Staying in Memphis

Design by Ashley Brewer Interiors | Story by Terri Glazer | Photography by Annabella Charles

Designer Ashley Brewer outfits a historic Cooper Young house into the ultimate 901-style vacation rental.

Whether they are visitors to the Bluff City or Mid Southerners on a staycation, the future guests at this upscale rental will be surrounded by pure Memphis style. Local designer Ashley Brewer stepped outside her usual realm of residential work to help the owner, an out-of-town investor, create a comfortable and cool vibe while maintaining the character of one of the city’s most storied neighborhoods.

The house was a real jewel, well maintained both inside and out, so the owner decided to keep the colorful paint scheme and charming gingerbread accents on the exterior of the cottage. The interior had been updated over the years and had a semi-open floor plan, perfect for entertaining. The place was in good condition overall, but in need of a major style infusion in order to fulfill the owner’s vision of an upscale vacation rental property.

A cozy front porch is typical of homes of the early 20th century, and this one is no exception. With two updated Adirondack chairs, it is the perfect spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee and make plans for a day of Memphis fun.

Brewer began the transformation by adding molding to the walls in the living room, dining area, kitchen and primary bedroom. She says, “My premise was to punch up the character of this older home with an element that could have been there originally.” Thanks to a remodel done by previous owners, the living room flows to the combination kitchen and dining area. Brewer chose a soft neutral for the walls and drapes to create a sophisticated backdrop on which the furnishings take center stage.

The living room decor is a masterful blend of elegant and casual, traditional and contemporary. The sofa, covered in lush green velvet, sits on antique-style legs with casters. By its side, a round marble-top table with a temple jar lamp continues the homage to the classics. They pair perfectly with the more of-the-moment pieces Brewer selected to round out the room, a pair of Four Hands leather armchairs, a set of lucite nesting tables and a cocktail ottoman upholstered in white cowhide. Below the fireplace, a pair of matching stools in a bold geometric pattern provide extra seating and visual punch. A Memphis skyline pillow from Mrs. Post, a series of watercolors of city scenes by Cat Lencke and a trio of framed albums and covers by area music legends display the local love that’s evident in every room. “For all the artwork in this home, we tried to use local artists. We went to Goner Records that’s right around the corner,” Brewer says.

Just off the living area is a half bath that puts the “pow” in powder room. The only spot in the house completely redone in the renovation, it boasts boldly lined wallpaper, brass and black fixtures, a classic gold and marble vanity, and an appearance by The King himself—a pop art faux mugshot proves Elvis has not left the building. 

Fortunately, the hardwood floors throughout the house as well as the kitchen cabinets and countertops were all in great condition and left intact. Not having to replace two high-dollar elements saved both time and money in the renovation. In the kitchen, Brewer added a marble subway tile backsplash and repainted the center island in a subtle blue gray. Punch comes from the modern pendant lights and chandelier, sleek marble dining table with its woven leather and wood chairs, and the zebra rug beneath.

The home’s absolute statement pieces anchor a kitchen wall. Visible from the first step in the front door, the vignette features a stunning Gabby console in dark wood, topped by a large black-and-white photo of Main Street circa 1950s. Crowning the scene is an LED “Walking in Memphis” sign that immediately brings the city’s unofficial theme song to mind and sums up the home’s aesthetic completely. 

“I created a different atmosphere and aesthetic in each of the three bedrooms,” Brewer says. As my family travels, my kids always have fun picking out which room they want. That's how I wanted guests to feel here. One [of the bedrooms is] a little more feminine and one definitely has a masculine feel. I think the primary is right in between.” 

She explains that her design process in the primary began with the addition of the wainscoting. “It needed molding for more character, but I didn't want to do the same thing in every room. The green ceiling was next. I knew that I wanted something bold.”  

The updated canopy bed is a fresh take on a classic, made even more modern by pillows in a reprise of bold geometric accent theme. Pretty floral drapes offset the sharp angles. This room’s love song to Memphis comes in three geographic plates depicting the ancient flow of the sections of the Mississippi River in the local area.

The second, more feminine-styled bedroom, feels like a serene retreat just right for a relaxing getaway. Muted robin’s egg blue covers the walls, giving the white trim and bedding a clean, fresh pop. Cyan ikat pillows and fun red table lamps provide just the right amount of excitement, while extra-tall mirrors flank the bed with stately style.

Black velvet drapes and a dark wood campaign-style dresser sourced from online furniture consignment site New to Me Tn create the manly aura in the third bedroom. “I used a neutral palette here to keep it clean and fresh. I wanted to give this room a comfortable feel but not make it feel stuffy,” says Brewer. Leopard accent pillows add interest to the handsome gray bedding and dimensional rug brings back a touch of geometry.

Although the owner was not on site for the project, Brewer says they worked extremely well together long distance, and he was thrilled with the finished product. “I have ten wonderful rental homes in terrific areas of the U.S., but Ashley’s imaginative design makes this Cooper Young home a standout. I stayed there recently, and the warmth and ambiance are incomparable,” says the owner. The designer is happy to have had the chance to flex her bold design muscles with a vacation rental property. “I love it. It's been a personal, fun project for me because it was different, and I was basically given free rein. So I'm pretty proud of it. Because I was the one here all the time during the renovation, I almost feel like it's my home. I've told the owner it's going to be hard to let this go.”

Arkansas native Ashley Brewer is a Marion-based designer whose projects include homes all over East Arkansas and West Tennessee. She transitioned her lifelong love of beautiful homes into a career in 2019 when she opened a full-service design firm, Ashley Brewer Interiors. Brewer holds degrees in marketing and advertising and has studied at the Chandler School of Interior Decorating in Little Rock.