Susan McCurry is amazed by the natural beauty of Greater Birmingham, and she’s determined to help residents enjoy what they have. Born in South Carolina and raised in North Carolina, she was living and working in Los Angeles when she met her husband, a Birmingham native who founded Father Nature Landscapes (headquartered in Birmingham since 2009) with his brother.
Now, as lead designer and decorator for the Birmingham-based landscape design and construction company, Susan’s job is to help clients build beautiful outdoor living spaces that will allow them to “live indoors out.” She is passionate about getting to know her clients so she can help them build an outdoor space that truly fits their lifestyle. We’re excited to introduce our newest FACE of Birmingham, Susan McCurry of Father Nature Landscapes.
Meet Susan McCurry, lead designer and decorator for Father Nature Landscapes. Image: Father Nature Landscapes
What makes Father Nature different from other landscape and design firms?
We are a “design-build” firm. What that means is we design it in-house. We install it in-house. We actually have a maintenance division because once we’re done with installing, we love to maintain the projects we install. And then I do the furniture. After that, we also have a flower division, and Dwight — one of our people — comes in and installs the flowers as well as containers all around the project. It is really a one-stop shop, and I think we were one of the first in Birmingham to do that.
Living in Los Angeles, everybody lives indoors out. They open their doors because the weather is so beautiful, and that’s what I love. Birmingham is so beautiful. [There are] so many mountains, people have amazing homes, and it’s so great to help them realize you can live indoors out.
What do you love most about the work that you do?
A lot of our clients might not have been spending time outside, but once we install something and show them it is a great way to use their space, they are so grateful and love it. I really love what I do because I love helping people use their spaces in ways they didn’t even realize they could.
Father Nature Landscapes is a one-stop shop for all of your outdoor living needs offering construction, design, décor, and more. Image: Father Nature Landscapes
What’s the story behind the name Father Nature?
The name Father Nature was really to marry the idea of the Heavenly Father with nature. Also, the fathering of nature, the ground, and the earth. My husband and brother-in-law felt like Father Nature was a great marriage between the two.
Are there any trends in landscape and design that you’re noticing?
A lot of people have been on the pizza oven trend. A lot of people have been wanting us to install pizza ovens. And you can do that in various ways. You can make it grand and build it into a whole kitchen, or you can buy a pizza oven, set it outside, and use it. The other thing is something I jokingly call “spools.” But they’re spa pools. [Clients want] small lap pools attached to a hot tub. We’ve been doing a lot of those.
What tips or advice would you offer if someone wants to create or revamp an outdoor living space?
We like to ask our clients, “Do you want to do a big overhaul, or do you just want to do a few things to make it look better?” If they already have a great space with a pool or patio installed, we like to do pillows and throws. Then we alternate them for winter and summer.
We also love to use lanterns. A lot of people don’t have lighting, and great lighting can help your space. Amazing [flower] containers can help with the flow of traffic or block areas to guide people.
Also, it can spruce up a space to bring in new furniture — maybe throw out an old sofa and bring in a new one. Or, if there was a sofa and two chairs, maybe you want to do four chairs with a coffee table in the middle, which is a great conversation area.
I also love outdoor swivel chairs. One client told me swivel was king. If you have a lot of different spaces in your backyard, you can just swivel and talk to people, whether they’re at the grill or sitting behind you — especially if you’re having a lot of people over and entertaining.
I love upholstered furniture outdoors. That’s a great way to spruce up your outdoor area. A lot of people are scared of that because they think it’s going to get ruined, but it’s very easy to clean. You just use a little bit of Dawn and spot-clean. If you get something that’s not white, like a neutral color or pattern — although we do like to use white — it won’t show as much dirt.
As lead designer and decorator for Father Nature Landscapes, Susan McCurry helps clients create beautiful outdoor spaces like this one. Image: Father Nature Landscapes
Susan loves to spruce up an outdoor space with throw pillows, and she says you shouldn’t be afraid to elevate your outdoor living area with upholstered furniture. Image: Jordan Mahy
What are some of your favorite Birmingham restaurants?
I love Automatic Seafood. I love the food, and I love the decor of it. We also love Vino in English village. It has a great outdoor space and a great bar area. I go to Taco Mama in Crestline all the time; I know all the people there! My husband and I eat there a lot during the week. I grab food to go, and I just love the people in there. Another restaurant I love to go to is BrickTop’s.
Any favorite local bars?
We work long hours, so we don’t get out to bars as much as we would like. But The Collins Bar is one we like to go to.
Do you have any favorite places to shop?
I love to shop locally. I love Manhattan South. Lesley, the owner, is a friend. And, of course, Gus Mayer Birmingham — love, love that. And I love Elle in Crestline. Since I do furniture, I like to go to At Home Furnishings in Homewood. They started a section with a lot of clothing and jewelry, where you can find great gifts. But they also have a ton of furniture and lighting.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Growing up, my dad always told me, “Always do your best at whatever you do, no matter what you do.” And a dear friend, Dan Wheeler, always said, “Attitude is everything.” He always encouraged us to be happy where we’re at and be grateful. I learned that your attitude can definitely help you in any circumstance. Wake up in the morning grateful for what you have and where you are. Try to learn from every experience that comes your way because a lot will come your way.
Name three things you can’t live without.
My pets (my dog Bleu and our cat Dolly, named after Dolly Parton), Mexican food, and 30A beaches.
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