βA Chanel suit with sneakersβ is how Boca Raton, Fla.-based designer Jamie Herzlinger describes the house she recently designed for Dr. Nicole Teifer of Todayβs Orthodontics; her husband, Steve Milot; and their two West Highland terriers, Lily and Spike. The couple had been living in a larger house in Plymouth Township and thinking about renovating when they fell in love with the four-bedroom Birmingham house built in 1989.
βWe actually werenβt even looking,β Teifer explains, adding that she and her husband had been researching renovation ideas online when they came across their current house on Zillow. That chance encounter led them to start thinking about moving rather than renovating, she says. They toured the home with realtor Lora Kazanjian. βWe liked that the work had already been done and all we had to do was decorate,β Teifer explains.
Thatβs where Herzlinger came in. The designer had worked with the couple on a former vacation home in Arizona and understood their taste, which she describes as fashion-forward. βNicole likes gorgeous, upscale, modern, and classic,β Herzlinger explains. βSheβs glamorous and wanted a glamorous interior.β
Teifer was equally complimentary about the designerβs work and her vision for the project. βJamie does a lot of unique things, things that make a statement,β she says. βWeβve always liked that. We also like that she chooses interesting pieces that donβt always fit into one style.β
After the couple bought the house in 2020, Herzlinger βjumped right in,β she says. While she works all over the world, the designer had never been to Birmingham before the homeβs installation. She was impressed by the house and the neighborhoodβs many attributes, including its central location. βItβs on a beautiful tree-lined street near a park,β she says. βItβs stunning, within walking distance of everything.β
Even though the house represented the best of Birmingham, the designer wanted the interiors to incorporate influences from around the country. βI wanted to highlight the best artisans of today who are working in places like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Florida,β she says.
She also wanted to tweak tradition throughout the home, she says, interpreting and updating classic style in a modern way. Examples include the living roomβs Chesterfield sofa, done in black suede; the dining room table, which has a classic marble slab on a contemporary gold square base; and velvet chairs that feature an unexpectedly modern shape. βHow to make old new was a major part of the philosophy and drove the project,β the designer says. βWe kept asking ourselves, βHow do we make classic fun?β That question, and the results, drove the entire project.β
Herzlinger helped the couple with the breakfast room, entry, living room, and master bedroom, working with them when it came to choosing paint, wallpaper, chandeliers, and βall the good stuff,β she says. After living in a βkind of darkβ former home, the couple was looking to lighten up. βWe really wanted something light and bright,β Teifer explains. She likes that many of the pieces look like jewelry, including lighting, fixtures, and draperies.
Favorite furnishings include the dining room table, with its chunky contemporary base β something Teifer says is βso unique, very blingy, and different with great texture. I just love it.β She also loves the master bedroom, especially βthe wallpaper and the feel of the leather on the bed,β she raves, adding, βitβs so soft, it feels like butter.β
The project took about eight months to complete, Teifer says. Herzlinger worked remotely during the pandemic, which added its own set of challenges, but none proved unsurmountable, according to the designer, who says sheβs used to working long-distance. Teifer says aesthetics were important, but so was comfort. βWe wanted the house to be glamorous and beautiful, but also livable. We love to spend time here with the dogs and just chill out.β
She admits to only one regret: βIβm sad that itβs over,β she says. βIβd like to start again, but I would still want the same stuff. Thereβs not one thing in this house I donβt love 100 percent.β
HEIRLOOM TREASURE
Poppies Add Pop: While there are few official antiques β defined as more than a century old β in her clientsβ Birmingham house, designer Jamie Herzlinger insists that more recently made items can also qualify as heirlooms. She points to the Donald Sultan prints in the living room, above right, that she purchased from the David Klein Gallery. βPoppy prints are very famous and indicative of the 1970s pop art movement,β she explains. βTheyβre cheerful and happy and collectible. Thatβs why I chose them.β β KZ
BUYERβS GUIDE
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Jamie Herzlinger, Jamie Herzlinger Design, Boca Raton, Fla., jamieherzlinger.com
BEDROOM, MASTER
Bed Frame β Designer Furniture Services, Pontiac
Bedding β Graffiti, E. Braun & Co.
Chandelier β Halo
Chest, Bedside β Capiz Shell, John Lyle Design
Drapery β Lee Parker Inc.
Lamp, Table β Diamond Lamp, Bella Figura, MADE Resource Group
Mirror β Custom, Jamie Herzlinger Design
Plaques, Selenite β Ron Dier Design, MADE Resource Group
Rug β Snake, Art + Loom
Sculptures, Crystal β Stromberg, The End of History
Wallpaper β Custom, StudioElnc
Wallpaper, Ceiling β Indigo, StudioElnc
DINING ROOM/FOYER
Bench β Madeline Stuart, Jerry Pair
Chairs, Dining β Artistic Frame
Chandelier β Bijout, Serip, Jerry Pair
Sconce β Giotto, Matthew Fairbank Design
Table, Dining β John Lyle Design
Wall Paint β Benjamin Moore, Chantilly Lace
Wallpaper β Mallow, Phillip Jeffries
KITCHEN
Bar Stools β Artistic Frame
Centerpiece β LβObjet
Chair, Dining β Custom, Artistic Frame
Chandelier β Sapphire, Joseph Pagano Studios
Chest β Nicchi, Natasha Baradaran, J. Nelson
Drapery β Lee Parker Inc.
Geodes β Kathryn McCoy
Glasses β Baccarat
Lamp β Sway Lamp, Porta Romana, Jerry Pair Atlanta
Lighting, Island β Axis Linear, Hammerton Studio
Painting, βLOVEβ β Jane Waterous
Sculptures β Salvador DalΓ
Table, Dining β John Lyle Design
Vase β Lalique
Wall Paint β Benjamin Moore, Chantilly Lace
Wallpaper β Marshmallow Hemp, Phillip Jeffries
LIVING ROOM
Armchairs β Angie, Minotti
Artwork β Donald Sultan, David Klein Gallery, Birmingham
Dish, Decorative β Haas Brothers, LβObjet
Geode β Kathryn McCoy
Geode Sculpture β Ron Dier Design
Lamp, Table β Atollo, Minotti
Mirror β Caste, Holly Hunt
Pillows, Purple Accent β Custom, Jamie Herzlinger Design
Rug β Mod, Art + Loom
Sofa β Custom, Lee Parker Inc.; Fabric, Suede, Garrett Leather
Table, Coffee β Benson, Minotti
Table, Occasional β Droplet, John Pomp Studios
Tray β LβObjet
Wall Paint β Benjamin Moore, Chantilly Lace
Wallpaper β Mallow, Phillip Jeffries
Wallpaper (fireplace) β Wood, Essence de bois, Elitis, MADE Resource Group
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