Arts + Culture

Fifty Years of Following the Story

Marjorie White’s decades of curiosity continue to uncover Birmingham’s layered history Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Mary Fehr Pennsylvania native and former UAB faculty member Marjorie White may not have been born in Birmingham, but few people know its history as thoroughly. “I was not trained as a historian,” she says. “I did not come into this field with a perception about what we’re supposed to find.” What she does bring has carried her much farther. “I’m driven by curiosity,”...

Education

Investing in What's Possible

How Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses program is helping Birmingham founders offer the city more Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Ambre Amari Many small business ideas begin with a simple thought: Our city needs this . Or maybe, I wish Birmingham had this . When someone is bold enough to take the risk and build it, those ideas often become the businesses that give a city its character. That entrepreneurial instinct is one of the qualities that caught the attention of Goldman...

Home + Design

The Art of the Find

Smith Interiors on Curating European Antiques for Modern Homes Article by Taylor Bowler | Photography by Olly Yung Cindy Smith and MK Smith Boykin have designed some of the South’s most stunning home interiors, building a reputation for blending European treasures with modern design. Together, they run Smith Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina. The creative mind behind the Circa family of shops, Cindy also owns CⅠⅠRCA Antiques with lead curator Virginia Christianson. Cindy’s daughter...

Arts + Culture

Style that Transcends Time

Where vintage finds its people in Birmingham Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Mary Fehr By 7:30 a.m., there’s already a line outside of Zephyr Barber Shop, where McCall Harwell is arranging carefully curated vintage clothing pieces and transforming the space for the day’s pop-up. When the doors open, the room fills fast — racks turning, hangers clinking, conversations rising over the racks. Strangers weigh in on silhouettes. Friends pass pieces under the curtain. Someone doubles back...

Entertainment

Beyond the Masters

This city in Georgia isn’t just for golf Article by Elliott Harrell | Photography by Destination Augusta Ask someone what they know about Augusta, Georgia, and you’ll probably hear two words: The Masters.  And yes, while the idyllic Southern city is home to arguably the most famous golf tournament in the world, that’s not all the city has to offer. At just over four hours from Birmingham, the city is perfectly situated for a long weekend getaway. Lauren Robbins is a local interior designer...

Life + Culture

What Matters Most

Blake and Kristin Raggio are all in on Birmingham — building a life shaped by family, community, and purpose Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Mary Fehr Some say high school romances never last, but Blake and Kristin Raggio would just smile at that. Four children and a shared business later, they’re still writing the story they started as teenagers. “She invited me to her sweet sixteen, and the rest is history,” Blake says. They were both raised in New Orleans, shaped by Catholic...

Shopping

Spring Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Backyard Plumbing

As spring arrives and outdoor living season begins, many homeowners start focusing on ways to make their backyard spaces more enjoyable. Patios, pools, and outdoor kitchens often get the attention, but one detail that can dramatically improve how your outdoor space functions is thoughtful plumbing design.Features like outdoor showers, dedicated dog wash areas, and outdoor kitchen sinks add convenience, reduce mess inside the home, and make entertaining easier. These upgrades are becoming...

Home + Design

A Day in the Life

A life centered around home and the things that matter most Article by Lynlee Hughes | Photography by Ambre Amari Lynlee Hughes has built her life from the inside out. At home, that means shared mornings and evenings gathered back together with those she loves. Beyond her front door, it means walking alongside others as they search for a place that feels right—a dream home that is less about square footage and more about creating space for a meaningful life to take shape. 7–8 a.m. My day...

Home + Design

Color Harmony At Its Best

Feng shui expert Katie Rogers on the magic of color that tells a story Article by Katie Rogers | Photography by Mary Fehr My obsession with color started young. Mama kept an array of art supplies around to keep her four children entertained.  Play-Doh, watercolors, crayons, Cray-Pas, construction paper, felt, embroidery thread, scissors, and paint brushes were always at hand.  By the time I was five, I could explain the ROYGBIV acronym to my friends with the precision of a chemist, doling out...

Home + Design

Designing Men

These Birmingham gents bring an impeccable sense of style to the home and beyond Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Mary Fehr Deke Rogers Collected for the Home; Proprietor and Principal Curator Deke Rogers has always loved to shop, but over time he found himself drawn to pieces that tell a story—antiques, vintage finds, and the unexpected. “I enjoy working those elements into a room,” he says. “It’s what makes a space feel collected instead of overly styled.” What started as a...