This new residence overlooks a wooded ravine in a hilly residential district of Birmingham, Alabama. Inspired by the city’s rich history of 1920s Garden Suburb development, and with a nod to the owner’s decade of residency in eastern Pennsylvania, this painted white stone and shingled house lives like a series of connected cottages. Designed as mostly one room deep throughout to allow for multiple exposures, windows and doors are positioned to create axial vistas between adjacent interior rooms and exterior gardens.

Upon arrival one may enter though either a louvered Dutch door at the stone Entry Porch or through the more causal side Entry Porch with painted wood floors and timber posts. The Entry Porch opens onto a walled Kitchen Garden through a series of arches, creating an immediate sense of informality and intimacy. The bluestone paving and painted horizontal flush boards continue inside the house and combine with floor-to-ceiling glazing at the Entry Hall to create the feeling of a filled-in porch. In contrast, the adjacent double-height Stair Hall leads to the Library and Primary Suite on the first floor, and to additional bedrooms on the second floor. An allée garden of Winter Hawthorns off the Library and Primary Bath organizes the landscape through structured vistas that also frame views of the exterior architecture.

The Living Room, open to one end of the Entry Hall, features a reclaimed wood-beamed ceiling, a colonial-inspired wood paneled fireplace screen wall, and four exposures. The Kitchen, Screened Porch, and Loggia all connect to this room allowing for comfortable indoor/outdoor living. The Loggia and adjoining South Garden serve as the owner’s gardening conservatory. A Butler’s Pantry and Mudroom lead from the Kitchen to the barbeque terrace, Side Entry Porch, and Garage for easy daily circulation. Custom details include exterior garden gates, brass L-hinges, interior millwork, fireplace mantels and custom washstands.