With its mix of colorful textures, patterned fabrics, and a diverse collection of art pieces, the Birmingham, AL, home of Melany and Drew Robinson embodies eclectic style — and that’s precisely the look Melany was going for. “I like a mix of old and new, and antiques and mid-century,” she tells us. To achieve her vision for the home — a Spanish Mission-style abode built in 1935 — Melany partnered with interior designer Fran Keenan of Fran Keenan Design Studio.
Though Fran says she did not subscribe to any particular design philosophy for the home, she’s known for her ability to creatively mix gathered pieces and modern objects. “We wanted to fill the rooms with things they cherish, feel personally attached to, and have some sort of personal worth,” Fran says. “It was a ‘no-rules’ mentality when collecting and gathering these things. That’s what made it really fun.”
Birmingham-based interior designer Fran Keenan transformed the inside of this historic home into a colorful, eclectic escape for a family of four. For the front of the exterior, Father Nature Landscapes adopted southern plantings. They used Boxwood, Autumn Fern, and Dwarf Mondo to complement the architecture of the Spanish mission-style residence, using clean lines and low plantings to expose thoughtful architectural elements. In addition, hanging ferns were used to shade the front loggia.
The Robinsons, who co-own the Birmingham-based Sprouthouse Agency, moved into the four-bedroom, four-bathroom house in the fall of 2020 as the pandemic gripped the world. Melany tells us that she found the home while searching online. Located less than two miles from their previous home, she spotted it as soon as it went on the market. It was love at first sight. “We love the historical character, the location, and the elementary school,” Melany says. “We knew it didn’t need a major overhaul, but it just needed some ‘lipstick.’ The bones were great.”
The two-story home sits in the historic Hollywood neighborhood of Homewood. The tranquil suburb, with its walkable, tree-lined streets, is about 10 minutes south of downtown Birmingham.
Melany’s favorite space in the 3,306-square-foot residence is the living room. “I just love that the room has pieces I love,” she shares. “I love the coziness and that it’s centered around just being with people in conversation. I just love [how eclectic it is] and that it is one of the rooms that are fully intact from the original structure.”
Fran integrated multiple layers of vibrant patterns to create a cozy living room, including Schumacher drapes with the Chiang Mai Dragon design.
The living room boasts several features to feast your eyes on, but nothing is more eye-catching than the glass “bubble” chandelier designed by San Francisco-based Oly Studios. Multi-colored Schumacher drapes with the well-loved Chiang Mai Dragon pattern hang along the two walls of windows and capture a rainbow of colors — from reds and yellows to blues and greens. Fran points out that she chose the yellowish-green ceiling color to reflect the window treatments. “Melany found the drapes at an estate sale, and she called me and asked, ‘Can we use these?’” Fran chuckles. “That doesn’t always work out great, but this time it did!”
A rust-colored cotton velvet sofa with bench-style seating offers guests the perfect place to kick back and relax. Flanking the plaster fireplace are a pair of midcentury Italian chairs in a powder blue chenille fabric that Fran sourced from one of her favorite furniture dealers. A large diamond-patterned sisal rug stretches across nearly the entire room. In contrast, a couple of antique rugs are layered on top to provide “another cozy layer and another vehicle for color and texture in the room,” according to Fran.
Alabama-based fashion designer Natalie Chanin constructed the hand-sewn American flag quilt that hangs above a rustic wooden table.
The living area is just one of many spaces in the house that displays the Robinsons’ impressive accumulation of art and photography. A hand-sewn American flag quilt, created by Alabama fashion designer Natalie Chanin, hangs on a rod above a rustic wooden table. On the opposite side of the room are several other pieces of framed and structural artwork.
The living room is full of eye-catching treasures, from the powder blue midcentury Italian chairs and the yellowish-green ceiling to the glass bubble chandelier from Oly Studios.
“Having color and spunk in the lamps was really important because I felt like it worked well with all of the art that [Melany] has,” Fran says.
The kitchen boasts a primarily white color palette with stainless steel appliances. Fran skirted the butcher-block island with gray linen fabric to soften the space. It was also the perfect solution for hiding kitchen equipment and utensils. Adding a personal touch to the kitchen, Fran hung an oversized family portrait taken by photographer Leigh Webber.
The kitchen boasts a white palette, but Fran added a gray linen skirt around the butcher-block island to soften the space.
Of all the features in the kitchen, Fran says one of the most interesting is the custom wood shelf with brass brackets. Installed over the sink, it allows for easy grabbing and unloading of plates and bowls. “It is always so pretty to have dishes in front of a window because you’re able to see the shapes,” she explains.
A custom wood shelf with brass brackets was installed in front of the window, giving the homeowners easy access to plates and bowls.
Flowing directly out of the kitchen is a cozy den with a white slip-covered sofa perfect for relaxing. Thanks to double French doors, natural light shines through the space, which features a mix of artwork. A large painting by Butch Anthony, a self-taught contemporary artist from Seale, AL, hangs at the base of the stairwell. Adjacent to his work is a giant bundle of magnolia tree branches ascending the stair railing. Melany tells us that “amazingly talented” floral artist Zachary Westall installed the magical piece for a surprise birthday party she threw for a friend. She decided to keep the greenery because it brings her such joy.
The den is full of natural light that shines through the double French doors.
A contemporary work by self-taught artist Butch Anthony hangs at the bottom of the stairs.
Birmingham-based floral artist Zachary Westall installed a bundle of real-life magnolia tree branches that ascended the den’s staircase.
Nestled between the kitchen and living room is the dining room. A narrow Belgian oak table with a trestle base is centered in the space and anchored by an antique area rug to capture the room’s color palette. Fran used a blue fabric designed by Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa to cover the half-dozen midcentury dining chairs. She tells us that what creates the room’s energy and really makes it “sing” are the blue-striped table lamp shades. “The room is predominantly white, and then you have this really strong graphic hint of blue,” she explains. A family heirloom hutch is situated in the corner of the dining area, and the room features wall-to-wall bookshelves for cookbooks Drew has collected over the years.
Midcentury dining chairs covered in fabric from Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa surround a Belgian oak table.
After a long workday, the homeowners can retreat to their moody primary bedroom coated in chocolate brown paint. A custom-made wood canopy bed by Michael Morrow of MDM Design Studio is dressed with layers of neutral linens, and jewel-toned teal patterned pillows add a pop of color. For added contrast, Fran embellished the modern bed with traditional screen art that floats above the headboard. A duo of midcentury chairs sits in a box of windows wrapped in natural light and graphic patterned curtains. Two unique nightstands with center cutouts rest on either side of the bed. The primary bathroom, which boasts soothing blue walls, is spacious with a black- and neutral-tiled floor. But it’s a vibrantly patterned antique rug that grabs your attention.
The primary bedroom features a wood canopy bed custom-built by Michael Morrow of MDM Design Studio.
A traditional screen captures the color palette.
Two midcentury chairs and a fabric ottoman create a comfortable sitting area.
Antique rugs are placed throughout the house, including in the primary bathroom.
The hallway is decorated with family photos, the vast majority of which were taken by homeowner Melany Robinson, who has a degree in biomedical photography. “I have a passion for photography. I’m a storyteller. That’s what I do for a living. So for me, photography is about capturing moments in time that make up our story and life.”
Melany and Drew’s daughter’s bedroom offers a whimsical look, with pale green walls and trim. The room also displays familiar accents of gold and amber. “It was really about finding that sweet spot of a playful kids’ room that also has some room for her to grow,” Fran says. “It was really fun for us to find that green … it’s spunky enough for her and sophisticated enough, too.”
A rattan light fixture hangs above a boucle fabric bed draped with a multi-colored, checkered blanket. A wall of bookshelves stores various treasured objects, including books and animals. Curtain panels with beautifully detailed botanicals from Anthropologie add an organic element to the space.
Fran opted for green walls to add a sophisticated yet playful vibe.
If there’s a centering, inspiring place in the home, the backyard is it. Melany tells us that she and Drew sip coffee out there in the mornings. She points out that living in Alabama, the weather is comfortable for most of the year. Plus, with a fire pit and grill, it’s also the ideal spot for entertaining.
“The house has an amazing backyard,” Melany adds. “We love to entertain, and the flow makes it easy for that.”
The property’s landscape architect firm, Father Nature Landscapes, says the terracotta containers complement the Spanish styling of the home, giving the feeling of a kitchen garden from Southern Spain. The terrace gets plenty of sunshine, so the landscaping team used topiary Olive trees and Rio Grande Orange Purslane for foliage and color. Image: Angela Blake
All photography by Mary Fehr unless otherwise noted.
**********
For a dose of Style + Substance delivered to your inbox every morning, subscribe to StyleBlueprint!
