By Emily Williams Some of the oldest homes in Vestavia Hills dot Shades Mountain, built well before the city’s incorporation in 1950. The area was first established in the late 1800s by former two-term Birmingham Mayor George B. Ward, who built his Greco-Roman-inspired “Vestavia” estate where Vestavia Hills Baptist Church now stands. A wave of people built grand homes along … [Read more...]

Story by Lauren Helmer • Photos by Lee Walls You may not know her face, but you probably know her voice. Dru Cunningham Backensto is Birmingham Mountain Radio’s DJ host of the “Flipback Lunch,” which airs weekdays during her 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift, and the soon-to-launch “She Show,” featuring all female artists and dynamic local women as guests. Dru opened the doors to … [Read more...]

By Lauren Helmer Imagine the waves lapping against the shoreline of your own private beach along 30A. You’ve just taken a dip in the crisp salt water and are heading back home, your toes massaging the sugar-white sand as you walk toward the wooden boardwalk that meanders through a nature trail into the Watersound coastal village community. Nestled among the towering pines, … [Read more...]

Story by Donna Cornelius • Photos by Lee Walls This is The White House Interiors’ first year to participate in the Decorators’ ShowHouse, and the Greystone home furnishings store is making its debut with a big splash. Owner Ann Marie James, lead designer Iris Jacobsen and Lana Murphy, director of marketing and special events, pooled their talents to design several ShowHouse … [Read more...]

By Donna Cornelius The kitchen in this year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse should give those who see it a real wake-up call. It’s a spicy mix of cheerful color, chic accessories – and some touches of fun, too. Jean Clayton, owner of Christine’s in Mountain Brook Village, said she wanted the kitchen to be warm and bright. “For whatever reason, the kitchen is always a gathering … [Read more...]