By Anna Grace Moore
Photos by Blair Ramsey
Tucked away under the shade of mighty oak trees, this quiet drive lends itself to rows and rows of historic, 1950s cottages, revitalized in architectural elegance yet still rich with that same, Southern charm. Strolling along, families of birds tweet lullabies from the treetops above as swarms of children squeal gleefully below, chasing after one another on their bicycles.
Both the young and the young-at-heart can be found sipping on iced tea, waving to passersby from the solace of their front porches. Life here is sweet and slow, and that is just what drew Caleb and Sara Haynes to Homewood.
Both Arkansas natives, the couple first met and dated off and on while in high school. Drifting apart in college, they eventually reconnected over their love for waterskiing and competed in a national waterskiing tournament together in Houston, Texas.
As time went on, they tied the knot before finishing school and eventually moved to Homewood for Caleb’s career in 2014. Upon first moving, Caleb says he noticed how community-oriented the city was and how he would one day like to raise their family here.
The couple happened upon their now home, while strolling through the neighborhood one sunny afternoon and immediately put an offer down. A blink of an eye passed, and Caleb says he found himself and Sara navigating life as parents of two young children who had outgrown their beloved home.
In 2020, they connected with Joe Ellis of Dwelling Architecture and Twin Construction, LLC, who helped the family assess whether they could renovate their home without taking away its livelihood. The team’s structural engineers unfortunately realized the home’s foundation could not withstand the weight of any additions, so the Hayneses were met with some tough decision-making. Should they move, or should they tear down this architectural marvel?
Enter stage right–Build UP Birmingham. This Titusville, Alabama-based nonprofit organization was first founded in Birmingham in 2018 and provides low-income youth apprenticeships in the housing industry. Not only does the nonprofit bless an underserved community, but it also physically relocates houses from their homesites to use for educational or housing purposes for their students in need.
As a result, families can tear down and rebuild their homes without worrying about demolishing historical architecture, knowing the lifetime of their house will fulfill unmet needs for many more people. The Hayneses partnered with Build UP Birmingham, which removed their cottage, ushering in a new period for construction.
The family then joined forces with Lauren Murphy of Lauren Murphy Designs, who they say exceeded their expectations in bringing their dream home to fruition. Her eye for design is evident in the charming details that give the Haynes family’s home such character.
Nearly a year later, the Hayneses welcomed their third bundle of joy into the world, feeling grateful for the blessing of their home in a community whose foundation is built upon family.
Face of the Home
Adopting the “front porch culture” of their neighbors, the Hayneses opted for a stately, veranda-inspired entrance, where they could enjoy being outdoors and keeping a close eye on their children.
French Doors
Connecting the front porch and dining room, these pairs of doors blend elegantly within the house’s design, engulfing this traditional space in natural light.
Dining Room
Compliments of Alabama Sawyer, the family’s dining room table is made from their property’s fallen tree.
Mudroom
Yet another blessing from the Hayneses’ fallen tree, the mudroom’s cubbies were created from scraps of the tree trunk.
Kitchen
The pride of the Haynes’ home, the kitchen is a masterpiece of feng shui. Centered around the island, Joe drew in the kitchen sink to face one of the posterior windows, allowing Caleb and Sara to take in the views outdoors while washing dishes. Per Lauren’s expertise, the couple chose white quartz countertops for functionality, splurging for a bit of flair on the kitchen’s details.
Living Room
The family loves to sit on the fireplace’s hearth, snuggled round when entertaining family or opening presents on Christmas and birthdays. The fireplace, uniquely, is made of soapstone, and the mantle is made of recycled wood from the white oak tree.
The Corridor
Connecting the open concept to the master suite, this hallway sports a towel nook whose shelves are also made from the tree’s recycled wood.
Master Bedroom
Caleb and Sara enjoy the coziness of their spacious yet intimate suite, especially because the room’s balcony doors open into a cute, little nook on their wraparound porch. Another of Sara’s favorite details, though not pictured, is the master closet, which features a stacked washer and dryer that Caleb incorporated into the house’s design.
Laundry Room
To prevent having to run up and down stairs to do laundry, Joe drew in a separate laundry room on the kids’ floor for familial convenience.
Behind the Scenes
Home Builder: Twin Construction, LLC
Architect: Joe Ellis, Dwelling Architecture
Interior Designer: Lauren Murphy, Lauren Murphy Designs
