Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, languidly oversees the goings-on in the living room of this swanky 1,500-square-foot bachelor pad. All secrets are safe with him. Designer Andrew Brown selected the 1860 plaster cast, originally owned by the British Museum, because it “seemed like a very appropriate fit for a pied-à-terre made for throwing parties.”
Nestled in a 1920s Beaux Arts building on the edge of downtown Birmingham, Alabama, the two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath duplex won over local developer Jud Dawson with its prime location and soaring 16-foot-tall windows. “He wanted a place where he could entertain when he was in town,” explains Brown. “I was hired to bring new life to the space.” Having not been updated since the ’80s, it was well overdue for a face-lift.
That called for gutting the entire home—from ripping out the faux marble tiling and linoleum flooring to scrapping the cheap chrome fixtures and recessed lights. Easier said than done, though, given the confines of a condo. “Not being able to move walls or change ceiling heights due to adjacent units or building rules was... challenging,” Brown admits. Then several unforeseeable structural hiccups and pandemic-related shipping snafus caused delays.
Ultimately, Brown was able to make the condo’s funky proportions feel intentional and intimate. “I had to trick the eye to expand the space,” he explains. “Antiqued mirrored panels in the living room reflect the beautiful tall windows, while mirrored walls and painted floors in the tight foyer make it hard to realize how narrow the space actually is.” The result is a smorgasbord of carefully curated colors and textures that is tailored to reflect Dawson’s appreciation for fine antiques, modern decor, and classical art. (The punchy geometric floor, hand-painted by local artist Jan Roberts-Baker, really pulls it all together.)
Arguably one of the coolest features is a series of cleverly concealed doors that open to hidden rooms—perfect for the lair of Dionysus. The entrance to the primary bathroom, for instance, “appears to be part of the art wall [in the primary bedroom] when closed,” Brown says. “It adds an element of surprise.”
Primary Bedroom
A salon-style collection of art covers the walls in this condo turned salon by Birmingham, Alabama, designer Andrew Brown. Canopy bed: custom, Niermann Weeks. Bench: Mecox. Chandelier: Circa Lighting. Photograph: Cloan, Lee Stanton.
Foyer
Wrapped entirely in Schumacher Tumbling Blocks fabric, the windowless entryway is now all drama. Curtains: fabricated by Douglass Workroom. Sconces: Holly Hunt.
Living Room
Sixteen-foot ceilings give ample seating options room to breathe. Settee: Douglass Workroom. Chandelier: Kelly Wearstler. Shelves: Billy Baldwin Studio. Sculpture: Lee Stanton.
Stairs leading to the guest bedroom are hidden behind the mirrored jib door. Wall and door: Daniel Whitsett, Paintworks Design Studio. Wall paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore. Basket: Mecox. Lamp: Meg Braff Designs.
Wet Bar
The sleek setup touts an ice maker and a wine cooler, plus plenty of storage. Countertop: Triton Stone. Faucet: Newport Brass. Sink: Linkasink. Glassware: Baccarat tumblers, Crate & Barrel martini glasses, and vintage Dorothy Thorpe high-ball glasses.
Guest Bedroom
The plush retreat is meant to evoke a cozy Parisian hotel room. Canopy bed: custom, Douglass Workroom. Love seat: Bungalow Classic. Sconce: Circa Lighting. Nightstand: Mecox. Paint: Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball. Lamp: J. Randall Powers. Sisal rug: Fibreworks.
Powder Room
The graphic print deftly disguises awkward structural elements that couldn’t be changed. Wallpaper: Sauvage in Azure, Zak + Fox. Sconce: Aerin. Sink: Sigma. Floor tiles and faucet: Waterworks. Mirror: Assemblage Ltd.
Primary Bathroom
“I wanted it to feel like a jewel box,” Brown says. Shower and double vanity: Will Casey, Cottage Supply Company and Triton Stone. Wallpaper: Iksel. Toilet: Toto. Sink and faucet: Waterworks.
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