Time for Play

Go back to the good ole days when exercising was all fun and games.

BY LOYD MCINTOSH

Does the thought of spending an hour walking on a treadmill while the talking heads of CNN drone on and on leave
you bored to tears? Do you struggle with ways to convince your kids to get off the couch and get some much-needed physical activity?

If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, don't worry— you're not alone. Maybe part of the problem is the word 'exercise'— it's so formal and regimented. Perhaps what we all need is a
little less "exercise" and a lot more "play time."

An afternoon shooting hoops or playing hide-and-seek not only provides a fun physical activity the entire family can enjoy, but also gives you and your children a chance to bond, make memories and relieve stress. For adults, play is a chance to move and have fun without taking themselves too seriously. For kids, play is an opportunity to burn calories without the pressure of competition and winning or losing—if only for an hour or two.

Parents often say “go outside and play” when they should say “let's go outside and play,” says Caroline Bundy, mother of two boys and a personal trainer and director of community health initiatives for the Birmingham Metropolitan YMCA.
“Too often, parents sit on the sidelines to watch their kids play and miss out on a lot of healthy, enjoyable activity.
Instead of watching your children swim, swim with them and toss them around in the pool, or play Marco Polo with them,” she says.

Even games that were popular in the past can prove to be a hit with kids, Caroline adds, despite our notion that they may be a bit oldfashioned. “Games like hopscotch, jumping rope and kickball are not only fun but are also good for you,” Caroline continues. “My boys have discovered the game of foursquare, and every time I turn around they're looking for some chalk to draw a four-square court on the driveway."

Even kids who are already active can use a break from the job-like responsibilities and workload of team sports. Beth Anne Taylor became concerned after realizing her 9-year-old son Coe wasn’t enjoying playing football as much as he once
did. She decided to introduce him to tennis, a sport she had enjoyed most of her life. It was one of the best decisions she
ever made—for both of them. “I hoped it was something he would enjoy. but I had no idea he would take to it like he has,” Beth Anne says. “It's been nice to see the change in him.” Coe now participates in clinics and local tennis teams, but Beth Ann says the best part is that she and her son have a sport they enjoy together. “We can go out and play a game, just the two of us.

It’s given us a whole new conversation piece,” she says. “On the weekends now we'll just a grab a racquet and say ‘let's go.’ It's given us something to look forward to doing together.”

To learn more about how you can put play in your day, attend Healthy Kids’ Day at the Birmingham YMCA Youth Center in downtown Birmingham on April 17 from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information on Healthy Kids’ Day visit ymcabham.org.

Spring Breakaway

Spring-cleaning isn’t just for houses anymore: After all, who doesn’t have a mind that could use a little de-cluttering? Give yourself a break and head to one of the South’s most relaxing spas and resorts. Once you try it, you’ll want to make sprucing yourself up an annual event.

BY RACHEL LETCHER
PHOTO COURTESY OF LAKE AUSTIN SPA RESORT

Lake Austin Spa Resort Austin, Texas
Venture out west for a relaxing vacation at this 25,000- square-foot lakeside hideaway, where you’ll enjoy a medley of Asian- and Texan-inspired treatments. Start out with a gentle acupuncture session to help you feel more balanced and renewed. Need to de-stress? Cupping treatment is an ancient technique using glass cups with mild suction to untangle knots while adding circulation to achy or fatigued muscles. Once you’ve loosened up, explore some of the spa’s other unique offerings, like Zumba dance classes, meditation seminars, water yoga, boat cruising or even hydrobiking. With a wide array of treatments and activities, the resort offers something for everyone.
• For more information call 800.847.5637 or visit lakeaustin.com.

Farmhouse Spa at Blackberry Farm Walland, Tennessee
Nestled in the Smoky Mountain foothills, Blackberry Farm’s Farmhouse Spa offers a perfect getaway for nature lovers. In addition to enjoying the beautiful backdrop, you can indulge in spa treatments in your personal cottage or in the Farmhouse Spa, which was recently renovated to add a seven-headed Vichy shower and heated tile floors. There you’ll find a wide variety of detoxifying and hydrating treatments, or you can enjoy the spa’s signature Blackberry Mist, which gently exfoliates your skin as the scents of blackberry and vanilla relax your mind. And if for some reason you tire from total relaxation, you can always sign up for a Yogassage session with one-on-one instruction from a yoga instructor and massage therapist.
• For more information call 865.984.8166 or visit blackberryfarm.com.

The Sanctuary Spa at Kiawah Island Golf Resort Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Let the sound of crashing ocean waves soothe away stress as you enjoy Lowcountry-inspired treatments in this charming South Carolina setting. Try the indulgent Southern Hospitality Facial, which features a scalp massage and foot treatment, or detoxify with the Seaweed Body Retreat, which moisturizes while firming the skin.
Afterwards head into the great outdoors for a round of golf, a kayaking adventure in the Atlantic, or an afternoon of discovering South Carolina’s wildlife.
• For more information call 843.768.2121 or visit kiawahresort.com.

Lakeview at Fontana Resort & Spa Bryson City, NC
Retreat to this rustic, yet chic getaway, just three hours outside of Atlanta, for breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains and Fontana Lake, as well as natural spa treatments that are sure to please. Give yourself a natural glow with a pomegranate body polish, or de-stress with a green tea detox, which flushes out excess water and improves skin tone.
Then try the spa’s signature hot towel massage, which incorporates hot towels steeped in aromatic herbs and spices. For those adventure-seekers, the resort has opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and more. But be sure to set your Tivo to record your favorite shows before you leave home: Guest rooms are television- free.
• For more information call 800.742.6492 or visit lakeviewatfontana.com.

The WaterColor Inn & Resort’s InnSpa Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Headed to the beach for a belated spring break? After you burn out on sun and sand, why not take a moment to pamper yourself at WaterColor Inn & Resort’s InnSpa? Enjoy the spa’s beachhouse atmosphere with a rejuvenating WaterColor wellbeing massage, or schedule a private in-room service, like the refreshing pineapple papaya brushstrokes body treatment. Perfect for a ladies’ weekend, the spa is conveniently located near shopping, the beach and great restaurants like the resort’s own Fish Out of Water.
• For more information call 850.534.5000 or visit watercolorresort.com.

can’t get away?
Steal a moment of resort-worthy relaxation right here in Birmingham.

The Aveda Institute
Energize, revive and refresh for $60 or less at the Aveda Institute at the Galleria. The new school (Aveda’s largest state-of-the-art facilities in the country) offers salon-quality facial, hair and makeup treatments at pocketbook-friendly prices. Right now, the Institute is offering a facial, manicure and pedicure package for just $46, and the staff plans to add massages to the menu soon.
• For more information call 205.769.3500 or visit avedainstitutesbb.com.

Richard Joseph SalonSpa
Visit Richard Joseph’s English Village or Inverness location for a unique spa experience that includes complimentary fresh fruit and pastries before 11 a.m. or lunch from 11 to 3 p.m. with your SalonSpa service. Enjoy an Aveda Hydrotherm Treatment (a massage while you lay on warm, water-filled cushions) or Elemental Nature Facial for Self-Renewal, which includes a foot and scalp treatment, for the ultimate experience in pampering and relaxation.
• For more information call 205.871.6001 or visit richardjosephsalonspa.com.

Ross Bridge
Take a mini-vacation to the Spa at Ross Bridge, where you can enjoy a facial, massage, body treatment or salon service at a Four Diamond Resort. With steam rooms and quiet rooms to calm your senses, you’ll leave the stresses of everyday life far behind—if only for an hour or two. Try a body exfoliation for a pre-summer glow that will suit any body type.
• For more information call 205.949.3041 or visit sparossbridge.com.

Smart Skin Med Spa
Do your face a favor and visit Smart Skin Med Spa in Crestline for high-quality facial services like skin tightening, microdermabrasion, acne treatments and more. Try out the ultimate trio special—perfect for spring and summer—which includes an ultrasonic massage, microdermabrasion, skin rejuvenation jet peel, micro massage and paraffin hand treatment.
• For more information call 205.871.8707 or visit smartskinmedspa.com.

Fearless Style

When it comes to decorating their Birmingham home, the Plotts aren’t afraid of taking a few risks.

BY ABIGAIL B. MILLWOOD | STYLING BY ELIZABETH BEELER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP

      I’m not scared to try anything funky,” says Louise Plott. “I like different.” So when she told her friend and interior decorator Lisa Flake of Caldwell Flake Interiors that she and her husband Gip wanted to do something “calm, serene
and neutral” in their completely overhauled Tudor-style home, Lisa knew it wouldn’t take her long to change her mind. “I would show Louise furniture and fabrics and she would say, ‘I need more color,’” Lisa recalls. “She finally threw all caution to the wind and said, ‘I don’t know what I was talking about!’”
     After all, with a brand new layout inside its historic shell (thanks to Gip, a commercial real estate developer known for converting run-down buildings into top-of-the-line condominiums, who completely rewired and re-plumbed the house, in addition to creating a new floor plan and adding on a family room, patio and garage), the home needed a fresh look that reflected the family’s fun personality. The design she and Lisa came up with is anything but dull, with bold paint colors, dazzling wallpapers and patterned fabrics. “I love to make a ‘wow’ in every room,” Lisa says. And that’s exactly the look Louise was going for once she let her imagination run wild. “I didn’t want anyone to walk in this house and think, ‘I’ve seen that chandelier everywhere,’” she says. “There are a lot of rooms that pop out.”
     Probably the most notable is Louise’s study, just off the glamorously neutral living room. With a wallpapered ceiling, blue crystal chandelier, plush rug and bookshelves painted teal and bronze, it’s a room that commands attention. “I saw that wallpaper and said, ‘This is it! I want it on the ceiling!’” Louise remembers. “I love to sit and read in here. It’s the most relaxing place in the whole wide world.”
     As polished as the house appears, Louise and Lisa insist it’s low-maintenance and kid-friendly for Louise’s three children—from the kitchen’s Alabama white marble countertops and informal banquette to Sarah Sims’ and Christian’s grown-up, yet girly bedrooms and Matthew’s manly lair. “Each kid thinks he or she has the best room,” Louise says with a laugh, but if she had to choose, it would definitely be her master suite with its blend of masculine black-and-white fabric and yellow feminine touches.
     With 18 months of renovation behind them and several months to go before the last paving stone will be in place, the Plotts are well on their way to having their dream home realized. "I could do 10 houses and they would all look different," Louise admits. "But I just really love it all!” 

The Modern Family Home

Laura and Brad Burleson transformed a hum-drum house into a young family’s fantasy.

BY MARY ELLEN STANCILL | STYLING BY ELIZABETH BEELER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN ALLSOPP

      Everyone knows that when a builder says your complete home remodel will take nine months, you should prepare to live elsewhere for at least a year.Luckily for Laura and Brad Burleson, who planned to transform their 1950s one-story, redbrick rancher into a two-story home with an open floor plan for their family of three, their very devoted builders were able to stick to a strict timeline. "We found out we were expecting our second child the day after we broke ground on this house.We called our builder before we called our parents," Laura recalls with a laugh. "We were able to move back into our finished house 10 days before our daughter Gray was born."
      In just nine months, the 8- foot ceilings were raised to 10 feet, three small bedrooms became a master suite, and a second story was added—all using the home’s original footprint."We took literally everything out except the mantel in the living room," says Laura. "I wanted the house to look like it had been here forever. I wanted it to be very traditional on the outside with more modern flair inside." The result is a relaxing, kid-friendly home with plenty of space for entertaining both children and adults.
      The Burlesons spend most of their time in the family room and adjoining remodeled kitchen, which is any cook's fantasy. Laura outfitted the space with top-of-the-line appliances, such as a commercial-grade range and a pop-up mixing stand, which tucks away in a base cabinet when not in use. Two large islands—one topped with butcher block for a well-used feel and the other dressed up with a chandelier overhead—add plenty of space for prep work. For informal dining, Laura and Brad converted the house's original laundry space into a builtin banquette perfect for everyday meals with 4-year-old Thatcher and 2-year-old Gray. "Like most modern families, we don't need a huge living room or dining room," says Laura.
      Instead, she focused on designing kidfriendly areas, like the upstairs playroom, which is one of her favorite features because toys can overtake the room while the downstairs spaces remain organized and ready for guests. In the main family room, Laura continued the kitchen’s color scheme of blues and grays but outfitted furniture in nubby textures and easy-to-wash slipcovers to hide the spills and wear inevitable with two small children. Best of all, Laura can keep an eye on the kids while working in the kitchen. And just off the master suite is another one of Laura’s prize ideas: a nursery-turned-home office. The small, light-filled space was perfect for a ground-floor nursery when Gray was a newborn— just steps away in the middle of the night, without being in the bedroom—and now functions as Laura’s tidy, private workspace.
     Of course, she may need to expand shortly: While she's helped friends with decorating for years, Laura officially started her own decorating business several months ago and already has clients lined up in Florida, Colorado and Birmingham. And she always keeps an eye out for the next big family project too. “I had a binder full of magazine tear sheets for ideas, and after we built this house, I threw them all away,” Laura says. “Now I’ve got a huge stack again. I guess it’s time for a new house!”

Laura shares her tips for renovating with young children in mind.

• Install a central vac system—a "lifesaver," Laura says—to instantly sweep away spilled Cheerios and Goldfish into an automatic dustpan in the kitchen.
• Design a built-in banquette in the kitchen for everyday meals. The booth seating is informal and easy to wipe down after meals.
• Install a farm sink—it’s perfect for bathing babies. Worried that a disposal button would be tempting for tiny hands, Laura asked her contractor to add a light switch that must be flipped for the button to work, so the disposal is "double tricked" for safety.
• Add a crib room near the master suite so the baby can be close by, with a little healthy distance in between.
• Add an under-counter wine fridge: It’s the perfect size to use as a helpyourself kids' fridge instead. Laura keeps hers stocked with juice boxes.
• Outfit furniture in easy-to-clean white. "People think you can't have white furniture with kids, but I say it's the easiest thing in the world because all it takes are some Shout wipes or some bleach pens and you are back in business," says Laura.