By Keysha DrexelJournal editorWhen Alison Scott and her family moved to Alabama in 2009, the Mountain Brook woman said she finally felt like she had found her home.Scott's father was in the Navy, and she spent most of her life moving from one Naval base to another, with no place to really call her hometown."But when we found this house and moved here, I … [Read more...]
French Twist
By Donna CorneliusJournal features writerBuilding a new house in Shoal Creek wasn’t a tough decision for Lisbeth Cease and her husband, Larry.Making sure their new home would turn out just the way they wanted it was a little harder.“We decided several years ago that we wanted to live in Shoal Creek, so we looked and looked at houses and lots,” Lisbeth Cease … [Read more...]
Finds Are Keepers
By Keysha DrexelJournal editorWhen the Hutto family of Homewood wanted to create the perfect lakeside getaway, they didn't turn to architects, designers and construction crews.Instead, they went "shore shopping" around Smith Lake. and over the years, the family didn't just watch their dream lake house take shape--they built it with their own hands.From the door … [Read more...]
Going with the Flow
By Donna CorneliusJournal features writerThe 2014 Decorators’ ShowHouse inspired designers with its Mediterranean style, which includes spacious rooms and an open floor plan.But the openness of the 12,000-square-foot Villa D’Ambra in Hoover’s Greystone neighborhood also meant some designers had to use a bit of teamwork.The rooms chosen by Robin McCorquodale of … [Read more...]
Loggia Living
Allen WestbrookSummer Classics, BirminghamAllen Westbrook, designer and outdoor specialist at Summer Classics, said the house’s loggia “spoke to me. It’s the one space I really wanted to do.”ShowHouse officials ask decorators to bid on several rooms, he said.“But I didn’t bid on any others,” Westbrook said. “I really wanted that one.”The loggia, which … [Read more...]