Our Best of Birmingham: Designer Edition

Growing up, my father served in the Air Force which meant we traveled and lived all over the country. From Alaska to Arizona, my upbringing was filled with wonderful people and places all over the United States building my love for travel and change. Despite all the cities we lived in, Birmingham was always considered home, as this was where my parents had roots and family. Birmingham always felt like home to me and is ultimately the place where my husband and I decided to raise our children. As a Birmingham local and designer, I thought it fitting to share some of my and Bradley’s favorite home design/decor places in the Magic City. We’ve also included a few of our favorite dining spots because Birmingham is known for its fabulous cuisine. From our favorite places for all things interior design and decor, to some amazing food, you are in for a literal treat. Welcome to Birmingham!

Antiques

One of our favorite things to shop for other than shoes are antiques and Birmingham has some of the best. Two of our favorites happen to both be in downtown Homewood: The Nest, and Tricia’s Treasures. Tricia’s has a large selection and truly is a place where we have found personal treasure’s for ourselves, and our client’s homes. Tricia’s is a larger antique store and not a quick stop type of place as there is a wide and beautiful selection to look through, definitely requiring some time and a cup of coffee. Now let’s walk next door to The Nest. Owner Betty Margaret’s exquisite taste and eye for antiques is evident the moment you walk into her store. Though a smaller inventory, every single piece floor to ceiling is as lovely as Betty Margaret herself and the quality of pieces is excellent across the board. Both stores individually unique with beautiful selections and are two top places we recommend to anyone looking for antiques in Birmingham.

Art

One of the most sentimental and personal decor pieces one can put in their home is art. We always say that art is personal and is something that should be meaningful and invested in. Something that we think makes art exceptionally special is locality. Birmingham has some exquisite local artists and if you are looking for great local art, Liz Lane Gallery and Design Supply are home to some of the best. Design Supply is located downtown in Pepper Place and has a large variety of local art that has a modern and contemporary vibe. Liz Lane Gallery located in Homewood is owned by artist Liz Lane and houses her own beautiful art as well as a few other local artists. If you’re looking for colorful and/or custom pieces, Liz Lane Gallery is the place.

Rugs

For any of our clients looking for an Oushak rug, Olde Worlde Acquistions is the first place we go. We love to decorate with this style of rug because of their individuality and classic aesthetic. There is no one Oushak rug alike and we love the individuality it brings to each home. Owned by Sandra Deshazo and located in the right next to The Nest in Homewood, Olde Worlde Acquisitions has some of the best selections. From neutrals to vibrant colors, each rug is as equally beautiful as it is exquisitely unique.

Furniture

When it comes to furniture, there are several factors to consider: Aesthetics, functionality, style, and price point. The three places that have continuously delivered all of these qualities for our clients and for Bradley and I personally, are Richard Tubbs, At Home and Argent.

Richard Tubbs, located in Pepper place downtown Birmingham, has some of the most exquisite furniture pieces. Although a higher price point, every single piece is beautiful, high quality, and would last a lifetime. Everytime we walk into this store, we find inspiration for our own design and decorating work. The atmosphere in this store alone is an experience and it is such a treat to visit.

One of the most frequented furnishing stores we use in our design work is At Home. At Home has a wide range of style in their inventory and we have used them for a variety of projects from men’s offices and lofts, to living rooms serving family’s with young children, to empty nesters decorating a beautiful apartment overlooking downtown Birmingham. At Home serves a variety of our client’s needs and has the most excellent customer service. Not only does At Home have some of the best home decor and furnishing, it is also one of the best places to find a gift. Hostess gifts, candles, clothes and accessories, dish and serveware, you can find it all at At Home.

Another absolute favorite home furnishing spot is Argent. Argent is home to some of the best throw pillows, art, lamps, jewelry, pottery and furniture pieces. Owner Drew Parker’s fabulous taste is reflected in every piece of inventory in his store. If you’re looking for elegance with a punch, Argent is the place to go. Argent also has amazing customer service which makes every visit and purchase a pleasure.

Linens

One of our favorite things to help our client’s with is bedding. Bedding is what makes a statement in any bedroom and if you’re looking for the best, Three Sheets and White House Interiors have the most beautiful selections.

Located in downtown Homewood, Three Sheets has some of the loveliest bedding around. Dreamy, elegant and high quality, Three Sheets will make all of your “suite dreams” come true. Not only doesThree Sheets have some of the best bedding, but also is one of our favorite places for baby gifts, pajamas, accessories, bath linens and especially luxury bath products. Such a great place if you’re looking for a gift for someone or yourself.

White House Interiors is another favorite place for all your bedding needs. They have such a large selection from luxury bedding brands to other beautiful bedding at a little lower price point. Such a great place to look for any bedding budget without having to give up quality. The sales associates do such a beautiful job with staging beds that show off all the beautiful options and make putting an entire bed collection together so easy.

Lunch Spots

Lunch break anyone? We love a good lunch spot and Brick & Tin and Real & Rosemary are hands down our favorites. Both have seasonal menus, fresh ingredients, and so delicious. Brick & Tin has an in house bakery and a Summer heirloom salad that we dream about all year long. Be sure to order a glass of chardonnay with your lunch and sit outside if you can to enjoy the sights of quaint and charming Mountain Brook Village.

Shopping in Homewood? The best place to lunch is Real & Rosemary. From their Fig and collards salad, sweet potato fries with lemongrass dipping sauce, to burgers and their hot sandwiches, Real & Rosemary has something for everyone. Not only is every single menu item delicious, but the interior decor and atmosphere will make you feel instantly transported to a lovely lunch spot on 30A.

Coffee Break

Our favorite local Birmingham coffee spot is O’Henrys. The best flavored and seasonal coffee in town and a favorite spot for college students and business meetings makes O’ Henrys a Birmingham favorite. Their Christmas blend coffee is a Birmingham staple and something we purchase every year for ourselves, and as gifts for friends or clients. The atmosphere is everything you would want in a coffee shop and is such a fun spot to work, study, or meet up with a friend for coffee and cake.

If you’re at O Henry’s in Homewood and just got a cup of coffee then I highly recommend you head across the street to Cookie Fix. This spot is home to THE BEST cookies in town. This tiny but mighty cookie shop has become a household name in the city of Birmingham and there is usually always a line out the door. Along with their classic cookie flavors, they have a new menu everyday and such yummy seasonal flavors as well.

Hardware

For all things hardware, Brandino Brass stands above when it comes to top selections. Cabinet hardware, door hardware, speciality hardware, shutter & gate hardware, bath accessories, light fixtures and mailboxes Brandino Brass has it all and delivers top of the line products. This beautiful showroom located in downtown Homewood is sure to exceed all your hardware wishes. A designer knows details matter and Brandino Brass provides excellent products to take your home or office space to the next level.

Marble | Tile

Some of our favorite projects to date have been kitchen and bath remodels and that is largely due to the beautiful selections provided by the best marble and tile resource company in Birmingham, CR Home Alabama. Possibilities are endless as CR Home delivers marble and tile fit for any design, style or functionality needs required for your space. Specialty expertise combined with top lines of products makes this company our one and only chosen resource for all our client kitchen and bath needs.

Cabinets

When it comes to interior design, it truly does take a village as most large projects require the collaboration and expertise of many people. One design expert we’ve had the privilege of working with and who has become a dear friend is owner and senior designer of Creative Cabinets and Design, Jennifer Thompson. Jennifer is a certified Kitchen Designer and also has a degree in interior design. Along with her husband, Greg, Jennifer specializes in kitchen and bath design and is our number one resource for many of our bath and kitchen remodels requiring cabinetry.

Lighting

One of our favorite ways to elevate any space is with lighting and in Birmingham, Mayer Lighting and Showroom provides the best. Mayer has some of the best lines of light fixtures to fit any style or space of your home and the options are endless. Chandeliers ranging from glamorous glass, to more modern farmhouse style, sconces, semi flushes and everything in between, Mayer truly has it all. Their downtown showroom is beautifully displayed creating a lovely and pleasurable atmosphere to make all of your lighting selections.

We hope this post gave you a little taste of us, our style, and our beloved Birmingham.

xoxo

Beth and Bradley

Businesses listed

Tricia’s Treasures

The Nest

Liz Lane Gallery

Design Supply

Olde World Acquisitions

Richard Tubbs

At Home Homewood

Argent

Three Sheets

White House Interiors

Brick & Tin

Real & Rosemary

O’ Henrys

Cookie Fix

Brandino Brass

CR Home

Creative Cabinets

Mayer Lighting