Nestled in a newly developed hamlet in Vestavia Hills, this custom-built home’s painted brick exterior captures the classic look the homeowners love, while a stone archway of gorgeous moss rock frames the front door and wows guests upon entry. Step inside and a calming palette of warm neutrals lends a hushed elegance to the space. Here and there, pops of personality and colorful modern art add a layered complexity that perfectly reflects this vibrant family of five.
“My clients have three children, ages 14, 11 and 8,” says Shea Bryars, lead interior designer and owner of Shea Bryars Design. “They are at the stage of life where they wanted a home that was open and airy, allowing for their family to have large gatherings — whether it is a big group of soon-to-be teenagers or an adult dinner party.” Shea worked alongside the homeowners from the time that the home was just a set of drawings through the process of making all of the selections for it to finishing the built-out space and furnishing it. “I love the day-to-day job-site visits and problem-solving,” says Shea. “I love all of the minutiae of it!”
“The natural light that comes through is beautiful at all hours of the day,” says Shea Bryars, lead interior designer and owner of Shea Bryars Interiors. “And I think the layering of grays and whites makes the space feel well-planned.”
“My favorite room is the family room. It just has such a great feel to it,” says Shea.
Subtle yet stunning, the wallpaper on the back of the bookcase gives this vignette a polished look.
Striking metallic chandeliers add a glamorous touch over the sizable island.
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Mont Blanc quartzite countertops and backsplash provide an elegant backdrop for the stunning Wolf range and gorgeous custom cabinetry by Alabama-based NeedCo — The Cabinet Company.
A pet portrait takes center stage at this wet bar where a large window allows natural light to bathe the pristine scene.
Shea’s No. 1 priority with this client — and all of her clients — is to capture their unique sense of style, not hers. And this client made it easy for Shea. “This client was so much fun to work with! She had a real vision for what she wanted things to feel like,” says Shea. “She has an edge to her taste that broke the traditional mold of building and furnishing a house in Alabama. It was refreshing! Her taste is clean, at times mid-century to modern and graphic.”
The homeowner wanted to strike a very specific note — sophisticated, but not pretentious; comfortable, but not “shabby chic:” art-forward, but not loud. And Shea made the spaces sing, right on key.
The great room, with its soaring ceilings and light-filled airiness, flows into the spacious kitchen, where crisp white cabinetry, a massive island and gleaming hardwood floors exude timeless beauty. The kitchen, adjacent dining area and great room combine to create a next-level entertaining setup, large enough to accommodate any type of gathering.
A striking triptych of three custom-made mirrors is flanked by sleek sconces — each in a gilded finish that is at once warm and modern.
The laundry room, with its clean subway-tile backsplash and turquoise cabinetry, is an absolute dream.
“I had the privilege of meeting several times with their children and designing their rooms with them,” says Shea. “I love kids, and my children happen to be very close to the same ages, so I really related to them.”
Sumptuous textiles in well-chosen colors and patterns take this bed to new heights.
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Dusty rose, magenta, powder pink and fuschia interplay in this girl’s bedroom.
Art featuring this child’s love for Alabama lends personality to this bedroom.
Shea was intentional about creating this clean and classic look with a subtle edge. “We tried to stay far away from anything ‘fussy.’ The quartzite slab backsplash in the kitchen is sleek and clean. The tapered island legs, although a warm wood, are far away from ‘country,’” she says. “We used low coffee tables and airy draperies in the family room to make for a casual, comfortable space.”
A sparing use of color preserves the polished look. On the walls, Benjamin Moore’s “Swiss Coffee” tone provides a refined tranquility while pink is one of the main colors woven throughout the main level in accessories, art and rugs. Says Shea, “We layered patterns of neutral grays and whites in the pillows and windows in the main living areas, and used more color in the children’s rooms, keeping it in the art and fabrics.”
In fact, Shea met with the children several times to collaborate on the design schemes for their rooms. And, as a result, the children’s upstairs domain is decidedly more daring in the color department. The girls’ bedrooms hold pink in an affectionate embrace — one with a bold magenta and the other with a delicate powder pink — along with fun shaggy pillows, plush velvet textures, and floral patterns. A jewel-toned sapphire with striking chartreuse accents lends undeniable personality to a playroom with built-in bunks. And more fun is found in the kids’ zone with accents like faux animal mounts, oversized jacks, and beanbag chairs. It is clear that Shea had fun expressing the kids’ unique personalities upstairs — almost as much fun as she had creating the stunning spaces for entertaining and togetherness downstairs.
A shaggy carpet, pillow and chair lend texture to the space and exude a sense of whimsy.
Custom-made built-in bunks, ample room and a game table set the stage for all manner of fun. This versatile room is perfect for hosting sleepover parties for the kids.
This reading nook expertly displays this room’s sapphire-and-chartreuse color scheme.
The boy’s bedroom clearly demonstrates his love for Alabama football in a subtle yet rustic design.
Sleek white faux animal mounts are equal parts playful and cool in this boy’s bathroom.
“My favorite thing about working with these clients was that they are just very kind, down-to-earth people. They were very respectful of me and really trusted me with their home,” says Shea. “Also, my goal is for the homes I design to look like my client, and I believe this client would say that we did just that.”
Thank you to Jean Allsop of Jean Allsopp Photography for the gorgeous images of this home.
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