BYRD ESTATE HIGH END FURNITURE & HOME

Update - Remainder of items will now sell at live auction March 4th ... full catalog will be posted shortly at www.estateroadshow.com.  Further TAG sales will be considered at the low estimate prior to live auction.  Call 256-272-0397.  We will most likely have another preview March 3rd ...

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The Home of David and Deborra Byrd
2870 High Mountain Rd.
Huntsville, AL.
During the month of February the furniture from this amazing home will be offered at TAG buy it now prices starting with high estimates.  You can negotiate between the estimates or more if you buy more than one item before we approach the March 4th final auction date with most items absolute.  Over $200,000 worth of very high end fine furniture, Henkle Harris, Thomasville, Maitland Smith and custom pieces from England.  Previews will start mid January by private appointment only just contact Michael at 256-272-0397 michael@estateroadshow.com or Ann Valverde (appraiser) 843-817-6552 to set an appointment.  Before the live auction we will offer all the items at one price for people wanting to purchase the furniture + the home unless some have sold.  The live auction will also have hundreds of lots of fine porcelain, silver and estate items cataloged with the furniture in February.  This is a must attend event for anyone wanting the very best furniture.
Our live auction will be simulcast from the Byrd home in March and our gallery (smalls).  We will NOT move the furniture from the home to make sure it stays in it's current mint condition.  Offers are being accepted now on the furniture and the home.
Rare to see this quality of furniture offered --- don't wait too long.
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The Home of David and Deborra Byrd
2870 High Mountain Rd.
Huntsville, AL.


Who would expect to see a Louisiana Acadian style home on a mountainside in Huntsville, AL.?  This home is situated in High Mountain Reserve on Chapman Mountain. It was completed in October 2003, by WestMark Construction, Steve West, builder.  Murry Daniels, Acadiana Home Design, Baton Rouge, LA designed the home.  The placement of the home allows year around views of the city below, and beautiful lights at night.

The home is located on the high side of the mountain; a 28’ rise from the front to the back of the home.  The front entry features a circular drive climbing around a natural rock bank, with extensive professional landscaping.  The entrances are flanked by massive brick columns, and lead up to a stamped cobblestone-parking pad, situated below a landing, which is stamped like the pad.  The home is constructed of Boral ‘Old Jackson’ brick, with stucco under the porches.  The pavers are Boral ‘Orleans’.

Twin wrought iron circular staircases split left and right from the landing, and ascend to the lower porch, which is floored with brick pavers.  Wisteria winds its way through their railings.  Five 18” columns accent the front and rear lower porches.  The front foundation level features four stucco arches that frame statues of each of the Four Seasons.  Between each of them is trellis of Carolina jessamine.  Upper and lower railings feature elaborate wrought iron work.  Four sets of French doors enter the home on the front lower level, two more sets on the upper level.  All the doors are accented with working shutters with dogs and latches, allowing the option for the doors to be opened or shuttered to the weather. Exclusive Rocky Mountain hardware completes the period look on all exterior doors. 

The foyer features two sets of French doors, which reveal a travertine floor accented with black granite diamonds.  The walls are faux painted Golden Retriever (BM) color wash.  The French doors and upper foyer windows are covered with red and gold silk Chinese toile print.  All fourteen sets of French doors featured in the home have transoms above, and all window treatments fall their combined length.  A sparkling Schonbek hand-cut Austrian crystal chandelier hangs from a ceiling medallion in the foyer, along with matching wall sconces.  A Chinese silk rug, welcomes visitors. 

The two-story foyer is separated from the music room, on the left, and the Great Room ahead, by a 16” column, marbleized black.  The music room is painted Deep Olive (Valspar), and features a black baby grand piano, over which hangs a Schonbek Strauss silver crystal chandelier, highlighted by a ceiling medallion.  It sits on a semi-antique Turkish  kilim.  The check silk draperies on the doors, opening also to the front porch, are a smaller print version of the large check on the silk draperies in the Great Room.  The crown in all the formal areas (dining, music, and great room) is heavily embossed extruded molding.  There are 10’ ceilings through out the house, upstairs and down.

Ahead is the Great Room, highlighted by a Scagliola Italian stone fireplace with a lions head design.  Three sets of French doors, covered with corded silk draperies in a larger check than the music room, lead to the lower level rear porch, which is two storied like the front.  The doors are flanked by Schonbek hand cut crystal sconces.  The room is painted Antique Red, and it gives the room a warm, cozy feeling.  The room has two sitting areas.  A French chair and ottoman, and a club chair and ottoman sit on a Persian rug facing the fireplace.  An antique table between them holds a prized lamp and scale set given by a friend.  On one side of the fireplace is a Henredon secretary which holds cherished possessions from numerous trips to mainland China.  On the other side of the fireplace, a Henkle-Harris curio houses a collection of Sadek and Kyser porcelain.  Another oriental rug anchors a sofa and loveseat covered in an Italian fabric, black with embroidered flowers in red, yellow and green.  A plaid recliner completes this comfortable scene, which faces a Henkle-Harris open display cabinet filled with treasures gathered while traveling through Africa and China.  To add to that style, an ornate Casablanca reproduction ceiling fan ‘The Orleans’, hangs from its own medallion to finish the look.  An antique prayer chair sits between the doors.

To the right of the foyer is the dining room.  The walls are painted Jamesboro Gold, and faux finished with “elephant skin”.  The French doors leading from the dining room to the front porch are covered with an olive and gold silk Chinese toile, trimmed with bullion.  The ceiling is painted Whipple Blue and is highlighted with 36”x 60” ceiling medallion which surrounds a Schonbek Strauss silver crystal chandelier.  The furnishings are mahogany, the table seats (8), and the linens are silk, and were found in Hong Kong. The table sits on a wool French Aubusson rug. The buffet fits in a niche in the wall.  A Henredon silver chest anchors one corner, and the china cabinet houses prized silver and china.  All the floors in the formal areas downstairs are hand-scraped hickory.

From the dining room, pass through the Butler’s Pantry.  This hall has two sets of lighted cabinets in a soft Dune color, displaying china and crystal.  The area is lighted with Strauss silver hand cut crystal fixtures.  A mahogany louvered door leads to a dry goods pantry.

Go from the Butler’s Pantry into an L-shaped gathering area encompassing a dream kitchen, breakfast room, and keeping area.  The floors are authentic Old Chicago split brick. Eight and 12” solid cedar beams crisscross the ceiling and edge the walls in this area. The kitchen and breakfast room walls have wainscoting below, and are faux paintedOld World Fresco above. 

A large 10’ island houses a Thermador 6-burner gas range w/ griddle, and a Gaggenau deep fryer.  There is plenty of storage area.  The island is distressed black, with furniture details.  Carved cherry columns with grape detailing anchor each end.  The raised bar has a curved Absolute Black granite top.  The remaining countertops are Portofino granite.  The backsplashes are tumbled marble with a granite band and bronze botanical inserts, hand-cast from RockyMountain hardware.  Two 8’ cabinets in distressed black with mahogany trim anchor the corners.  One holds the double convection ovens, the other a microwave and warming drawer.  All cabinets were hand crafted and are furniture grade.  All other cabinets in the kitchen area are the same distressed finish in Dune, as the Butler’s Pantry.  Under a front double window that has a gorgeous view of the city, is a farm style sink carved out of a single piece of travertine.  Flanking the sink are Fisher-Paykel dish drawers.  Under a double side window is a black cast iron vegetable sink.  Handy under-cabinet pull-out wicker baskets are to one side.  The windows are dressed with balloon shades, in floral washed linen print of olive and rose on a tea color background. Rohl brass antique style plumbing fixtures complete the look.  The Sub-Zero refrigerator is hidden behind cabinet doors, and tucked into a brick arch, faced with Old Chicago brick.

 The breakfast area features a true farmhouse table (4’x 8’).  It is made from wood recycled from an old textile mill, imported from England.  Around the table are an array of chairs in assorted styles and colors.  Over the table are (2) Schonbek ‘Adagio’ crystal chandeliers with gold silk shades. The table sits in front of a bank of windows.  The window treatments are balloon shades in a coordinating check to the kitchen.  A hallway leads from the side of the breakfast room to the rear courtyard entry.  On one side of the hallway is a bank of windows, on the other side is the powder bath and laundry room.  It is lighted with (2) ‘Adagio’ chandeliers.  The entire area has the same brick floors.  The powder bath is faux painted Venetian Plaster, in raspberry and blue, with silver highlights.  An ornate wrought iron stand holds the porcelain wash basin, with matching iron frame mirror above.  The lighting overhead and the sconces on either side of the mirror are Schonbek ‘Mardi Gras’ crystal.  The large laundry has cabinetry to match the kitchen, with additional room for a freezer, built in ironing board, and storage area for all the things two cats require!  All interior hardware is from LB Brass and Old World Fittings (handmade, England), and was selected to complement the period.

The other end of the “L” is the keeping room.  The room features a raised and arched hammered iron fireplace with a split brick surround.  Two Fanimation palm-leaf ceiling fans give the area a French West Indies style. A mahogany entertainment center beautifully houses a 65” HDTV flat screen home theatre system.  An imported Turkish double-knotted wool rug supports a leather love seat incliner, and two comfortable reclining chairs and ottomans.  The same linen floral print found in the kitchen, is trimmed with fringe and frames the full-length double windows and the French doors leaving the area going out to the screen room.

There is as much attention to detail in the screen room as in any area of the home.  Wainscoting finishes the lower area of the room, and beaded paneling is on the ceiling.  Comfortable wicker furnishings and a coordinating jute rug complete the look. Casablanca outdoor fans throughout the porches in the rear (up and down) expand these spaces to make them almost year round. 

Inside the last area downstairs, double mahogany doors with transoms enter the Master Suite, which features a sitting room separated by double columns.  Ruby and gold silk plaid, with black and silver ribbon fringe, highlights the draperies and bed coverings.  A Hinkle-Harris mahogany canopy bed is covered in yards of silk in a style reminiscent of mid-19th century. Other case goods are also Hinkle-Harris.  A cast iron corner fireplace is elevated to make it clearly visible while resting in bed.  The sitting area has a sofa covered in red, black and gold chenille sitting in front of a double window, facing the city.  A comfortable armchair and ottoman affords easy access to a book rack.  The cabinet builder designed a special armoire for the area, in distressed black, to conceal a 35” TV and computer center.  Hand-scraped hickory floors are also in this area.  Scattered throughout the area are skins obtained while traveling in Africa. Yet another lavish imported Turkish oriental anchors the area.  Another ‘Orleans’ fan adds to the ambience.  The walls are painted a soft buttery yellow.

The Master Bath is designed to pamper.  Double mahogany doors with transoms above allow access to the area. The travertine floors are heated for comfort in the colder months. The vanities are distressed black and continue the theme from the kitchen and sitting area.  These, too, look like freestanding pieces of furniture.  A Kohler ‘WaterHaven’, a “car wash” shower designed for two, is housed in an open glass and marble shower, accented with black granite.  A freestanding soaking tub easily occupies two persons.  A Swarovski crystal chandelier completes the setting.  The master closet is off the bath, with two entry/exits.  The walls are faux painted Old World Fresco.

The Great Room has three sets of French doors that exit onto the lower rear porch.  The front and rear lower porches are floored with pavers and have a beaded ceiling.  Weatherproof wicker provides comfortable seating to watch the activities of a variety of birds and other wildlife.  The rear walls under the double rear porches are stucco.  This area forms one side of a beautiful cobblestone stamped courtyard with an 8’ European style bronze fountain.  The area is beautifully landscaped with magnolias, sago palms, vines and other plantings reminiscent of old New Orleans.  The arched openings to the courtyard have specially designed wrought iron gates and hand crafted mahogany doors.

Back inside, climb a switch back staircase to the second level, which has as much detail as the first.  Because the couple often entertains foreign visitors from their mission travels, the upstairs was designed to be a self-contained living area.  It contains bedrooms with their own baths, a study for reading, and a media room for relaxation.
 
The landing of the stairwell is home to a Grandfather clock, which resonates throughout the home. Crystal sconces illuminate the landing.  At the top of the stairs, is the Media Room. The balcony overlooks the foyer.  A game table sits under a crystal Schonbek fixture, and allows for hours of playing cards or board games.  A Baker sofa and loveseat and a wing back leather recliner and oversized ottoman to make a perfect place to watch the 42” flat screen HDTV.  Another ‘Orleans’ fan adds to the period decor.  An oriental rug brings warmth to the hickory floors.  An oriental runner lays in front of an entertainment center cabinet that hides audio equipment, but also is a display cabinet to display finds from trips to Greece and Israel, and Kenya.  The walls are painted Stuart Gold.  Silk draperies, rouched, and with lavish fringe, frame the tall doors.

Off the Media Room are two bedrooms and a study.  The larger bedroom has two sets of French doors that open onto the upper rear porch and overlooks the courtyard.  The porch has an ample assortment of seating, as well as two twin day beds, and is accessible from both the larger bedroom and the Media room.  The bedroom has a king size mahogany Hinkle-Harris sleigh bed.  The walls are Cactus, which makes a beautiful backdrop for the yellow, red, and green bedcovering and silk draperies.  An armoire and highboy complete the furnishings.  An oriental rug adds an accent to the hickory floor.
 
The adjoining bath has a second entrance from the media room.  It has travertine floors and freestanding mahogany cabinetry designed by the cabinetmaker to look like period furniture.  It is painted textured River Rock, Greenstone.

The second bedroom has a queen size canopy bed from the Henredon ‘Natchez’ collection.  The sunny magnolia print of the bed linens is repeated in the drapery framing the French door leading out onto the upper front porch.  A complementary area rug warms up the wood floors.  A Baker table and marble top chest complete the arrangement.  The adjoining bath has travertine floors, a large 5’ shower and furniture style mahogany vanity.  The bedroom is painted Concord Ivory, and the bath color is cut to one-half tone.  A roomy floored attic area is accessible through the closet.

The study has a comfortable leather and chenille sofa, and club chair and ottoman.  The bookcases hold a large choice of books.  An olive, gold and brown bird print that is also in the sofa completes the drapery that hangs at the French door that leads out onto the upper front porch.  Another floored attic storage area is accessible from this room.

Brick walls frame in either end of the courtyard, but the other side is formed by the garage, which sits elevated at the rear of the property.  The garage is accessed by a breezeway, with wrought iron supports and scrollwork.  The breezeway then ascends steps to a porch which runs the length of the garage and mimics the porch on the house.  The garage can park three cars generously.  The downstairs area also contains a heated and cooled exercise room that could easily serve as a home office.  This large area has a sink with furniture type cabinets, and room for several pieces of exercise equipment or office furniture.

Steps at the inside rear of the garage lead to a heated and cooled area above.  It was designed for a future caretaker, if ever needed.  It has a full bath and bar with amenities.  It can comfortably be converted to an efficiency apartment.  It now is a game room with a full size pool table and seating.  The bath has the same furniture style mahogany cabinets, and travertine and wood floors.  The closet is lined with cedar.

The grade of the foundation allows for an unbelievable workplace and storage under the home.  There is more than adequate space for a home workshop, as well as storage for lawn equipment, sporting gear or many other uses.  This leaves the garage uncluttered, for autos only.  There is an unfinished ‘safroom’ under the porch that could be used as a workshop.
 
Throughout the home are many prints and pictures collected or gathered in travels.  Civil War prints by Don Troiani adorn the walls.  Eisenberg and English engravings can be found in formal areas and bedrooms.  Prints and collections from Africa and Israel can also be found throughout the home.  These items are what have added character to the home.  This home beautifully appointed, but is definitely not hands-off!  Every room exudes warmth and hospitality.  The comfortable atmosphere of the home is the most heard comment of every visitor. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!