Historical Richness to Get a Stately Alabama Home

Built in 1909, this four-story Birmingham, Alabama, home’s rich history, design and amazing craftsmanship immediately attracted in homeowners David and Atalie Whitley, who purchased the home in 2009 later David detected a for-sale hint on it on his way to operate. He made an offer that day.

The pair has since worked to conserve the first hand-cut wood walls, beams and floors and general historic charm by choosing to modify very little within the 104-year-old construction.

To underline the wood-rich interiors, they carefully integrated some of their existing furniture, consisting mostly of solid wood bits from Stickley. Richard Tubb, a regional interior designer, worked with the Whitleys on several rooms to incorporate additional furnishings to create the space and details unique and purposeful, much like the first structure. Tubb added natural colours and soft textures throughout the home to ground the warmth.

in a Glance
Who lives here: David and Atalie Whitley, 2 of their 5 kids and their dog, Annie
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Size: 10,000 square feet; 6 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths
That’s intriguing: The home includes an original silver sink in functioning state.

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The large living room rests from the foyer and opens to a workplace and sunroom. The soft tones and textures added by Tubb effortlessly boost the living space without taking away from your area’s architectural beauty. The large windows and warm tones bring in light and warmth. The area’s original fireplace stays Atalie’s favorite detail.

Furniture and decor: Richard Tubb Interiors

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Unique qualities such as the first tile flooring, steam radiator and French doors provide this small living room a rich character.

Table: Stickley; lamps: Pottery Barn

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The home is across the road from a local park. Trimmed hedges and springtime blossoms color front steps.

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The foyer introduces a number of the house’s timeless qualities. The wood was cut, for example, molding details. Panels grace doors and the walls, and beams that are floating shine above.

Pottery: Door Pottery

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A console table below the stairwell shows standard lighting and Hogmill pottery. The hand-cut wood on the staircase is ebony and can be from the house’s original construction.

Console table: Richard Tubb Interiors

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The office area boasts a beautiful mix of antiques and shows craftsmanship from the past and present. “Plenty of times we come in the afternoons and kind of sit down in one of those chairs and have a glass of wine,” David says.

A stuffed pheasant accents the dark wall in which the elegant bookmatching shines.

Side table (alongside chair): Darren Hardman

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The breakfast corner brings light to the rear of the foyer and joins to the kitchen via a small hallway.

Console table: Richard Tubb Interiors

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The chandelier over the nook’s table hints in a Tiffany first, however no official stamp or piece has been found, leaving the classic a beautiful puzzle.

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In the 1950s past owners added that this kitchen into a rear room — the cooker replaced the fireplace — because the first kitchen was built in a distinct structure several yards behind the home. The space is currently used by David as his woodworking studio.

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The butler’s pantry shows the house’s famous initial silver sink, which was found in the loft when the home was remodeled in the 1970s. “They went back and found photographs and understood where it belonged initially and brought it back and put it in its place,” David says.

In the early 1900s, silver has been used for sinks because its softness protected china and glassware while it had been washed.

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The pantry connects into the kitchen, dining room and foyer and provides excellent storage for dishes, wine and serveware.

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The Whitleys took joy in decorating their formal dining room with original Stickley furniture and works by local artists.

Original pottery tiles (a sought after collectible) still surround the fireplace, that, like every one of the fireplaces at home, is fully functional.

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Between every wall is a solid panel surrounded by ceramic bricks. Some of the walls downstairs are 3 to 4 ft thick.

Original pocket doors separate virtually every room on the main level. “Every single one still functions. They run on a solid brass railing,” David says.

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A small bathroom with white subway tiles supplies a bright respite from the dark hallways.

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A sitting area using Stickleychairs and a side table divides the first and second floors. The lamp has been custom made for the Whitleys.

Lamp: William Morris

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A classic phone decorates the second-floor hallway. This floor initially had five bedrooms arranged symmetrically, with two bedrooms plus a Jack and Jill–style bathroom on every side of a tiny central nursery.

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The nursery is currently used as a small reading room. Large windows bring in light, and stunning French doors open into a walkout porch.

Two of the few five children still live at home and also have bedrooms on the floor too.

Couch: Birmingham Wholesale; art: IO Metro

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The couple worked with Tubbs to redecorate their master bedroom. An adjoining room currently functions as a large walk-in closet, and a sleeping porch serves as a workout room. Customized linens and draperies soften the area’s feel.

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Art by local artist Ben Carlisle hangs over a fireplace that’s still in its initial state. “It probably looks awful with cracked tiles but I’d rather see it and possess it first than attempt to replace them” Atalie says.

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The prior owner altered the master bathroom, adding Alabama light marble and silver appliances.

Tub: Kohler

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Following the couple lived in the home for a year, David turned to a switch and found that the bathroom has heated floor tiles.

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Colorful bedding and mantel decorations brighten up the guest room.

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This bathroom still has its first subway tile and shower. The exceptional shower sprays water from four different points: a traditional showerhead and three extended pipes on the shower’s wall.

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The third floor was once a billiards room but now functions as the family room.

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Down from the spacious cellar, a corner functions as an additional living room for watching television or playing pool, while three bedrooms can comfortably host guests and the couple’s other three kids.

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The courtyard and pool with Roman fountains were added from the 1970s.

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The outside’s terra-cotta planters in front porch were fired and glazed onsite in 1909 by a company from New York. This was necessary, as shipping may have meant breakage.

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The roomy front porch provides a breezy sitting space.

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What the homeowners (shown here) think was once a sleeping porch currently functions as the family’s sunroom. With its white and cream furniture and large windows overlooking the serene neighborhood, it’s no wonder that the Whitleys call this their favorite room.

“My home is my favorite spot in the world to be,” says Atalie. “No matter where we’ve traveled, my husband and I look forward to coming back home.”

See more photos of the home

Couch and decor: Richard Tubb Interiors

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