The Grown-Up House!

I was so excited to see this issue of Birmingham Home and Garden that I immediately began this blog post! Then…life happened I guess because it's still sitting here and I'm determined to let you see it today!

One of my favorite designers in Birmingham is Mark Kennamer…he is also a friend and makes me happy every time I see him! He just has that way about him! When he first brought in his customer, Angela Mitchell I was immediately drawn to her as well and now she is also someone I can call a friend!

The two of them certainly work well together! Take a look at Angela's dream home... The grown-up home is a description that fits it quite well! I could certainly enjoy being in this home and never leaving. Jean Allsopp's photography once again makes everything shine!
Being on such a beautiful lake as Lake Guntersville only adds to its beauty!

Not sure I could leave this pool area ever!

I remember meeting Mark at a Decorator's Show House Meeting years ago and he couldn't have been nicer…luckily I still get to see him when he comes in the shop. He and Angela had such a good time together on this house and it shows…the pieces they chose for each room are simply magnificent! I love the fabric choices as well and as Mark states in the article the velvet on the sofas will only become more beautiful over time. Even with life on a lake!

With James Carter as the architect and Mark the interior designer no detail was left undone….each item carefully chosen to represent Angela's personality. And I love the fact that Angela speaks about her love of antiques going back to the fact that her grandmother own an antiques shop! 

I specifically remember them describing the beautiful kitchen when it was being built. I also noticed how pretty it looks on Mark's website which you can see HERE!

Breathtaking is what it is! I would cook up a storm in that kitchen! When Cyndy Cantley designs the kitchen you KNOW it's going to be incredible! You can see her website HERE!

Here are a few more shots of the house….one day I truly plan to drive up and pay Angela a visit just to see it for myself! ( she has said I could several times! )

I have a feeling more and more pictures will emerge over time even if I have to take them myself! I will keep you posted! For now, check out the magazine and definitely check out Mark Kennamer's work for yourself! You will be glad you did!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Saunders Bradford

What is a proud mother to do? Especially when it's just the day after Mother's Day?

 Well…I thought I just might share a beautiful project that Birmingham Home and Garden magazine has featured this month! Yes, my angel baby…my son…is the 'Bradford' in Saunders Bradford. Mitch and his business parter David have been building this company for at least 10 years! 

I remember when they used to just dream about it! Now…it is definitely a reality!

This feature in Birmingham Home and Garden is the perfect example of why clients love to work with Mitch and David. Cathy Still McGowin and Jean Allsopp captured every detail perfectly! Cathy is such a gifted writer and editor and Jean is truly an icon in Birmingham with her gorgeous photos! Not a magazine article happens without her expertise in the photos! I'm so glad they both captured this so well!

The homeowner in this project definitely had been keeping great notes on what she wanted! 

That certainly helps the builder when trying to incorporate every aspect that the homeowner desires. 

It also is very helpful in creating dreams that come true!

As you can see from these beautiful pictures she obviously likes to mix the old with the knew! 

Send her my way! That is exactly what I want the name of Mulberry Heights Antiques to evoke in the minds of the people that are working on their dream homes.

What a treat for a mother to see her son's name mentioned in making this dream kitchen happen! I have to admit…I have collected pictures of Pamela Pierce's designs as well so I recognized it from the get go! In fact, you can see an earlier blog post on her right HERE!

But to see that your son truly had such a hand in making this possible…well…this time I just couldn't help but be a proud mama! 

I will stop here for fear of embarrassing him!

But really…check it our for yourself! This is amazing work…my son or not!

 He is amazing…his company is amazing and Saunders Bradford is headed for great things!

They recently were awarded 2nd place in the state for the Space Renovation category for the Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards 2014! Again….a proud mama here! What can I say?

 I wouldn't choose anyone but Saunders Bradford for my next remodeling job or a total re-build! 

If only I could start tomorrow!

Hope you are all doing well! I sure do miss blogging as much as I used to and I would love to catch up with you! I hope you all had a very special Mother's Day in one way or another! You can click on any of the links I suggested above and spend many hours pouring over glorious homes and photos! Enjoy!

Jan Ware…One Of Birmingham's Finest Designers

Birmingham truly is home to a host of wonderful and extremely talented designers. I've known Jan for quite a while and I can promise you that she is just as sweet and kind as she is talented!

And yes, her eyes really are that blue! 

They strike me as even more beautiful every time I see her!

This picture was found from an article that Birmingham Home and Garden did a while back…I thought it was wonderful…it's the entrance to Jan's "secret garden!"

 So come on in and take a look…I think you will like what you see!

I always love to see the inside of a designer's home and this one certainly held up to my expectations!

 It was featured in the winter issue of Decor Magazine in 2013.

It's breathtaking!

Her dining room is ever so elegant but understated. I love that! Especially as she tells the magazine that her family truly uses it! We truly use ours as well and I think that's important! You don't want rooms that no one can go in…it sort of defeats the purpose!

The foyer is stunning…I love the simple lines of the console and the art work certainly compliments it.

If this is a family room it certainly evokes that feeling! 

"Let's all go in and sit awhile, shall we?"

The bedroom couldn't be more soothing!

 In color and style it is a vision to behold!

The chandelier is fabulous!

The sitting room is warm and cozy and dressy all at the same time!

I'm guessing this is a powder bath but no matter…the sink is fabulous!

I love this modern chair and am so glad I spotted it used in two different vignettes!

 It looks great in both of them!

Just look at the living room as pictured in Decor Magazine. 

It's stunning!

 And somewhere along the way as I was searching I found these images of Jan's living room before the re-do. It's always fun to see them as they were before…and they are still fabulous!

Then, as I began to look at her wonderful website I decided I had to share some of her work that is posted there. You really will have to take a look for yourself…you won't be disappointed!

These aren't really in any order…just random shots I enjoyed as I was looking.

Love the lamps in this picture above!

These next few kitchens are to die for!

And so are the beautiful bathrooms and bedrooms!

I really love the use of architectural elements as well in her designs.

And what's not to love about any of these family room photos? 

Warmth, depth and stylized but livable perfection is what I see!

I hope you've enjoyed getting just a glimpse of Jan Ware! I promise you that you would love her no matter if she didn't have great design taste! But she does…and it is quite evident in everything she does! Her clients love her and I have a feeling you will too! Make sure and check out her website!
 You won't be disappointed! You can see it right HERE! And most definitely check out the fabulous work of Jean Allsopp…she did most if not all of the photography and I know you will love seeing her work! You can see it HERE!!!

I  really hope you are all fairing well this Winter! 
It's been a tough one on me…I don't mind telling you! I'm thankful for each one of you and your friendships! 
Have a great week!