By Donna Cornelius A house’s most intriguing rooms usually are those that mix the old and the new – in a stylish way, of course. That’s the design plan Casey Faulkner and Jan Nordblom used in the Decorators’ ShowHouse dining room. “Overall, it’s a play on taking something traditional and making it more contemporary, like combining Duncan Phyfe chairs and formal draperies … [Read more...]
Lovely in Lavender: Lynne Coker’s Bedroom Combines Warm and Cool Colors
By Donna Cornelius For the second year in a row, Lynne Coker has designed a girl’s bedroom for the Decorators’ ShowHouse. But this year, she’s created a place for sweet dreams that’s very different from the room she did for the 2017 Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser. “Usually I start with fabric,” said Coker, owner of Lynne Coker Interiors in Homewood. “But I was shopping … [Read more...]
Not Just Another Pretty Place: Decorators for ShowHouse Told to Come Up With Something Different
By Donna Cornelius Interior designer Perry Umphrey has been a part of the Decorators’ ShowHouse for almost two decades. “I participated for two years as a student and then did my own room for the first time in 2001,” Umphrey said. This year, he has a new role in the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s annual fundraiser. He’s co-chairing the event with Molly Bee Bloetscher. The … [Read more...]
Gathering Place: Birmingham Wholesale Furniture Creates ShowHouse Keeping Room
By Donna Cornelius Keeping rooms can be traced back to 18th century America. But they’re almost as popular today as they were in Colonial times. Originally, keeping rooms – spaces built as part of or adjacent to the kitchen – took advantage of the heat created by wood stoves and provided a warm place to eat, do chores and even sleep. Today, these rooms are still hot spots. … [Read more...]
Room With a View: Perry Umphrey Puts the Living Room in Perspective
Story By Donna Cornelius • Photos by Lee Walls Jr. The living room at this year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse is a room with a view in more ways than one. Architecturally, the expansive space has a two-story-tall wall of windows that provide a stunning perspective of the patio and gardens. Design-wise, Perry Umphrey has injected the room with his own brand of creative energy. The … [Read more...]