A Newlywed Couple Builds an English-Inspired Home in Mountain Brook, Alabama

Their new house sits in a charismatic older neighborhood of Mountain Brook, where both young and old families live, and most of the homes lining the street are traditional in style. Faced with the challenge of maintaining architectural integrity and providing a stable foundation, local architect Jason Robb, owner of Jason Robb Architecture, joined the team in 2022, leading the design of a home that beautifully marries traditional English Arts and Crafts and Tudor Revival elements with contemporary flair.

The main level houses all the essential spaces—kitchen, living room, laundry, and primary bedroom and bath. While the entire home contains three levels and boasts plenty of space to spread out, the couple knew they wanted all the hardworking areas to be conveniently accessible on the first floor. Situated on a corner lot, the 4,090-square-foot project posed unique constraints, yet it successfully delivers an open floor plan ideal for entertaining while still offering distinct, intimate spaces the homeowners desired. The entire process, from initial planning to completion, spanned two years, and the home was completed in 2024.

“Jason and I worked very closely together,” notes Neely. “We both respected each other’s expertise and knew our strengths. We also enjoyed bouncing ideas off each other. It was nice to have a sounding board for certain decisions, and it always felt like we were on the same page with our approach.”

The owners wanted their home to feel new and modern without straying from the neighborhood’s traditional style. By establishing a light, neutral backdrop, this starting point allowed for more dramatic hues and patterns throughout the house without feeling too overwhelmed by color. In designing rooms with multiple layers, patterns, and colors, Neely created an overall aesthetic that feels moody and comfortable. Using a combination of dark and light colors creates a refined balance that keeps the house from appearing too dark or too bright. Traditional furnishings paired with modern textiles, or conventional textiles in contemporary color stories, offer an alluring juxtaposition.

A welcome change of pace from the usual open floor plans desired by younger families, the wife requested a separation between spaces so she could have a more traditional layout with a dedicated dining room, living room, and kitchen. “I love the charm and special features that can be added when rooms are separated,” says Neely. “Vintage wooden pieces mixed with handsome velvets and feminine florals gave each room a collected feel. Wallpaper in the dining room embraces the custom curved walls of the space—it feels like a hug when you walk in.”

The owners also had a few treasures from their families they wanted to include in the house, among them a dining table, entry console, and side table in the primary sitting room. “I love when a client comes to the table with family heirlooms that have meaning to them,” adds Neely. “It’s the most fun to incorporate furnishings with a story.”

Today, the couple spends most of their time in the kitchen and living room, the home’s natural gathering places. Their adjoining outdoor patio is open as well, creating seamless indoor/outdoor living. They love hosting friends and family in a new layout that is suitable for both large and small gatherings.

“We truly had the most fun group of experts on this job,” Neely recalls. “The homeowners, architect, builder, project consultants, and I would meet weekly to touch base, and with each meeting, amidst the hard conversations and decision-making, we generated a lot of laughter and camaraderie. It’s always an honor to be a part of someone’s homebuilding process—creating friendships along the way is truly one of the most fun aspects of my job.”