By Donna Cornelius Dr. John Alex Floyd Jr. has cultivated some pretty impressive gardening credentials over the years. Floyd was Southern Living’s editor in chief for 18 years, is a trustee for the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens and was a member of the American Horticultural Society’s board of directors. After earning a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture at … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant When Matt and Angela Leigh got married in 2012, they bought a three-bedroom house in the Edgewood community of Homewood across the street from Gianmarco’s Restaurant. Matt Leigh described the house as perfect, since they didn’t have any children. But after the birth of their daughters, Emery and Frances, now ages 5 and 3, the house quickly became too … [Read more...]

By Emily Williams In November, Cahaba Heights residents Jessie and Billy Barnhill embarked on a new way of life with their two children. The couple started Barnhill Homes, a family-owned and -operated building and remodeling company.Though becoming their own bosses was a new experience, the work is something both are familiar with, each growing up with parents who … [Read more...]

Story by Emily Williams • Photos by Lee Walls When former Vestavia Hills residents Lee and Candice McKinney were talked into looking at a property in Mountain Brook, they weren’t planning for a big move, let alone a major project. Nevertheless, the home, tucked in the Brookwood Forest area of Mountain Brook atop a mountain, drew them in with one thing you can’t get through … [Read more...]

By Emily Williams During the past two months, the Lake Martin home of David and Tammy Lee has tested the limits of its intended purpose: offering enough space for a full Lee family vacation.The Lees sought refuge in the secluded lakeside home when the coronavirus pandemic struck the U.S. The Lake Martin home-away-from-home was built with one key ingredient in mind – … [Read more...]