This Designer-Owned Airbnb in Birmingham Feels More Like a Collected Family Home

Photography: Marta Xochilt Perez

More often than not, an Airbnb doesn’t offer quite the same elevated aesthetic as a hotel. What’s more, these vacation rental houses don’t exactly feel homey because they were, for the most part, decorated by their non-designer homeowners. There are, however, some exceptions, and Forty Second, an exquisite Airbnb apartment in Birmingham, Alabama, is one of them. First, it’s lovingly called Forty Second by all of its guests because it’s nestled in the heart of historic Forest Park, on tree-lined 42nd Street.

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Now, let’s get into what makes this spot so special: primarily, the host. Artist, interior designer, and Texas native McKenzie Dove, whose entire life has been and continues to be steeped in design. Having moved around quite a bit as a child, she took comfort in collecting beautiful objects she discovered in each new city, town, and neighborhood. What’s more, she still has almost all of them. 

 “I still have objects from my childhood collection I use in my personal home,” she says, ” and I’ve continued to collect over the years, which has required me to fill several storage units.” These stored treasures from her wanderlust-filled past now serve as a reservoir of design possibilities for her various projects, including her stunning Airbnb property.

Forty Second itself, complete with a lower-level two-bedroom, one-bath space, is a work of art spanning approximately 1,500 square feet. Built in 1925, it exudes vintage charm and character that Dove and her husband carefully preserved during the recent renovation, which, admittedly, was pretty major. Many of the additions, though, mimic the architecture of the early 20th century. For instance, Dove says, “We installed picture frame molding that feels original to the apartment, and we chose to keep the original blue tile in the bathroom.”

One of the most striking features of Forty Second, though, is the captivating mural adorning the bathroom walls. With shades reminiscent of the beachy landscape in Nantucket, the nautical-inspired scene in the bathroom adds a whimsical touch that seamlessly blends the blue and white palette from the myriad dish collections, chinoiserie side table, and antique linen press.

A slight departure from the elevated beachy feel of the bathroom is the front bedroom, which offers an equestrian nod, with Ralph Lauren lighting throughout the space. To balance the traditional pieces, Dove added a modern twist with plaster bowl fixtures on the ceilings and a custom plaster table in the dining room.

The elements guests tend to really love are Dove’sDove’s personal touches that make them feel right at home. “I see each Airbnb we own as a guest home for our friends and family,” she says, ” and I hope each guest feels as though they have stayed with us when they stay at Forty Second.”

For Dove, the kitchen, adorned with an array of blue and white plates and complemented by muted gray-green walls, is a true feast for the eyes. It may not be the biggest kitchen in Birmingham, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with charisma. It also houses her enormous collection of blue-and-white china, which lives both in the cabinets and on the walls. All of it, though, is usable should the guests decide to throw a big dinner party.

They can dine in the adjoining dining room, which is a bit stark (an intentional choice), or on the screened-in porch just outside the apartment. Dove, however, uses both spaces in one night. “We tend to gather on the screened-in porch after dinner, which we eat in the dining room,” she says. “The porch is kind of tucked away behind a Japanese maple tree that is lovely in the fall.”

While every corner of Forty Second reflects Dove’sDove’s impeccable taste, there’s one item that stands out as a splurge-worthy statement piece: the linen press, a traditional storage piece that adds character and grandeur to the space. Yes, it’s an antique that is as functional as it is fashionable. And as for future additions, Dove is hoping to install in Forty Second an 18th-century Aubusson tapestry, which is high on her list. 

Forty Second is more than just an Airbnb; it’s a home away from home, and a testament to McKenzie Dove’sDove’s dedication to creating a space where guests can make memories and feel truly welcomed. It’s a place where design meets hospitality, and where every detail tells a story.