Birmingham Home & Garden In the News

Visit http://www.remodelalabama.com/news.html to view our coverage of the Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards.

Thompson Architecture Renovates Event Space on Cobb Lane

Take a stroll down Cobb Lane to reminisce about your favorite times, or make some new memories at this stunning event space remodeled by Thompson Architecture.

Nestled in the heart of Southside, the Cobb Lane Carriage House has been a must-see in Birmingham for over fifty years. Now, thanks to the thoughtful renovation by Thompson Architecture, Birmingham’s oldest carriage house is opening its doors for various community events as is available to rent for everything from receptions to fundraisers, to parties and corporate functions.

According to Derrick Walker of Thompson Architecture, the main goal of the renovation process was to combine the original configuration of the two tenant building into one unit. In addition to creating a single unit, Derrick says, “The low windows that were placed in the original locations of the carriage doors were removed and replaced by taller windows with panels underneath. This allowed a ton of light to flood the space.”

When asked what the challenges of the renovation were, Derrick emphasized the importance of melding the past with the present in a way that could be both aesthetically pleasing and secure. “The main challenge was updating the space without losing any of its charm and appeal. We wanted it to be current and function with today's comforts, but didn't want it to look like a totally new building,” he says. “Care was taken in selection of materials and colors and technique so that the interiors and the exterior became complimentary to each other. Another challenging aspect was making sure the building was structural sound. It's such an old structure, we just didn't want a pretty skin, but we reinforced some walls and completely replaced the roof structure over the main area.”

While the newly updated Cobb Lane Carriage House has undergone some important changes, the space’s historic appeal still remains. According to Derrick, guests can look forward to a secluded outdoor courtyard, stained concrete floors, a custom concrete and glass ledge that he says is “perfect for serving beverages,” and “dynamic” architectural lighting fixtures throughout the building.

Book It Now!

Daytime Rentals
To book a daytime rental Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am-4:00 pm there is a $500 fee for a 3 hour event (price includes a 2 hour set-up and take down). Saturday and Sunday rentals are available for $700 for a 3 hour event. Daytime rentals include the use of 7 round tables, 60 chairs, ivory or black floor length tablecloths, set-up and break down time for caterers, and an on-site Cobb Lane Carriage House staff member. Ideal for luncheons, the windows allow the perfect amount of light to stream in, illuminating the charming space and all who meet within. Cobb Lane Carriage House offers seating for 60 people and standing room for 120.

Evening Rentals
To book an evening rental from 4:00-10:00, Monday-Thursday, the cost is $750 for a 3 hour event. Friday-Sunday, a cost of $1000 is required of a 3 hour event. A 2 hour set-up and take down time is also included in these prices. Evening rental price includes the use of 7 round tables, 60 chairs, ivory or black floor length tablecloths, set-up and break down time for caterers, an on-site Cobb Lane Carriage House staff member, and valet service for up to 120 guests. Any parties involving alcohol must employ the services of a security guard or off-duty police officer for $25 and $35 per hour, respectively. Alcohol is permitted on the premises, and must be purchased through Cobb Lane Carriage House along with the services of a security guard or off duty police officer for $25 and $35 per hour, respectively. Bartenders may be supplied for an additional $30 per hour.

For additional information, contact Ashley Thompson at 205.930.9305 or 205.999.8021. Cobb Lane Carriage House is located at 1314 Cobb Lane.

—by Jamie S. Walden, Birmingham Home & Garden Intern
—floral arrangements provided by HotHouse

What Did You Do…?

How did you spend your Memorial Day Weekend?

Did you spend some time in the garden? Start (and maybe even finish) a home improvement project? Or, perhaps you picked up the latest issue of Birmingham Home & Garden magazine and spent a little time perusing our pages? If so, let us know what you thought!

I did what our intern Amy suggested in her April 17th blog on Getting Back to Nature...just that. Check out some pictures from my hike at CHEAHA STATE PARK, and please remember…I’m hardly a professional photographer!

For more on our state parks visit, http://www.alapark.com/cheaharesort/ or call 1-800-ALAPARK (1-800-252-7275).

How did you spend your weekend? Leave us a comment!

Summer Survival Tips for Your Garden

Every Alabamian knows how intolerable our scorching and often humid summers can be. The heat can make maintaining flowers and plants more difficult than usual, so it’s important to be prepared by knowing which varieties are able to endure the extreme weather.

Pam Clark, owner of the Garden Shop of Homewood, suggests several beautiful flowers capable of handling the summer exceptionally well. Diamond Frost (Euphorbia) is among her favorites. Pam says it “blooms profusely” in the summer, making it a lovely addition to your garden.

Another good choice? Pam suggests Periwinkles (Vinca) which don’t require as much watering as other flowers. Pam also recommends sedums and succulents for the summer, and says, “They’ve always been a big seller for us in the past years, because they work well in the heat and they’re so interesting.”

Lacking a green thumb or new to gardening altogether? Follow Pam’s simple tips to ensure your summer garden thrives:

• SIZE UP YOUR POTS: When potting your plants, make sure the pots are big enough to house what you’re planting. You don’t want to kill your flowers due to overcrowding.

• LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: The little labels you find poking out from the soil in the plants you buy aren’t merely suggestions. Read the care requirements if you’re unsure whether your new addition needs full sun or shade. Your plants will do best in the appropriate location.

• GET A SOIL CHANGE: Pam says that after a few years, your potting soil loses a lot of its nutrients. Solution? Replace your old soil or just mix some fresh soil with what you’ve already got to maintain a nutrient-rich environment for your plants. Pam personally recommends adding a bit of “J 3 Organics,” which is made from worm castings. You can pick up a bag at most independent garden shops like Pam’s.

—by Barbara Silor,
Birmingham Home & Garden Intern

—photography by Barbara Silor

What are you passionate about planting?

As the last bursts of cold air leave and the sun’s warmth prevails, we hope that like us, you're tempted to rush to your favorite local garden shop and pick up summer flowers. Every summer, I nurse a potted Moon flower and delight in its short-lived evening blooms. I’m also always sure to have an array of colorful Snapdragons. This year, I’d like to add something new to the mix, and I wonder what are Birmingham Home & Garden magazine readers’ favorite summer flowers and plants?

—by Barbara Silor,
Birmingham Home & Garden Intern

—photography by Barbara Silor

—special thanks to Pam at the Garden Shop of Homewood for allowing us use of her location

Send us your summer favorites and tell us why they have roots in your home garden every year. Got pictures of your award winning Knockout roses? Send them our way! We want to see what you are passionate about planting.

The American Institute of Architects Presents the DreamArchitecture Awards

The Birmingham Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently held its annual DreamArchitecture contest for grades K-5 in Greater Birmingham and surrounding areas to promote awareness for sustaining our planet while generating interest in architecture and design. The DreamArchitecture participants were asked to submit drawings of their “Green Dream Schools" along with a “Dream Statement” explaining details about the submitted pictures.

On May 7, 2009, the awards ceremony took place at the historic Birmingham Printing and Publishing Company on 19^th Street South to honor the winners of the DreamArchitecture 2009 contest. At this event, the vibrant drawings were displayed against the building’s wooden walls, allowing the bright colors of the unique designs to stand out. The drawings conveyed a sense of excitement about the effort to maintain the environment. Proud children pointed out their creations to onlookers, and the winning entries were marked by red, white, and blue ribbons for each grade level. White frosted cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles and an array of fruits were served as refreshments for contestants and their guests, courtesy of Café Iz.

While the first prize for the DreamArchitecture 2009 contest was an AIA hands-on workshop on May 9, 2009, all contestants were deemed successful for taking steps in moving their “green” dreams to reality by participating in the competition. AIA Birmingham’s DreamArchitecture contest can be construed as a great victory for its effort to educate the city’s youth on environmental impacts while also promoting a creative outlet for all involved.

—by Jamie S. Walden,
Birmingham Home & Garden intern

For more information on the DreamArchitecture contest and on the AIA, visit http://www.aiaalabama.com.