Homes

Apr 1
2010

Fearless Style
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Fearless Style

When it comes to decorating their Birmingham home, the Plotts aren’t afraid of taking a few risks.

BY ABIGAIL B. MILLWOOD | STYLING BY ELIZABETH BEELER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP

      I’m not scared to try anything funky,” says Louise Plott. “I like different.” So when she told her friend and interior decorator Lisa Flake of Caldwell Flake Interiors that she and her husband Gip wanted to do something “calm, serene
and neutral” in their completely overhauled Tudor-style home, Lisa knew it wouldn’t take her long to change her mind. “I would show Louise furniture and fabrics and she would say, ‘I need more color,’” Lisa recalls. “She finally threw all caution to the wind and said, ‘I don’t know what I was talking about!’”
     After all, with a brand new layout inside its historic shell (thanks to Gip, a commercial real estate developer known for converting run-down buildings into top-of-the-line condominiums, who completely rewired and re-plumbed the house, in addition to creating a new floor plan and adding on a family room, patio and garage), the home needed a fresh look that reflected the family’s fun personality. The design she and Lisa came up with is anything but dull, with bold paint colors, dazzling wallpapers and patterned fabrics. “I love to make a ‘wow’ in every room,” Lisa says. And that’s exactly the look Louise was going for once she let her imagination run wild. “I didn’t want anyone to walk in this house and think, ‘I’ve seen that chandelier everywhere,’” she says. “There are a lot of rooms that pop out.”
     Probably the most notable is Louise’s study, just off the glamorously neutral living room. With a wallpapered ceiling, blue crystal chandelier, plush rug and bookshelves painted teal and bronze, it’s a room that commands attention. “I saw that wallpaper and said, ‘This is it! I want it on the ceiling!’” Louise remembers. “I love to sit and read in here. It’s the most relaxing place in the whole wide world.”
     As polished as the house appears, Louise and Lisa insist it’s low-maintenance and kid-friendly for Louise’s three children—from the kitchen’s Alabama white marble countertops and informal banquette to Sarah Sims’ and Christian’s grown-up, yet girly bedrooms and Matthew’s manly lair. “Each kid thinks he or she has the best room,” Louise says with a laugh, but if she had to choose, it would definitely be her master suite with its blend of masculine black-and-white fabric and yellow feminine touches.
     With 18 months of renovation behind them and several months to go before the last paving stone will be in place, the Plotts are well on their way to having their dream home realized. "I could do 10 houses and they would all look different," Louise admits. "But I just really love it all!”

by Abigail Millwood

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Apr 1
2010

The Modern Family Home
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The Modern Family Home

Laura and Brad Burleson transformed a hum-drum house into a young family’s fantasy.

BY MARY ELLEN STANCILL | STYLING BY ELIZABETH BEELER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP

      Everyone knows that when a builder says your complete home remodel will take nine months, you should prepare to live elsewhere for at least a year.Luckily for Laura and Brad Burleson, who planned to transform their 1950s one-story, redbrick rancher into a two-story home with an open floor plan for their family of three, their very devoted builders were able to stick to a strict timeline. "We found out we were expecting our second child the day after we broke ground on this house.We called our builder before we called our parents," Laura recalls with a laugh. "We were able to move back into our finished house 10 days before our daughter Gray was born."
      In just nine months, the 8- foot ceilings were raised to 10 feet, three small bedrooms became a master suite, and a second story was added—all using the home’s original footprint."We took literally everything out except the mantel in the living room," says Laura. "I wanted the house to look like it had been here forever. I wanted it to be very traditional on the outside with more modern flair inside." The result is a relaxing, kid-friendly home with plenty of space for entertaining both children and adults.
      The Burlesons spend most of their time in the family room and adjoining remodeled kitchen, which is any cook's fantasy. Laura outfitted the space with top-of-the-line appliances, such as a commercial-grade range and a pop-up mixing stand, which tucks away in a base cabinet when not in use. Two large islands—one topped with butcher block for a well-used feel and the other dressed up with a chandelier overhead—add plenty of space for prep work. For informal dining, Laura and Brad converted the house's original laundry space into a builtin banquette perfect for everyday meals with 4-year-old Thatcher and 2-year-old Gray. "Like most modern families, we don't need a huge living room or dining room," says Laura.
      Instead, she focused on designing kidfriendly areas, like the upstairs playroom, which is one of her favorite features because toys can overtake the room while the downstairs spaces remain organized and ready for guests. In the main family room, Laura continued the kitchen’s color scheme of blues and grays but outfitted furniture in nubby textures and easy-to-wash slipcovers to hide the spills and wear inevitable with two small children. Best of all, Laura can keep an eye on the kids while working in the kitchen. And just off the master suite is another one of Laura’s prize ideas: a nursery-turned-home office. The small, light-filled space was perfect for a ground-floor nursery when Gray was a newborn— just steps away in the middle of the night, without being in the bedroom—and now functions as Laura’s tidy, private workspace.
     Of course, she may need to expand shortly: While she's helped friends with decorating for years, Laura officially started her own decorating business several months ago and already has clients lined up in Florida, Colorado and Birmingham. And she always keeps an eye out for the next big family project too. “I had a binder full of magazine tear sheets for ideas, and after we built this house, I threw them all away,” Laura says. “Now I’ve got a huge stack again. I guess it’s time for a new house!”

Laura shares her tips for renovating with young children in mind.

• Install a central vac system—a "lifesaver," Laura says—to instantly sweep away spilled Cheerios and Goldfish into an automatic dustpan in the kitchen.
• Design a built-in banquette in the kitchen for everyday meals. The booth seating is informal and easy to wipe down after meals.
• Install a farm sink—it’s perfect for bathing babies. Worried that a disposal button would be tempting for tiny hands, Laura asked her contractor to add a light switch that must be flipped for the button to work, so the disposal is "double tricked" for safety.
• Add a crib room near the master suite so the baby can be close by, with a little healthy distance in between.
• Add an under-counter wine fridge: It’s the perfect size to use as a helpyourself kids' fridge instead. Laura keeps hers stocked with juice boxes.
• Outfit furniture in easy-to-clean white. "People think you can't have white furniture with kids, but I say it's the easiest thing in the world because all it takes are some Shout wipes or some bleach pens and you are back in business," says Laura.

by Abigail Millwood

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Feb 1
2010

Made to Order
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Made to Order
Rustic meets refined in contractor Erica Neel’s Crestline kitchen.
BY ELIZABETH BEELER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP

When local contractor Erica Neel isn’t on the job, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen, whipping up a tasty dish while spending time with friends and family. The queen of renovations and owner of Birmingham-based Stuctures Inc. has orchestrated noteworthy remodels all over town, but inside the walls of the Crestline home she shares with her husband, Preston, lies her most stunning redesign to date.
     With plenty of experience overseeing the transformation of remodeled kitchens, Erica didn’t have to look far for inspiration when it came time for designing and building her own. The latest energy-efficient appliances with restaurant-grade capabilities were a given. But style-wise, Erica wanted a space that offered upscale rustic appeal.
     “We wanted it to feel Modern and have all the conveniences of a newly remodeled kitchen with the character and personality of a space that had been around for decades,” says Erica. Most of all, the Neels wanted their kitchen to feel like home. “We weren’t going for anything too fancy or over-the-top,” she says. “But we cook a lot, and I knew we would spend a lot of time here.”
     Erica and Preston worked with Shepard and Davis Architects to draw up preliminary plans. In order to maintain an open and airy feel, the blueprints omitted upper cabinetry, instead offering a windowed wall that floods the room with natural light. “With the dark, heavy woodwork overhead, I knew we’d need plenty of windows to brighten the room,” says Erica. The team designed the room around a large central island, which offers plenty of prep space and doubles as a buffet. They installed an additional task sink beneath the window—a useful perk when more than one person is cooking.
     Erica then looked to local kitchen expert Cyndy Cantley to fabricate custom cabinetry and assist in the selection of materials and finishes. With 3-inch limestone countertops and a ceiling made of reclaimed lapped siding from a Midwest barn, the kitchen commands attention. Erica introduced her favorite color into the otherwise neutral space with a flashy backsplash tiled in sea-blue mosaic glass. The bold hue adds unexpected visual drama to the kitchen. “It’s just enough color to make a statement without being overwhelming,” says Erica.
     Though she has countless projects under her belt, Erica still finds satisfaction in her work. “This business is so gratifying,” she says. “Unlike so many other career fields, with every finished job, I visually see an end result.” In her own home, the result is a truly one-of-a-kind space. “Guests enter our home and stop when they get to the kitchen,” says Erica. “It’s the star of the house.”

Design PRO-files
Birmingham-based contractor Erica Neel of Structures Inc. specializes in everything from new construction to complete remodels.

the motto: Improving clients’ lives by improving their spaces.
the goal: To provide excellent construction services at a reasonable rate.
the facts: Structures Inc. specializes in the finest quality renovations and has experience in green building and universal design. The company has offices in Pelham and Pepper Place and is currently building new homes in Shelby County.

For more information call Structures Inc. at 205.663.4252 or visit structureshomes.com.

by Abigail Millwood

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Nov 1
2009

Inviting Environs
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Baby, it’s cold outside! Keep chills away with these
warm decorating ideas.
BY ELIZABETH BEELER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP | STYLED BY ROSE NGUYEN

    While Alabama winters rarely bring snowflakes, they don’t qualify as balmy either. Create a cozy retreat in your home this season with a few tips from designers Mandi Smith and Melissa Singleton of Interior Staging Services. Whether your room is small or spacious, the right elements will have you snuggling fireside in no time.
   The professional home stagers had chilly weather in mind when outfitting this handsome study, selecting natural wood for the walls and floor. “Wood brings warmth to a room, no matter where it is applied,” says Melissa. Ambient lighting casts a soft glow onto the rich walnut paneling, textured fabrics and artwork, while an earth-toned oriental rug finishes the space, ensuring this room feels just as good as it looks.
   To counteract the dark paneling, the pair outfitted furniture in neutral fabrics that brighten the space. “It’s about balance,” says Mandi. “If your walls are a deep hue, go with light-colored fabrics.” The team also suggests upholstering large furniture in solid fabrics, adding interest with patterned pillows, bold artwork and accessories. “Invest in your main pieces and change out less expensive items with the season,” says Mandi. Choose textured fabrics, such as cut velvets and chenilles, to add depth and disguise everyday wear and tear.
   A series of wood-framed sepia-tone photographs personalize the room and complement its palette. “We went with sepia prints rather than black-and-white to match the wood paneling and further the overall warmth,” says Melissa. She mixes and matches frame sizes at random but maintains cohesion through frame style and matting. The overall look is fresh and bright, and photos can easily be changed as your family grows.
   If you don’t have wood paneling in your home and don’t want to splurge on it, try painting walls a darker hue. But keep in mind that the deeper the color, the smaller the room will feel, so be sure to pick a space with plenty of natural light to balance the effect. Pile on layers of soft blankets and nubby fabrics and you’ll be ready to hibernate in style.

by Abigail Millwood

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