Luxury Home Renovation
in Homewood, AL
Transforming a Homewood home into your dream home requires more than standard renovation services. It demands a singular vision where architecture, interiors, and construction flow as artful movements within a whole composition. River Brook, based right here in Homewood, AL, performs this process without handoffs or competing priorities.
Highlights
Architecture, interiors, and construction as one unified team
HGTV Designer of the Year 2023 and LUXE RED Award Winner
Whole house renovations designed specifically for your life
Why Choose Us for
Luxury Home Renovation
in Homewood?
River Brook has served the Birmingham metro area since 2016, bringing architecture and construction together under one roof. Founded by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Leigh Misso, we hold Alabama Home Builders License #25682 and are licensed to build in both Alabama and Tennessee. Our design-build company eliminates the fragmented process that traditional renovation projects often encounter.
What makes us different is mastery without fragmentation. While others outsource architecture or interior design, we perform every element with one attentive, dedicated team. With national recognition including HGTV Designer of the Year (2023) and features in Architectural Digest and ELLE Decor, our work speaks to enduring quality.
Our Design-Build Services
Custom Home Renovation Design
Ground-up reimagining of your existing property tailored to your life and aesthetic vision. Our custom home renovation approach in Homewood addresses everything from structural changes to spatial flow, ensuring your renovated living spaces reflect who you are. We work closely with you to understand how your family lives, entertains friends, and gathers, then craft architectural plans that honor those values.
This is where architecture becomes personal. We consider natural light patterns specific to your property, structural opportunities within your existing footprint, and how each room connects to create seamless transitions. From windows that frame views to porch designs that extend your living area, every element serves the whole story.
Whole House Renovation
Complete transformation of your entire house as one unified project. Whole house renovations and whole home remodels at River Brook mean every room, every finish, and every detail flows from a singular creative vision. This comprehensive approach prevents the patchwork results that happen when renovations occur room by room over time, ensuring your complete home tells one cohesive story.
From kitchen remodels that open into family gathering spaces where children and friends naturally congregate, to bathroom transformations that create spa-like retreats, we orchestrate the complete renovation with one team. Each job receives the same level of care and professional integrity, whether you're creating new living spaces or reimagining existing ones.
Kitchen and Bath Renovations
Interior Architecture and Finishes
Masterfully designed spaces where function meets elevated aesthetics. Kitchen and bathroom renovations require specialized attention to plumbing, electrical systems, cabinetry, and finish materials. Our design-build approach brings expert coordination to these complex projects, ensuring every element works in concert.
We curate fixtures, finishes, and equipment with comprehensive intent. That means selecting materials for both beauty and performance, considering how natural light will affect finishes throughout the day, and choosing cabinetry that serves your actual storage needs. From selecting the perfect windows to coordinating fireplaces that become focal points, we consider every aspect.
Architectural elements within your home that elevate both form and function. Interior architecture encompasses custom millwork, built-ins, ceiling treatments, and spatial transitions that give your renovation its distinctive character. These elements transform standard spaces into something exceptional, bringing together all the components that make a house feel like your dream home.
Our team, led by owner Leigh Misso, designs cabinetry that looks like furniture, creates ceiling details that add dimension, and crafts built-ins that appear integral to the home rather than added afterward. With her Building Science education from Auburn University, Leigh brings an architectural perspective to every interior detail, ensuring form and function work together.
Our Process:
What to Expect
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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.
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This is where your project starts taking shape! We'll develop preliminary floor plans and layouts to illustrate space planning, flow, and functionality.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Luxury Home Renovation
Challenges in Homewood
Building a custom home in Homewood presents unique considerations. Homeowners face challenges that require local expertise and integrated design-build thinking. Understanding these challenges helps ensure your project proceeds smoothly.
Challenge
Preserving Historic Character While Modernizing
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Many Homewood homes feature period architecture that homeowners want to honor while gaining modern functionality and open floor plans.
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Our architectural design respects original details like moldings and proportions while reconfiguring spaces for contemporary living, blending old and new seamlessly.
Challenge
Managing Structural Changes in Existing Homes
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Load-bearing walls, foundation limitations, and existing mechanical systems constrain renovation possibilities and require expert structural planning.
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Kevin Misso's construction expertise identifies structural opportunities and limitations early, preventing costly surprises and ensuring safe, code-compliant modifications.
Challenge
Coordinating Complex Renovation Logistics
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Whole home remodels involve dozens of trades, sequencing challenges, and the reality that homeowners often need to remain in the house during work.
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Our integrated team coordinates all trades, manages schedules to minimize disruption, and communicates proactively about what to expect each day.
Challenge
Achieving Cohesive Design Across Multiple Spaces
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When renovating kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas simultaneously, maintaining a consistent design language and quality standard becomes challenging without unified oversight.
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Because one team handles all design and construction, your entire renovation flows from a singular creative vision with consistent craftsmanship throughout.
Challenge
Navigating Material Lead Times
and Budget
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Luxury finishes, custom cabinetry, and quality materials often have extended lead times, and costs can escalate quickly without experienced guidance and transparent budget management.
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We order materials early based on our construction schedule, provide real-time budget tracking, and offer value engineering when needed to maintain quality within your investment.
Challenge
Addressing Unexpected
Conditions
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Opening walls in existing homes frequently reveals outdated wiring, plumbing issues, or structural concerns that weren't visible during planning and require immediate attention.
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Our experienced construction team adapts quickly, presents solutions with honest cost implications, and maintains project momentum even when surprises arise.
Local Luxury Home Renovation Services in the Homewood Area
As a locally-owned company, we understand the unique aspects of renovating homes throughout Alabama, from historic properties to contemporary builds. Homeowners throughout the region can expect the same level of professional service and attention to detail that has defined our work since 2016.
We Serve:
Birmingham
Cahaba Heights
Crestline
Crestwood
Edgewood
English Village
Forest Park
Highland Park
Homewood
Hoover
Lake Martin
Lake View
Lakeview District
Mountain Brook
Redmont Park
Vestavia Hills
Frequently Asked Questions
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Luxury whole house renovation costs scale based on square footage, finish selections, and structural complexity. We provide transparent budget discussions during initial consultations and offer detailed proposals before you commit to any project. Your investment reflects quality craftsmanship, professional design services, and materials selected for enduring beauty and performance. Every job receives the same level of care regardless of budget, ensuring excellence in execution.
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We perform architecture, interior design, and construction as one unified team rather than coordinating separate firms. Kevin Misso brings licensed homebuilder expertise (AL #25682) with deep understanding of construction and structural integrity. Leigh Misso contributes Building Science education from Auburn University and an architectural approach to interior design. This husband-and-wife leadership ensures form and function work in concert. Our national recognition including HGTV Designer of the Year 2023 and LUXE RED Award 2024 demonstrates the caliber of our work.
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Whole house renovations create cohesive design and often prove more cost-effective than phased approaches. When we renovate your entire home simultaneously, mechanical systems, finishes, and architectural details flow seamlessly throughout. You also avoid living through multiple construction periods and the challenge of matching materials years later. However, we understand budget realities and can phase projects strategically when needed, always maintaining that singular vision across stages.
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Complete whole house renovations typically require 6 to 12 months depending on scope and complexity. Kitchen remodels alone often take 8 to 12 weeks from demolition to completion. Bathroom renovations usually span 4 to 6 weeks per space. Timeline factors include permitting processes, material lead times, and structural complexity. We provide realistic schedules during planning and maintain clear communication about progress throughout construction.
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If you're noticing your Homewood home no longer fits how your family lives, if you're avoiding opportunities to entertain friends and family because spaces feel disconnected or outdated, or if multiple systems need replacement simultaneously, it's worth getting a professional assessment. Whole renovations make sense when you're addressing layout problems that affect daily life, updating mechanical systems, or when multiple rooms need attention. For example, if your kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces all require work, coordinating them as one project often proves more practical and cost-effective. We can evaluate your specific situation during an initial consultation and help you understand which approach serves your goals and budget best, bringing clarity to what might feel like an overwhelming process.
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We stand behind our construction work with comprehensive warranties on craftsmanship and coordinate manufacturer warranties on materials, fixtures, and appliances. Post-completion, we conduct check-ins to ensure you're settled and satisfied. Our relationship doesn't end at final walkthrough. We remain available for questions, seasonal maintenance guidance, and any adjustments needed as you settle into your newly renovated home. Quality and client care define our reputation in the Homewood community.
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Absolutely. Many Homewood homes feature distinctive period architecture from Tudor Revival to Mid-Century Modern. We respect these established styles while introducing contemporary functionality. Our approach honors original architectural elements like moldings, window patterns, and proportions while reconfiguring interiors for modern life. For example, we might preserve the character of original windows and porch details while completely reimagining interior flow. Leigh's architectural training ensures we understand what makes each style authentic, so renovations feel like natural evolutions rather than jarring additions. This respect for existing character, combined with our ability to bring fresh vision to older homes, creates transformations that honor the past while serving present-day reality.
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Opening walls often reveals outdated electrical, plumbing issues, or structural concerns not visible during planning. Our construction team's decades of experience means we adapt quickly with practical solutions. We'll present options with honest cost implications and work with you to address issues while maintaining project timeline and budget integrity. This is where our design-build integration proves valuable since the same team that designed your renovation handles unexpected conditions without finger-pointing between architect and contractor.
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You'll make all major decisions on layout, materials, fixtures, and finishes with our team's expert guidance. We schedule specific selection meetings at key milestones rather than overwhelming you with constant choices. During construction, we provide regular updates and site visits when appropriate, but daily project management is our responsibility. Our philosophy prioritizes your ease and expectant joy rather than stress. You're as involved as you want to be, with complete transparency and attentive communication throughout. This approach ensures you feel informed and cared for at every step, creating a renovation experience that's actually a pleasure rather than a burden. Our team remains accessible and responsive, recognizing that open communication builds trust and ensures the final result matches your vision.
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We create homes across the complete spectrum from classic traditional to contemporary modern, always tailored to your aesthetic preferences rather than imposing a signature style. Our portfolio includes renovations that honor historic Southern architecture, transitional designs that blend traditional warmth with clean lines, and modern spaces with sophisticated material palettes. What unifies our work isn't a particular look but rather the intentionality of every detail and the seamless integration of architecture, interiors, and construction into one cohesive composition. Whether you specialize in hosting gatherings, creating quiet family retreats, or designing spaces where friends and children can gather comfortably, we adapt our design approach to serve your life. Our specialties span from ground-up custom builds to sensitive renovations of historic homes, each bringing the same level of care to every aspect of the work.