April 2016: Home and Garden

& SPECIAL PROMOTION

Home Garden SPRING 2016

The 60th annual Parade of Homes presented by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders

Friday, April 22, Saturday, April 23, & Sunday, April 24 Friday, April 29, Saturday, April 30, & Sunday, May 1 Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

Welcome to the Parade Welcome to the 60th annual Parade of Homes presented by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders (GBAHB).

I want to personally thank all sponsors, participants, and committee members who have worked so hard to make this a truly successful and anticipated event in the Greater Birmingham area.

The Parade has been nationally recognized as an award-winning event hosting thousands of visitors who search for the latest in innovative building and decorating trends. The GBAHB is comprised of developers, general and specialty contractors, suppliers, and associates.

The fifth annual GBAHB Ideal Home will

be featured in the 2016 Parade of Homes. The house is located in the Altadena Park subdivision in Vestavia Hills and will feature cutting-edge technology and the latest in home design trends. We are pleased to announce our partnership with Southern Living on the Ideal Home this year.

The home will be staged with the Southern Living line of furniture and décor as well as landscaped with products from their plant line. The GBAHB thanks J. Wright Building Company for building the 2016 Ideal Home.

The Parade of Homes will feature houses ranging from 1,000 to more than 4,500 square feet, ensuring that there is a home for everyone. Whether you are a first-time buyer, looking for luxury in a move-up,

someone scaling down, or if you are looking for a remodeling contractor, this event will provide something for everyone. The homes exhibit the professionalism, authenticity, and unsurpassed standards of the GBAHB Builders. You can find more pictures and information at birminghambuilder.com.

We express our deepest gratitude to the sponsors who have made this event possible.

They have made significant monetary commitments to our annual Parade and play a vital role in its success. Thank you!

The event is scheduled for the weekends of April 22–24 and April 29–May 1 and homes will be open to the public from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Join us in celebrating the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders Parade of Homes. Discover why GBAHB guarantees the highest quality and the latest and greatest in trends and traditions.

Clint Lovette 2016 Parade of Homes Chairman

The Fifth Annual Ideal Home A Southern Living Showcase Home built by Jeremy Wright of J. Wright Building Company, this five-bedroom, five-bath home is located in Altadena Park at 3559 Altadena Park Lane in Vestavia. Don’t miss your chance to tour this home for free during the 2016 Parade of Homes April 22 to 24; and April 29 to May 1.

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

Ray Sewell, Rodger Garner, and son Jason Garner Photo by Abby Patterson

Generations Set in Stone The Garner family settled in Alabama in the early 1920’s to bring their passion for the art of stone crafting from France to the United States. Four generations later, with the same passion, they offer excellent materials, resources, tools and craftsmanship to meet most any stone project anyone could envision. Henry Garner came over with his father from France, and as a seventeen year old bought a quarry in Oneonta and started Garner Stone Company. Henry Garner Jr. purchased a stone splitter called a guillotine, taking the company to the next level. Rodger Garner, the third generation, continued the tradition and expanded the reach of Garner Stone in the southeast. It became known as the standard in the industry.

Thinking that the Garner stone days were over, Rodger sold Garner Stone in order to retire. Jason Garner, the fourth generation, had a passion for baseball and played for the University of Alabama.

What he discovered was that a love for stone was in his blood. He opened Tracery Stone Company, enlisted his dad to come out of re-

tirement and brought in a third partner, Ray Sewell who had worked with Henry Jr. and Rodger. Together this trio represents some of the greatest minds in the business.

Tracery stone sits in the heart of the city underneath the 1st Avenue viaduct and neighbors to Sloss furnace. They have the largest variety of limestone products in the south. Along with limestone that have the largest wholesale yard in the city. There you can find fieldstone, bluestone, sandstone and flagstone. From that selection, Tracery’s team of fixer masons and installer masons are able to craft any stone product of your dreams. Tracery Stone can craft fireplaces, patios, floors, walls, countertops, tables and sinks, door and window surrounds, entrance ways, outdoor fireplace and countertops to surround your grill and pool decks. They can restore and repair your existing stone work, or take an idea you have from a picture, sketch, magazine, or pinterest and create and exceed your expectations for your stone project.

For more information or inspiration for your project visit www.tracerystone.com.

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108 28th St. N • Birmingham, Al 35203 • 205-440-1554

www.tracerystone.com

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GBAHB 2016 Parade of Homes

VILLAGES BALLANTRAE Ballantrae is Shelby County’s favorite golf community, inspired by towns along the coast of Scotland. Ballantrae is a magnificent 2,000-acre community in Pelham, just south of Birmingham. Every day feels like a vacation when you live in Ballantrae! Our community offers a resort lifestyle, with an upscale fitness center, junior Olympic swimming pool (with lifeguards), a playground, and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Bob Culp.

Pelham, one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama, was recently named the “Best Place to Raise Kids in Alabama”

by Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Located in the foothills of Oak Mountain, scenic neighborhoods offer a retreat from the busy world. It is a wonderful place to call home!

CARRINGTON LAKES Gently tucked in the rolling hills of Trussville, just 20 minutes north of Birmingham, Carrington Lakes is a 1,500-acre master-planned community that encompasses six stocked lakes with boat launches, a nature preserve, miles of hiking and biking trails, and some of Alabama’s most spectacular views. This unique natural setting is the ideal community for families who love sharing the outdoor life, yet desire all

the amenities of a first-class resort with convenient proximity to schools, local attractions, and Birmingham’s distinctive cultural charm.

CHELSEA PARK Chelsea Park is one of the fastest growing communities on the 280 corridor. In the heart of Chelsea, just past Dunnavant Valley, the rapid commercial growth of the area has people of all ages from all places coming to Chelsea Park! No longer are amenities like lakes, parks, walking trails, and manicured landscaping exclusive to more expensive neighborhoods. Other amenities include a landscaped entrance with a 100-foot tall clock tower, a park system, playing fields, lakes, and an elementary school.

When completed, Chelsea Park will have 3,000 homes in a variety of distinctive neighborhoods.

FIELDSTOWN CROSSING Community. That’s what Gardendale is all about. Chances are you grew up here, or maybe someplace similar.

It’s the kind of place where you know most everyone because you went to church with them, played Little League with them, went to school with them, or maybe all three. Fieldstown Crossing is a community within a community. Large enough to have neighborhood gatherings

but small enough to know everyone, this new home neighborhood is a place where traditional neighborhood living and fresh architectural style intersect.

Nestled in a scenic tree-lined valley, Fieldstown Crossing will feature modern home amenities, sidewalks, street lights, and a community pavilion. But don’t let the private location fool you; Fieldstown Crossing is just a quick drive from Publix, Gardendale High School, Gardendale Civic Center, and I-65. That’ll leave you more time for taking a stroll with your spouse, grilling out with friends, or watching the kids play hide and seek.

And if you ever need to borrow a cup of sugar, that’s no problem; you probably already know plenty of neighbors you can call.

GREY OAKS Nestled in a Pelham valley with stunning views of Oak Mountain!

Surrounded by hills and trees, Grey Oaks residents have the best of both worlds— they are only five minutes from I-65 at the County Road 52 interchange and about the same to all the shopping and dining opportunities found on the Highway 280 corridor. Add in a future swimming pool and community pavilion, Pelham schools, proximity to all of Pelham’s other amenities such as the state’s largest state park (Oak Mountain), the racquet club and golf course, and you have the perfect place in Shelby County to call home.

HIGHLAND LAKES Highland Lakes is a truly unique community of homes, quiet tree-lined sidewalks, streets, and parks. It’s a neighborhood in touch with today's world but somehow slightly removed from it. The community’s over 1,700 acres spread out and down from the Appalachian ridges of Oak Mountain.

Streets flow through the woods and around the four beautiful lakes designed and stocked with fish. No matter where you choose to build in Highland Lakes, you can be assured of gated, retreat-like privacy with executive convenience. Highland

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HILLSBORO 2016 PARADE of HOMES APRIL 22-24 & 29-MAY 1

10AM-6PM

BUILT BY A Return to the American Dream

IT’S A PLACE DESIGNED AROUND DREAMS. A PLACE DESIGNED AROUND THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE LIVED. SIDEWALKS. TRAILS. POOLS. VIEWS. THIS IS HILLSBORO. WHERE EVERY NEW HOME FEATURES A SMART HOME SYSTEM - WHERE YOU CONNECT AND CONTROL ALL THE ELEMENTS OF YOUR SMART HOME SYSTEM WITH NO MONTHLY FEE EVER.* COME TO OUR HILLSBORO PARADE HOME FOR FREE DEMONSTRATIONS DAILY.

ENJOY ICE CREAM APRIL 23 & 30

1-4PM

From Birmingham, take I-65 south to Valleydale Road (Exit 247). Turn right onto Valleydale (Hwy 261). Proceed through Old Town Helena and turn right onto Hwy 52. Hillsboro will be 7/10 of a mile on the right. In Hillsboro, take the first right onto Appleford Rd., next right on Rosebury Rd then left on Appleford Road home will be on the corner on the right.

HillsboroAl.com | 205-663-7889 *as long as you live in your Hillsboro Home.

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Lakes builders offer you quality construction and a wide variety of home designs.

THE VILLAGE AT HIGHLAND LAKES The Village is a unique community of upscale, custom-built homes with an entrance directly across from the main street of Mt Laurel, a pedestrian-friendly community.

The Village is surrounded by nature trails, parks, a pool, a cabana, and sidewalks that connect the entire Village neighborhood and also guide you to the center of Mt Laurel. Residents can ride their bikes, shop, or get dinner and ice cream all without getting in the car. Mt Laurel Elementary School is directly across Highway 41 from The Village, making everyday family life easy and convenient! No matter where you choose to build in The Village, you can be assured of a small-town feel and easy living. The Village builders offer you quality construction with a wide variety of home designs and prices.

HILLSBORO Hillsboro is a master-planned, new home community set within the wooded hills of Helena in Northern Shelby County and convenient to downtown Birmingham. Situated on 3,600 acres, this new home community is made up of several distinct neighborhoods offering new home styles for everyone from firsttime home buyers to move-up home buyers to those looking to downsize.

The new homes for sale in this community are totally integrated with a planned trail system that connects to public schools, residential neighborhoods within Hillsboro, and with the important natural resources that enhance the property. Thoughtfully developed by renowned USS Real Estate (a division of U.S. Steel), Hillsboro will become your new hometown, combining a diverse selection of home styles, awardwinning schools, and a village center with convenient shops and services. Hillsboro marks the return to the American dream of home ownership.

KEENELAND VALLEY Timeless beauty: It’s the foundation on which Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky, was created in the 1930s. That 114

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ideal has carried Keeneland forward to the present day, as thousands of fans from across the country convene each year to marvel at the spectacle of both thoroughbred horse racing and jaw-dropping natural splendor. It is also the premise on which the Keeneland Valley subdivision was founded.

And though horses no longer roam the pastures of this new home community, the timeless beauty still remains.

Located in a prime location near the intersection of Hwy. 31 and Valleydale Road in Pelham, Alabama, Keeneland Valley features 41 new homes starting from the mid-$200s that combine classic architectural style with the most current features and amenities available. Residents of Keeneland Valley can take a stroll down the sidewalk to visit a neighbor, enjoy a picnic at the community park, or even attend a service next door at Church of the Highlands.

Whatever the case may be, the Keeneland Valley lifestyle is a nod to the founders of Keeneland Race Track, promoting natural beauty and a neighborly community for families to enjoy for generations.

LAUREL GROVE Laurel Grove is a new premier community offering large, private one acre+ size lots in the heart of Shelby County, minutes away from the award-winning Oak Mountain School District, shopping, and entertainment. All home sites are wooded with spectacular private yards and are gentle in topography, perfect for any age. Homes are designed with beautiful brick and stone exteriors, high ceilings, open floor plans, hardwood on the main level, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances provided

by Allsouth, generously appointed interior trim, irrigation, and covered porches. All homes come with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and are built by a second-generation home builder.

LIBERTY PARK In addition to the beautiful established neighborhoods in Liberty Park, we have plenty of opportunities for new home construction. In addition to Vestlake Cove, Vestlake Ridge, Heritage Hills, and The Hill, Forest Hills is open for new home sales in Vestavia and is being built around an almost one-acre park. With more than 1,300 families already at home in Liberty Park, we’ve earned our stripes in bringing the American Dream to life. And this is just the beginning. Inspired by America’s cherished hometowns, we’re designing enviable new homes, creating more exciting recreational amenities, expanding our highly rated Liberty Park Schools, and enriching our community in ways that make the pursuit of happiness as easy as coming home.

Let’s make magic happen. Let’s wave more and laugh out loud. Visit Liberty Park today and see our new homes and new designs and let’s reach for the stars together. Your shoulders drop as your tension melts, but the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as you consider the possibilities that wait within. Will you go biking today? Or take a walk down to the dock? Perhaps today you will sit on your back porch and sip coffee as the daylight fades. Whatever your choice, you know that Liberty Park provides every opportunity to make us your hometown.

It is the ultimate lifestyle experience to know that every detail has been especially planned to create a comprehensive experience for you and your family.

In Partnership with

APRIL 22- 24 & APRIL 29- MAY 1

Online at BirminghamBuilder.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

LONGMEADOW Located in the historic community of Trussville, Alabama, Longmeadow offers a convenient lifestyle with homes packed with the features you are looking for! Longmeadow is conveniently located just off I-59 and minutes from shopping, dining, entertainment, as well as an easy commute to downtown Birmingham. A community swimming pool and clubhouse adds to an already relaxing and inviting community. The pool and clubhouse is a great place for neighbors to get together and create new friendships or renew old ones. If walking or jogging is your hobby, sidewalks and streetlights guide your path throughout the community. Combine these great community amenities and a highly desirable location with the craftsmanship of your new Embassy Home, and you have the blueprint for the American Dream. With Embassy Homes’ worldclass design center and some of the best floor plans around, we can help make your dream home in Longmeadow a reality.

MCGILL CROSSINGS Being located on Ross Bridge Parkway, next to Deer Valley Elementary, and having such close access to Hwy. 150 and I-459 makes McGill Crossings a one-of-a-kind community and one of the most desirable locations in Hoover.

Here you will feel as though you have an abundance of property to enjoy without leaving the community. Professionally designed landscaped architecture with the overall symmetry of the community in mind utilizes large caliper trees and an abundance of greenspace. Other amenities include Hoover City Schools, private, gated entrances, quick access to the Ross Bridge trail system, and a 1.5-mile distance to Ross Bridge retail shops.

Some waterfront estate lots and basement home sites available.

MT LAUREL Mt Laurel was recently named Birmingham’s only Southern Living Inspired Community. Hand-picked by Southern Living editors, Southern Living 116

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Inspired Communities are neighborhoods marked by charm, taste, and Southern spirit that embody a distinctive pride of place.

As a traditional community that is master planned in concert with nature, Mt Laurel is a natural fit for this designation. With its treelined streets, broad sidewalks, and plentiful green spaces, Mt Laurel is a sustainable, walkable neighborhood that offers residents a relaxed pace of life. Stroll to dinner at the Town Center; take the kids to play in one of our many parks and green spaces; meet a neighbor for a run along a trail; walk your child to school; or fish in our fully stocked lake. At Mt Laurel, you can live more fully.

In celebration of the magazine’s 50th anniversary, the editors of Southern Living chose Mt Laurel as the location for the 2016 Southern Living Idea House.

Nationally renowned Birmingham architect Bill Ingram was selected for the Idea House and will work with Mt Laurel’s Town Builder’s Inc. to construct a home that fits the community and Southern Living aesthetic.

The home will open for public tours in June 2016.

It’s an exciting time to be in Mt Laurel.

Mt Laurel is showcasing beautiful new floor plans with luxurious features not found anywhere else. We believe in building quality, timeless homes with the latest technology infrastructure, creating inheritable homes for the future. Discover or build the luxury home of your dreams here, and you’ll have more than a place to stay. You’ll have something that truly takes hold of you.

THE PRESERVE Music festivals and art shows, wide porches with rocking chairs, and picnics in the park—It’s all here at The Preserve, conveniently located in the heart of Hoover. From early Colonial and Federal to elegant Greek revival, Italianate, and Victorian styles, homes in the Preserve are based on classic American architecture. The most important characteristic of our community is not what’s built here—It’s what’s not built here.

Our 300-acre neighborhood adjoins the 250-acre Moss Rock Preserve with miles of hiking trails through unspoiled forests.

With more than 15 acres of green space, this USS Real Estate development (a division of U.S. Steel) was designed with

that same respect for nature. Founder’s Park includes a walking trail, playground, grilling area, and softball backstop. Our Town Hall serves as a gathering spot as well as home to our community swimming pool. As our name implies, nature is preserved here. We believe it sparks the imagination of our residents. Learn more online at hooverpreserve.com.

SOUTHERN TRACE Located away from all the congestion, yet just minutes from Hwy 280 and I-459 is Southern Trace, a new home community located in the heart of historic Leeds, Alabama, minutes from spectacular shopping, dining, and attractions. The community amenities at Southern Trace include walking trails, a grand entrance, beautiful water features, and an impressive clubhouse that includes an exercise facility, along with a swimming pool. Southern Trace lies within the outstanding Leeds school system.

With prices starting in the low $200s, these open floor plans are offered with detailed exteriors that have a timeless quality and exceptional curb appeal.

Come for a visit; we hope you will want to stay and call Southern Trace home!

TRUSSVILLE SPRINGS Here in Trussville Springs, we give you everything under the sun: like the air. And the trees. And the stars. And the birds.

And the flowing Cahaba River. And the trail that runs beside it. Because that’s the stuff that’s real. And that’s all you need. There’s a 20-acre park. A spectacular pond with fountain. A pocket park complete with a community storm shelter. Seriously.

We also have a community pool. Because this is Alabama. And it’s hot here in the summer. And we’re just a stone’s throw from some great shops and restaurants.

The kinds of places where you can order your “usual” and catch up with an old friend.

This is life on the Cahaba River. This is life in Trussville Springs—where life flows from within.

VI

VI

S I T OUR

COME SEE THE NEW

LLAGE

Play.

TIME IS PRECIOUS. TAKE TIME TO PLAY.

Play in the Jr. Olympic Size Pool.

Play on the Tennis, Basketball, or the Beach Volleyball Court.

Where.

WHATS YOUR WHERE?

Where living in a gated community is important?

Where living on the lake is important?

Where creating memories every day is important?

You.

YOU DESERVE IT.

You deserve a resort-like lifestyle.

You deserve to fish in one of our 6 lakes.

You deserve spaces to meet your neighbors.

Live.

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

Live in one of 6 villages with 17 homes underway.

Live in your price range from $200’s to $700’s.

Live in a home built by one of Birmingham’s best builders: Newcastle Homes, Valor Communities, Ridgecrest Homes, or AJ Homes. It’s YOUR choice!

PARADE O F H O MES April 22nd - April 24th April 29th - May 1st

-Sales and Marketing-

TOMMY OGLE & MORGAN PALUMBO

205.640.8074

visit

CARRIN GTONLAKESAL.C OM

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

GBAHB 2016 Parade of Homes

BUILDER BIOS BPS PARTNERS, LLC BPS Partners, LLC has been building upper-end townhomes in the Birmingham area for more than 10 years. With a building partnership consisting of more than 70 years of experience, the builders involved have all achieved the distinguished certification of Master Builder. We have enjoyed building low-maintenance townhome communities that you will be proud to call home.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

(

)

Rain Date – May 1st 1:30 – 5:30 pm

11:00 am Veterans Memorial Plaza Dedication Ceremony

Veterans Park on Valleydale Parking at Spain Park High School with shuttle service

FREE TO THE PUBLIC

Kids Zone

Live Entertainment Exhibitor Pavilion and more!

Car show

No fee to display your car.

Complimentary Giant Apple Pie & Ice Cream HDocument destruction provided by Shred-It HE-cycling provided by Protec HChild finger printing

by Hoover Police Department

For more information

www.hooveralabama.gov call 444-7500 For event updates text HOOVERDAY to 888777

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Freddy’s Frozen Custard

Balloon artists & face painting sponsored by

BYROM BUILDING CORP. Marty and Colt Byrom have a rich tradition in the Birmingham homebuilding industry—now, four generations of homebuilders. The craft and experience that has been passed down over the years, combined with their passion for people, is what has made Byrom Building a staple in the building industry today. They specialize in building custom homes and commercial office buildings in the Greater Birmingham area. Each project is completely custom and different from the last, as they strive to make each one unique and special.

DONOVAN BUILDERS, LLC Jack Donovan of Donovan Builders, LLC has built in numerous new home communities throughout the Birmingham metro area for more than 10 years. Donovan Builders’ homes can currently be found in several new home communities, and they also specialize in custom home construction on your chosen lot or home site.

We believe our attention and dedication to detail is what separates us from others. Our custom details do not go unnoticed in our finished products. We work closely with each client to provide a quality product for a life-long investment.

Donovan Builders also believes in giving back to the communities that support us. In 2011, Donovan Builders built a completely wheelchair-accessible home for a young man whose main caregiver was killed in an accident. Donovan Builders is also heavily involved with Homes for Our Troops and The Wounded Warrior Project.

EDDLEMAN RESIDENTIAL, LLC Our home construction team has senior leadership with more than 100 years of combined experience building homes in the Birmingham Metro area. Eddleman Residential focuses on timeless architectural design, which provides our homeowners with homes that survive the test of time. In addition, we provide our family of homeowners with a 24-hours-a-day warranty response line in order to quickly respond to our customers’ needs.

Eddleman-built homes are constructed for quality and to provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Our focus on quality includes

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the more visible aspects, like materials and colors, to the minute details such as door hinges and finishes. We take satisfaction from the pride and pleasure you receive from your personal home.

We encourage you to take the time to browse through our plans to discover our quick-delivery homes or contact us to work on your custom dream home.

Also, we can help your current home work better for you!

EMBASSY HOMES Clark Parker, Bryan Cobb, and Ryan McCleary are the three principal partners of Embassy Homes; combined, they have more than 50 years of experience building homes in the Birmingham area. Their expertise blends custom homes ranging from 4,000 to 22,000 square feet as well as multi-family homes ranging from 1,300 to 4,500 square feet in several master-planned developments.

Embassy Homes was formed in 2011 and continues to grow as Birmingham’s premier home builder.

MONTEVALLO PARK

NEW HOMES

We are a Master Builder Certified home builder and have built more than 4,000 homes in Alabama. We have won numerous gold, silver, and bronze awards in the annual Parade of Homes.

In addition, we have recently won a silver award from the National Association of Home Builders for our plan designs.

For the past six years we have participated in the annual Habitat for Humanity Builder Blitz, helping the dream of homeownership become a reality.

FARGASON BUILDING CORPORATION Building a home is one of the single largest investments of your lifetime.

You’ve found the right subdivision, so now it is time to choose the right builder. Bill Fargason has more than 30 years’ experience in the custom home building marketplace.

A graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in building science, Fargason combines his knowledge of designing and building to create a quality home building experience.

Fargason and his team are committed to enhancing the building process, with a focus on detail and customer satisfaction. Why not select a builder with numerous Parade of Homes awards and who is a Master Builder and a Certified Green Professional?

HARRIS DOYLE HOMES Harris Doyle Homes builds new home communities in the Greater Birmingham area, Pike Road, and Auburn.

We are the combined effort of two second-generation new home builders from Birmingham whose families have been building new homes since 1972 and 1978 respectively. Harris Doyle Homes’ mission is to provide our customers with a top quality new home that exceeds their expectations in terms of design, amenities, and customer service. We accomplish this by focusing on our customers’ needs, nurturing relationships, and consistently providing a high level of service after the sale.

Harris Doyle Homes understands that purchasing a new home is more than

FROM $170’s

Montevallo Park, Irondale

From Mountain Brook, go East on Montevallo Road until you see Montevallo Park

A Fundraiser for Family Promise of Birmingham

April 23, 2016, Oak Mountain State Park birminghamdragonboatfestival.com

Sandy Reeves 205.365.3298

Family Promise of Birmingham, founded in 1998 as the Birmingham Hospitality Network , is a network of diverse faith and civic organizations working together to provide safe, home-like lodging where homeless families can stay together while working to regain their independence.

Family Promise of Birmingham VISIT BIRMINGHAM’S BEST BUILDER

www.tower-homes.com

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1016 19th Street South, Birmingham AL 35205 205-918-0246 birminghamdragonboatfestival.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

just a financial investment; it’s an expression of personality and a vehicle for facilitating your unique lifestyle. It’s also a place you rely on to relax, entertain your friends, and raise a family. Simply put, your home is a portrait of your life.

With Harris Doyle Homes, it is life well crafted.

J WRIGHT BUILDING COMPANY, 2016 IDEAL HOME BUILDER At J. Wright Building Company, we truly love the art of building. We are designers and builders of fine artisan homes who take pride in our work, from the materials we use to the finished product. Due to our extensive knowledge and experience, excellent reputation, and focus on clients wishing to build custom homes, we are honored to have been hand-picked as a member of the highly selective Southern Living Custom Builder Program. As members of this prestigious program, we are well regarded for possessing an ability to bring dream homes to life.

Our company offers a unique experience for clients in many ways. Our process begins with you and remains focused on your unique needs throughout the process. We start with your specific ideas about what you envision in your dream home. After that, we strive to create a truly custom home designed specifically with you in mind from the ground up. The end goal is a home that uniquely fits your individual needs, ideas, and budget. Whether you want a double shower, a working pantry, or a one-of-a-kind outdoor space, we can transform your dreams into a reality.

KADCO HOMES Charles Kessler of Kadco, LLC has been developing in the Birmingham area for more than 32 years. In addition to developing more than 1,000 lots, he has also built hundreds of homes in the area.

In addition to developing, Kessler is also the qualifying broker and owner of CRE Realty.

LIBERTY PARK When we devised our master plan for Liberty Park, we knew we couldn’t settle on just any developer. We wanted the best. We wanted someone who valued Liberty Park and all of its offerings as much as we do. We ensure that we are selective when it comes to anything being built in the area. Each and every new home and structure must pass approval. That means that everything in Liberty Park will meet the standards you chose when purchasing your new home.

Liberty Park Joint Venture’s builder, LifeScape Builders, LLC, has been in the works since the late ’80s. The Master Plan has been intact since then, and remains steadfastly the same. We are committed in a way many developments are not. When it comes to reliability and trustworthiness, Liberty Park Joint Venture and LifeScape Builders have it mastered.

YOUR NEW HOME IS COMING SPRING 2016...

FROM HWY 280E: Right at Hwy 43, left onto Old Hwy 280, right onto Hwy 11, left onto Hwy 36, Willow Branch on left.

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BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES FEATURING: •Spacious, Open Floor Plans •Granite Countertops •Hardwood Flooring

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Choose from a variety of home plans ranging from one level living with main level garage spaces to five bedrooms with a basement.

The homes of Willow Branch are situated on large, wooded lots and will offer a community pool and club house.

Convienently located in Chelsea. Starting from the $200K’s. (minutes from Highways 280 and 65)

PROUDLY OFFERED BY SCOTCH HOMES SECOND GENERATION OF QUALITY CONSTRUCTION

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Looking to enhance your personal space? Whether you prefer an elegant, understated look or want to make a bold statement, new carpeting or the addition of an area rug can transform your space. Billy Brown’s Flooring accessible and convenient showroom is stocked with the industry’s leading wools, sisal’s, nylons, and blends.

Here, you’ll find all the latest patterns and textures available to create a unique space that speaks to who you are.

With 40 years of experience working with top designers, architects, decorators, builders, and homeowners, Billy Brown Flooring is equipped and ready to turn your vision into a reality.

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MOUNTAINVIEW CUSTOM HOMES, LLC Though new to the area, Mountainview Custom Homes is rich in tradition. A third-generation home builder, Ryan and his team have an eye for quality and the ability to deliver a truly custom home with exceptional detail and luxury, built especially for you.

Whether it is a cottage on the lake or the home of your dreams, Mountainview Custom Homes has the ability to create and build the home you desire.

martha gorham I have been a realtor for 25 years and have my Broker’s license, Certified Residential Specialists Designation, in addition to multiple other destinations. I continue to study and improve my skills as the market and technology changes. I am ranked in the top 15 percent of production out of approximately 750 RealtySouth agents.

My office is located on Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Village where we sell more real estate than any other office in the Greater Alabama MLS. RealtySouth furnishes us with the latest technology tools to create an environment of success.

I am married with two children and my husband is a lawyer in downtown Birmingham. I am a strong supporter of our community, our excellent school systems, and enjoy being involved in the local real estate market. I have been secretary of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce for over ten years, board member of Executive Women International, and a Chair with the the Birmingham Association of Realtors.

Representing a seller or buyer is a job I take seriously and I welcome the opportunity to work with you on all your real estate needs.

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MURPHY HOME BUILDERS Murphy Home Builders is the premier custom home builder in the Birmingham area. They are driven by the desire to create custom homes that stand out from the ordinary. Kyle Murphy and his team work diligently to provide excellent service to each customer throughout the entire design and building process.

Murphy Home Builders recognizes your desire and takes pride in helping you achieve your dream home design. As a family owned and operated company, Murphy Home Builders understands that each customer has specific needs and wants in a home. By involving customers in each step of the process, Murphy Home Builders ensures that every client is completely satisfied. You will be walked through every step of building your home from site assessment, design, construction, and project completion. Murphy Home Builders guarantees that your dreams become reality.

With more than 35 years of combined experience, Murphy Home Builders has a substantial history of creating luxury custom homes. Their team offers superior services and products as a result of long-term relationships with many valued partners. You can relax knowing that your home is being built by the most capable and well-respected hands.

NEWCASTLE HOMES Named for his father’s hometown of Newcastle, England, Newcastle Homes was started in 1997 by Glenn Siddle. Honesty, integrity, and the importance of family has always been at the core of his values. Newcastle strives to build a home that is a reflection of who you are and how you see yourself. In 2016, more than 1,100 homes later, Newcastle Homes continues to exceed customer expectations by listening to their needs.

Siddle has served the industry as the 2009 President of the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, the sixth largest association in the country. He has also served on both the state and national boards of directors.

Newcastle Homes builds a wide range of homes, from Craftsman-style cottages to $600,000 semi-custom traditional Southern homes with basements. These homes are available throughout the Birmingham area, including Hoover, Helena, Moody, Odenville, and Springville, with new communities opening in new locations.

PORTRAIT HOMES Robert “Bobby” Snider has been building homes throughout Jefferson and Shelby counties for more than 35 years. His reputation and innovative ideas have kept people purchasing his

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custom-built designs for decades. Snider believes your home is “a place where families grow and memories are made.” With this theory in mind, our homes are designed with the idea of comfort and overall functionality for today’s family. At Portrait Homes, we are building memories that last.

PROMINENCE HOMES & COMMUNITIES At Prominence Homes and Communities, we believe home ownership is still the American dream. A dream where hard work shapes itself into a comfortable place for family and friends to gather, where children grow and memories are cherished for a lifetime. At Prominence, we aren’t just building houses, we are creating homes and fulfilling dreams.

We take the job of fulfilling dreams very seriously! Our dedicated team has more than 40 years of combined experience in the construction industry. We strive to be the leader in our industry by constantly seeking the best products, the best craftsmanship, the best designs, and the best locations for our homes. You can find our homes in many different areas of town and in various price ranges. We are always mindful that our homeowners want convenient locations, quality school systems, and premier design and construction no matter their budgets.

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RIDGECREST PROPERTIES RidgeCrest Properties has a passion for people. It’s this passion that has made us one of the most respected home builders in the Central Alabama area. With more than 18 years of experience in the home building industry, RidgeCrest Properties has built some 270 homes in 16 different communities throughout Birmingham, Auburn, and Montgomery.

RidgeCrest Properties has grown every year because of our commitment to quality workmanship and enthusiasm for home building. Our homes are not only well-built, but they are affordable, making the dream of homeownership a reality. We set a high standard for ourselves because we want our homeowners to be proud and happy to own a RidgeCrest home.

RidgeCrest Properties builds custom traditional and craftsman style homes with family-friendly floor plans that range from 1,400 to 4,000 square feet. With our in-house designer, we give you the opportunity to choose from many design options to make it your home. Our homes are built for every lifestyle from the mid$100s to $600s.

SCOTCH HOMES Scotch Homes specializes in building homes and developing property throughout Alabama, focusing currently on Birmingham and the surrounding area. They are a family-operated, secondgeneration home building company that has weathered one of the worst recessions the home building industry has ever seen.

Principal builder and owner Wayne J. Scotch Jr. has been building for 20+ years. He was born and raised in the Shelby County area of Alabama. Scotch is a graduate of Briarwood Christian High School and went on to earn a degree at The University of Alabama. He has been supervising and building houses since the age of 15 and has created a business dedicated to quality

your destination for distinctive gardens, gifts and home furnishings

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construction practices. Their business model strives to meet their clients’ wants and needs and they feel that both are equally important. Scotch Homes believes communication is key to a successful project, and they have created an “Owners Portal” on their website that allows their clients 24/7 access to their project, including daily updates, photos, and more.

Scotch Homes is flexible in that they build homes on their own properties, such as their newest community opening in spring of 2016—Willow Branch in the Chelsea area of Shelby County.

They are also heavily involved in custombuilt homes built on their clients’ properties as well. They have created a design team to help clients from the plan design stage all the way down to the interior and exterior designer stage, offering direct one-on-one access to the draftsman as well their designer to help clients pick their finishes.

Scotch Homes is licensed with the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board and is a member of The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders and The National Association of Home Builders. Our principal builder is also a licensed real estate agent in the State of Alabama. Check out our website at scotchhomes.com.

standards for building professionals associated with this designation.

SCHOLL CONSTRUCTION INC As a custom home builder, Bobby Scholl, president of Scholl Construction, Inc., not only strives for excellence in the quality of construction of his homes, but also in superior customer relations. In addition, he employs a highly skilled and experienced foreman (Ronald Fincher), to oversee each home built by Scholl Construction, Inc. Having attained the prestigious status of Master Builder, Scholl exemplifies the highest

THOROUGHBRED HOMES BY DAL PROPERTIES, LLC Dallan Ruch is the owner of Thoroughbred Homes by DAL Properties, LLC and is an Auburn graduate. He has been a builder for more than 15 years in the Birmingham and Lake Martin areas.

Thoroughbred Homes is a family owned, operated, and oriented company.

Ruch’s wife, Angie, brings her expertise in color and design to the partnership.

The Ruch family has also been in the

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SIGNATURE HOMES From day one, Signature Homes has been committed to building beautiful and functional communities. Founded in 1999 by Dwight Sandlin and Jonathan Belcher, Signature Homes has built over 50 communities in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama.

As one of the largest homebuilders in the Southeast, we have provided more than 5,000 families with their dream home. With the passion to create a place where people enjoy their lives, grow their families, and build relation-

ships that last a lifetime, Signature Homes is setting the bar. Signature Homes doesn’t just build homes; we build communities.

lumber and cabinet business for more than 30 years.

Since 2009, Ruch has focused his efforts in the Ballantrae community of Pelham. Specializing in executive-style garden homes, Ruch and his team pride themselves on building a quality product and delivering superior customer service.

TIMELESS HOMES Monty Bryant, president of Timeless Homes, is a hands-on builder committed to the individual and personal attention of each home. Bryant is a custom homebuilder who strives to build each home to the requirements and dreams of the homeowner. He relates his building career to his 30 years as firefighter/ paramedic. He is a problem solver and takes great pride in the quality and safety of his homes, as well as the finished work of the product.

TOWN BUILDERS John O. Freeman Sr. is the vice president and general manager at Mt Laurel and has been with the town of Mt Laurel since October 2001.

A native of Birmingham and a graduate of Woodlawn High School, Freeman began building in 1952 with no prior experience or education in construction. He then majored in engineering at Vanderbilt University, attended business school at the University of Alabama, and worked with ACIPCO. Freeman brings an extensive background and reputation of quality construction and excellent customer service. Since Town Builders Inc. works exclusively in Mt Laurel, they work especially hard to exceed each client’s expectations because they will soon be their neighbors.

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Downtown Loft Tour Presented by H2 Real Estate Photo by Ginnard Archibald H2 Real Estate is proud to host the Downtown Loft Tour on Saturday, April 30, from noon until 4 p.m. The self-guided walking tour consists of 14 downtown residential and business spaces that attendees will tour for a first-hand glimpse into the excitement of city center living.

The goal of the event is to show attendees what the downtown lifestyle is about,

from admiring the design of residential lofts to enjoying the abundance of food and beverage options downtown to visiting Railroad Park and taking in a Barons baseball game that evening.

H2 has partnered with B-Metro as a media sponsor and REV Birmingham as the event beneficiary.

The event costs $20 per attendee. Be-

tween 300–500 attendees are expected to experience downtown living on April 30. Net proceeds of the event will benefit REV Birmingham, which partners with the business community and the City of Birmingham to create sustainable business districts in which people live, work, and play throughout Birmingham’s 365-block City Center.

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It’s not every day you win

Green Home

G I V E AWAY Article by: KATE AGLIATA, My Green Birmingham

presented by:

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a green home makeover, but a local Birmingham family recently became the winner of My Green Birmingham’s Green Home Giveaway, affording them with a number of energy efficiency and eco-friendly upgrades.

“ We are over the moon excited about winning this contest and all it entails,” said Kim Cummins, who along with her husband, John, own the winning home located on 6th Court South in Avondale.

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Presented by Alabama Power, this year’s makeover is packed full of valuable green home upgrades, products, and services from a select group of local companies -- making it the ideal way for the Cummins to celebrate their historic home’s 90th birthday.

For the sixth year in a row, My Green Birmingham has offered the Green Home Giveaway to local homeowners as an incredible opportunity to win a home makeover that aims to enhance energyefficiency, water saving capabilities, and create an altogether greener living environment. The Cummins two bedroom, one bath, 1,100 square foot home will benefit in many new ways from the dream makeover. Among highlights are a new energyefficient heat pump water heater, provided by Alabama Power, new furnace, HVAC unit, and installation work by Guin Service, an energy evaluation and audit by local energy experts, Eco-Three, and contracting services by Elliott Pike of Elm Construction.

Additional sponsors include TOTO, V & W Supply, Birmingham Association of Realtors, Greater Birmingham Association of Homebuilders, and Mrs. Clean Green, all of whom together complete this year’s generous giveaway package with a variety of products and services including high efficiency kitchen fixtures and dual flush toilets, installation of new, high-grade insulation, ductwork sealing, and even a collection of natural home cleaning products, and much more.

Created by My Green Birmingham founder, Natalie Kelly, the Green Home Giveaway aims to inspire all homeowners

“We are looking forward to having a sound house that will be here and be desirable for the next generation. Thanks to the Green Home Giveaway, the work that’s been done to our home will preserve this hand built house.” in the community by highlighting the value associated with making energy efficient and sustainable home upgrades. Kelly said the Cummins home stood out among more than 100 entries from local Birmingham homeowners in several ways.

“Each year, we’re faced with the difficult decision of having to narrow down many qualifying homes to just three top choices,” says Kelly.

“The Cummins family and their home was selected as a top choice because of their dedication to creating a more sustainable home, and also for their care and commitment to maintaining their home’s legacy within the community in which it’s stood for nearly 90 years.”

The Cummins home was chosen as the winner of this year’s Green Home Giveaway by popular public vote via social media.

Kim Cummins has lived in her house on 6th Court South since March of 1996. Prior to then, the home she lived in was actually just four houses away. She says she was drawn to Avondale because of the affordability and character of the homes as well as the convenient proximity to work, shopping, and entertainment.

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“The houses are affordable, and they each have their own unique character and don’t look exactly like another house down the street,” says Cummins. “There are gentle rolling hills and gigantic old trees and lush green foliage, kitchen gardens and English gardens and rich, loamy soil. In the winter it smells like a wood fire and in the heat of summer it smells like tomato plants.”

When she discovered her current house was on the market she was immediately drawn to it.

“Since then, I’ve felt like this is the place I should have always been,” she said. Two years later after purchasing the home, Cummins remarried and she and her husband, John, have been working on upgrading the home ever since.

“Avondale is such a unique mix of people in all stages and walks of life...whatever connections you are looking for, you can find your tribe in this community,” Cummins says.

In 2001, the Cummins home, along with many others on the same street, was damaged when strong winds caused many large trees to fall. The home’s roof was rebuilt and the aluminum siding replaced with vinyl siding, along with a number of other improvements. However, the house as a whole has always remained in great need of many energy efficiency improvements.

Despite the charm and beauty of many features in the house, including original windows and oak hardwood flooring, these types of characteristics are often an older home’s biggest culprits.

To help determine the greatest sources of inefficiencies in the Cummins home, Eco-Three began the makeover process with an

energy evaluation and audit. Investing in this type of evaluation can offer homeowners greater insight about where and how air infiltration affects home comfort and overall energy efficiency, explains Jonathan Handey, owner of Eco-Three. Audit results tend to help homeowners become better educated about their home and more informed about where their money can and should be best spent.

Results of the energy audit performed on the Cummins home revealed an astounding exchange of indoor/outdoor air that is approximately 4.7 times more than the desired amount. In other words, Handey says that if the bulk of the home’s air leaks were combined into a single opening, the total amount would translate roughly to a 22” x 22” opening.

Elliott Pike, owner of Elm Construction, says sealing the ‘envelope’ of a home (which is typically made up of a roof system, the walls and the foundation of a home) is among the easiest upgrades a homeowner can make to their house. The home’s envelope is what protects the interior from outdoor elements, including hot and cold air, which makes it even more important for it to be well protected.

Pike recommends several methods for sealing the envelope, such as applying caulking or an expanding foam to small gaps in the walls, floors or ceilings, or using weather stripping along the frames of exterior doors and windows, all of which have been included in the work done to the Cummins home.

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“ With a well sealed home, your heating and air system can be downsized and it will run less frequently, therefore saving energy (and money),” explains Joseph Braswell of Guin Service.

Other air leaks were identified in several ducts that were part of an older heating and cooling system that no longer function as they properly should. Guin Service, a Birmingham family-owned company specializing in air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and generator services, installed new ductwork and performed necessary sealing, in addition to the replacement of the home’s 28-year-old HVAC system.

“We hope this will solve some ongoing allergy problems we’ve been dealing with,” says Cummins, who adds that she and her husband are also very excited about the significant monthly energy savings they’ll experience as a result of the installed upgrades.

Jill Sills of Alabama Power, says on average, the homes of Green Home Giveaway winners experience a 20-25 percent reduction in monthly home energy usage, which, she says can typically translate into significant cost savings for the homeowner.

Since revitalization efforts have surged in Avondale, more local homeowners are seeing the value associated with home renovation and upgrade projects. However, due to the age of homes in the area (many were built more than 75-100 years ago), homeowners engaging in renovation work are more often prioritizing energy efficiency projects.

Common upgrades in similar aged homes include the replacement or even the addition of insulation in the walls and attic (some homes in Avondale never had insulation in the first place), and replacing existing HVAC units, accompanying ductwork, and conventional hot water tanks to install more energy efficient units.

According to Alabama Power, water heating is typically the second largest source of energy use in the average home, just after heating and cooling. Sills says the energy-efficient

technology in the Cummins new heat pump water heater is likely to cut their hot water costs in half.

As for insulation, our sponsors caution homeowners to refrain from assuming that it alone as an upgrade will solve all of a home’s energy inefficiency problems. Braswell says it’s important to focus on how insulation works in conjunction with duct sealing and the home’s overall airflow to make the house more comfortable and efficient.

“Duct sealing is very important for energy efficiency. Any conditioned air being created should go into the home, not leak out of the duct,” explains Braswell. “In fact, recent studies have shown that on average a duct system has 20 percent leakage. That means that 20 percent of the heating or cooling is not being used for comfort, which is very wasteful.”

When adding new insulation is necessary, Pike says using the proper amount of the recommended Energy Star level of R-38 insulation is very cost effective and has one of the quickest payback periods.

Before beginning your own home renovation and upgrade projects, sponsors of the Green Home Giveaway suggest asking family and friends for trusted recommendations for local services and products. In addition, Cummins says her homeownership experiences have also led her to take advantage of neighborhood resources available online and on social media as well as good old fashioned advice from neighbors and former homeowners.

“ Older neighbors, especially those who have lived here a long time, are the best sources of information about the history of the house and the area,” she says.

“Our older neighbors are treasures that add so much to living in this community.”

For more information about our annual Green Home Giveaway and how you can upgrade your home to make it more eco-friendly and energy efficient go to MyGreenBirmingham.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

HOPING TO CREATE A GREENER HOME ENVIRONMENT WITH YOUR OWN RENOVATION PROJECTS AND HOME UPGRADES THIS YEAR? My Green Birmingham recommends turning to these trusted businesses and brands for services and products.

FIND ART April 22-24, 2016 Linn Park, Downtown Birmingham, Alabama $5, Kids 12 & under free $1 Friday Lunch Special 11:00 a.m. - 2:00p.m. www.magiccityart.com #magiccityart

2016 Sponsors PLATINUM City of Birmingham Kinetic Communications GOLD AL.com Birmingham Magazine Birmingham Mountain Radio Birmingham Park & Recreation Joe Piper, Inc. SILVER Royal Cup Coffee BRONZE Alabama Power B-Metro BBVA Compass Big Communications BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama HealthSouth Corporation Hoover’s Magazine Miller Communications, Inc. Over the Mountain Journal Publix Super Markets Charities Shelby Living STEEL Alabama Baby & Child Magazine Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency BJCC & The Westin Bell Media Birmingham Business Journal Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company Bradley Arant Boult & Cummings CityVision – The Visitor’s Channel Jefferson County Jemison Investment Company, Inc. WBHM Public Radio 90.3fm Weld for Birmingham Yarbrough Festival Foodservices

Paul Kremer HOPPER 2, 2015 Acrylic on canvas 84x64 inches Image courtesy of the artist and Peter Makebish Gallery NY, NY