick change that can make big impact in most any room. New accent pillows and throws can change the look and feel of a room instantly. They’re also a good way to layer on texture and seasonal color. In the bedroom, new bed linens will have a major impact. Also, adding or changing a piece of art is a quick way to change the feel of a space and give it a fresh perspective. —Christopher Rankin, Stock & Trade Design Co.
Ferguson Bath Lighting and Kitchen Gallery Laurie Wolter ferguson.com Fixtures and Finishes Mary Louise Choate fixturesandfinishes.com Fran Keenan Design Fran Keenan Frankeenan.com G & G Interior Design Ramona Griffin gnginteriordesign.com Graber Interiors Kelly Graber graberinteriors.com Gracefully Done Collette Day gracefullydone.net Greg Mewborn Designs LLC Greg Mewborn gregmewbournedesigns.com Greystone Marketplace Cindy Cordts greystonemarketplace280.com Harris Doyle Homes Alice Allen, Erin Brigham, & Danielle Maros harrisdoyle.com
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Mary Rooney,
Registered Interior Designer
3363 Faring RoadBir mingham,AL 35223205.305.1915mar yrooneyinteriors.com 82
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3320 2nd Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35222 205.324.9521 M - F 8 - 5. Sat 8 - 2
221 Industrial Park Drive Pelham, AL 35124 205.663.1336 M-F 8 - 5 .
711 21st Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 205.758.8621 M-F 8-5
TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS Accentuate with nature. One of my favorite design tips to give my clients and friends is to add a bit of nature to every room. You can add a nesting of succulents in a concrete planter on a coffee table or a fiddle fig in the corner to weight the room. Fresh flowers, plants, whatever it is always give a fresh look to the space. —Alice C. Allen, Harris Doyle Homes Small changes count. Clients are trying to add trends to spaces. Many can change the look of a traditional space by changing the paint color, the art work and pillows. We love the challenge to help clients with this design effort. —Nancy Norris, Rosegate Design Money and choices. When a client has more to invest that opens up the choices. There is a world of furniture, fabrics, accessories, wallcovering and rug selections; with options as varied and individual as each client. When you enter the world of custom–anything is possible. I do not believe in getting rid of every-
thing. I think working with some of a client’s existing pieces helps lend continuity and allows the client’s personality to remain and shine though. With a world of choice available, it can be overwhelming. Having a starting point based on existing pieces helps narrow the choices down to a more manageable selection. —Bill Aroosian, Bill Aroosian Designs Budget-friendly. A very budget friendly alternative for many people are chain stores that have ready made pillows, artwork and accessories. For as little as $100 someone could go home with a couple of pillows and a piece of artwork or a lamp that could make a noticeable change in your room while not breaking the bank. —Bill Aroosian, Bill Aroosian Designs
TOP FLOORING TIPS
Who needs limitations? Carpet and rugs have evolved from the traditional basics that most are accustomed to. There are now limitless choices in textures, col-
SavvyShoestringInteriors.com 205-908-0690 84
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Hatcher Schuster Interiors Ivy Schuster hsinteriordesign.com Heather Chaddick Interiors Heather Chaddick heatherchadducktextiles.com heatherchadduck.com Heidi Core Interior Design, LLC Heidi Core heidicore.com Hibiscus House Interiors Renae Cochran hibiscushouseandinteriors.com Hitz-Lauber hiltzlauber.com HOME by Mae Beth Mae Beth Sandlin homebymaebeth.com InLine Lighting Stacey Summerville, Wanda Brown, Brenton Bellomy inlinelighting.com Issis & Sons Carpets and Oriental Rugs In-House designers issisandsons.com
Also see us on the popular HOUZZ.COM at www.houzz.com/pro/cjonesdesigns where we were voted Best in Design and Satisfaction for SIX YEARS in a row!
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WEDGWORTH DESIGN BUILD Mike Wedgworth has been building homes and neighborhoods around Birmingham since 1984. “Of the four-hundred plus homes we’ve built, no two are alike,” says Mike, “because each customer has a unique style and set of objectives.” Over the years, the Wedgworth Construction team has honed a process that starts with a brainstorming session. “We help our clients draft a practical wish list, balancing design aesthetics with a realistic budget,” says Mike. Our architects and interior designers transform that list into a plan that reflects the customer’s individuality. “We get much of our business from referrals,” says Mike, “which is the best measurement of our company’s success. I love building custom homes and helping families create a place that mirrors their values and lifestyle.” (205) 967-1831
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“EVERY HOME IS UNIQUE BECAUSE EVERY CLIENT IS UNIQUE.”
TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS ors and styles that include more hand loomed products, more colorful wools, various grasses and sisals, silks, vinyls, microfibers and more, incorporated together with new technology to produce more rich and exotic patterns and styles that once were simply unattainable. —Billy Brown, Billy Brown Flooring Carpet or hardwoods? Now, most all of our homes have gone to hardwood, creating the demand for area rugs. But we also have customers who like the versatility and flexibility only carpet can provide when patterns, warmth or textures are required to enhance certain designs. —Billy Brown, Billy Brown Flooring Add or replace a rug. Some very nice rugs are available reasonably priced. Take the opportunity to update your look with a new rug. A new pattern or color scheme is just a new rug away. (Make sure you get a rug and pad the proper size for your room.) —Bill Aroosian, Bill Aroosian Designs
BONUS DESIGN TIPS
Hire the right contractor. For any work you have done in your home, hiring the right contractor is paramount. Be sure they are insured, and if they hire subcontractors to work for them, make sure they are insured, too. We advise choosing someone who is a member of the Birmingham Home Builders Association, because you have to be properly certified and insured in order to join. —Don Seibert, Kitchen and Bath Dimensions Give it a trial run. Wallpaper is an excellent way to define a space that may have no architectural features. It makes the space interesting. It’s important to remember, when choosing a wallpaper, the scale of the pattern. You need to keep it in scale with the size of the space and height of the ceiling. I always order a tear sheet of the paper I’m wanting to use and hang it in the space for a week or two to see how I feel about as I pass through the space… after all, wallpaper
Issis Furniture Gallery In-House designers issisandsons.com J Edwards Interiors Jenny Edwards jedwardsinteriors.com J Wright Homes Olivia Hunt jwrightbuildingcompany.com JAK Designs Jama Ketcham jakdesignsbirmingham.com Jan Ware Designs Jan Ware janwaredesigns.com Jeanette Remaley Design Jeanette Remaley remaleydesign.com Katherine Cindia Designs, LLC Katie Peoples katherinecindiadesigns.com Katrina Porter Designs Katrina Porter www.katrinaporterdesigns.com Katie Baker Design Inc. Katie Baker Lasker
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Lesley McRae interiors
EIGHT ROCKLEDGE ROAD BIRMINGHAM, AL ABAMA 35213 205.585.7891 J A N WA R E D E S I G N S . CO M • B E A C H • L A K E • M O U N TA I N S • R E S I D E N T I A L • C O M M E R C I A L 86
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205-960-5734 lesley@lesleymcrae.com www.lesleymcrae.com
TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS is more of a commitment than paint! —Katie Baker Lasker, KB Design, Inc. Let it shine. Polished metals are definitely coming back in full force! Chrome and polished brass give you some bling that are a beautiful and clean looking alternative to all the rustic and industrial designs that have been so popular this past decade. —Erin Brigham, Harris Doyle Homes Have fun. My personal preferences are comfort and easy maintenance! Although, I love so many different styles, I tend to select neutral fabrics and throw in punches of color in the throw pillows, flower containers, and other accessories. That way, it won’t break the bank if I decided to change my color scheme. I also like to mix textures to add interest. For example, mixing woven items with teak is a great look. —Tammy Powell, Black Jack Gardens
Find your focus. My favorite secret tip I give clients is to pick spaces that you want to be focal points, and then let everything else be simple and uncluttered. Having the right décor can really add great interest to a room, while adding too much décor can make it look cluttered and overdone. —Stacey Puliatti, Puliatti Living Aging-in-place (and in style). I am a believer in preparing, when possible, a house to be accessible. Such things as making the doors wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through, making areas in rooms adequate to have wheelchair turning space, and placing blocking in walls where grab bars might be attached can be done without even being noticed. We often think only the elderly need accessible homes, disregarding the fact that younger people can find themselves in need of accessible homes after suffering an accident or surgery. —Mary Rooney, Mary Rooney Interior Dimensions
Kellum & Company Shelby Kimerling and Shannon Adams Houzz.com Kitchen & Bath Dimensions In-House designers counterdimensions.com Lampadas Living Kellyn Lee lampadasliving.com Laura Merrill Interiors Laura Merrill lauramerrillinteriors.net Laurl Designs Laurl Self Houzz.com Lesley McRae Design Lesley McRae Lesleymcrae.com Libby Greene Interiors Libby Greene libbygreeneinteriors.com Lighting Concepts Nancy Adcock lightingconceptsal.com Lilly Designs Renee Lilly adesignresource.com
At Billy Brown Flooring, you’ll find our showroom features exceptional wools, sisals and blends for any area rug with all the latest colors and patterns available. With 40 years of service to home owners and decorators, we pride ourselves in ensuring the project between the designer and the client is a seamless experience. Whether this is your first carpet or rug purchase or you are a designer looking to enhance your client’s experience, we are happy to assist you. Stop by and visit us today Birmingham!
2720 5TH AVE S.IRONDALE, AL 35210 205-266-3714 • BILLYBROWNFLOORING.COM Visit us on Facebook and Instagram
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From blueprints to move in, our designer walks with you through every step and decision in the custom home building process. We listen and give you the guidance you need to make your J. Wright Building Company home the home of your dreams. Let’s get starting bringing your dreams to reality today.
850 CORPORATE PKWY #104, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35242 • 205.820.0100
JWRIGHTBUILDINGCOMPANY.COM
TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS Choose carefully when designing for outdoors. In addition to helping clients realize their dreams, I make an effort to educate clients about outdoor furnishings. It is all about low maintenance and durability. Quality furniture for outdoors is made out of the best materials and fabrics that are available. To last outside in the heat, humidity, rain, snow and everything in between, the product has to be made well. The purchase is an investment, and one that will not have to be replaced often. —Tammy Powell, Black Jack Gardens Create a standout ceiling. I love that textures are a big emphasis (in ceilings), because it is something that is really fun to experiment with. I like taking a simple trim moulding and creating a unique, symmetrical pattern. One of the most budget conscience ways to spruce up a space is to paint the ceiling a deep shade and pair it with a contrasting chandelier. —Alice C. Allen, Harris Doyle Homes Mix the old with the new. Finishing a space with the right accessories is so important. Using the client’s items as well as introducing new things are the icing on the cake. Pops of color make a neutral space come to life. —Nancy Norris, Rosegate Design When choosing lighting, ask a professional. This is where having a designer is really imperative. Lighting can make or break the interior look of the house. I like to say that lighting and hardware are the joy of the home. Choosing proper lighting can Limerence Design Nicole Shultz limerencedesign.com Lovette Construction Liz Kennedy lovetteconstruction.com Lynn Allen Design Sandra Allen Lynn lynnallendesign.com Creative Cabinets and Design is a kitchen and bath design center known for award winning designs and excellent customer service. Wellborn is family owned and their high quality cabinets are made right here in Alabama! Our award-winning designs have been featured in the Parade of Homes, The Ideal Home, several magazines and online publications. Call to schedule a showroom appointment with one of our designers for an uninterrupted consultation experience. See our work on Houzz and Facebook. or visit our website.
Lynne Coker Interiors Lynne Coker lynnecokerinteriors.com
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Mary Rooney Interior Dimensions Mary Rooney maryrooneyinteriors.com Mayfair South Julie Terrell mayfairsouth.com
Mallory Smith Interiors Mallory Smith mallorysmithinteriors.com
Mayer Lighting Showroom Amber Lyle, LS, Lauren Kassouf, LS, Ashley Lawrence, LS, Missy Wishom, LS mayerlighting.com
Mandi Smith T Interiors Mandi Smith T mandismithtinteriors.com
McMillan Interiors Beth McMillian mcmillaninteriors.com
Mantooth Interiors Lynette Mantooth mantoothinteriors.com
Melanie Pounds Interior Design Melanie Pounds melaniepoundsinteriordesign.com
Marjorie Johnston & Co Marjorie Johnston mhjinteriors.com 285 Lyon Lane•Birmingham, AL 35211•205-423-5510
Mary Evelyn Design Studio Mary Evelyn McKee maryevelyn.com
Marianne Strong Interiors Marianne Strong mariannestronginteriors.com
One Kings Lane onekingslane.com P R Interiors Pauline Rouss Houzz.com
Katie BaKer Design INTERIOR DESIGN BY APPOINTMENT Kbdesigninc @ gmail.com • katiebakerlasker.com
INC.
TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS be the wow factor if chosen correctly. Lighting needs to be chosen according to the feel of the house and a space that you are working in. You also need to consider the size of the room and the height of the ceiling when deciding if you need a flush mount or a hanging light, and these are all areas where a designer comes in to help create and preserve the flow of the space. —Stacey Puliatti, Puliatti Living Know when you need help. Getting advice from a professional is maybe the most important thing a homeowner can do. The tools and experience is so valuable. Good scale and proportion is always a rule to lean on that sometimes requires an expert who will also draw out the client’s personality and give great attention to details. —Nancy Norris, Rosegate Design Spring clean your closet. Along with an attractive, efficient closet design, it always helps to periodically clean out your closet to eliminate pieces you no longer
want or wear. Go through and consider: Do I wear this item? If you haven’t worn an item in 12 months or more, it’s probably not a keeper. Does the item fit me well? Take a hard look at anything questionable to decide if it flatters you and reflects your current style. If not, off it goes! Is this item “me”? Sometimes you buy a piece of clothing without thinking about whether you will actually wear it or use it. If you don’t foresee using or wearing it anytime soon, it’s best to cut your losses. After answering these questions, you should have a stack of items you don’t want to keep. Now you can decide whether to throw away each item, donate it or sell it. —Closets by Design Whose house is it, anyway? Remember that it’s your opinion, not the contractor’s, that counts. A lot of people let themselves get talked into things, then they really aren’t happy with it—because they’ve spent a lot of money and then don’t like the way it looks or functions. So don’t let people talk you into things. —Don Seibert, Kitchen and Bath Designs
LIFE WELL CRAFTED
Harris Doyle Designers Alice Allen, Erin Brigham and Danielle Maros
harrisdoyle.com
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Paige Albright Orientals Paige Albright paigealbrightorientals.com Pandy Agnew Interiors Pandy Agnew pandyagnewinteriors.com Pillar and Peacock Brandeis Shot and Adrianne Bugg pillarandpeacock.com Precision Homecrafters Holly Burrow precisionhomecrafter.com Puliatti Stacey Puliatti puliattiliving.com Rave Redux Decorating Services Kim Burdette Houzz.com Richard Tubb Design Richard Tubb richardtubbinteriors.com Robert F Henry Tile In-House designers henrytile.com Rosegate Design Nancy Norris, Abby Leib therosegate.com
THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND
Take a breath and relax. Aren’t you lucky that you are able to do this? Make this fun. Look in magazines and clip the things you love. Don’t be influenced by trends such as the “now” color. You are going to live with these decisions for a long time so keep things understated. —Richard Tubb, Richard Tubb Interiors
SSI Cindi Jones savvyshoestringinteriors.com
SWAG Design Studio Erin Barrow swaghomestaging.com
Sarah Jernigan Designs, Inc. Sarah Jernigan Designs sarahjernigandesigns.com
Tammy Connor Interior Design Tammy Connor tammyconnorid.com
Scandinavian Design Gallery Theresa Thornton scandesigngallery.com
Timeless Interiors Theresa Long Miller houzz.com Trio Kitchen Design Beth Mattson & Elizabeth Roche triokitchens.com
Seibels Suzy Seibels, Emma Doss, Kelli Mauro seibelscottage.com
There is more than one way to arrange a room. Turn on your favorite music and start moving. If you like the change, don’t ask everyone’s opinion. Take on a big dose of confidence. —Richard Tubb, Richard Tubb Interiors
Triton Stone Group tritonstone.com
Set to Sell Britney Bradford & Amanda Swan settosell.com
Twin Construction Laurie Fulkerson, Danielle Schriefer twincompanies.com
Shea Bryars Design Shea Bryars sheabryarsdesign.com
Umphrey Interiors Perry Umphrey umphreyinteriors.com
Slate Barganier In-House designers slatebarganier.com
Choose large pieces. My philosophy has always been to choose large pieces such as sofas, chairs, and bedspreads in solid fabrics with different textures. Pillows and throws with patterns in desired colors can be changed on a whim without much expense. —Richard Tubb,Richard Tubb Interiors
Southern Bath & Kitchen Heather Wiggins, Brandi Beard, Vann Foti sbkbham.com Stock & Trade Christopher Rankin, Barbara Williams stockandtrade.com
Urban Home Market Shannon Appling, Emily Harrell, Lisa Timpleton urbanhomemarket.com Vintage West Home Teresa Daniel vintageweston2nd.com Wedgworth wedgworth.net William McLure williammclure.com
Rosegate Design 6801 Cahaba Valley Road
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Birmingham, AL 35242
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205-980-5014
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TOP DESIGNERS AND DECORATORS TIPS FOR UPDATING A ROOM
Shop from home. Pull everything out from closets and cabinets. Look at what you already own; sort through, and you’ll probably find you have more than you realize. Pull all the art and accessories from your room and start over. DO NOT rehang art in the same places, REMOVE hooks and nails, begin again. Invite a trusted friend (a fresh set of eyes always helps) and make an evening of it add some wine and laughter and see what happens. (Don’t forget to repair walls….tomorrow!) —Bill Aroosian, Bill Aroosian Designs Look at your life. What do you and your family enjoy doing? Kids’ soccer games, the beach, the lake, movies. Put your favorite things on display in a gallery art wall. Collect photos, posters, one lost shoe, your number from a marathon— frame it and make a piece of art. Odd shaped mystery thing you found at the beach, and fell in love with— hang it up! These are the things that memories and stories are made from. —Bill Aroosian, Bill Aroosian Designs Elements of style. I focus on incorporating architectural elements into my designs. I think interesting trim, wainscoting and beams help to display personal style. Whether it is stained or painted, these focal points never disappoint. —Ashley Byrd, Ashley Byrd Interiors Choose linen that lives. I am always a fan of linen. I love its weight and feel, whether it is a beautiful print or a solid, especially here in the South with our warmer weather. However, linen is not always functional. For families, I suggest some of the newer Revolution Performance Fabrics and Crypton stain-resistant fabrics, because they are incredibly hardy and functional for children and pets. Many look the part of a linen or linen/cotton blend, so you can have both the look and the functionality you want on big pieces like sofas and chairs. —Avery Rhodes Akins, Alabama Furniture Market 94
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Home jewels. I also think your tile, lighting, countertops and hardware play important roles in the design. These items are the jewelry of your home! Door hardware and hinges as well as cabinet hardware provide character. Whether it is a beautiful crystal knob with an interesting backplate or a contemporary acrylic pull with champagne bronze accents, this design detail always makes a statement. However, pay attention to price. The sky is the limit in design and you can easily exceed your budget (or decide to just splurge). —Ashley Byrd, Ashley Byrd Interiors Set your wall apart. Custom wall finishes can define your space and make it uniquely and beautifully yours. My favorite are timeless, old-world finishes. I love to work with plasters, waxes, and hand-rendered micro-finishes. These can add seamless artistic character to a space and give your guests something to admire and talk about when visiting your home. Great spaces for custom wall finishes include the dining room on a wall that backs the table, or if you don’t have stone on a fireplace, I do what I call ‘canvas’ finishes over mantles that are beautiful and create a focal point. —Stacey Puliatti, Puliatti Living Overlooked areas. When planning a home, do not neglect the laundry/utility room and the pantry. Having two small children, my husband I spend a great deal of time cooking and cleaning. These spaces should be fun and not so utilitarian. Make your space attractive by adding windows, interesting cabinetry, beautiful tile, and a great light fixture. The daily chores begin to not feel so much like chores. You can truly get creative with work spaces. —Ashley Byrd, Ashley Byrd Interiors Layer rugs. I love layered rugs, especially the look of one with depth and color— particularly an antique—layered atop a simpler, clean neutral. The effect can really add an interesting, carefully collected feel to a room. —Avery Rhodes Akins, Alabama Furniture Market
Think long term. When choosing furniture look for quality pieces that can be bought as a long term investment. Choose refined and casual classic looks. The place to cut costs is on trendy accessories like pillows and knick knacks. — Nancy Gowens, Operations Manager and designer for Issis & Sons Furniture Galleries Get creative. Some of our favorite accessories for any room are books. They create visual interest and allow you to personalize your space with minimal investment. We also love layering...art in front of mirrors, art over art, multiple rugs, pillows and throws, etc. A third favorite are art groupings, particularly those with a specific subject matter grouped in symmetry. It’s visually striking and creates a lot of wow factor in a space. Lastly, we would stress to anyone working on a design project to be patient. Take your time, and choose things you truly love. Your space will evolve over time and have a personal, collected feel that’s a better representation of you. —Christopher Rankin, Stock & Trade Design Co. Clutter detracts. Say goodbye to clutter. It creates visual noise that detracts from the most beautiful features of your home. Focus on just a few, favorite pieces and move the rest out. This is especially important if you’re preparing your home for sale. —Erin Barrow, SWAG Home Staging and Design Splurge when ready. Budget for a splurge item (or two). Use these items in areas where you want the highest impact. Maybe it is a particular tile for a backsplash or a “must have” sconce in the master bathroom. —Ashley Byrd, Ashley Byrd Interiors Welcome your guests. A welcome mat creates the first impression of your home, your space, and your story. This is a great and inexpensive way to spruce up your outdoor space with color, sayings, and textures. —Erin Barrow, SWAG Home Staging and Design
Terry Chapman: John Cook:
Director of Sales– Birmingham Barons
President of Business Electronics
The
BUSINESS ELECTRONICS
Birmingham Barons Partnership At Business Electronics you are more than a customer. You are a partner in technology, productivity and success. John Cook and Terry Chapman talk about implementing the BE Partnership. Q.What interested you most about a partnership with BE and The Barons?
Terry: It is easy to see why we wanted to partner with the premier sports club in Alabama. We originally won their business when they were in Hoover, and now they’re really shining as a club downtown and have led the way for a revitalization of a whole section of Birmingham. We have been very excited to see them grow and expand through the years! John: We like knowing that we are working with a local company that has so much to offer in technology solutions. BE is a leader in helping businesses get more out of their technology budget. We’ve really enjoyed the years of support and how they make everything easy!
Q. What sets BE and The Barons apart from other companies in the same fields?
Terry: The Barons games are one of the coolest things to do in Alabama. The vision of their management team is exceptional and their concept of a ballpark with a backdrop of the downtown
skyline is right on target. Everyone who has been to Regions Field to see them play knows what a beautiful experience it is and can’t wait to return! John: BE keeps our behind the scene operations running and that lets us shine on the field as well. Without great printers and copiers our whole organization would come to a halt. That will never happen with BE because of their reliability and expertise.
Q. What has been the best part about working with each other?
Terry: John is very involved with so many community groups and sets high standards for himself and his team. It makes you proud to partner with someone who works so hard and expects nothing less than excellence. John: Terry and the BE team are always there when we need them. And their response time is the tops in town! I am very pleased with the customer service and support that all of his team has provided us. Very timely and extremely professional.
TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS INTERACTIVE/DIGITAL SIGNAGE PRINTING SYSTEMS MANAGED SERVICES WORKFLOW SOLUTIONS TELEPHONE SYSTEMS 219 Oxmoor Circle Birmingham, Alabama 35209 205-942-6007
www.businesselectronics.com
SPECIAL PROMOTION
Parade of Homes T H E 6 2 N D A N N UA L
The 62nd Annual Parade of Homes brings the best of Magic City homes to the public on two separate weekends, April 27-29 and then again, May 4-6. The parade, organized by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, features 94 homes, 20 communities and 34 homebuilders. Homes on the parade range from 1,000 to 4,500 square feet. 96
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TROON HAMLET
H O M E P L A N: C R O S B I E
New custom-designed homes available in the community of Shoal Creek.
AVA I L A B L E NOW – L I M I T E D L O T S Private, gated community, guarded 24/7/365 | Built around an internationally-renowned golf course (Jack Nicklaus design) Private Club featuring dining, lodging, and pool recreation | 1,000 densely-forested acres including 400 acres of undisturbed ridgeline Six fishing lakes and streams | Horse stables and trails | Fiber-optic network delivering high-speed internet | Starting in the $800’s S h o a l C r e e k P r o p e r t i e s 205.991.4653 P a m A u s l e y, R e M a x S o u t h e r n H o m e s 205.516.6809
G E T
A W A Y
E V E R Y
LiveAt ShoalCreek.com
D A Y
SPECIAL PROMOTION
PARADE OF HOMES Participating Builders AGH Homes
KADCO Homes
Alabama Power Smart Neighborhood partnering with Signature Homes
Murphy Home Builders
Byron Building Corporation
Prominence Homes & Communities
Brock Point
Scholl Construction, Inc.
Club Place at Brook Highland
Scotch Homes
Chelsea Park
Signature homes
Grey Oaks
Smith Douglas
Griffin Park at Eagle Point
Taylor Burton Company
Highland Lakes
Thoroughbred Homes
Lake Wilborn
Tower Homes
Longmeadow
Wright Homes
Parade of Homes Participating Communities
Newcastle Homes NJT Construction, Inc.
Ballantrae Centennial Homes Curtis White Companies Donovan Builders DR. Horton Drummond Built Homes Eddleman Residential Embassy Homes G.S. Masters Town Builders
McGill Estates
Gibson & Anderson Construction, Inc.
Valor Communities
Mt Laurel
Harris Doyle Homes
Willow Homes
Ingram & Associates
Winford Homecrafters
Reynold’s Landing at Ross Bridge Alabama Power Smart Neighborhood
J. Wright Building Company
Birmingham BUSINESS v
| COMMUNITY v
INNOVATION v
WEATHER CENTER v
ABOUT US
Good news from home.
Stay informed, get inspired and share some good news about the state we call home. Visit AlabamaNewsCenter.com
At J. Wright Building Company, we truly love the art of building. We are designers and builders of fine artisan homes who take pride in our work, from the materials we use to the finished product. Due to our extensive knowledge and experience, excellent reputation, and focus on clients wishing to build custom homes, we are honored to have been hand picked as a member of the highly selective Southern Living Custom Builder Program. As members of this prestigious program, we are well regarded for possessing an ability to bring dream homes to life. We start with your specific ideas about what you envision
in your dream home. After that, we strive to create a truly custom home, designed specifically with you in mind, from the ground up. The end goal is a home that uniquely fits your individual needs, ideas, and budget. We believe that the process of building a home should be an exciting experience for homeowners. We are committed to providing clients with a pleasant building experience and excellent customer service throughout the process. If you are in the market for a pleasant home building experience with builders who truly enjoy providing high quality custom homes, look no further than J. Wright Building Company.
850 CORPORATE PKWY #104, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35242 • 205.820.0100
JWRIGHTBUILDINGCOMPANY.COM
Come Home Again for the First Time Just as a home is more than merely a house, Oak Alley is more than merely another home renovation business. Since 1983, we’ve been a premier design-build company for the Greater Birmingham area, offering unique solutions to individual properties. With work ranging from large and small additions, major and minor kitchen remodels, master baths and hall baths, to whole-house renovations as well as smaller room-specific projects, there’s never a cookiecutter approach to our design-builds. Each project is specific to the needs, budget, and space of the homeowner and blends seamlessly into the existing design as if it had always been there.
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www.oakalleydesignbuild.com
205-669-3334
As families grow and shrink, what is required of their homes changes. Upgrades in safety, storage, appliances, materials, lighting, communications, and entertainment require modifications to enable more efficient and usable homes. More often than not, these modifications must be made within the existing home’s footprint. Understanding, designing, and implementing these modifications is where Oak Alley is an industry leader. As a comprehensive design-build company, we take a project from homeowner vision to design and layout, all the way through construction and cleanup. After evaluating the needs and space, multiple design options are presented and discussed with the homeowner. Based on years of experience, Oak Alley provides manageable solutions to complex projects using proven processes. We understand successful designbuild projects require approaches that go deeper than simply placing an order. This is how we continue to create lasting results worth talking about.
“We enjoy doing work that’s never been done before.”
At the end of it all, regardless of project size - whether it’s renovation, redesign, or additional construction (or all three) - Oak Alley knows what matters most is placing homeowners in a position to be excited to walk through the doors of their home again.
SPECIAL PROMOTION
PARADE OF HOMES Participating Builders Silver Lakes Southbound Sterling Place The Preserve The Preserve at Stockton Valor Communities at Carrington Lakes The Village Willow Branch
Parade of Homes Sponsors ​ LATINUM SPONSOR P Alabama Power Smart Neighborhood GOLD SPONSOR Spire BRONZE SPONSORS RealtySouth SouthPoint Home Mortgage Trustmark Mortgage Services
L I V E LOFT LOVE
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The Smith Douglas Homes Story Building homes for more than 40 years, the team at Smith Douglas Homes is widely recognized for constructing quality homes with choice you can afford in the places you want to live. With Smith Douglas, you can be assured that your new home is crafted with quality, built with integrity and will provide enduring value.
QUALITY | INTEGRITY | VALUE
®
How do we deliver on that promise? It starts with who we are. We exist to enhance people’s quality of life – our employees, trade partners, homeowners, and the communities surrounding where we build. We strive to exceed your expectations from your first visit to years beyond move-in.
Our proven, schedule-driven process reduces wasted time and materials. It results in a well-constructed home, with the features that make it your own, for less than you might expect.
Moving should be a time of excitement and joy. When you choose Smith Douglas, you’ll get a beautiful, quality-built new home – delivered on time and on budget – and an exceptional experience from the start. Welcome to Smith Douglas Homes.
The Greater Birmingham Home Builders Association P R O U D LY P R E S E N T S
APRIL 27-29 & MAY 4-6 Tour over 70 of Birmingham’s finest homes!
Fri & Sat 10am-6pm Sunday Noon-6pm WWW.BIRMINGHAMPARADEOFHOMES.COM
FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
Taste the Parade
Join the Chefs on Parade and sample food from Birmingham’s finest culinary talents while you tour Parade feature homes! Thursday, April 26, 2018
Thursday, May 3, 2018
5:00pm - 9:00pm 3 Chefs / 3 Homes
5:00pm - 9:00pm 3 Chefs / 3 Homes
One-Night Ticket | $25
Two-Night Ticket | $40
Log on to birminghamparadeofhomes.com to purchase tickets!
SPECIAL PROMOTION
GREATER BIRMINGHAM ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS
Ideal Home AGH Homes, Inc. is building the Ideal Home for the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, an opportunity to showcase creativity, quality and uniqueness. AGH is led by Alicia Huey. “We set ourselves apart because we understand what our customers need for families, entertaining, functionality of day to day activities and how home design can enhance these activities,” says Huey. “Being a female in the home building industry, I understand what home buyers need and want for the function of day to day living with family, but also entertaining friends. We know what it means to do homework at the kitchen counter or have friend’s hangout and enjoy your hospitality. We work with customers and our plan designer to accomplish it all,” she says. The Ideal Home, located in the Southbend Community in the southern part of Vestavia Hills, is the premiere neighborhood for custom-built homes in this area. The neighborhood features the convenience of shopping, recreation and also the award-winning Vestavia Hills school system. “The floorplans we create is what families need and want today,” says
Huey. “The open floor plan on the main level lends itself to entertaining with friends but also time spent with family. We designed the Ideal Home with five bedrooms and four and a half baths. Each room has its own uniqueness including a guest room on the main level that could also be used as office space. “The kitchen, the heartbeat of the home, is stunning! This is where your inner chef comes out! It features the Viking cobalt blue range, a wet bar with a beverage cooler and ice maker, microwave drawer, farm sink, unique tile backsplash and walk-in pantry,” she says. The home has many unique features including reclaimed wood beams, vaulted ceiling, brick walls, and a modern fireplace in the family room. The family room opens to the outdoor living space with a cozy area and outdoor fireplace. The main level master bedroom and bath is one of the key features of the Ideal Home. There is an extremely unique ceiling in the bedroom with reclaimed wood. The bath features are a must see! Just to mention a few features – the Kohler Real Rain head, which feels like rain trickling down,
a handheld and wall mounted shower head. All of which are operated from two the touch key pads inside the shower. Upstairs is an open loft area featuring hardwood flooring and three very unique bedrooms. “One bedroom has a loft, that is a “no boys allowed” area,” says Huey. “The second bedroom is for the basketball player! Yes, hardwood floors and walls with a basketball goal. “Go Blazers” is the theme here! The third bedroom highlights the stars. With many windows; star gazing and enjoying the view is the theme for this room.” Structural amenities in the home include two gas tank-less hot water heaters, Carrier HVAC units and Bluetooth compatible thermostat. It is wired for cameras and state of the art audio and video. Truly a must see during your tour of the Parade of Homes.
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Erin Barrow, SWAG Founder
Birmingham Design Studio 3112 6th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233 (By Appointment Only)
HOME STAGING INTERIOR DESIGN
#swagdesignstudio swaghomestaging.com
Erin Barrow is proud to be recognized as one of Birmingham’s Top Designers.