As the days get shorter and the leaves start to change, friendly greetings of “Hello” and “How are you?” are replaced with chants of “War Eagle!” and “Roll Tide!” in just about every corner of Alabama. That includes Homewood, a picturesque town just over the mountain from Birmingham. John and Lauren Bryant (an Auburn alum, by the way) immediately connected with the charming community and its old-school collegiate rivalries. “It checks all the boxes—there are tree-lined streets, a 100-year-old elementary school, friendly neighbors, and plenty of spaces for children to explore and play outside,” says Lauren. “It feels like a small town—you walk to grab coffee and you’ll start a conversation with someone you see along the way.”
When their family grew out of their former home, John and Lauren didn’t have to look far for their next plot. They relocated across the street to a house that more than fits the needs of their family of five, which includes Ann Bennett (11), Camp (8), and Brooks (12).
Almost 10 years (and three kids) after settling into the idyllic neighborhood, the Bryants remained devoted to the tight-knit community even as they needed more space. As luck would have it, the property across the street was getting ready to hit the market. Lauren and John, a builder, soon went to work on plans for the family’s new five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home that felt like a chip off the old block. “We always imagined a home as not just four walls but a refuge filled with love and a place where comfort trumps perfection,” Lauren says.
Outside the Bryants’ classic English cottage–inspired home, the golden leaves of willow oaks help provide the property with an autumnal palette.
A framework of star jasmine and an assortment of pumpkins and gourds create a warm welcome.
That sentiment translates to the home’s inviting gathering spaces, outfitted with classic elements like knotty pine floors and shiplap walls; a playful mix of bold patterns and color; and a just-right balance of antique finds, family heirlooms, and keepsakes. Come fall, there’s also a fair amount of seasonal flair to set the scene for festivities. Whether it’s carving pumpkins from nearby Old Baker Farm, having spiked cider before the annual neighborhood Halloween parade, or just turning on the football game, “die-hard Auburn fan” Lauren says all are welcome—even those who matriculated in Tuscaloosa.
Nostalgic Entry
Dark pine floors and shiplap walls set the stage for a number of well-loved pieces in the inviting entry, starting with an old barn gate from John’s family’s home. “It has a few engravings from his childhood,” says Lauren. The antique folding table is the perfect base for a seasonal assortment, including a lamp topped with a pleated shade and a patinaed jug filled with autumnal foliage. A pair of striped skirted ottomans does double duty as seating and stylish storage.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore
Lamp Shade: by Oka
Ottomans: from The Inside
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Charcoal Walls
Coated in a smoldering hue, the handsome living room features bookshelves filled to the brim with novels. “I love to read to escape,” says Lauren, a book club enthusiast. Swivel chairs covered in plush velvet, a slipcovered ottoman, and a striped rug encourage animated conversations about character arcs under the watchful eye of “Frederick.” (“Though his real name and history are lost to time, his memory lives on, and he’s quite the conversation piece when people come to our house for the first time,” says Lauren.)
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Fairview Taupe by Benjamin Moore
Swivel chairs: from One Kings Lane
RELATED: Cozy Living Rooms You’ll Want to Snuggle Up In Forever
Cozy Corners
After searching high and low for a just-right game table, Lauren found this one at an antiques store just down the block (Antique Market on Linden) and paired it with poufs upholstered in a boucle fabric and leather trim in a corner of the living room. “We use the space for chess, checkers, card games, and even homework,” she says.
Get the Look:
Drape Fabric: by Peter Dunham
Pouf Fabric: by Fabricut
RELATED: 100+ Best Places to Shop for Antiques and Vintage Online
Mixed Materials
An artful blend of wood, stone, and metal helps the mostly white kitchen feel richly layered. To up the coziness quotient, a steel window frame allows the kitchen and the family room to remain connected without being too “open concept.” The family’s favorite fall dish, apple cider-marinated chicken with candied pecans and apples, is frequently served on the kitchen island’s soapstone countertop. “The island was custom-made by my husband’s high school friend,” says Lauren. “It’s very special to us.” Open shelving gives her a place to display some of her collections. “What do I not collect?” she says with a laugh.
Get the Look:
Stools: by Pottery Barn
Cabinetry Paint Color: Natural Tan by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Dreamy Open Shelving Ideas for Your Kitchen
Timeless Accents
Timeless wallpaper and rich green paint on the ceiling and trim create an enveloping background for lingering dinner parties. Hung on the wall, a suzani blanket ups the pattern play, as does an antique rug and striped floral drapes.
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: by Morris & Co.
Antique Rug: from Hazel House
Drape Fabric: by Lisa Fine Textiles
Whimsical Patterns
In the powder room, floral wallpaper, deep blue paint, and red-pleated sconce shades add pops of color, while an antique pine vanity grounds the space.
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: Morris & Co.
Paint Color: Riverway by Sherwin-Williams
Sconce Shades: by The Shade Shop
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Limestone Showstopper
A pair of wingback chairs—snagged from Lauren’s childhood home—are two of the most popular seats in the house from September through February, when the fireplace in the back den is constantly ablaze. Vintage oil paintings atop the limestone mantel and a Keziah flatweave rug bring additional warmth to the space.
Get the Look:
Rug: by Lulu & Georgia
RELATED: Fireplace and Mantel Decor Ideas for a Cozy Upgrade
Pretty Details
Seriously, have you ever laid eyes on a cozier laundry room? Here, charcoal-hued paint, striped wallpaper, a berry-patterned sink skirt, a British pulleymaid, and an assortment of antiques add a full load of pretty to wash day. “If you have to do laundry, why not do it in a space that sparks joy?” asks Lauren.
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: by Cole & Son
Sink Skirt Fabric: by Heather Chadduck Textiles
RELATED: Laundry Room Ideas That Will Make You Look Forward to Laundry Day
Lots of Layers
When Lauren needs a moment to herself, she and the family’s yellow Labrador, Sybie, head to the primary bedroom, where indigo peonies on the walls complement bold linens on the four-poster bed.
In Camp’s bedroom, a plaid rug provides a plush spot for LEGO building. Post-playtime, he retires to a Jenny Lind bed beneath a work by local artist Hannah Winters and a sentimental antique basket-turned-light-fixture. “I found the basket at Scott’s in Atlanta years ago, and it has moved with us from house to house,” says Lauren.
Get the Look:
Primary Bedroom Wallpaper: by North & Finch
Primary Bedroom Bed: by Ethan Allen
Camp’s Bedroom Art: by Hannah Winters Art
Camp’s Bedroom Rug: from Ballard Designs
RELATED: Bedroom Rug Ideas to Create a Cozy Space
Gathering Spots
When the Bryants transformed a garage into more living space, they kept the original concrete floors and added a striped rug in a similar shade. Lauren furnished the new “room” with comfortable seating, including gray outdoor swivel chairs, a white sofa, and indoor/outdoor poufs made from recycled polyester. When temperatures drop, the family reaches for blankets stored in the outdoor wicker coffee table.
Get the Look:
Rug: by Annie Selke
Swivel chairs: by Scout & Nimble
Sofa: from Pottery Barn
Poufs: from Rejuvenation
Coffee table: by Arhaus
