17 Ways to Design a Home for Work and Play

After selling their previous house in a historic Birmingham neighborhood, architects Lynielle and Richard Long hoped to find a serene spot nestled in the woods for their expanding family. A split-level rancher in the suburb of Vestavia Hills fit the bill, but it needed a lot of work. Combining their expertise, the couple transformed the tired 1970s property into a family-friendly home for themselves and their two kids. Plus, they made space to set up their own firm, Long and Long Design.