Friday, April 27, 2012

Spotlight on an Architect: Dungan Nequette

If you follow the road regularly, you know by now I'm a huge fan of the city of Birmingham, Alabama. I totally wanna live there. It is loaded up with STYLE and gorgeous architecture due in part to this beauty of a firm, Dungan Nequette.

During my last visit I passed by their new office and paid a quick peek inside. They were so kind to us randoms just stopping by and we were told it will be photographed soon for their site. I'll be sure to update you all on that.


Can I just say, it was - amazing. I could work AND live here and be very happy. There were so many fabulous finishes and beautiful dee-tails.

I quickly snapped this shot of the center area with the gorgeous marble wall. I've always said if you want marble in your kitchen, put it on the walls. Hard to picture the light on the right but it was massive, made of resin, and had a few other friends to go with. Made in Italy (of course). Reclaimed rough hewn boards left in their natural state for ceiling and reclaimed wood on the floors as well.



Pecky cypress on the door and when you pulled its stout frame, you thought for sure the Wizard was standing behind ready to grant you your wish.


If you don't already know Tracery Interiors, be sure to check them out too. I met Doug Davis in their Mountain Brook location and being the dork that I am says, "I love your pins!"



One of my favorite communities we passed by on our way downtown was Abbey Road. I about lost it seeing those three houses perched up so stoic and stylish overlooking downtown. 


Speaking of little kids, remember when you would watch movies and there was a scene overlooking views like this and wonder where is that and why isn't there one by my house? 


Outside of my lovely iphone shots, all of these gorgeous images are courtesy of their website you can visit HERE. I picked a few favorites but there is so much more to see my pretties. 


Including sketches they have on the board right now...what lucky soul will live here? We're knocking on your door come Halloween for a treat. 


The Springhouse Restaurant on Lake Martin, Alabama. A family trip in our future?


"let the sunshine in"


Is this where Ted Turner lives?



 Dig. The front...



 Inside...


And back (LOVE)...





A crazy beautiful home they designed along 30A and was featured in the book 30A Style.




CHECK out the rug. Peacock Pavers concrete flooring made to look like antique Italian travertine. My favorite floor covering, out of Montgomery, Alabama, and just wonderful to work with!



One of the things I adore about their spaces is how much creed they give to the "passing through" areas, like stairways. Think about it. Stairways don't get a lot of respect in smaller homes with regard to windows. yet we're up and down them every single day, ten times a day. They get it. And moreover, perfect for hanging your favorite mack daddy chandelier. Another room I'd give a lot of creed to is the laundry room. It would be stocked full of windows dripping in natural light - seeing as you spend so much time there! Mine is a hole. Something has to be done about it.


This is my winner winner chicken dinner, hot damn country ham, favorite pick. Just goes to show what exterior lighting, all lighting, does to set the mood. Change your lighting, change your life.



Oh Dungan Nequette and Birmingham, you are very lovely. It always makes me a little bit sad for my friend, who lived here for 12 years, when we visit. As much as we love where we live now, Birmingham is a go anywhere, do anything in ten minutes city with hundreds of homes like the ones in our sweet little neighborhood. You must visit and shop and eat till you drop soon. 

Have a beautiful weekend. They come and go so quickly. We've got big plans for this one, a lemonade stand, look. out. Here's wishing you and yours a blessed, glorious and go-by-slow one! 

xx
Jennifer

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

beach bound and down! part deux

One of the most widely read posts on Vreeland Road, is part one of beach bound and down from last year, (you can revisit it HERE), where I wrote about our family's vacation to Rosemary Beach and the surrounding areas. Big love for the area's design, architecture and personality.

So naturally when we went back for more, I had to leave where we left off. We stayed in a beautiful home in Seagrove Beach, with insane views, which is located a mile from the famed neighborhood of Seaside on Scenic Highway 30A.

After hearing us rave for ten plus years about the area, some of our family from Michigan shared in the scene. It was good times!


Here are a few shots of the house pre-mess.

Starting with the best part, the view!  Notice the beautiful artwork up top. It was everywhere.


A table big enough to handle us all. Simple wicker dining chairs complete the relaxed and easy look.


These bamboo directoire chairs would also work great in a beach/lake house setting and at $99 at Bohlert Massey Home Interiors, you can't beat em!  



Susan, the store owner is a sweet soul and expecting twins in July. Check out her portfolio HERE and stop by her shop in Seacrest Beach to say hello. 

Those lamps were great. 


Pop of green chandy to match iron railing.





Bedroom balcony view + coffee + peace 



My favorite thing about the house was the view thoughtfully cut out from the outdoor shower. All six kids were huge fans of the shower. 



Father and Son most likely talking about baseball or football. xoxoxo



One day I hopped my bike down to Seaside and Watercolor to photograph some new material that caught my eye. 

I thought this was a cute little dumplin of architecture. How would that look in your yard somewhere?



Its fun to catch a glimpse inside. Love the shutter doors, and those wooden orbs on the floor inside. Alabama's state flag is the bomb with that big red x.



Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!



Had to check in with one of my favorites with a shot of my hot wheels parked out front. See the inside HERE.



All roads lead to the ocean and then there are happy little trails running in between...


...that allow you to catch views like this. The back of "String of Pearls".


Arbor complete with swings!



Major renovation taking shape on Seaside Avenue. We'll be sure to check back in with him next time.



Wax on, wax off.  Mr Miyagi's dream.



A gorgeous bed and breakfast with classic ceiling porch blue. Notice the privacy screen on the right tastefully designed.


Seaside chapel. Jen and Ken were married here!


I must of had a thing for white while capturing Seaside aeh? Just noticed every subject is white but sometimes there's nothing better than simple, striking white. Like this guy below.



back in the day


doors, doors and more doors.



Someone's dream taking shape in Watercolor. Go dreams!




Totally digging these pots overflowing with elephant ears (right?).


Remember this guy was under construction when I first photographed him for last year's post.



Garage with sliding barn doors makes for great entertainment space.


Simple shudder style





And just a few more from the vacation vault...

A beautiful interior from a previous visit.



my guys...slays me every time.



A stunner of color in Rosemary. Noticed the reclaimed doors bottom left. I'm big into reclaimed doors as of late. Would love to bring more of this element into my home starting with our master bedroom door and converting it into a pair of eight foot reclaimers. That would be nice.






The overflowing pots of ivy and lanterns caught my eye here.


Notice the little stinker, stage right, throwing sand on us.


 There is nothing better than the natural patina of all those shutters...talk...dirty.


A black and white brick beauty 


"Simple" - the way to live!


Hope you enjoyed this second installment of one of the most beautiful places on earth and I wish you a very happy vacation past, present and future!

xx
Jenny from the rock
 
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