The Power of Two

Birmingham, Alabama, duo Hundley Hilton reimagines one of their homes with yin-yang strokes of genius as beautifully choreographed as their shared dinner parties.

- By Stephanie Hunt. Photography by Laurey W. Glenn

Hundley Hilton's Janie Jones (left) and Elizabeth Miles in Jones's newly revamped living room. Midcentury abstract, Joël Dabin OPPOSITE: The cottage's deliberately social, street-facing terrace

They finish each other's sentences. Borrow each other's clothes. Supplement place settings from the other's dinnerware stash-easy, since they have the same wedding china (an early hint of simpatico tastes). So when Janie Jones decided to start fresh on her prime Mountain Brook, Alabama, lot, replacing the small cottage her family of four had outgrown with a new home with slightly more elbow room, she knew exactly who to turn to for design guidance. In fact, she has turned to her every day since 2016, when Jones and Elizabeth Miles launched Hundley Hilton Interiors, their Birmingham design business.

A custom burl wood game table, Pierre Paulin-style Z chairs, and a citrine sectional (Lee) invite easy conversation.

Headlining an arched bar alcove, Gracie's teal Stonyford wallpaper. Arabescato stone, Surface One

“Elizabeth is the yin to my yang, says Jones. “She's the wildly creative one, while I've got the organized spreadsheets. My style is more old-fashioned and granny chic, heavy on florals, and she pushes me to be more edgy.” Even so, for Miles, it's one thing to strike a balance on client projects and another when the client is also your business partner and dear friend. And it's her home.