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I understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a lifechanging experience. That’s why I am dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of my clients. I take great pride in the relationships built and always work diligently on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals.

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Finding Home

March 2022 PUBLISHER

Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Denise K. James | denise.james@citylifestyle.com

It’s no secret that Birmingham is home to some of the world’s best shelter magazines. Architectural details and landscape design inspiration abound here, and I find it essential to bring my phone to snap photos any time I go on long walks through many of the neighborhoods our publication services. Firsttime visitors to Birmingham often comment on the unexpectedly hilly, green terrain and the variety of home styles — from the Spanish Colonial Revivals of Hollywood to the stately English Tudors of Redmont and all the Dutch Colonials, Classic Cottages and mid-century gems in between. In the South— and I think in Birmingham particularly—we take our homes seriously. In this issue, we decided to focus on the concept of home. What makes a place home? How does our home influence our relationships and health? Why do some places pull us home? And finally, what local resources exist to help us navigate the finding, the moving, the buying and the building of a home? We hope you enjoy this issue and that it inspires you to take a closer look at your own home and what makes it special to you. As always, we welcome story ideas and reader contributions.

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Birmingham Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Birmingham area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Birmingham Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

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inside the issue The Home Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 Home is Where the Heart Is Open

Lifestyle Letter

Local Experiences

Hometown Hero

Our Town

Must See

Expert Help R EA L

Open House

A RTS + C U LT U R E

Trend Setter

HO ME + DES I GN

Inspired By

Protecting and Nurturing Local Children Through Court Advocacy

18 Custom Building Runs in Their Blood

For AR Homes Owner David Bonamy and Family, Teamwork Comes Naturally.

28 Making the Winds of Change a Breeze Jane Huston Crommelin is a Transitional Move Expert

32 Woven Together

How Art Created in Central America and Maine Found a Home in Birmingham

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Hector Manuel Sanchez Brooke Wahl’s historic Forest Park home recently underwent a full renovation under the auspices of architect James B. Laughlin and interior designer Jeremy D. Clark.

FI NA NC E + LEGA L SE RV IC E S

HO ME + DES I GN

HO ME + DES I GN ESTAT E

LI FE + C U LT U R E

Furniture • Rugs • Accessories • Lighting • Art • Interiors

Atlanta

Birmingham

Destin

Nashville

Spanish Fort

To-the-Trade Services • In-Home Design Consultation www.stockandtrade.com

MARCH 2022

local experiences Locals recommending the best places and things to do in the city.

In a time of supply chain disruptions and 20 week lead times, antique, vintage and lightly used furniture are great options for when you need something fast. The past two years have seen some truly fabulous Instagram accounts and pop-ups come online — turn your notifications on so you don't miss a thing! While we love Chairish, Etsy, and 1stDibs, nothing beats the thrill of the in-person hunt.

Home Decor & Design SPIFFY STAGING AND DESIGN: Spiffy's Shopping Shindig Warehouse Sales

happen the first weekend of every month. On Instagram @sosospiffydesign 14 41st Street N. Birmingham, AL. MAR Y AND WILMA: is an ode to Beth Hubrich's grandmothers. Vintage, fun and funky finds (think bamboo and chinoiserie) can be found at the studio, by appointment. On Instagram @maryandwilma STASH: sells and consigns stylish treasures from its new storefront at On Instagram @stash_bham. 2417 1st Ave S. MAGIC CITY FINDS: is a selection of mostly mid-century furniture pieces, curated by Henry Kilpatrick. On Instagram @magiccityfinds FOUND BIR MINGHAM: hosts monthly showroom shopping events at Pepper Place, featuring a chic mix of vintage and new items. Turn on Instagram notifications so you don't miss out! On Instagram @foundbham

Scan for more photos and the full list.

photo courtesy of Stash

Want to recommend a local experience? Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

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Home is Where the Heart Is Open PROTECTING AND NURTURING LOCAL CHILDREN THROUGH COURT ADVOCACY ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES | ART BY LOCAL CASA KIDS

At the end of a troubling day, going home ideally feels safe, secure and like the chance for an emotional reset. Whether we’ve had a tough time at the office, an unpleasant conversation with friends or just aren’t feeling it, most of us can curl up in our personal space, in the company of cherished loved ones, and soon feel better. It’s something that, frankly, every person deserves — to feel safe at home, both literally and figuratively, whether we’re young or old. But the sad truth is that right here in our own state, a startling number of children have no such privileges. For them, “home” is a moving target – and those feelings of safety and support are transient, as is the promise of four protective walls and a roof. CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, of Jefferson County makes all the difference between these children learning, thriving and realizing their dreams and feeling lost, scared and without hope. For Liz Huntley, a former foster child who is now a published author, advocate, speaker and attorney, the road could have forked in either direction in her early years, as it can for many children. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Liz’s parents were both drug dealers, and her mother committed suicide when she was just 5 years old. Because her father was “in and out of jail,” Liz started living with her paternal grandmother in Chilton County – an environment, unfortunately, that proved highly abusive. “We lived in Clanton in the projects,” she shared. “Her son abused me, and another was violent — that’s what led to court involvement. A neighbor saw the extreme domestic violence and contacted law enforcement.” There was no CASA to advocate for Liz at that time, but she was assigned a guardian ad litem – a

legal professional to advocate for a child’s case in court — and he ended up being one of her greatest champions, mentors and friends: Attorney John Hollis Jackson. “I later ended up being his son’s camp counselor at YMCA, and they were supportive when I went to law school, too. He’s been my advocate on multiple occasions,” she said. “Just last year he retired from law. He is a longtime friend.” Liz was grateful for her own guardian ad litem’s advocacy, and she ended up paying it forward years later, becoming an attorney and advocate herself. Prior to moving to Birmingham, she practiced independently as an attorney in Chilton County, where she was also a guardian ad litem for eight years. “It came full circle for me,” she mused. “I was once the child who needed a guardian ad litem, and now I was one, too. Having that background and those personal experiences gave me a lens that is hard to explain in terms of where kids are in these situations and how they are feeling.” Because she went through many of the same experiences that so many other abused children go through, Liz knows firsthand how one caring adult does more than just “keep ducks in a row” and ensure legal processes go smoothly; he or she demonstrates to the child that adults can be kind, considerate and encouraging. “A child court advocate is so much more than someone to make sure the boxes are checked. You’re advocating for the quality of life for that child,” she said. “You think about what you would want for your own child and what the optimal circumstances would be.” Leilany Noel, program coordinator for CASA of Jefferson County, echoed Liz’s statements that a caring advocate can turn things around. At her current post since January 2020, Leilany hasn’t CONTINUED > MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/BI R M I N G HA M

Liz Huntley at age 5

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let COVID-19 stop CASA from attending to each child’s needs, even outside of the courtroom. Though as you read this article, things are largely “back to normal,” none of the children had to go through the pandemic without the quality time with the advocates they’d come to depend on. “We’d do social distance visits. I’d sit on the grass with the kid on the porch; we’d use sidewalk chalk; I'd let them draw; we’d talk. DHR had stopped visiting [during the quarantine], so we were probably the only people who laid eyes on some of those kids,” she noted. But visiting kids at home, whether outdoors or in, is, according to Liz, a newer development of the advocate-child relationship. When she was a kid herself it was different – in both the idea of every kid needing an advocate and in how involved advocates were. “My interactions with John Hollis Jackson were only during court time,” she said. “Now, the advocates are more involved. They do home visits with the child and all these additional touches so when they make a recommendation to the court, it’s really informed.” Liz tells her unique and personal story in her memoir, “More Than a Bird,” which she wrote in a way that even middle school kids can understand and glean inspiration from. The book reiterates the idea that a child can have a troublesome upbringing and still grow up to achieve his or her dreams — a resounding message for both kids and advocates. “I wanted them to know they can have a better quality of life,” she said. “Many times, we try to fix it for kids, but we can’t fix it — but even if we can’t, what can we do to help them be resilient? That’s why these advocates are so important. It helps a kid live through.” And having someone listen to the smaller things? That’s what matters the most of all at times, pointed out Leilany, who said that kids will ask them to share personal tidbits and triumphs with the judge in court. These personal tidbits and triumphs, after all, make up who the child is – and the advocate being entrusted with the information is precious indeed. “The other day a kid said, ‘Tell the judge I like the color blue, and I can count to 50,’ she recalled, with feeling. “It’s little things like that that make them feel important and like they have some stability. It makes them feel heard and seen.” Leilany shared that anyone reading this article who feels called to be a CASA advocate can and should do so – and you do not have to be an attorney. From teachers to stay-at-home parents to therapists and even real estate agents, any kind of background is welcome, as long as you have a spirit to give back and a heart that loves children. According to Leilany, about 200 cases were in the works at press time, and, with just 50 or 60 volunteers, “the ratio is off.” Training and learning the protocols is offered to each advocate upfront, and for those who are shorter on time, donations are also welcome and appreciated. “Donations go to various things,” she said. “We have books we bring to the kids, we give cards or things for Christmas and birthdays — or a donation can buy a pair of sneakers. Different things come up.” “I truly believe in the quote, “Every child is one advocate away from being a successful adult,” added Liz. “I try to show adults that their level of advocacy — whether a season or a moment in time — is so critically important to the success of that child and giving that child hope. People wonder if they can make a difference. If they can carve out the time, it is absolutely worth it. I can’t tell you the value — and I say all this from the eyes of a child and from the eyes of an advocate. These children are there because the adults in their lives have failed them. So to have that caring adult to look out for them and have their best interest at heart? You never forget that.” Inspired? Visit casaofjeffersoncounty.org/get-involved/#volunteer.

Lynlee strongly believes in and supports residential growth in Birmingham. Since obtaining her license in 2014, Lynlee has completed over 400 transactions totaling over $155 million dollars of real estate sold in the area. "I have made a huge effort to be intimately engaged in the central city and surrounding "city suburbs" from Forest Park to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia, so that I can provide the greatest benefit to my clients, which I strongly believe is market knowledge". Her greatest motivation is her clients: She says, "Success to me is doing what I love every day and knowing that my contributions positively impact my clients, my company, and my city and that I have produced the highest quality work."

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MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/BI R M I N G HA M

CUSTOM BUILDING RUNS IN THEIR BLOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM EVANS

For AR Homes Owner David Bonamy and Family, Teamwork Comes Naturally.

AR Homes Owner David Bonamy has his entire family involved in the process of creating custom homes for greater Birmingham. Together with his wife, Jen, and daughter, Mary Kathryn, or “MK,” the crew has a seamless approach that echoes the company’s vision — and the vision of each client.

WHAT SETS AR HOMES APART FROM OTHER HOME BUILDERS? WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BRING THIS FRANCHISE TO BIRMINGHAM? David: We started AR Homes in Birmingham after 30 years of being in this market and after a lot of careful thought. We spent months reviewing the AR approach. We traveled throughout the Southeast and gained both an understanding of our buyers and how we would apply this platform. More importantly, we felt if we could implement a predictable and programmatic approach to fully custom homebuilding, the homeowner and buyer in Alabama would have a world-class experience, a simplified process to follow, and a predictable budget that is typically not the case in custom building.

BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR ROLES. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY? David: I work to implement our company goals of customer service, quality construction and on-time delivery. We are not perfect, but we drive every day with a vision for

O UR TOWN | HOM E + D ESI GN

a top-tier customer experience, while constantly evaluating our team and contractor base for their attention to detail, high-level craftsmanship and the quality expected in a custom home. Jen: I am the office manager, purchasing agent, color session agent and accountant. My typical day is busy, busy, busy! I believe our family environment is what helps us be successful in our business. MK: I am the sales and marketing coordinator and “get it done” person. Overall, I am the AR Homes Birmingham concierge, meaning I have the overall knowledge of the company and can handle questions and information outside of the actual construction of the homes. A typical day for me is following up on leads, tracking how our marketing efforts look, determining any adjustments that need to be made with both sales and marketing tactics, as well as picking up any work that needs to be done. I am also in charge of creating and putting together each client’s ‘look book’ and Pinterest board after their color session.

TALK ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTS WHERE YOU’VE BUILT HOMES. David: Our business works throughout the entire Birmingham metro, and we have worked in many of the custom home communities in town. Our architectural styles have ranged based on our customers and selected

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community vision, and we work with each home site to ensure a unique setting enhances the beauty of each home. We have an exclusive AR community in Mountain Brook, however, we also build in all of the surrounding communities and areas of the city. We are an approved builder in all of the notable custom communities in town.

HOW OFTEN DO CLIENTS DECIDE TO BUILD ON THEIR OWN LOTS FROM SCRATCH? HOW DOES THAT WORK IN COMPARISON TO THE OTHER EXISTING COMMUNITIES? MK: The majority of the time, clients will build on their own lots; we just so happen to have our 10-lot Trails End community in Mountain Brook. As a custom home building company, it is our priority to make our clients’ visions a reality. We sit down with each client and discuss their wants, needs and visions for their dream home. It is our job to make that dream a reality. We work hand-in-hand with each client through every step of our AR Homes process. Our system is designed to get all the work done on the front end, so that clients can walk right into the home after construction is complete and it is exactly what they chose.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT AR HOMES AND ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS OF BUILDING? David: Most importantly, we love building custom homes. The AR approach and the team we have assembled truly work to minimize those concerns, to work with a customer’s budget and to provide an unmatched level of support to each step — from lot evaluation, home design and

O UR TOWN | HOM E + D ESI GN

pricing and budget requirements to interior selections and ultimately the construction and delivery of the home. Jen: I love the color session process — seeing how a home comes together is truly special. MK: I love the streamlined process that AR Homes brings to custom home building. Custom home building can be chaotic to say the least. However, AR Homes combats these issues with having an exact approach to each step of the planning and building process. I also love how each home is unique, yet each is executed the exact same way. It doesn’t matter if it is a 3000-square-foot house or a 15,000-square-foot house; each home is executed with the exact same attention to detail.

WHAT IS A COLOR SESSION? David: A color session is a two-day exclusive event for our owners and buyers to work hand-in-hand with a dedicated interior designer in our Atlanta studio. The studio is reserved exclusively to focus on their home –it’s a fun few days of inspiration, design elements and whatever the owner and designer can determine. Color sessions are a great chance to get away, focus on the home and have the interior choices selected early in the process. We document and create electronic and print media for our owners after these sessions.

CONTINUED > MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/BI R M I N G HA M

WHEN YOU THREE AREN’T IN THE OFFICE, WITH CLIENTS OR AT A PROJECT SITE, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? Jen: When I’m not in the office, I shift into Momma/wife/ family mode. A typical day is carpooling, food prep, cleaning, laundry and spending time with our three dogs – Ace, Karl and Bella. We pretty much watch any sport and eat dinner almost every night as a family. Right now, MK has her own place, Josie is a sophomore at Clemson and we have a 14-year-old, John David. As a family, we enjoy traveling and sports. I look forward to all our adventures together as a family. Our children have all been involved in sports. MK played softball for 15 years, including five years in college. Josie pretty much tried every sport, but she was a competitive gymnast for 15 years. She is now on the rowing team at Clemson. John David plays football and baseball. We are their biggest cheerleaders in sports and in life.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS SHIFTED, IF IT HAS, SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC? HOW ARE YOUR CLIENTS RECONFIGURING THE CONCEPT OF HOME? MK: If anything, the pandemic was our biggest blessing. The open concept and functionality of an AR Home are what drive our demand. Once people realized that working from home was an option, there was the realization of, “Okay, well now I want an at-home office, but I want it to be nice.”

EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, INFLATION AND LUMBER COSTS. HOW HAS THIS IMPACTED YOUR BUSINESS? Jen: Inflation has been the craziest thing this past year. Since the pandemic began, we’ve received daily emails

O UR TOWN | HOM E + D ESI GN

from our franchisor, AR Homes, about costs increasing. Today, we received a 6-10% increase notice for 2022 from Sub-Zero and Wolf products. Most of our homeowners have been understanding about the volatile costs. David: It has been somewhat unpredictable from a pricing perspective, but we are holding true to our business model and have maintained a predictable pricing structure for our owners. We communicate often with each one and personally plan each step of the process. We have organized ourselves to plan accordingly, manage our customer selections early in the process and work with our vendors and suppliers to know the lead times and cost impacts.

WHAT DOES THE CONCEPT OF “HOME” MEAN TO THE BONAMY FAMILY? MK: Home means a place to express yourself and your style. As a company, it means bringing your dreams to reality.

ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR OTHERS WORKING WITH FAMILY? MK: It’s always five o’clock somewhere! David: We have a job to do and most importantly a customer to serve. As a family, we understand we are in this together, and it is never easy, but we continue to improve, to separate work and family life and to strive for balance. We are very fortunate to work together, and we have team members to whom we owe a professional and great business culture.

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SLEEP) WITH O T ( TH GO E

FENG SHUI TIPS FOR A MORE RESTFUL BOUDOIR

FLOW

artwork by Kim Fonder, represented by Design Supply

ARTICLE BY KATIE ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM EVANS, RHYTHM CREATIVE

M UST SE E | HOM E + D ESIGN

We all know those people – the ones whose houses always feel amazing upon entering. Sure, the aesthetics are probably spot-on too — a nice color palette, good lighting, healthy plants, pleasant art — but what you’re experiencing is something beyond what the eye sees. In Feng Shui, this is known as “chi,” which means energy or “life force.” When the chi is in balance, a space feels welcoming, calming and inspiring — and yes, design plays a huge role. But beyond just a beautiful abode, chi flow can also promote good health, better moods, prosperity and fulfilling relationships. When I meet new clients, I first ask them about their life objectives so I can customize the design of the space to their lifestyle and personal taste. This is highly important, as the client is the one living there. You can imagine that in times of COVID-19, health is also high on the list of priorities for most people. Interestingly, in Feng Shui, bedrooms are considered the most important rooms when it comes to health. Why? Because the ancient Chinese believed sleep is the number-one key to great health. If the bedroom is set up according to Feng Shui principles, it will cultivate a positive, flowing chi, and therefore, the inhabitant will experience deep sleep, along with other benefits. Here is what I recommend for a more Feng Shui bedroom.

DO CONSIDER THE POSITION OF THE BED.

Artwork by local artist, Lorri Hanna, is a reminder of special travel memories

In Feng Shui, one should have a view of the door to the room when lying in bed, even if it’s peripherally. This way, the limbic brain can take a bit of a break, knowing that if a threat were to enter the door, you would be able to see it approaching.

DO CONSIDER WHAT COLORS YOU’RE USING IN THE BEDROOM. Colors set a mood. I like to say that paint is a “magic wand” for a space. If sleep is an issue, consider your color palette. Think soft and quiet. Blues and grounding neutrals are great options.

DO HAVE A BED YOU LOVE, PREFERABLY WITH A HEADBOARD. Natural fibers, such as linen and cotton, assist a good night’s sleep. In Feng Shui, a headboard represents support, so be sure you have a sturdy one. Also, if you’re ending an intimate partnership, consider purchasing a new bed to allow a clean slate for potential new relationships.

DON’T HAVE CLUTTER UNDER THE BED. I’ve seen everything from sports equipment to taxes to children’s artwork stuffed under there. Every item holds energy, and in our vulnerable sleep state, we want to allow chi to circulate. I urge you to find another place to store items besides under your bed.

K AT I E R O G E R S CONTINUED > MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/BI R M I N G HA M

DON’T HAVE A TV IN THE BEDROOM. Too many electrical items in a bedroom can be disruptive to sleep and to partner intimacy. Privacy is paramount, and a TV can break the spell of intimacy in two ways: it represents inviting strangers into the room, and it can become a habit to turn attention to the screen rather than the person beside you. If you or your spouse feel resistant to this Feng Shui suggestion (which I see often), try taking the TV out of the room for 27 days. I’ve had couples thank me for saving their love life!

DON’T HAVE MIRRORS IN THE BEDROOM. This may sound extreme to some of you who love your antique vanities, but this is a time-tested ancient Feng Shui no-no. Mirrors are powerful, and bedrooms need to achieve calm. If you have a mirror in your bedroom and can see yourself while lying in bed, try covering it for nine nights to experience the difference in the quality of your sleep.

M UST SE E | HOM E + D ESIGN

In short, if it feels good, it’s likely to be good Feng Shui, but don’t let your mind trick you. People often get used to something being a certain way without recognizing the negative effects it could be having. Take steps to cultivate some positive chi in your space, and you’ll see what a difference it can make. Take care of your home, and you’re taking care of your health. Author Katie Rogers is a certified Feng Shui expert and founder of the Wind Horse School of Feng Shui and 9-month Feng Shui Odyssey, a personal transformation life coaching program. She takes interior design clients on a rolling basis and welcomes your inquiry. Sign up for her newsletter at katierogersfengshui.com, and read about the Odyssey at windhorseschool.com.

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Making the Winds of Change a Breeze

Photo by Beth Hontzas

Jane Huston Crommelin is a Transitional Move Expert

ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES

EXP E RT H E LP | R EAL ESTATE

Jane Huston Crommelin understands the importance of focus in the business of real estate. The Florence, Alabama native and University of Alabama graduate has thrived in the industry for more than two decades, and she’s learned a thing or two about what her clients want and need at every phase of life. A Realtor with Ray & Poynor since the company’s inception, Jane Huston just added another specialty to her real estate repertoire: she joined forces with six other Realtors at Ray & Poynor as a Transitional Move Expert. This division, formed by Vice President of Business Development Harriet Cochrane, is for clients who seek to simplify their lives and homes. From recent empty-nesters to retirees, the clients run the gamut, but they have one thing they share: receiving premium customer service from their Realtors and everyone who assists with the process. Jane Huston initially got into real estate for a more flexible work schedule – but structure is important to her to ensure transactions go smoothly. “In real estate, you do not want surprises,” she pointed out. “Every transaction has a lot of moving parts, and you have to remain focused and organized. Attention to detail is important. There are a lot of facets. You’re taking care of a client’s largest asset, and they’re trusting you.” As part of the Transitional Move Experts division, Jane Huston has the opportunity to help clients navigate not only the parts of a transaction but the delicate nature of change. Though many Realtors have the Senior Real Estate Specialist, or SRES, designation given by the National Association of Realtors, no department like this one previously existed in our state —and the need is more widespread than just senior citizens. In the words of Harriet: “We

launched this division at the end of last year for downsizing moves of any sort. The team collaborated and realized there’s no other real estate company offering this, and there’s a need in Alabama. It doesn't matter if you’re 50 and tired of yard work or you’re going into a retirement home — simplifying can be quite complicated.” Fortunately for the clients, this savvy team has figured out what to do for them and created a list of steps to make the process that much easier. The steps, posed as rhetorical questions, are: where will I live; what should I take with me; how will I get my things there; what should I do with the rest; and finally, how will I sell my home. Of course, the assisting agent cannot accomplish all of these steps alone, which is why Jane Huston and the rest of the team maintain a network of partner providers to facilitate each move. “Once we find a trusted professional — organizers, stagers, contractors — we add them to our list of partner providers,” noted Jane Huston. “We need experts in different fields to help these clients.” Jane Huston and Harriet agreed it’s most important for clients to feel like their agent is their partner in the process. Downsizing and parting with cherished items and longtime homes can be tough, and the team members are prepared for emotional bumps in the road. “This is not all glitz and glamour; we see it all,” Harriet remarked. “A lot of the time, people are scared and overwhelmed — but we want their families to become our clients and for us to become their real estate resource for life.” Jane Huston echoed the sentiment: “We always want to be the trusted resource partner,” she mused. “I feel like this group is dedicated to this special calling.”

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Woven To g e t h e r HOW ART CREATED IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND MAINE FOUND A HOME IN BIRMINGHAM

ARTICLE BY KALI MCNUTT | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED On February 26, 2020, Ambassador Frederick “Rick” D. Barton visited Birmingham to give a lecture on his book “Peace Works: America's Unifying Role in a Turbulent World” to the Birmingham Committee on Foreign Relations. Barton’s long diplomatic career culminated in his serving as the State Department’s first Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Prior to his visit, I’d asked him about his interests and hobbies outside of his work directing the “Scholars in the Nation's Service Initiative” at Princeton University. I absolutely love showcasing our city to foreign policy experts and diplomats—many of whom have never stepped foot in the South, much less Birmingham—via personalized itineraries.

O PE N H OU SE | ARTS + CULTURE

Confluence II

Rick mentioned that his late mother was an artist, and, if possible, he would like to see the Birmingham Museum of Art. As always, the BMA delivered—Rick received a personal tour of the museum’s collection with chief curator Anne Forschler-Tarrasch. In speaking with Rick, we learned that Nancy Hemenway Barton was no ordinary artist; she was a renowned textile artist and painter who had enjoyed one-woman shows at institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and had exhibited as far away as Botswana. Rick mentioned that he and his brothers were in the process of giving a number of these important works to public institutions across the country—perhaps the BMA would be interested?

Rick left us with a catalogue of her works, created for a recent retrospective in Portland, Maine. Then the pandemic happened, and the idea was put on the back burner until October 2021, when Anne took a trip to Boothbay, Maine to see the studio and works of Nancy Hemenway Barton. “Since her death, she kind of fell off the radar, which isn’t unusual for women artists,” Anne noted. “She was quite well known in her day.” Speaking of her trip to Maine, where the Barton family maintains summer homes, Anne said, “it’s really magical up there. Her studio was on the water with huge windows. I’m already looking at real estate!” Anne spent time with the Barton family, learning about Nancy’s life as an artist. Nancy painted, wrote

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poetry and “was very much an artist all around. She embodied the soul of an artist, and she shared that—she wanted to raise up other women artists and makers. That became her purpose in life,” Anne mused. Like many women, Nancy put her work on hold to raise three sons and follow her diplomat husband around the world. In South and Central America, she was exposed to different materials and became very interested in textiles. She started working with women, helping them form collaboratives—she helped them organize, she mentored, and she helped them market their works. “Our collecting plan focuses on women artists and other under-represented groups of artists. These artists deserve that recognition. Women were just not seen as equal in the art world at the time Nancy Hemenway Barton was active,” Anne noted. Representative of this fact, the artist often used only her last name to sign her art, so as not to be seen as a female artist. As this magazine goes to print, three of the artist’s major works are now at home in Birmingham. One piece is reflective of pre-Colombian art and was created while the artist lived in Central America. The other two works were created in Maine, inspired by the diamond-like reflections of sun on the water and the extensive, rocky coastline. “Bending Blue” will have its first showing this June, as part of a contemporary show centered on the theme of “light.” “Confluence II” will be part of “Art in the Environment,” a show opening next year. The work incorporates the mossy colors of Maine’s coastline.

O PE N H OU SE | ARTS + CULTURE

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Introduce Cheerful Periwinkle to Your Life

ARTICLE BY ZOE GOWEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM EVANS, RHYTHM CREATIVE

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Is it possible to be bright and so happy during these COVID-19 times? 2022’s Pantone Color of the Year answers with a resounding “yes,” introducing the vivacious periwinkle into our collective consciousness. No matter your style, you can embrace this shamelessly optimistic shade. For the shrinking violets, try out a coffee table book. And for the brazen-hearted, seize the day with a gleaming pendant.

LEFT TO RIGHT: • African Violet, Shoppe; • Walter Knoll: The Future Brand of Modernity, Details by Liz Hand Woods, $65; • Tiles: top to bottom: Marble Systems Glazed Chelsea Brick - Free Spirit, Tiles of Ezra - Zellige Glazed Terra Cotta 4x4 - Royal Blue, Tiles of Ezra - Zellige Glazed Terra Cotta 4x4 - Cobalt, Cottage Supply; • Oyuna’s Sky Two Tone Cashmere Throw, Details by Liz Hand Woods, $698; • Old Whaling Company Soap & Mast Lavender Chocolate, Shoppe; Rug, Khotan Pattern handmade in India, 8x10 in stock and custom sizes available, Paige Albright Orientals THIS PAGE, ABOVE: Tanzanite earrings, pendant, and ring, Levy’s

T R E N D SE T T E R | HOM E + DE S I GN

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TOP LEFT: • Cathy Waterman Platinum & Diamond Chalcedony Flower Earrings, Etc..., $2,410; • Trove Sidekick Small Box in Evening Blue, Etc..., $349

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T R E N D SE T T E R | HOM E + DE S I GN

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This is the Place A Birmingham Resident on Why Her Heart Called Her Back Home ARTICLE BY LAURA KATE WHITNEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENSLIE MCGUIRE

In the summer of 2015, Birmingham broke my heart. It was a blistering day in late July, and the Crestwood house that I’d called home for five wonderful years turned over to a new family. Life was taking me away from Jones Valley, and, while I was excited to pursue a professional opportunity that would allow me to provide an even greater quality of life for my family, I had naively failed to consider just how deeply my heart was connected to this place. To leave Birmingham required me to break apart the home I’d built within the fabric of my own heart. During my time living in and exploring the Magic City, I’d grown to love the whole of her—the culture, the cuisine, the people, the history — even the scars. My heart had firmly attached itself to the pulse of Birmingham, and now, without proximity to her red clay hills, home suddenly became a place with no heart. I could not have anticipated the weight of this void. One definition I’m particularly fond of describes “home” as the abiding place of the affections. If we consider home in this context—the container for our enduring, tender attachments—then perhaps the widely used idiom, “home is where the heart is,” can serve as a sufficient interpretation of the dwelling place that feels nearest and dearest to us. But is it enough? I’m not sure. While I mostly agree with the sentiment, I can’t help but wonder—if one gets broken, is the other bound to break? When I moved away in 2015, I employed every effort to rebuild my home. In a new yet familiar city, I enjoyed incredible opportunities and met incredible

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

new people and had incredible adventures — yet I was never quite successful in mending the tear that was left wide open when my heart broke away from the life I had built in Birmingham. Then, in 2020, the implications of pandemic-fueled quarantine required us all to get more acquainted with our definition of home. While many were utilizing this time to nest, rest and spend more time within their abiding place of affections, I was logging more than 40,000 miles on the road, caught between a house over there and a job over here. The container for all my tender attachments had completely collapsed, and when faced with the decision about where to make a living and, therefore, where to live, I lurched through the opening and came back to the place where my heart is whole. I came straight back to Birmingham. This is the place where I marvel at the changing of the seasons. This is the place where I observe histories and make sense of today. This is the place where I stand in awe and watch my two sons run and explore and become more of themselves. This is the place where potential blooms in the hands of the community. This is the place where I can be deep in the woods just as easily as I can be in the hustle and bustle of the urban core. This is the place where grit and gumption are the wealth that moves people and their passions forward. This is the place where the foundation of home feels sturdy and solid, like the steel that built the city itself. This is the place where my heart feels home. This is the place. This is home, with all of my heart.

Visit Trails End – An AR Homes® Community MOSS CREEK CIRCLE, MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35223

Monday – Saturday

Sunday

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1pm to 5pm

Call 205-876-3677 to schedule your visit. Mary Kathryn Bonamy • MKBonamy@ARHomes.com