A suburban Birmingham abode has grown with its residents through the years, coming to radiate the warmth and comfort of the hearts that dwell within.
When the owners of this tucked-away cottage moved in decades ago, there was no honeymoon phase between the family and their new home. Increasingly disenchanted with its dark feel and lack of space, they began to regret their decision. “I was sorry that we’d ever sold our other house,” says the homeowner. Ultimately, though, they decided to give the home a second chance, breathing new life into it with extensive additions that provided the extra space they desired for their family of six.
The revamped floor plan incorporated windows aplenty, bringing in an abundance of sunlight that the family had craved since leaving their old house. These renovations came about slowly and steadily over time, as the dynamics of the family evolved. Along the way, the owner also brought in Birmingham designer Jane Hodges to enliven the aesthetic of the home. “I did not want it to look like it came out of a furniture store,” the owner explains. “I wanted my house to be warm and welcoming. It’s not any certain style, but a different conglomeration of things I’ve acquired.”
Jane and the owner integrated a mix of antiques—many passed down from the couple’s respective grandparents—and new pieces that the two women collected together. The result is a classic look with staying power, even as trends change, and the owner credits Jane for selections that have endured in both style and durability. Today, despite the rough start, the owner looks back fondly on the process that transformed her home into what it is now: a haven of warm light with space for friends and family to come together.
In a second guest room (above), sunny-hued bedding welcomes visitors to the airy abode.
Not only do the additions flow so seamlessly with the original structure that they look as if they’ve always been there, but the renovations have also instilled distinctive character in their home. “I love the fact that we didn’t do it all at one time, but added on as our tastes and needs have changed,” the owner says. “I did not love my house when I moved in here, but now I don’t ever want to leave it.”
The homeowners’ daughter’s old bedroom (right) now serves as a guest room, but the family ties live on in the stately antique Victorian bed, which belonged to the owner’s grandparents and then her parents.
For the master bedroom Jane Hodges chose a jovial floral wallpaper to set a tone of warmth throughout the homeowners’ personal retreat. The light-loving couple finds happiness in this space filled with windows that frame the verdant view and allow the rising sun to shine in every morning. A cozy nook in the corner of the room, complete with plush matching chairs, overlooks a lovely backyard pool area.
Interiors by Jane B. Hodges Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele Text by Elizabeth Bonner Czapski
Discover inspiring style ideas, seasonal recipes, and more by ordering your Southern Lady subscriptiontoday!
