- Interior
- Architecture & development
Do you enjoy gardening on calm Sunday afternoons? If so, this dream home in south Birmingham, Alabama will charm you without a doubt. Among the fields of the chic Mountain Brook area, interior designer Betsy Brown and architect Paul Bates created this Mediterranean-style villa for a couple of garden lovers. The design enthusiasts' hearts immediately jumped when they saw this design: it offers a perfect balance between indoors and outdoors.
At first glance, it seems strange that a structure standing in the middle of Alabama, USA contains many Mediterranean features. Yet according to Bates, there is a logical explanation for this: ‘During the roaring twenties, rich people from Birmingham built summer homes on large tracts of land where they could keep horses. Those same families often travelled to Europe and, there, they drew inspiration from the various characterful European architectural styles.’ Because the Mediterranean style pays great attention to sustainability and always seeks a link with the surrounding landscape, a century later, the resident couple also immediately fell for the style of the house. 
The green environment that surrounds the building flows seamlessly into the interior by connecting the outdoor spaces with the interior rooms. This was achieved by including Italian columns, arches and cross vaults in both the interior and exterior, just as was done during the ancient Renaissance period in Italy. In addition, the environment is drawn in through the use of different natural materials throughout the property: stone facades, an antique barrel-tiled roof, and large wooden beams exude rural connection. These three elements also all come together in the beautiful loggias: a must for the two avid garden enthusiasts. They provide ideal shelter from the bright sun between gardening sessions. 
The green environment that surrounds the building flows seamlessly into the interior
Crossing the loggias at the back of the house from the peaceful garden with swimming pool, you enter the living room and kitchen. These form a single unit together, allowing plenty of natural light to seep into the space. This light complements the warm beige hue that was continued throughout the property. It was no coincidence that Betsy Brown chose this soft beige colour with a hint of yellow-grey: ‘My client has a colour palette that recurs in every part of her life - her home, clothes, car... So I definitely had to match her home with this.’ Moreover, this shade matches perfectly with the bleached wooden beams that give a sun-dried, authentic look. 
To further highlight the antique Mediterranean style, the architects used soft textures: Persian rugs and simple linen sofas come together beautifully with cashmere curtains that leave a wonderful glow during sunny hours. Rounded shapes like those of the flowing spiral staircase make for a warm, cosy home that perfectly reflects the character of its residents. 

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Interior design by Betsy Brown
Architecture by Paul Bates Architects
Landscaping by Golightly Landscape Architecture
Builder: Russell Building Company
Photography by Shade Degges