Preview Party - tomorrow night!!!!

We are finally here- tour weekend!!!!!

Tomorrow night is the preview party at the 102 Hollywood Boulevard from 6pm-8pm.  We are asking for a donation of $5 to help benefit the efforts of the Holly oak Garden Club.  In addition to supporting garden club a portion of the donations will go to the Red Cross of Alabama with hopes we can help those who are need.

After you make a donation you will have the chance to meet the designers that have appointed the home perfectly.  Participants include Table Matters, Soho Retro, Leaf and Petal, Suite Dreams, Birmingham Wholesale Furniture, CE Toliver, Pam Evans and Cater Landscape, Charlie Mabry, Beth Bradley, and Pam Till.

It will be a wonderful evening with light fare and great design.  Hopefully we will raise some money for a good cause at the same time.

See you there!

Hollywood Pride

Today has been such a long day of bad weather, including tornadoes.  Around dinner time tonight the Hollywood neighborhood was hit by the most severe of the storms that have lingered throughout the day.  It was during dinner that neighbors called neighbors to coordinate families into basements and to insure  that all were safe. I sat in my basement with my family and neighbors as we waited the worst of the weather together.

When it was over all my neighbors came out of their spaces to make sure everyone was ok.  Those without babies ran to help those who needed help.  Others collected limbs and miscellaneous weather debris.  It was amazing.  On a day that could be considered one of the most tragic weather wise it did not waiver the tenderness and sincerity of my neighbors.

I know this weekend we will show off our "best face", but I think I witnessed the best in this community today.  I love my little nook in Homewood, Alabama.

Looking forward to seeing the sun tomorrow.

Yolo joins the fun for the Preview Party

Yolo a new endeavor at Brookwood Village has graciously offered to donate some snacky cakes for our preview party this coming Friday from 6pm-8pm.  I am including a link to their website so you can see what Yolo is all about. 


Yolo (You Only Live Once) Dessert Bar is located on the sidewalk across from Brio and Cocina Superior at Brookwood Village. Yolo has the best small batch gelato, gourmet cupcakes, warm plated desserts, hand made yogurt, truffles, wines and a new fruit and cheese plate. Please see more information at www.yolodessertbar.com <http://www.yolodessertbar.com>  and friend us on Facebook for menu updates and special offers.

Just another reason to join us on Friday night.

A bit of a “twist” at tour this year

In past years the women of Holly Oak Garden Club had water for purchase at the front of the homes.  This year we are putting this job in the hands of the children of the neighborhood (and their dads).   The children will be offering bottled water and lemonade at two separate lemonade stands.  The first will be located near the Designer show house at 102 Hollywood Boulevard.  The second will be at the triangle near English Circle at Poinciana. The money raised will help programs and Shades Cahaba Elementary School.

This is a fun way to get the kids involved in the fun.  Please support them.  

In the home stretch and very excited

I'm not sure what to compare my anxious anticipation for next weekend to.  All I know is that I cannot wait for the preview party Friday night and, of course, the tour on Sunday.

 The preview party will be Friday, April 29 from 6pm-8pm at 102 Hollywood Boulevard.  This will be your chance to meet the designers who have participated with the Design Home.  There will be food and drink for you to enjoy after you see all the great furnishings in and out of the home.

Organizing the evening is Spruce.  They are a new company that styles, plans events and organizes your life.  Missie Crawford and Libba Hardwick have joined forces to create Spruce and I am eager to see what the final set up will look like.

You will be able to tag any item in the home for purchase.  The preview will give you the first look all for a small donation.  Please join me to support all those who have helped transform this home.

See you there.

Publicity now - publicity WOW!

For months I have been sending press releases about the tour almost as frequent as I type this blog.  Some days I would wonder why I hadn't noticed anything in print or on the web.  Well I guess the statement, "good things comes to those who wait" is my quote of the day.

I mentioned in a previous email that Over the Mountain Journal will be featuring the Logan home in an upcoming issue.  The Birmingham News is photographing the Hain home as I type for a feature in the "Spaces" section of the newpaper.  Susan Strickland at the Birmingham News contacted me today to let me know she will be including our reception for the featured homeowners in Februaury in this weeks "Scribblers" section of the paper.  And recently we were featured on www.inhomewood.com showcasing the designers and retailers participating in the Design Home. Last but not least, The Homewood Star has included us in their upcoming calendar of events.  I am so pleased to see so much support from the press.

Now we need to see more posters in the store windows and hear more talk at carpool.  After driving around the neighborhood this week and looking at all the beautiful homes and gardens, I feel like this is one of the best times to celebrate our neighborhood.  So let's talk up tour and make this the best tour yet!!!

Cut and Roll

The transformation of the Design Home has begun.  The peach living room and mauve dining room are now things of the past.  All the bedrooms have been "cut" and are ready to roll with designer selected colors.   It's exciting to know that things are progressing as the tour approaches.

In other news, Over the Mountain Journal will compose a feature article of one of the tour homes within the next 2 weeks.  I will keep you posted on the date it will be in print.

Next weekend the Homewood banners will be posted and the flurry of ticket purchasing will begin.

Have you purchased your tickets?  Go to Hunter's, Urban Cookhouse, Harmony Landing or Sweet Peas.

New news about the tour

The cold weather has brought gardeners like myself indoors temporarily.  The chill today has kept me away from my plants and focused on the tour.

The Birmingham News will be running a feature on the tour in late April.  They will feature photos of the Hain home and will discuss aspects of the tour.  I will keep you posted when the article will be featured in the "Spaces" section of the newspaper.   Many thanks to Jack and Charm Hain for allowing the Birmingham News to photo their home prior to tour day.

Many of you have noticed the Home Tour signs popping up all over the neighborhood.  This week Garden Club members will be out in force cleaning up the triangles of our neighborhood.  I can honestly say the triangles in that are along the walk on May 1st just need some raking and mulch.   I am sure that all of their hard work will make Hollywood look even more amazing.

Infomedia is working on updating the website.  Currently, when you head to our website you will just see our poster.  In the next few days tabs will be set up so you will be able to access basic information about the homes and how to obtain more information or tickets.

Tickets are on sale TODAY!!!

Tickets for the Historic Hollywood Home Tour 2011 were distributed to Holly Oak Garden Club members today.  Ticket outlets including Hunter Cleaners, Harmony Landing, Urban Cookhouse and Sweet Peas will receive their ticket this weekend.  We have lots of tickets with hopes that many of you have kept May 1 open to stroll the Hollywood Homes.

The tickets are $15 and will be $17 the day of the tour.  Save $2 and support your neighbors.

Just a reminder the tour is Sunday, May 1, 2011 from 1pm-4pm.

Spring of new beginnings

Spring is awakening all over Birmingham.  Many yards have tulips bursting towards the sun and trees full of blooms.  It's really an incredible time of the year.  Yards are getting primed for more consistent warm days and homes have windows open to let in the fresh Spring air.   This makes Spring the perfect time to clean indoors and out.

This week the designer home will get a good scrubbing.  Deena Holifield has been cleaning homes for years.  She will get down and dirty to make way for painters and designers.  I know she will do an unbelievable job because she has been helping me with my home for 2 years.  She is reliable, flexible and can clean like no other.

The first week of April will bring great change to the interior and exterior of the Designer Home.  Paradise Painting will be painting all the rooms per the designers selections.  I can tell you the colors are all neutrals, but that's all I will share.  The colors can work in any household new or old.  Rafael of Paradise Painting is almost finished painting the interior of my home.  His work is incredible and first rate.  My home has a completely new feel.  I am sure the same transformation will happen at the Design Home.

Mike McGrady of McGrady Landscape will be pruning, raking, mowing and creating a clean canvas for the Design Home's redesign.  Mike has been in business for decades and has been helping the Taylors (owners of 102 Hollywood) with their homes for 2 years.  His employees are conscientious of the customer's yard as well as the neighbors yards.  Mike is very knowledgeable and has many solutions to frequently occurring yard problems.

If you are looking for any of these services please feel free to post a comment on the blog and I will give you their information.  I cannot thank them enough for helping with the tour.

History and how to be a part

In past postings I wrote about how great I believe the Hollywood neighborhood is because of the people who live here, but there is a lot of history that lives here as well.  In 1926 Hollywood was a town and not a neighborhood.  It was a town for only 2 years before it annexed into Homewood.  Many of the original homes were either Spanish Revival style or English Tudor.  Even though you can find both styles on either side of Hollywood Boulevard, the north side is often referred to as the "Spanish side" and the south side of Hollywood Boulevard as the "English side".  Homes on both sides were built starting in the mid 1920's.  Over the years the area has taken on many styles of homes, but it's the original homes that gives this neighborhood its identity.  

Three of the four homes on the tour are on the south side of Hollywood Boulevard.  However, all homes are within walking distance.  On the day of the tour, I would recommend parking at Shades Cahaba Elementary and walk from house to house. 

Two of the homes on the tour have historical landmarks and one is in the process of receiving the landmark recognition.  To receive a historical landmark the homeowner or a previous homeowner has submitted an application along with details of the home to the Jefferson County Historical Commission. The house then receives a name based on the owners that lived in the home longest.   The Commission then presents the homeowner with a sign for the home indicating that it is historical.

If you live in Hollywood and interested in researching your home, check out the application at www.jeffersonhistorical.org/marker.html

Then take your parcel number to the archives department at the downtown library.  You will find old photos (prints available for purchase) and all the information you will need.  Your parcel number may be found on any of your tax assessment cards.  It is important to have markers for all the homes that qualify in this neighborhood. 

Landscaper takes on yard at 102 Hollywood

I have shared the interior designers and artists of the home, but what about the curb appeal? Who are the person or persons that will be reworking the landscape to give 102 Hollywood a facelift (so to speak)? That responsibility goes to Cater Design and Landscape.  Cater will add the color and texture to the side garden and backyard with vibrant plant material and containers.  The landscape tends to be an afterthought for most homes, but it can really make an every day home look amazing.  I love to garden so I will have my notebook ready to see if Cater Design can teach this old gardener some new tricks.

Please remember to support all the participants and sponsors of the tour.  Without them all the wonderful things that we do for our community and this tour would not be possible.

In the upcoming days and weeks I will step away from the show house and share more information about other aspects of the tour and the neighborhood.  Get ready for Hollywood overload!

Banners are in

Everyday I am amazed and thankful for the generosity of local companies. If it were not for their contributions I do not know how the tour would be possible.  I can never thank them enough and my hopes is that by writing about them in this blog, you will support them. 

Yesterday I received the banners along with some lawn signs for the upcoming tour compliments of Birmingham Budweiser.  Monty Todd of Birmingham Budweiser has donated banners that will be posted in April in Homewood and Mountain Brook.  The banners in Homewood will be hung near the library on Oxmoor and at the corner of the Piggly Wiggly.  The Mountain Brook banner will be at Memorial Triangle in Crestline not far from the main post office. 

If you are of drinking age and you drink beer please drink Budweiser or a Budweiser product.  If you don't, may I suggest Boylan's orange or grape soda.  My personal favorite is the Mountain Valley Sparkling Water.  Please show your support and thanks for this generous donation.

Soho Retro, Pam Evans and Charlie Mabry complete the home interior

Every counter, wall and shelf is officially spoken for inside the designer show house.

I need to give a big AMEN to Soho Retro.  I have knocked on many doors, sent numerous emails, made many phone calls and follow up calls to get a retailer from Homewood and Soho retro answered.  They will be tackling the kitchen.  The kitchen already has great cabinets and a wonderful farm sink, but it needs the stylish design for the counters, cabinets and eating area.  In addition to the kitchen, they will also take on the front patio.  I can't wait to see what Steve and Rob come up with.  Thanks guys!

Some of you may know Pam Evans from the French Hen.  She has branched out into design work and has decided to turn one of the rooms into a quaint nursery.  Her ideas of color and texture seem just perfect.  "It's a boy" nursery.  I would suggest that if you know someone who is expecting a baby in summer or fall to check out this nursery before they design their space at home.  And like I keep mentioning - if you like it, you can buy it!!!!

Lastly, we have added Charlie Mabry to the lineup.  Charlie is a potter and a senior at Auburn University.  I love pottery.  My friends will tell you I have a crush on my home state potter, Jonathan Adler - and it's all true.  Charlie's lines are different, but just as interesting.  To me, and I am not an expert (just a fan), Charlie's work is new but with a twist of southern folklore.  He will be able to tell you more about his influences than I can.  There is a niche with shelves that will include Charlie's work.  Please check it out.

Next week I will share the landscape news, but let's review what we have so far -
Living room - Birmingham Wholesale Furniture
Dining Room - Table Matters
Kitchen/side patio - Soho Retro
Master bedroom/bathroom - Suite Dreams
Second bedroom - CE Toliver (Carla Edgeworth)
Thrid bedroom - Pam Evans (French Hen)
Back patio - Leaf and Petal Design (Lydia Pursell)
Artwork - Pam Till and Beth Bradley
Pottery - Charlie Mabry

I ask that you support these designers and retailers by visiting their storefronts and letting them know you are looking forward to seeing them on tour day.

If you want to meet them in person mark you calendar for Friday, April 29.  For a small donation (and I mean teeny tiny), you can get a sneak peak of the tour house before tour day.   This will be a great opportunity to talk to the designer and tag what you want to take home before anyone else.  BUT you will have to keep reading to get the information.

I'll save that information for a rainy day.  Now get outside and enjoy this fantastic winter weather.

Local artists to help with designer house

Today I met with two local artists to discuss the common areas of the designer house on the tour.  Beth Bradley, Holly Oak Garden Club member and Hollywood resident, will offer her artwork to make this house feel more like a home.  Joining her will be Pam Till.  Pam, former teacher turned artist, grew up in the Hollywood area and is thrilled to place her oil paintings in the home.

Just like all the other pieces in the home the artwork is for sale.  If you like it, you can buy it for your home.

I cannot wait to see what the final product will be for this home.  All the participants have been brainstorming to make each room special.  I'm sure it will be completely fantastic.  

Designers announced for show home

In past years the tour has featured completely furnished family homes.  This year we have the wonderful opportunity to show you what our local designers and retailers can do with a historical Spanish Revival home.  The Taylors, who recently moved, have offered their Hollywood home to be transformed into a modern day classic.

Without further adieu I give you the participants and which room they will design
Birmingham Wholesale Furniture - Living room
Table Matters - Dining Room
Suite Dreams - Master bedroom and hall bathroom
CE Toliver Design (Carla Edgeworth) - second bedroom
LP Design (Lydia Purcell of Leaf and Petal) - back patio

By Friday I hope to announce our last designing room participant.  I am doing my best to make sure that Homewood is represented in this home.

All of the items in and around this home will be for purchase.  If you see something you like our garden club volunteers or the designer will be able to tell you the cost.  The item, whether a piece of art, container of flowers or sofa can be tagged and sold to anyone who attends the tour.  In addition to our tour day, the designer house will have a preview party.  I will elaborate on that on another blog.

Stay tuned for when I announce other participants like local artists and potters who will showcase some of their works in the home as well.  Outside of the home we will feature a local landscape design and installation group as well.  I don't want to spill all the beans in one blog so you have to keep checking in!!!!!

Enjoy this amazing weather.

Architectural renderings are complete

Friday was a special day for me.  For the first time I got to peek at the sketches of the featured homes.  They are magnificent.  These renderings are the work of architect Ken McBride, Vice President of KPS Group and long time resident of Hollywood.  Ken offers his time creating these beautiful renderings as a way to support his community.  This year he has done an amazing job.

The sketches are used for our posters and brochures to promote the tour.  In a few weeks all will see these masterpieces in shop windows all over town.  The homeowners get a copy to place in their home compliments of Ken and Holly Oak Garden Club.

Many thanks to Ken and all his hours of work.

Homeowners and Hostesses meet at the Aloft Hotel

This evening the lobby at the Aloft Hotel in downtown Homewood was the backdrop for the homeowners of the featured homes of the tour to meet their tour hostesses.  It was a great evening for all to mingle and get to know one another over some wine and cheese.  I can never thank the homeowners enough for all that they are about to do and allow.  I am also very appreciative for this year's hostesses.  In the next two weeks they will take time out of their busy lives to sit and retrieve all the little details that make this tour so much fun.  Many thanks to Brooke Bell, Jennifer Cleavland, Michelle Wright, Eva Dillard and Katie Tipton for accepting the task of hostess.

Special thanks to Cathy Still Johnson and Nicole Beers of Birmingham Home and Garden for coming tonight to discuss the magazines role with the tour.   Also a special thanks to Garden Club President Emily Beaumont and my co-chair Denise Hancock for all their ongoing support.

I would be remiss if I did not thank the Aloft Hotel.  Elaine Powell, General Manager of the Aloft, has offered the hotel to the homeowners to enjoy while we are walking their homes.  The Aloft is a great addition to Homewood.  We are fortunate to have this hotel near our neighborhood.

Everything is moving in such a positive direction.  I am sure this will be a fantastic tour.

What makes the Hollywood neighborhood special

Not being a native of Birmingham or Alabama there are certain neighborhoods that I believe give Birmingham a unique sense of character and charm.  I believe that Hollywood is one of those.  My husband and I have lived in many places over the years and we enjoy calling Hollywood our home.  The obvious perks to the neighborhood are the many sidewalks, interesting architecture of homes, large trees and location to just about anything you need.   What I love about Hollywood are my neighbors.  I love that a stroll around the block can sometimes take hours to complete because you want to catch up with your friends. That neighbors are quick to share plants that work in their yard with hopes they do the same in yours.  It's what you can't see that makes this neighborhood truly special and is why it needs to be celebrated.

What many of you that attend the tour won't see are the weeks leading up to tour.  Homeowners will rake, dig and plant to make their home sparkle just for tour.  By tour day we all walk a little taller and happier because we know just how special our neighborhood is.  On tour day please take time to stroll around the blocks and enjoy what spoils us Hollywood residents everyday.

More support for the Tour

It is with extreme giddiness that I can announce Birmingham Home & Garden will be offering exclusive coverage of the tour.  Many thanks to Cathy Still Johnson and Nicole Beers for meeting with me today to discuss the tour.  The coverage will focus on all the homes of the tour with special consideration for the retailers and designers that are helping with the designer home.   This is a great opportunity for the Hollywood Home Tour as well as our community.  

Looking forward to a great tour

I am so excited about the upcoming Hollywood Home Tour.  Today is the beginning of our blog.  To kickoff the blog postings I would love to share the participating homes.  Many thanks to the homeowners who have decided to open their homes to the many of us who are eager to see great landscapes and interiors.  The goal of this year's tour is to show how modern day living, whether formal or casual, can be achieved with style while living in an older home.

First, the Logan Home at 307 English Circle is still under renovation.  The Logan's purchased the home this summer and have been reconfiguring walls, updating the kitchen and redesigning the landscape.  The Logan's have lived in different homes throughout the Hollywood area of Homewood and are putting a stylish stamp on this 1920's home.

Second, the Bishop home at 304 English Circle finished renovations September of 2010.  With a growing family the Bishop's took this classic brick home and added a second floor without compromising the grace and charm of the residence.  In addition to the welcoming front porch the redesigned landscaping completes the look of this home.

Third, the Hain home at 212 Poinciana. This home is a gardeners dream.  I encourage all to walk by and see how the recent warm weather has started to wake up this yard.  The Hain yard never disappoints a passerby.  The interior of the home is classic cottage elegance.  A true gem in the neighborhood.

Our fourth home is 102 Hollywood Boulevard owned by Mort and Rebekah Taylor. The home is currently empty, but come May 1 it will be filled with beautiful interiors furnished by local designers and retailers.  We will get to see how current styles in design can easily be incorporated into this fantastic mediterranean style home. 

We will announce the designers in an upcoming blog.  

Looking forward to sharing more with you.