By Kaitlin Candelaria
Twin sisters Shelby Kimerling and Shannon Adams do everything together, so it made sense when they decided to open a furniture store together in downtown Homewood.
They are launching their new store, Kellum and Co., with a grand opening Sept. 24. With the store, which is at 1829 29th Ave. South, they aim to bring new designers and one-of-a-kind custom pieces to the area.
“We’ve just always loved Homewood and we’ve always come here to shop,” Adams said. “We’ve only been at this space for about three months, but it’s a great area and a really tight-knit community.”
Kimerling and Adams have been inseparable since birth. They grew up in Mountain Brook together before going to college at the University of Alabama together. After college, the duo accepted jobs working with Steve Holmes of Timeless Interiors of Mountain Brook before deciding to branch off on their own.
The daughters of a builder, the two have been around home design all their lives and always were interested in interior design.
They said they often drove to Atlanta for décor when designing their own homes, and they wanted to offer a fresh look to Birmingham-area consumers.
“We felt like Birmingham needed some color,” Adams said.
They used their mother’s maiden name for the store to honor her as well as their grandparents, with whom they’re very close.
Both sisters agree that they draw inspiration from designers such as Jonathan Adler and Kelly Wearstler.
“We love how they incorporate color and funky pieces that you don’t see everywhere,” Kimerling said.
Kimerling said the two are working hard to offer something different in the way of furniture.
“We’ve tried really hard to get vendors that have never been in Birmingham before,” Kimerling said. “We have some custom pieces, too, so we’re just trying to be different from other furniture stores and have something for everybody.”
The two describe their styles as mid-century modern and Hollywood regency, but they say their differences tend to balance each other out.
“ We work as a team all the time and we always have,” Adams said. “She will go a lot more bold and funky and I’m a little more conservative, but it works out.”
“Our style is definitely really unique but we’re catering to everybody,” Kimerling said. “I think we have pieces in here that will flow into any kind of style. We have the option to come in and buy anything off the showroom floor but we are also aiming to be more high-end custom furniture and aiming to be different.”
The two say they have enjoyed revitalizing their new space.
“When we walked in, it was like a blank slate,” Kimerling said. “We’ve gotten all of our furniture in and we’ve been able to put our own mark on it. And it’s also been fun putting all of the spaces together.”
The pair will be hosting a grand opening on Sept. 24 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. to show off their new store. A cocktail hour from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. will include hors d’oeuvres and a signature drink.
