Historic homes. Local soul. Unforgettable stays.
Founded in 2017 by Emma and Lara Embry, StayBham transforms unique and historic homes into one-of-a-kind retreats from Birmingham, AL to Bellingham, WA, the Great Smoky Mountains, New York City, and South Florida.
It started on a deck in Avonwood.
In 2017, Emma and Lara Embry had just finished restoring a charming 1950s ranch home in Birmingham, Alabama. Sitting on the back deck, looking out over the yard, a thought struck them: 'This would be a great place to stay if you were visiting Birmingham.' They imagined guests appreciating a truly local experience which is something more personal, more home-like than a hotel. They took a chance, and within a year, Avonwood became the top-ranked rental in the city. That momentum led them to Eden Brae, a neglected Southern Gothic estate just blocks from their home. Over the course of a year, they carefully restored it into five unique apartments, each with its own character and style. Then in 2020, they moved across the country to another Bham, Bellingham, Washington, and found a beautiful Victorian just blocks from downtown. The next chapter had begun. Since then, StayBham has opened retreats in the Great Smoky Mountains, New York City, and South Florida.
What we believe in.
Design That Honors History
We believe design should respect the story of a home and its place but also push it forward. Every restoration balances original character with thoughtful, modern comfort.
Live Like a Local
Sustainability at Heart
We love nature and seek to make sustainable choices from stocking eco-friendly toiletries to planting native gardens. We strive to protect the world around us, one home at a time.
A moment of presence.
At StayBham, we don't just want guests to feel at home, we want them to feel present. Present in a neighborhood they've never walked through. Present at a coffee shop a local swears by. Present on a porch, watching the light change over a yard that's been there for decades. That's the experience we're building, one home at a time. We hope you'll enjoy our homes as much as we do.
