Alyssa Mccourt is a talented interior designer who graduated from Samford University this past May. Her Mountain Brook cottage is full of historical charm, character, and gorgeous natural light. I’ve always admired her soft confidence and incredible style, so of course she was the first person I thought of for a home tour! We had a great slow morning hanging out, making coffee, and catching up on life. Alyssa’s home is refined yet cozy and warm- the perfect combination, if you ask me! It was a JOY to photograph her and her precious pup, Reese, in their little home! Enjoy this little peek into Alyssa’s space, as well as some advice and stories from the resident herself!
Tell us a little about the process of finding your place. I have lived in Birmingham for nearly 5 years and during that time always wanted to live in Mountain Brook. I had passed the cottages on Montevallo Road countless times and always said “that would be the perfect first home out of college.” My senior year at Samford I was on Zillow looking at homes for sale in Birmingham (I had no intention of moving from my old apartment, I just love to look!) I saw the 1 bedroom cottage on Zillow and immediately called the rental management company to get details. That day I filled out an application and 3 days later I got the keys. My old lease wasn’t even up but I couldn’t pass up on such a cute place and AMAZING location! I moved in this past April.
How would you describe your style? I love transitional style. I think it is something special when you can design a home that is classic and traditional but still feels up to date no matter how long you keep it. There a lot of Birmingham designers that do this so well! I have found when I try to add trendy pieces to my home I quickly find the urge to replace them. With transitional you can add subtle touches of other styles while still retaining a classic feel. I’m currently working as a commercial designer but do residential “e-design” on the side because it is my passion! When I’m working with clients I try and steer them away from trendy design by explaining how classic can still feel modern and will stand the test of time.
What makes your house feel like a home? When you come in my home you will see there are a lot of personal photos and art! I love having pictures of loved ones on the wall to remind me of fun memories and make the space personal! My boyfriend’s grandparents own a frame shop in Daphne, Alabama so she gives me a lot of gorgeous framed photos in the prettiest wooden frames which I’m very grateful for!! Another thing that makes me feel at home is when it is clean! A clean home is a happy home in my mind. There is nothing better than a freshly cleaned home with lots of natural light flooding in!! I also can’t get enough throw pillows and blankets! I recently invested in some Schumacher fabric for two throw pillows for my couch and love the brightness they bring to the living room!
What tips do you have for making a rental feel like home? Renting can be hard because you feel like you can’t change enough to make it truly “yours” so I have used a few tricks to make it feel more catered to my style. One of the things I hated about the house was the kitchen flooring…it wasn’t that I didn’t just like the pattern or colors but it was so old that it was faded and chipping…not a clean look. SO For only $50 I went to Home Depot and bought peel and stick “marble” tile and covered the old flooring in my kitchen and bathroom. I did it all by myself in 4 hours, which makes me even more proud of how it turned out! Another tip I have which is the most important to me is being thoughtful about the items you are purchasing for your home. I love to buy antique items for my home because it gives them a story, making me feel more connected to them. When you walk in to my house there is an antique secretary desk. Which I love not only the look of, but also the story behind it. I bought it last fall while antique shopping in Fairhope. We went to about 6 different stores just browsing, sipping coffee, and when I saw it I knew it was a treasure. It makes it so fun when people ask me about pieces with a story because I get to relive the fun of finding them all over again. And you can’t beat the quality of antiques! Furniture just isn’t made that way anymore!
Share a few of your favorite places to shop for home decor in Birmingham! I love Hen house Antiques in English Village, Stock and Trade, Patina, Shoppe Bham and Architectural Heritage!
What do you like best about living in Birmingham? I grew up in Fort Worth, TX, which I loved, but once I came to Birmingham I knew there was a good chance I would never be leaving! There is a charm that I haven’t experienced anywhere else. I love the southern charm the homes have and even the people! I can’t imagine a better Sunday than strolling through mountain brook or walking Reese on Jemison trial! I have seen so much change in Birmingham since I moved here in 2014 and love that it continues to get better and better!
What would your advice be for making the most out of a small space? Organization is key! When I first moved in I was constantly complaining about the linen closet and pantry being unusable because they were so small and frankly a very odd shape…but after living in it a few months I purchased lots of wicker baskets and command hooks to organize and everything fits perfectly now! I also love opening the doors when the weather is nice because the fresh air moves through the whole home! You can’t get that with a large home! When I moved in I had a major closet downsize which forced me to get rid of a bunch of clothes that I hadn’t worn in years…I’m so happy I did! There is something very freeing about getting rid of things in your home that don’t serve a purpose!