A Patch of Paradise

By Anna Grace Moore
Photos by Kelsea Schafer

Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Clifton and Christy Rutledge’s estate spans nearly 10 acres in a secluded, lake-front oasis. The 8,312 square-foot home, which was built in 2006, boasts six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and includes a fully functional carriage house for guests.

Over their 34 years of joyful union, Clifton and Christy moved 17 times for Clifton’s career in the restaurant industry. Upon moving to Birmingham in 2019, Clifton was recruited to work as the Chief Operating Officer for Jack’s Family Restaurants, having worked as the president and CEO of Bojangles’ Restaurants and the COO of Whataburger in years past.

Finally, Clifton made the decision to retire, and he and Christy decided to renovate their beautiful home. They became connected with Ben Tamburello of ARC Realty, who helped them partner with Robert S. Grant Construction and Carol Smeraglia of Howorth Haddock Design for their home’s projects.

Renovations began in the kitchen as the cabinetry was painted, and the countertops, backsplash and appliances were all replaced. In the master bathroom, the built-in jacuzzi tub was replaced with a free-standing tub, and the adjacent walk-in closets were expanded for more space.

The most impressive renovation, however, was the addition of the carriage house, which includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, dining room and living room. The main house and carriage house are connected by a stone walkway opening up into the back patio, which offers priceless views of the private lake behind the Rutledges’ estate.

Strolling through the home, one is immersed in “rustic elegance,” a culmination of Clifton’s love for hunting and fishing and Christy’s passion for traditional design. Rooted in warm hues with farmhouse elements, this stunning estate is a patch of paradise in Shelby County.

The Face of the Home

The subtle balance between the alabaster and charcoal brick tones are eloquently accentuated by the rich, brown hues of the cedar shakes.

Entering Casa del Rutledges

The allure of the stately French doors sets the upscale yet unpretentious tone for the home.

The Entryway

Carol–one of the founders and designers of Howarth Haddock Design–cleverly blended Clifton’s passion for fowling and Christy’s desire for upscale decor to create a rather grand entryway.

The Office

Clifton’s office houses an authentic barber shop chair, which was made in 1898, next to the display case of his antique razors collection. The Zebra hide rug is from one of his recent hunting expeditions to Africa.

The Living Room

The hand-selected furniture and the rich, Earth-tone color palette creates a welcoming presence for this central hub of community.

Living Room Details

Clifton loves how the rustic elements in the home accentuate its Southern authentic design.

The Fireplace

The stone fireplace stretches from floor to ceiling, reaching more than 10-feet-tall.

The Kitchen

Sourced from Surface One of Birmingham in Pelham, the countertops are a leathered Taj Mahal Quartzite. Paired with the gold finishes, the hand-laid mosaic tile backsplash and the coffered-style ceiling, the kitchen is a beautiful balance between contemporary and rustic design.

The Master Bedroom

Carol incorporated pops of orange and blue in the throw pillows to brighten the neutral bedding.

The Master Bathroom

The bathroom’s ceiling’s wood was added to the borders of each window for a consistent design. The walk-in closets, which are accessed through the master bathroom, are made of Aramaic cedar.

The Vanity

The vanity’s countertops are also Taj Mahal Quartzite but have a smooth finish unlike the kitchen’s countertops.

The Bar

The wet bar, which is made of live-edge countertops, pairs nicely with the barrel-top table and bar stools. Not pictured is Clifton’s cigar collection, featuring a box of Padrón cigars with labels saying, “It’s Padrón Time.” The friendly moniker references Bojangles’ Restaurants’ slogan, “It’s Bo Time,” paying tribute to Clifton’s time working as the restaurant’s CEO. These cigars were gifted to Clifton by the cigar mogul himself, José Orlando Padrón.

Hunting Memorabilia

Clifton’s impressive collection includes more than 30 different animals. From his latest hunting expedition to Africa, Clifton’s prized game includes a 13-foot-long crocodile, a leopard, a cape buffalo and a hippopotamus, which were being taxidermized as of press time.