West Coast Contemporary

Covid-Era Build Blossoms With Intentionality 

Story by Terri Glazer | Design by Lovelace Studios | Photography by Sarah Voigt Photography

The mood is set from the moment the elevator doors open into the foyer of this East Memphis condo. Masculine, modern, art-focused and with a vibe that’s more West Coast than Mid South. That’s exactly what Howard Cannon wanted for the place he keeps in his hometown—a feel in keeping with that of his primary residence in Montecito, CA. 

Caroline Lovelace, owner and creative director of Lovelace Studios, envisioned a complete redesign of the unit. She says Cannon wanted the wow factor for the entryway. From the starting point of using black and white tile, the design evolved to include black walls, ceiling and trim. Even the elevator door now bears the dramatic hue. Two pieces from Cannon’s large art collection, a colorful painting and a marble sculpture, provide focal points. Lovelace finished the space with a channeled bench in rich auburn velvet and a vintage tribal rug sourced from Everything But the House.

Continuing into the living area, the tone shifts from moody to fresh and light-filled, thanks to two walls of windows in the corner unit. The designer chose to leave them uncovered, allowing full sun into the space, as well as the adjacent kitchen and dining area. “The first thing that I sourced in the living room was the light fixture, which I absolutely love,” notes Lovelace. The big, swooping LED bars spoke to that more modern touch that he wanted.” 

In place of the bachelor-pad recliner that was part of the previous decor, the room now holds a handsome and comfortable sectional. Its clean lines and low back fit right in with the condo’s new California aesthetic, as does the glossy, organically shaped coffee table from Arteriors. Several pieces from Cannon’s art collection hang in the living room, including an iconic work entitled “Poetry” by German painter Helmut Guth.

Lovelace gave the kitchen a complete makeover, taking out a peninsula in order to reconfigure the layout. The result is stunning. Simple cabinets built by Chris White of White Carpentry feature full-overlay doors that provide storage and mask appliance fronts, creating a clean look. White marble covers the island; Lovelace drew from its veining when choosing the subtle green paint color for the cabinets below it. The back wall is part kitchen, part gallery, thanks to the addition of a floating shelf of leathered black granite. Cannon had no need for upper cabinets on the wall, so Lovelace opted for the unique treatment which not only adds another West-Coast style element, but offers room to display art and favorite objects. Another striking light fixture, a linear chandelier from Arteriors, hangs above the island.

Four leather dining chairs surround a small round table of reeded wood in the attached breakfast area. The natural materials’ tones add warmth, and their smaller scale achieves the perfect balance between filling the room and leaving open space. 

Also off the living room is a small laundry room that provided a bit of a conundrum for Lovelace at first. In addition to the washer and dryer, the room holds the condo’s HVAC units and water heater. French doors in front of the machinery originally were meant to hide it from view, but Lovelace learned early on that those solid doors, along with the one between the laundry and living rooms, had to be kept open to facilitate air flow. The designer knew immediately she needed to find a way to allow necessary air into the area but keep the equipment out of sight. The clever solution came in the form of a pair of sliding wooden slat doors. Constructed by Chris White of White Carpentry, they provide cover, airflow and Asian-inspired style.

In the public areas of the condo new luxury vinyl plank floors replaced the original wood. Their light, natural look and budget friendly price made them a hit with both the homeowner and designer. HOA rules in the building require that 70 percent of the unit’s floors be covered with rugs or carpet for noise abatement. Lovelace obliged with custom rugs from Kiser’s Floor Fashions over the hard floors, and carpet in the two bedrooms.

The primary bedroom is a study in comfort. Muted natural tones in the upholstered headboard and the soft linen bedding create an air of relaxation. The wallpaper’s unstructured horizontal stripes echo the lines of the laundry room doors. Originally hesitant about the idea of paper in the bedroom, once Cannon saw it installed on the feature wall he immediately became a fan. Herringbone caning on the nightstand fronts, marble bedside lamps and a leather occasional chair bring interest to the room via texture rather than pattern.

The Zen mood continues into the primary bath. Its design was inspired by Cannon’s stay at the Montage Healdsburg, a luxury hotel in the California wine country. “It’s a beautiful place, incredibly contemporary,” says Cannon. “I sent Caroline a picture and said, ‘Wow! Let’s do that.” With those marching orders Lovelace produced a design that took the early 2000s-style bathroom down to the studs in order to expand the shower and install a large free-standing tub. Marble-look porcelain tile floors provide a whisper of traditional style and a natural base for the pair of custom floating vanities. Their simple design allows the oak’s grain to be the star of their show. In counterpoint to their straight lines, Lovelace placed round mirrors and curved, smoked-glass fixtures over the tops.

Stylized vertical tile lines the spacious shower, bringing the look of wood that pairs perfectly with the stall’s dark pebble floor. Wanting to provide her client “as big a tub as we could possibly manage,” Lovelace found a model that fit snugly into its niche with only a fraction of an inch to spare on either side. An original painting by Memphis artist Megan Hurdle in the bathroom is the only piece of art Lovelace sourced for the project.

The 2,000-square-foot condo includes a guest bedroom and bath. To create a cozy and comfortable retreat for Cannon’s visitors, the designer bathed the bedroom walls in Sherwin-Williams Forged Steel, a deep blue gray that pulled from tones in the room’s artwork. Mustard colored accent pillows and lamps punch up the textured gray and neutral bedding.

An unused linen closet in the guest bath came out to make room for an enlarged shower. To maximize bang for the buck Lovelace chose a relatively inexpensive subway tile and had it installed in an interesting pattern. Marble penny tiles on the shower floor add an element of natural stone to the space. Schroeppel constructed another floating vanity in the guest bath, this one painted a soothing green and topped with a chunky quartz top from Countertops of Memphis. Lovelace explains that she opted for floating vanities, because being able to see all the way under them creates the illusion of space without sacrificing on storage capacity.

Cannon says he couldn’t be happier with the new look of his Memphis place. He had owned the condo and rented it out for a number of years, and when he took the unit over for his personal use in 2020 it was in bad shape. He recalls, “When I’d stay here, all I wanted to do was get back to California.” 

Friends put him in contact with Lovelace. She presented her ideas before the end of that year and Cannon approved the plan. Derek Eller and his team from Eller Construction began work in the summer of ‘23. 

At that point Cannon decided he needed to trust the process and get out of the way. “That’s when I said, I’m going to California and I’ll see y’all when you’re done.” He was true to his word, having stayed away from Memphis during about 90 percent of the time the project was underway. “He didn’t actually see the place until after I’d had it photographed and he was thrilled,” says Lovelace.”He was so excited when he came in, so happy that his art is everywhere, that we incorporated all the things that are so important to him.”

This East Memphis condo has become a true second home for its owner, complete with the West Coast style he loves.