Design Build Firm
Homewood, AL

Finding a design-build firm in Homewood, AL that truly integrates architecture, interior design, and construction is rare. River Brook performs a singular, uninterrupted process where these disciplines are not separate entities, but artful movements within a whole composition. Based in Homewood, we eliminate the fragmentation that plagues traditional homebuilding.

Highlights

  • Architecture, interiors, construction under one roof

  • Husband-wife team with complementary expertise

  • National recognition from HGTV and LUXE RED

Why Choose Us as Your
Design Build Firm
in Homewood?

River Brook has redefined full-service since 2016. Founded by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Leigh Misso, we bring licensed homebuilder credentials, Building Science education from Auburn University, and national recognition including HGTV Designer of the Year (2023). Our Homewood studio serves Birmingham and beyond with architecture, interior design, and construction unified under one vision.

What makes River Brook different from typical contractors is complete cohesion. You don't navigate competing priorities between an architect, designer, and builder. You don't act as the middleman coordinating separate firms. Our team shares one vision from the first conversation through final walkthrough. That means intentional foresight guides every decision.

Our Design Build Approach

  • Custom Home Design creates ground-up architectural plans tailored to your life and aesthetic. Whether you're building a forever home in Homewood or a waterfront retreat at Lake Martin, every space is intentional. We consider how you live, how you entertain, and how your home should feel for decades to come.


  • Interior architecture elevates both form and function through masterfully designed spaces. Our team curates custom millwork, ceiling treatments, and built-ins that complement your home's architectural vision. Because design and construction exist as parts of one living process, we place footings according to furniture selection and plan electrical according to lighting concepts.

  • Full-service construction means one dedicated team handles everything from foundation to finishes. No handoffs between separate companies. No silos creating miscommunication. Our project managers and superintendents maintain continuous oversight, ensuring craftsmanship meets River Brook's caliber at every stage of the build process.

Inquire

Our Process:
What to Expect

  • Based on your feedback from our initial "this or that meeting", we'll then curate a mood board that solidifies the overall style and direction of your project. This includes color palettes, textures, and inspiration images to establish a cohesive vision.

  • This is where your project starts taking shape! We'll develop preliminary floor plans and layouts to illustrate space planning, flow, and functionality.

  • With your feedback from the schematic phase incorporated, we'll then create a full set of construction documents. These plans serve as the detailed guide for your build. We'll review the finalized plans together with you before moving forward.

  • At this stage, we dive into the details of cabinetry, ensuring the layout, storage solutions, and functionality meet your needs. We'll provide elevations that outline cabinet placement, materials, etc. You'll have an opportunity to review cabinet shops and make adjustments before finalizing.

  • Now for the finishing touches! We'll guide you through selecting lighting, plumbing fixtures, flooring, countertops, paint colors, appliances, and more. This step brings the design to life with personalized details. You'll approve each selection, ensuring every finish aligns with your vision (and budget) before orders are placed.

  • A full-service approach to ensure your space is beautifully and thoughtfully finished. From selecting durable, family-friendly fabrics to curating furniture, rugs, and accessories, our team will craft a cohesive and functional living environment. We provide full presentation boards with 3D visualizations so you can see the complete scheme. You'll review and approve the furnishing selections before any purchases are made.

Common Design-Build
Challenges in Homewood

Homewood's mix of historic neighborhoods and new construction creates unique considerations for homeowners ready to build or renovate. Here's how we help navigate these challenges.

Challenge

Coordinating Multiple Contractors

  • Hiring separate architects, interior designers, and builders creates competing priorities, miscommunication, and timeline delays throughout your project.

  • Our integrated design-build approach eliminates handoffs. One team, one vision, one timeline from concept to completion.

Challenge

Historic Homewood Character

  • Older homes in established Homewood neighborhoods require updates that respect architectural integrity while incorporating modern function and energy efficiency.

  • We balance historic details with contemporary performance, ensuring renovations honor your home's character while enhancing livability and efficiency.

Challenge

Birmingham Climate Considerations

  • Alabama's humidity, temperature swings, and storm systems demand thoughtful material selections, proper ventilation, and durable exterior finishes for lasting performance.

  • Our deep understanding of local climate guides every specification, from moisture management to HVAC design, protecting your investment for decades.

Challenge

Budget Uncertainty

  • Traditional building separates design from construction, making accurate cost projections difficult. Homeowners face unexpected expenses when ideas meet reality during the build process.

  • Because we perform both design and construction, real costs are vetted against ideas early. You know your budget before breaking ground.

Challenge

Outdoor Living Space Integration

  • Creating functional outdoor living spaces that extend your Homewood home's architecture requires coordinating landscape design, structural elements, and interior flow simultaneously.

  • We design outdoor spaces as extensions of your interior vision, ensuring patios, porches, and gardens complement the whole composition seamlessly.

Challenge

Communication Breakdowns

  • When architects, designers, and contractors work independently, clients become middlemen translating between teams. Important details get lost, timeline adjustments create confusion.

  • Our team shares complete transparency. Project managers maintain continuous communication, so you always understand the schedule, budget, and decision points ahead.

Local Design Build Services in the Homewood Area

River Brook serves Homewood and the greater Birmingham region with complete design-build expertise. Our local knowledge and professional commitment ensure quick response times and deep understanding of area building practices, permitting processes, and architectural styles.

Don't see your city? Give us a call!

We Serve:

Birmingham | Cahaba Heights | Crestline | Crestwood | Edgewood | English Village | Forest Park | Highland Park | Homewood | Hoover | Lakeview District | Mountain Brook | Vestavia Hills

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Investment varies based on project scope, site conditions, and finish selections, and they increase with square footage, complexity, and material choices. Renovations and additions depend on existing conditions and desired outcomes. We provide transparent pricing after understanding your vision and site. Initial consultations help determine budget feasibility before design work begins, ensuring alignment between your dream and financial reality.

  • River Brook truly integrates all disciplines under one roof. Unlike firms that outsource architecture or construction, our team performs everything from initial design through final installation. Kevin and Leigh Misso bring complementary expertise: licensed homebuilder credentials and Building Science education from Auburn University. We've earned national recognition including HGTV Designer of the Year (2023) and LUXE RED Award Regional Winner (2024). Our craftsmanship is quiet in its confidence and unmatched in its caliber.

  • We handle architecture, interior design, and construction with our dedicated team. No outsourcing to separate architects or general contractors. Our in-house designers, project managers, and superintendents work together from the beginning, ensuring continuity throughout your project. That integration eliminates competing priorities and miscommunication. When you work with River Brook, you're working with one cohesive business committed to your vision from concept to completion.

  • Design typically requires three to six months, depending on complexity and decision-making pace. Construction timelines vary with project size, site conditions, and finish selections. A custom home generally takes twelve to eighteen months from groundbreaking to move-in. Renovations and additions have shorter timelines. We establish realistic schedules during initial planning, accounting for permitting processes and seasonal considerations specific to Alabama. Communication remains transparent if adjustments become necessary.

  • Everything from architectural planning through furnishing installation. We start with style assessment and mood boards, then develop schematic designs and construction documents. Our team handles site planning, structural design, and interior architecture including custom millwork. We curate all fixtures, finishes, equipment, and furnishings with 3D visualization. Construction includes complete project management, trade coordination, quality control, and final walkthrough. Post-occupancy support ensures you're settled and satisfied.

  • You approve selections at each milestone while benefiting from our expertise and guidance. The process begins with interactive style exercises, then progresses through mood boards, floor plans, fixture selections, and furnishing curation. You make key decisions about layout, finishes, and aesthetics. We handle coordination, scheduling, and technical details. Communication flows continuously, so you're informed without being overwhelmed. All that's required is to settle in and trust a process characterized by clarity and intention.

  • Traditional projects require you to coordinate between separate architects, designers, and builders. That creates delays when designs require structural changes, when finish selections affect construction schedules, or when communication gaps cause rework. Our integrated approach eliminates those handoffs. Because our architects, designers, and construction team collaborate from the beginning, potential conflicts are resolved during planning rather than during the build. That coordination keeps your project moving forward efficiently.

  • We welcome inspiration from any source. Bring images, magazine clippings, or examples of architectural details you love. Our team translates those ideas into designs tailored specifically to your Homewood site, your lifestyle, and your budget. We're not bound by template plans or limited portfolios. Your home should reflect you, not a predetermined aesthetic. Our expertise helps refine rough concepts into cohesive reality while maintaining the integrity of your original vision.

  • We handle custom home construction, whole house renovations, and additions with equal expertise. Many Homewood homeowners love their neighborhoods but need updated functionality or additional space. Our design-build approach works beautifully for bathroom renovations, kitchen transformations, master suite additions, or complete interior remodels. The same integrated team, intentional process, and exceptional craftsmanship apply whether we're building from the foundation or enhancing what already exists.

  • Post-occupancy check-ins ensure you've settled in comfortably. We address any final touch-ups and answer questions as you live in your new space. While specific warranty details vary by project scope, our commitment to quality extends beyond completion day. The relationship doesn't end when you receive keys. We want you to experience total ease and expectant joy long after construction finishes. Your success is our success.