A Dated Birmingham Home Gets a Stunning Makeover

The couple enlisted Misso of River Brook Design & Construction, who was tasked with curating an aesthetic that toed the line between modern and traditional, practical and functional, yet wholly sophisticated for the family. “Abbie skewed toward a really cool, modern look,” Misso explains. “She’s not a girly girl and did not want an overly feminine space with florals. She wanted it to feel clean, modern, and, most importantly, classic. We thought it would be fun to play off that contemporary feel while incorporating traditional, timeless antiques and classical elements throughout to pay homage to the Tudor architecture of the home.” A palette of off-black, off-white, and broad strokes of rich, dark brown would be carried throughout the home.

While the entire house needed updating, it was the kitchen that spurred the home’s interior design. The renovation brought the workhorse space down to the studs, removing dated granite and builder-grade, prefabricated cabinetry. In its place, Misso installed elegant, custom cabinetry and millwork details in Off-Black by Farrow & Ball complemented by bold black-and-white marble countertops. Misso designed the island with thick, layered pieces of the dramatic marble in varying sizes to be the centerpiece to the kitchen’s design. “The visual aesthetic creates this really elevated look with raw stone,” she explains. “They wanted the space to double as a functional kitchen but also as an extension of their entertaining spaces, so it had to be elegant and luxurious while also practical.” Black-and-white checkered marble flooring coupled with a playful black-and-white wallcovering extend off the back of the kitchen into the scullery, which doubles as a laundry room and caterer’s prep area during parties.

Misso drew inspiration from the kitchen’s timeless aesthetic and carried it into the remainder of the home’s living spaces. An unused breakfast room off the kitchen was previously home to stacked boxes. “As soon as I saw the room, I knew we had to utilize this space,” the designer says. The room would serve double duty as a place where the Bruner kids could gather for homework and snacks, but it could also function as an entertaining area for the host-loving couple. To achieve the functional-meets-elegant aesthetic, Misso hung draperies in a rich, chocolate hue paired with modern dining chairs surrounding a traditional marble pedestal table. “Abbie loved that the table was so durable and she didn’t have to worry about messes, but she also loved that these modern chairs were so comfortable for lounging,” says Misso.

The large, open family room nearby also features some of the home’s notable original architectural details that Misso and the Bruners wanted to keep, including a limestone fireplace. “That mantel and hearth were a pain point for Abbie,” says Misso, who refinished the hearth, returning it to its original timeless limestone finish. The maintaining of old sprinkled with new and modern makes the home feel simultaneously comfortable and elevated. “I felt it was necessary to balance all of the modern components of the home with classic, traditional elements to create this curated look,” says Misso. “In the dining room, for example, the light fixture skews very contemporary, so I wanted to balance it with older elements, such as the antique bust.” In the bar, which is decidedly modern in its lines and architectural details, Misso accessorized with traditional antique glassware, a subtle nod to an old-meets-new aesthetic.

While the interiors are decidedly modern at first glance, Misso’s attuned eye for detail and ability to create a curated look helped provide warmth and approachability to the entire interior. “We wanted the home to function for them as a family, but we also asked ourselves what can we do that’s a bit outside the box that makes it feel cozy and gives it that personality that we want,” explains the designer. “I think we hit the mark in striking that balance for them.”