Curated Comfort

Covid-Era Build Blossoms With Intentionality 

Story by Cara Sievers | Design by spruce | Built by RKA Construction | Architecture by David Anderson | Photography by Sarah Voigt Photography
The undulating curves of a pair of mid-century modern club chairs. The crisp lines of a blue Tartan plaid wallpaper. The weathered stain of vaulted pine ceiling. 

Each and every element of this beautiful East Memphis new build has been carefully and artfully curated to create the most personalized, comfortable and chic living space. And perhaps – as crazy as it sounds – there might be a global pandemic to “thank” for at least a tiny bit of the patience required to get the articulation of this design just right. 

The homeowners, who are near-lifelong Memphians, acquired the two-acre Walnut Grove lot in 2019, and they quickly began planning. Moving from a nearby neighborhood, the family enjoyed watching daily progress on their home, which was finished in early 2022.

As we all know, an increase in demand and a slow in supply, caused some unprecedented delays in construction and design during the pandemic. But instead of halting progress on this gorgeous estate, the state of the world might have complimented the deliberate intentionality of the home’s design. Piece by piece, this estate grew into the perfect eclectic mix of traditional and modern elements, creating a comfortable space for the homeowners. 

Visitors are greeted by a stately circular driveway that leads to a grand, well-manicured, welcoming entrance. The exterior boasts a massive X-foot, pane-glass window, framed by a rusty natural brick that, interestingly enough, was originally set to be painted. 

The warm rosy tone continues inside the home as part of the updated traditional color palette, featuring shades of blush, sage, burgundy, forest green, slate blue, gold, mustard, gray and cream. The colors, patterns and textures all have a warm, natural feel, including a striking vaulted pine ceiling crowning the sitting room at the base of the colossal front window.  

Opposite the sitting room is an elegant, but not overstated, dining room, complete with a built-in buffet area lining the entire adjacent hallway. Handsome burgundy lacquered cabinetry is flanked by antiqued mirror-doored butler’s pantries, exemplifying the theme of attractive, but usable space throughout the home. 

“Everything we chose for this house was selected with the family in mind,” said Selena McAdams, owner & interior designer of East Memphis design firm & storefront, Spruce. “A very active family lives here – mom, dad, two boys and three dogs – we wanted the spaces to be comfortable, but we also wanted them to be usable. And it was important that the materials and upholstery be exceptionally durable and able to stand the test of time.” 

Flooring materials, upholstery fabrics and even finishes were selected intentionally to fit the family’s lifestyle. And as every mother in the world would appreciate, even the dining chairs were covered with an easy-to-clean vinyl (while still using a more luxurious fabric on the back of the chair to be visible when all chairs were pushed under the table). 

Speaking of upholstery, that was perhaps the area of the build that felt the biggest impact from the pandemic. Upholstery lead time during this home’s design process was a whopping 35 weeks – a waiting period that is normally around four-to-five weeks. But, again, the fabrics, furniture pieces and projects that were worth waiting for made it into the home, ensuring that each element was specifically and confidently chosen. 

Another impactful design decision made mid-stream was the raising of the family room ceilings from 15 feet to 18 feet. The open concept is made even more extraordinary and airy, and the light from outside becomes a major design element of the interior of the home. 

In fact, several design decisions were made with the goal of making this massively grand and open space feel cozier. Kitchen cabinets and other trim and millwork throughout the home were painted a warm gray tone to keep the spaces friendly and comfortable, and wallpaper was used strategically to add definition to certain rooms and hallways. 

Just off the kitchen and down a back hallway is a special space just for the home’s four-legged inhabitants. Pocket doggy gates cordon off a space with hardy firerock flooring so the dogs can have their own little paradise. And in these quarters, you’ll also find the laundry room, complete with custom-built dog crates and a dog wash for all those dirty paws. 

The dogs aren’t the only ones having fun. You can often find the family gathered in their plaid-clad game room, complete with convertible gaming table, a full-size Ms. Pac-Man videogame, and doors that open to outdoor living area and expansive pool. Among the delightful touches in this room are the live-edge stools cut from cedar trees that were on the property when the homeowners purchased it. 

“We use every single bit of our space, and even though we have an open concept, our team has given us functional and cozy spaces that we live in every day,” said the homeowner. “Our home is perfect for the way we live, whether it’s day-to-day, as we entertain, or as we relax as a family.” 

Rest and relaxation come easy in the primary suite. The spa-like primary bath boasts a unique barrel-vaulted ceiling, painted the most serene green to highlight the architectural detail. And the color story is the perfect backdrop for a delicate sea inspired chandelier. 

Upstairs, the two boys have their own retreat, complete with a common area and two personalized bedroom suites. Window seats double as pullout beds for fun sleepovers or family visits, and storage for games and activities abounds. And each boy’s personality shines through with the elements chosen for each room, the design team giving careful consideration to unique interests while harmonizing the feel of the spaces with the rest of the home. 

This home definitely has a consistency and fluidity that can be felt from one roomThis home definitely has a consistency and fluidity that can be felt from one room to the next. Traditional elements blend with contemporary pieces; masculine touches compliment feminine details; there is balance and flow, both inside and out. 

“This home’s interior is a perfect example of refined contemporary style,” said Ryan Anderson, builder. “The traditional architecture has European influences woven in, and yet it fits perfectly into the landscape of this sought-after East Memphis lot. David Anderson (architect) and Selena (designer) did a fantastic job creating and highlighting the intricate architectural detailing of this stately home.” 

Covid-era build or not, this home is a stunner; but there is something to be said for the fact that the world mandated an extra amount of patience for this project. This beautiful family home took just a little bit more care. A little bit more anticipation. And a little bit more intentionality. And it shows.