Ellie Stein Renovates Childhood English Tudor in Alabama

Vintage dining chairs were recovered and existing art pieces were rearranged and mixed with new pieces Stein added to her parentsâ collection. photography by Tori Sikkema styling by Mark Thompson

THE DESIGN

Rather than undertaking a dramatic transformation, Stein approached the project with restraint. Her Nashville-based studio is known for creating timeless interiors rooted in architecture, layered materials and enduring craftsmanship, so personally and professionally, she was aligned. Throughout the home, decorative updates refreshed rooms without disturbing the home’s original character. The kitchen was the exception, and a gut renovation completely transformed the space, even though the footprint remained intact. “The flow was not the problem,” Stein explains. “We basically gutted all of the interior cabinetry and had them rebuilt to sustain their storage and shelving needs, redid all of the appliances, plumbing and lighting, and had a custom banquette built at the breakfast table,” explains Stein. The banquette by Mark Jordan creates an inviting everyday gathering place. In the entry, a commissioned work by artist Michael Marlowe offers a contemporary layer that feels entirely at home within the traditional setting. The furnishings in the rest of the home celebrate craftsmanship at every turn. A custom wood-turned bed by Reid Classics anchors the primary suite—a long-awaited wish list item for Stein’s mother—while the existing millwork was transformed by painting the trim color a subtle blue to highlight the original bead detail against the warm, neutral walls. That simple move turned the background into an architectural feature.

The kitchen was completely renovated, but the footprint didnât change because, as Stein notes, âthe flow was not the problem.â She kept the original stone counter on the island and reworked all of the cabinet interiors to better suit her parentsâ current needs. Tower cabinets in the corners were rebuilt and she replaced the appliances, countertop and backsplash photography by Tori Sikkema styling by Mark Thompson

THE CHALLENGES

Working with a nearly century-old home presented inevitable challenges. Historic renovations often reveal hidden complications, and preserving original architectural details requires thoughtful collaboration. Stein partnered with Birmingham-based Hancock Construction, whose experience with historic homes proved invaluable throughout the process. “Being able to problem-solve and pitch ideas with them was a game-changer for the project,” says Stein.

THE OUTCOME

A testament to the Stein Studio Interior Design philosophy that the best interiors evolve naturally from the architecture and the people who live in them, the completed home feels neither newly renovated nor frozen in time. For her parents, the redesign has renewed their connection to a home already filled with memories. It’s still the childhood home Stein will visit regularly to spend holidays with her family, yet it reflects the new life phase they’re collectively in. “We knew this would be a place of rich history and meaning that constantly pointed back to the architecture,” she says. Her measure of success is simple: “Our end-all, be-all goal is to make our clients’ lives and homes better,” she says. In this case, those clients just happened to be family.