dwelling

Growing up in Texas, the wife of this Mountain Brook family lived in five different contemporary homes. Her mother didn’t own an antique, and she herself owned very few until she moved with her family to Birmingham more than 20 years ago. She laughs now as she recalls asking about the contemporary homes she hoped to find in the Birmingham area: “People would say, ‘Well, here’s one.’ And it would be very French or Colonial. I thought oh gosh, what are we going to do?”

In the early ‘90s, the family moved into their current home, a total redo since the structure had been uninhabited for three years prior to their purchase of the property.

During renovations, the exterior of the home was reworked in a classic, Jeffersonian style, with clean lines and strong, simple details, so as not to stand out against the rest of the neighborhood. But unexpected triangular dormers were added when the roof was raised on either side, allowing for an added second story as well as a subtle hint of the interiors to come. For several years, the interior of the home remained sleek and contemporary. Then gradually, two things changed. First, after years of collecting, the couple found they’d amassed quite a number of works by Alabama artists, including Carolyn Goldsmith, Frank Fleming, Maralyn Wilson and John Hyche. And as their youngest child left for college, the wife began working at Henhouse Antiques, slowly acquiring carefully selected antiques—focusing on Country French style pieces. “It really has warmed up the house,” says the homeowner.

Today, the home is elegantly juxtaposed—traditional and contemporary, comfortable yet stylish. Decorators Sean Beam and David Walker with Richard Tubb Interiors have worked with the homeowners as their style has evolved. “The home is so representative of us and our work,” says Beam. “It’s a mix of things, the traditional antiques with the more simple, clean lines of furniture.” A neutral color scheme extends throughout the home, unifying the open living spaces and extending into the bedrooms. Interest is added with contrasting textures, subtle color changes and unexpected elements such as vibrant art work and exquisitely crafted architectural pieces.

For years, the long, rectangular-shaped living room with an off center fireplace—due to its original placement in the home—proved difficult to furnish. But Beam and Walker suggested creating two separate seating areas which allow for smaller, intimate spaces in the open floor plan. Now four chairs surround a Frank Fleming coffee table; beyond are two facing love seats. The armless loveseats allow an unencumbered view of the back patio and yard, carrying the eye through the entirety of the home. “Part of what we’ve worked on is refining things,” says Walker. “[The home] has an edgy element but not in a trendy way that’s going to be out,” he adds.

Adjoining the living room are several other gathering spots. A light-filled sunroom and cozy den with bleached mahogany paneling and oversized leather chairs open into a crisp, sleek kitchen and formal dining room. The home appears complete except for one detail; prime real estate above the mantel is empty. When I ask, the homeowner says she’s tried several different things, left them for awhile, then took them down. “I just haven’t found the perfect thing,” she says, pauses for a moment and adds, “but I will.” The evolution continues.*

*When the home was later photographed, a sculptural remnant and two wooden orbs from Hen House Antiques found their perfect place on the mantel.
January Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
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