Showing posts with label alabama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alabama. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Two finds . . .

For years I have driven by, but I actually stopped and looked this time. Henry Sprott Long is primarily known for grand historically-referenced designs. But the office is pure MCM. Love the atrium.

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Photobucket
Photobucket

And a bit of a find at 5th Avenue Antiques (at the top of the stairs) -- three shallow aggregate planters. $225, I think, for the three. I almost bought them, but then realized I didn't know what to put in them. Now I realize they'd be great with succulents.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tour of MCM homes in Birmingham, Alabama - Part 1

Birmingham is, shall we say, no Palm Springs. Traditional is the thing around here, and many MCM homes have been altered or disguised with the trappings of French Country or Old World. But there are still some great examples here. You just have to know where to look. And since there are few "tracts" here like you see out west, I think there are probably a lot of isolated MCM owners in various parts of town. I'm hoping this blog will be the start of a "gathering place" or network.

I started in my old neighborhood, Crestwood. This is a great, progressive, city neighborhood. Lots of young professionals, artists, etc. The north side of Crestwood has a lot of 1920s homes. My former home (ain't it cute? but the stump/stonehenge thing in the front yard was actually a nice River Birch when I lived there):

7th Ave So.

The houses in Crestwood get newer street by street as you get closer to Red Mountain. 1920s near my old house, then 1940s cottages, then 1950s ranches and MCMs, and up on the side of the mountain, 1960s/70s ranches.

These two are next door to one another, clearly built by the same builder. They are surrounded by traditional ranches:
8th Avenue So

8th Ave So,

Here is a particularly nice ranch:
8th Ave So,

A few post-and-beam beauties:
8th Ave So.

Crestwood South

One of my favorites. But it looked nicer the last time I saw it, with a great spherical fountain out front. It must have changed hands:
56th St

This is a great ranch that spreads over 2 or 3 lots. I couldn't even get the entire house in one shot:
10th Ave So

Adjacent to Crestwood is Forest Park and there are a few nice mods here. This one is amazing, but hard to see because of the trees. First the front, then the side:

Forest Park

Forest Park

Another nice one in Forest Park:
Forest Park

Stay tuned for more!