Governor's House Living Room by Lisa Tharp. 2019 Bulfinch Award - Interior Design. Photo by Michael J. Lee
Living room library - transitional open concept light wood floor and gray floor living room library idea with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Design Style The space blends: modern coastal transitional luxury minimalist elegance The palette is light and airy, with subtle blue accents that evoke a serene, beach-inspired atmosphere.Wood-paneled tray ceiling: The pale wood ceiling adds warmth and texture while drawing the eye upward, making the room feel spacious and sophisticated. Statement chandelier: The sculptural multi-globe chandelier acts as a dramatic focal point, adding a contemporary artistic element. Soft neutral furnishings: White upholstered sofas and light wood furniture create a clean, relaxed foundation. Blue accent pillows and artwork: Pale blue textiles and abstract art introduce gentle color and reinforce the coastal vibe. Minimalist fireplace wall: The sleek fireplace and integrated shelving give the room a streamlined, modern appearance. Built-in shelving: The illuminated shelves add depth and provide subtle decorative styling without clutter. Layered textures: Upholstery, woven fabrics, soft rugs, and natural wood finishes create warmth and visual softness. Balanced symmetry: The room feels orderly and serene due to the thoughtful placement of furniture, art, and lighting.

This primary bathroom is designed as a true spa-inspired retreat, blending refined materials with thoughtful layout and elevated detailing. A freestanding soaking tub anchors the space, positioned beside a glass-enclosed walk-in shower clad in large-format marble-look porcelain tile for a seamless and luxurious appearance. The custom double vanity features warm wood cabinetry topped with a crisp quartz countertop and dual undermount sinks, accented by elegant brass fixtures throughout. Polished marble-look porcelain flooring, statement modern lighting, and soft neutral wall tones complete a bathroom that feels calm, expansive, and intentionally designed for everyday indulgence.

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This staircase makes a bold design statement through restraint and precision. Thick squared-off white oak treads appear to float between dramatic, black-painted stringers, while horizontal 1/2" round bars create an open, minimal balustrade. The uniform open risers allow natural light to cascade down to the basement level, transforming the stairwell into a light-transmitting vertical shaft. The design thoughtfully responds to the surrounding spaces, connecting levels without interrupting sightlines or blocking light flow. The result is a staircase that feels almost sculptural in its simplicity, proving that sometimes less truly is more. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This staircase makes a bold design statement through restraint and precision. Thick squared-off white oak treads appear to float between dramatic, black-painted stringers, while horizontal 1/2" round bars create an open, minimal balustrade. The uniform open risers allow natural light to cascade down to the basement level, transforming the stairwell into a light-transmitting vertical shaft. The design thoughtfully responds to the surrounding spaces, connecting levels without interrupting sightlines or blocking light flow. The result is a staircase that feels almost sculptural in its simplicity, proving that sometimes less truly is more. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Subdued Gray Kitchen boasting function and a touch of color. Traditional Cabinetry with cup pulls, white beadboard backsplash, and wood countertops are the neutral players in this kitchen. The white appliances, farmhouse sink, and stainless steel open shelving provide a sleek finish while floral wallpaper and a statement art piece provide dynamic design elements.

The addition of a pergola to any deck or patio inherently enhances its aesthetic appeal. Our pergola in Highland Lakes exemplifies this, melding functionality with striking beauty. The structure offers a shaded retreat, essential for those warm Birmingham days, and a new dimension of vertical interest. This verticality adds a sense of height and openness, making the space feel larger and more inviting. Moreover, the design of this pergola makes a bold architectural statement. We've given it a 'beefier' appearance by incorporating substantial 8x8 posts and robust 4x6 rafters. This choice ensures durability and contributes to a more pronounced, visually impactful presence in the outdoor area. These thoughtful details elevate our pergolas from mere additions to transformative elements of any outdoor space, perfectly blending elegance with practicality. This functional aspect and our commitment to aesthetic excellence are at the heart of our approach to creating elegant pergola designs. It's how we cater to our clients’ diverse needs and tastes in Birmingham, AL, turning their outdoor visions into breathtaking realities.

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The addition of a pergola to any deck or patio inherently enhances its aesthetic appeal. Our pergola in Highland Lakes exemplifies this, melding functionality with striking beauty. The structure offers a shaded retreat, essential for those warm Birmingham days, and a new dimension of vertical interest. This verticality adds a sense of height and openness, making the space feel larger and more inviting. Moreover, the design of this pergola makes a bold architectural statement. We've given it a 'beefier' appearance by incorporating substantial 8x8 posts and robust 4x6 rafters. This choice ensures durability and contributes to a more pronounced, visually impactful presence in the outdoor area. These thoughtful details elevate our pergolas from mere additions to transformative elements of any outdoor space, perfectly blending elegance with practicality. This functional aspect and our commitment to aesthetic excellence are at the heart of our approach to creating elegant pergola designs. It's how we cater to our clients’ diverse needs and tastes in Birmingham, AL, turning their outdoor visions into breathtaking realities.

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

A one-wall kitchen is basic in design, but that doesn’t mean it has to be one-dimensional. This contemporary kitchen makes a dramatic statement with a distinct stratum of texture and color that lends depth and visual interest to the space. Ann Sacks® tiles in two similar tones form the backsplash. A few of the tiles extend from wall-mounted shelves, making it hard to tell at a glance where the shelves begin and end. Other tiles form a perfect row with the 1-1/2-inch-thick horizontal canopy of the Monogram® stainless steel chimney hood. Intriguing linear effects can also be seen on the Bentwood® custom cabinets, which have been painted and sanded multiple times to achieve a weathered effect. Fabrique™ floor tiles from Daltile® have a textured appearance that’s in striking contrast with the cabinets, which are punctuated by simple chrome knobs. A 3form® light fixture, a large yet airy and light piece comprised of overlapping ribbons of resin, provides an artful focal point in the one-wall kitchen. The light installation, along with the flooring and white ceiling, brings softness to the kitchen’s overall linearity.

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

This custom spiral staircase brings dramatic visual impact to this contemporary home. Jet-black metal triangular frames create a bold geometric structure, supporting natural wood treads that appear to float as they wind upward. The beautiful black railing follows the spiral staircase, adding security with precision. The contrast between warm wood and dark metal emphasizes the sculptural nature of the spiral form, turning a vertical connection into an architectural statement piece. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company