Old House, New Life

Remodeling by RKA Construction | Story by Terri Glazer | Photos by Stefanie Rawlinson

Memphis artist Hank Gray and his wife breathe new life into a neglected mid-century modern.

The distinctive modern-style house sat uninhabited on a quiet East Memphis cove for years. Someone had purchased the property, had even had renovation plans drawn, but never did the work and never lived in the home.

The future didn’t seem bright for the Bauhaus-inspired structure, designed in the early 1970s by Bill Nixon, now partner emeritus at ANF Architects. That is, until the right buyers came along. Artist Hank Gray, his wife Katherine and their two young daughters had just moved home to Memphis after a stint in Dallas, and were on the search for their next home. 

“We've always been drawn to mid-century modern architecture,” says Katherine, “but this renovation was going to be a huge project.” The fact that the original architect, Nixon, is a friend of the family tipped the scales in the house’s favor, though. “It made us feel like it was meant to be,” says Hank.

The Grays received the previous owners’ renovation drawings as part of the house purchase, but soon decided to move the renovation in a different direction in the interest of preserving as much of Nixon’s minimalist creation as possible. “They were really going to modernize it, kind of, to the point where it just didn't feel like the same house. They were going to raise the roof, but it just wasn't going to be feasible. This is how the home was built,” Katherine explains.

Once the Grays decided to create their own version of the remodel plan, they brought RKA Construction on board to make it a reality. RKA project manager Hunter Cooper oversaw the work. Demolition started in August 2018 and the family moved in about 10 months later.

Nestled into a hillside, the house sits back from the street. Nixon’s original drawings called for a bridge over a low-lying section of the front yard leading to the front door. Although the bridge has yet to be built in the home’s half-century history, the Grays love the idea and hope to find a way to work it into the landscape eventually.

Just inside the front door is a roomy and bright entryway that showcases one of Hank’s large abstract paintings perfectly. The foyer leads to the home’s heart—the combination family room and kitchen. The Grays’ renovation plan included removing walls replacing existing windows with the largest ones possible. The new floor-to-ceiling panes allow light to fill the room, even on a gloomy day, and provide views of the home’s distinctive courtyard and pool area.

Renovations in the kitchen were extensive and included expanding it, taking in the former laundry room and creating a scullery area behind the range wall. Flooring was a challenge the homeowners and Cooper overcame with a solution that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. When the Grays bought the house the kitchen floor was slate squares. Once those were removed workers found brick underneath. Removing the brick was cost prohibitive, and installing tile over the top would have made the floors too high. The answer? Cover the brick with a thin layer of concrete. Katherine says she couldn’t be happier with its looks, durability and ease of cleaning.

The lack of a space to put a kitchen table presented another quandary. The Grays opted instead for an extension to the kitchen island with a stunning waterfall effect and plenty of room for their family of four to enjoy a meal together.

Both Katherine and Hank enjoy cooking, and their gourmet kitchen suits them perfectly. A large refrigerator and freezer, commercial grade cooktop, double ovens and generous amount of pantry space in the scullery allow them to whip up their specialities, including Hank’s duck enchiladas, with ease. 

The home’s living areas underwent major renovations, as well. The Grays loved the original two-sided fireplace that separates the large den/dining room from a smaller, more formal space, but not the fieldstone treatment that covered it. Now finished in sleek white, the fireplace gives the room a much more sophisticated vibe, the perfect backdrop for the couple’s large collection of contemporary art. Along with Hank’s originals, works by Jeri Ledbetter, Mary Sims, Adam Geary and Ted Faiers grace the walls.

The floors were a happy surprise found during renovation. Existing pine flooring was warped and unusable, but underneath was original solid wood parquet in an intricate geometric pattern. Katherine loved the same floor that was in another room in the house and still remembers her excitement when Cooper texted her a photo of the unique flooring when workers discovered it in the living room.

Full-height windows across an entire wall of the area provide views of the tree-filled side yard, a sight Katherine particularly loves in the spring and fall when the colors of nature are at their finest. 

The master suite received a total overhaul, especially the master bath. Its design, featuring clean lines, rich woods and muted gold accents, evokes a peaceful vibe, but the installation induced more than a little stress for Katherine. An oversized glass panel separates the shower from the rest of the room. So oversized, in fact, that the installer told the Grays it was the largest single piece of glass he’d ever worked with. So oversized that the plumbing fixtures for the free-standing tub nearby had to be removed to put it in place.

Being built into a hill, the home has a large downstairs level, which also underwent extensive renovation to suit the needs of an artist and his family. The only square footage added to the residence in the project is a studio for Hank. It sits adjacent to the Gray girls’ playroom, largely the domain of the younger sister. The nine-year-old has inherited her father’s creative penchant and turned the space into a workroom where she loves to sew; hats and dog blankets are her specialty.

Bringing the long-empty house back to being not only an architectural and design showplace, but also a comfortable family home, was a labor of love for Katherine, who made all the design decisions for the project while also serving as a senior vice president at Independent Bank. She also had to spend time convincing her husband that the project was not only doable, but that it was right for them. A self-admitted doubter at the onset, Hank says he eventually came on board. “I'm glad we did it,” he says. “I love the architecture itself. I love the style of the home and I love that it was done by a Memphis architect.”

A House Becomes A Home

Interior Design by Leigh Dill Interiors | Story by Terri Glazer | Photos by Sélavie Photography

If a house becomes a home when it is a reflection of the people who live in it, then the house where Drs. Amna Khattak and Haris Zafarullah and their two daughters live is a home in the truest sense. With help from local interior designer Leigh Dill, the couple filled their residence with things that tell their story and reflect their culture. Dill says the project is a testament to the concept that when you collect things you love, they will eventually all work together to create a complete look.

A Memphis resident since 2005, Khattak has amassed quite a collection of artwork, textiles and rugs from her native Pakistan, along with pieces acquired during many vacations abroad with her husband. 

The couple decided to move from their Harbor Town home a few years ago to be closer to their children’s school and activities. After much searching they found nothing to perfectly suit their needs, so they purchased a lot in an East Memphis neighborhood and set about building their dream home.

Khattak’s vision for her house was that of a transitional style Mediterranean with a terracotta roof, stucco walls, arched entryways and a courtyard. The interior of the house had to have a calming effect. Also on her list of must-haves was a floor plan that was family friendly, but conducive to entertaining, as well. Architect Doug Enoch delivered a design that checked all the boxes, and contractor Eddie Kircher brought Enoch’s creation to reality. Dill came on board partway through the process, about the time the house was framed, in time to help with the finishing pieces like paint colors, flooring and furnishings.

Khattak credits Dill with masterminding the tranquil vibe she sought by blending her colorful treasures with a simple palette of whites and neutrals. That pairing of color and calm is evident from the first step through the front door. Crowned by a high barrel ceiling, the foyer features a large abstract painting placed thoughtfully over a dramatic divan in purple velvet.

Just off the foyer a powder room brings all the drama. Variegated marble tiles in a striking chevron pattern extend across the floor right up to the ceiling, punctuated by a floating vanity that holds a vessel sink. Pewter-toned metallic wallpaper ups the glam factor another notch in this small but unforgettable space.

A pair of arched openings separate the large living room from the formal dining room. Khattak says the dining room is one of her favorites places in the home, in part due to the artwork that adorns its walls. She recalls, “Leigh was very particular about what kind of art we were going to put in this room. She said, ‘This is an elegant room; we don't need too much going on.’” The pieces Khattak and Dill ultimately chose for the dining room walls are particular favorites of the homeowner: an original calligraphy work that artistically displays verses written in Arabic, and a pair of tall paintings in black and white that depict the Old City of Lahore in Pakistan. 

Khattak says her native country has a very rich culture and a lot of history, especially in its ancient Mughal cities. “I love these paintings because they remind me of back home and all the hustle and bustle of the markets,” she adds. 

An elegant light fixture, a Restoration Hardware dining table and chairs, custom curtains made from Pakistani fabric, and a brilliant blue rug, also imported from Khattak’s homeland, complete the dining room decor. 

That same vibrant blue appears in the adjacent living room’s sofa, rug and art, playing off the crisp white walls and marble tile floors found throughout the home’s main floor. The quiet foundation allows the brilliant accents to get the attention they deserve to clearly tell the story of this family.

White and neutral don’t have to equal boring, however, and that fact is beautifully illustrated in the home’s spacious kitchen. Dill guided the homeowners in selecting finishes that give the room a light, airy feel, from the stunning marble tile backsplash to the Taj Mahal quartzite counters to the cabinets in a tone that nods to white, but with a bit more color and depth.

Clever swinging doors separate the kitchen from the scullery, a feature Enoch is known for including in his residential architecture. Khattak says she loves the convenience of having extra work area and appliances out of plain view in the bonus kitchen.

Flowing from the kitchen is the family room, perhaps the heart of the home, which Khattak describes as the house’s “wow factor.” Warm oranges and deep blues stand out as the predominant design colors, repeated in the oversized sectional sofa and a pair of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams barrel chairs, in addition to the room’s true statement piece—the rug. Its Pakistani designer has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, noted for his juxtaposition of traditional patterns with contemporary colors.  

The master bedroom continues to tell the story of the couple’s extensive travel history. Art from Amsterdam, textiles from Mexico and a rug and drapes from Pakistan merge flawlessly, punched up by a dramatic blue upholstered bed and a modern light fixture that adds an element of fun to the design. 

The upstairs playroom tells the story of the family’s two daughters, Menaal and Aaleen, aged 11 and nine. The two girls are both avid readers, so it’s only natural that their hangout space is literally wallpapered with books. A brightly colored pattern, a collage of front covers of iconic paperbacks from the famous Penguin publishing house, not only hints at the sisters’ favorite pastime, it also sets the saturated color palette for the room. A comfy sofa with twin chaises gives the girls an ideal spot to curl up with their favorite read, as does a pair of window seats set with plenty of pillows.

Past the playroom is the bedroom Menaal and Aaleen share, and it is every girl’s dream. Khattak says it was important to her and her husband that their daughters have a fully furnished spot of their own as soon as they moved into the house, so she gave Dill free rein with the design. The designer didn’t hold back, choosing bright pink and white wallpaper for one wall and to back the shelves in built-in bookcases, magenta upholstered bed frames with matching treasure chests at the foot, lavender and white bedding, and a built-in double desk with two pink furry chairs. A framed silhouette hangs over each girl’s bed—a must for any stylish young lady!

Although the house has been her family’s home for three years, Khattak says there are still a few chapters left before its story is complete. She and Dill continue to work on finishing touches in the guest bedrooms and there are plans to add an outdoor kitchen on the back patio. She also says she likes having her home as a bit of a work in progress; in fact she so enjoys collaborating with Dill that she’s in no hurry to turn the last page on the process of making the house a home that tells the story of her culture and her family. 

Chosen With Love

Interior Design by Selena McAdams of Spruce Shop | Story by Terri Glazer | Photos by Stefanie Rawlinson

As an interior designer, Selena McAdams’ job is all about making choices. Her daily work involves making decisions for her clients’ homes and choosing what to put on the shelves at Spruce, the East Memphis retail shop she owns.

The same is true for the home she shares with her husband Patrick and their two daughters, Taylor and Charlotte. Selena chose the house itself, and every piece in it, using careful thought combined with instinct. “I’ve done this [design] for so long that when I see something I love, I know that’s it,” she says.

The journey to making the 1940s era place her family home began about three years ago. She and Patrick had just finished flipping the house next door to their previous residence when this one came on the market, and they were looking to do another renovation for resale. “One family had lived here the whole time and had raised four sons here prior to us purchasing it,” says McAdams. “They had entertained a lot of offers on it, but the fact that we weren’t going to tear it down and we were going to redo it was appealing to them.”

About halfway through what started as a “really awesome project” Selena says something clicked. She realized this wasn’t just a house, it was her house. In fact, she felt so at home there, she decided to throw Patrick a surprise birthday party in the yard while the house was still under renovation.

The couple worked with local architect David Anderson to reimagine the home to suit their family’s needs, and Selena gives his practical design philosophy high marks. “What he is so good about is usable space. He’s so practical—he really has family in mind when he’s making space. He made it to where we live in all the rooms every day, which is great. I’m not a person who wants to have rooms that we’re not using.”

Although much “shifting” of the home had to be done, the architect and designer tried to keep as much of the original structure as possible. Builder Frank Gusmus and his crew from Gusmus Construction made the plan a reality and the homeowners couldn’t be happier with his work.

“I’m a big believer in making your space work for you. If your square footage doesn’t seem like it’s functional, change it.”

Where using the home’s original materials wasn't feasible, Selena was careful to make choices that were in keeping with the character of the house. Case in point is the entryway, where the new tile floor, hardwood stair risers and black lacquered handrail speak to the era in which the home was constructed.

Just off the entry is a sunny office area that Selena calls the “hub” of the home. On the large sofa or at the computer atop a pretty curved writing desk the girls can do school work in a cheerful space that’s not too far removed from the watchful eyes of their parents.

Perhaps the most drastic architectural shift was in the home’s former den, now a sleek and stylish master bedroom. The original design included a red brick fireplace, now plaster washed, and dark beams on the ceiling, which the McAdamses had removed. Hunt Simonton of HS Carpentry constructed the full wall of built-ins in the master. The handsome unit provides storage, a laundry hamper for each family member and a segue into the home’s laundry room.

Noting that even though both her daughters have their own bathrooms upstairs, “everyone is always in our space,” Selena says with a laugh. With that in mind, she asked Anderson to design a master bath and closet add-on inspired by a luxury lodging she had visited in Asheville, NC. “The bathroom was almost like a locker room and I told David that was what I wanted. I didn’t want doors; I just wanted everything to be in one space; one big room,” she recalls. 

While the master suite underwent the most extensive change, the living room is the most untouched part of the house. The stately fireplace is original, as well as the hardwood floors. Its furnishings are an eclectic blend of pieces Selena loves, having collected and used them in various ways over the years. The pair of rose velvet chairs were in a bedroom in her previous home, and the empire-style bench with a stunning malachite upholstered seat is a treasure she acquired solely because she loved it. “When I got that piece I didn’t have a stitch of green anywhere in my house. It was just one of those things where I loved the fabric so much that I said, ‘I’m doing it. It will all make sense one day! I’m a big believer in that.”

Through a large cased opening from the living room is the current dining room; ”current” because Selena originally imagined the space as another sitting area where Patrick could watch a game on TV while she and the girls enjoyed a show more to their liking nearby. Even though the space is now used for family meals, a TV hidden inside the antique French armoire still lets the man of the house keep up with his favorite teams. 

The dining room opens into the kitchen, an area that exudes sophistication. The room is more than a pretty face, though, every detail created with practicality in mind. The striking antiqued glass mirror wall is easily cleanable. Selena says it was a must in this house, as it also reflects the beauty of the backyard through the facing windows. “It gets more of that gardenly love inside,” she says. “The light bounces back and forth and we get a lot of green from the yard.”

In her professional life, Selena encourages her clients to make functional design choices so they can use and enjoy their homes without worry, Her own kitchen is a testament to that concept. She opted for a dark paint color on the island to mask scuff marks when her children sit there and decided to forgo upper cabinets because they can be hard to reach. Instead she included drawers in varying sizes and depths in the cabinet design, even a homework drawer to keep the countertops clutter free.

Behind the kitchen, the home’s reworked floor plan includes a powder room, pantry and a back kitchen—one of Selena’s favorite features. “When we’re outside grilling, when we have parties, all the drinks are in here,” she says. “Glasses, cups, ice, liquor, coolers...all the drink action. It works really well.”

Working well is a phrase that applies to every aspect of this house and its furnishings. Using her design expertise, Selena has blended function and beauty, traditional with unexpected, incorporating her treasures, to create a family home that will stand the test of time. 

Old- World Opulence

Design by Angela Mazanti | Story by Terri Glazer | Photography by Sélavie Photography

Step inside the East Memphis home of Kim and Johnny Pitts and be transported to a lavish Christmas in a French chateau.

The holiday decor in the Pitts home reflects all the best of the season, with a decidedly European flair. Designer Angela Mazanti decks these halls, keeping in mind the French chateau style of the architecture and the house’s year round color palette. Rather than traditional red and green, Mazanti opts for tones of persimmon and gold. Those hues play perfectly off the Turkish rug in the foyer, artwork in the dining room and upholstered antique French chairs.

The home’s exterior gets the holiday treatment from Tennessee Christmas Lights. The company illuminates the front yard for the season, including the jasmine espalier around the entry turret, welcoming guests to the front door.

Once inside, visitors are immediately wowed by a tree filled with ornaments that have special meaning for Kim. “Her maiden name is Swann, and friends love to give her swan ornaments because of that,” Mazanti explains. 

Fresh pine and magnolia combine with lights and silk, velvet and taffeta ribbons to drape the front stair railing, the orange-brown of the underside of the magnolia leaves adding a natural element to the unique color scheme. 

The centerpiece of the Pitts’ holiday decor is the enormous fresh Christmas tree. Reaching to the family room’s 12-foot ceiling, it fills the home with holiday spirit and the aroma of evergreen. Mazanti says decorating the massive Douglas fir is no small feat, but luckily, Kim has amassed a large collection of beautiful ornaments over the years. Mazanti combines the keepsakes with thousands of twinkling lights and lush ribbons to create a spectacle worthy of European royalty.

The home isn’t fully ready for the holidays until Kim’s treasured angels are on display. Her collection of exquisite Old World-style angels, many of which she found in a shop in The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, is large enough that Mazanti places them throughout the home to add an element of elegance.

Sets of sparkling snow-covered houses and glittering vintage Santas nestled in more fresh greenery dress up the dining room buffet.

Many of Kim’s beloved Christmas pieces are also sentimental, as they have been gifts from the family’s large circle of friends over the years. Bringing them out every year to trim her home is like gathering again to share memories with the people who mean so much to her. It’s that emotional connection that truly mirrors the spirit of the holiday season.

A Gem in the Heart of Germantown

Interior Design by Warehouse 67 Design | Story by Terri Glazer | Photography by Annabella Charles

“A home is just like a painting; you have some elements that play the background and some that are focal points. It’s knowing how to layer those so that the end result is harmonious and you get that beautiful, cohesive, finished look that’s indescribable. You don’t know why you like it, but you like it.” 

Interior designer Kim Loudenbeck uses this artistic analogy to describe a renovation project she recently completed. The collaboration between Loudenbeck, home builder John Duke and Elizabeth Wilson Duke, realtor, was a labor of love. 

“We’ve been pouring our hearts into it because we love that it’s such a gem,” says Loudenbeck. The beauty of the house is that it is a sizable home on a sizable lot, and in the heart of Germantown. “You don’t see these properties in Germantown very much. With the space limitations now the lots are getting smaller but there are still people who want more land, and those lots are few and far between,” the designer adds.

When the house went on the market Elizabeth recognized a golden opportunity. She bought the property and convinced her husband, who usually builds new-construction homes, to tackle a large-scale renovation. Rounding out the team were architect Jeff Bramlett and Loudenbeck. 

The designer says that for this reno, as with every project she takes on, the vision of the ultimate personality of the home was key from day one. “Laying that out and having a clear definition of where you’re going is so important,” she emphasizes. However, a renovation always involves twists and turns. “There are so many things that come about in the process. You don’t know what’s behind the walls; you don’t know what you’re going to run into,” she cautions. Loudenbeck’s goal was to keep the project focused amid the changes that inevitably came. “It can be like a roller coaster with a reno, and you just have to be prepared that there are going to be changes. As long as you know where you’re going, it’s easy to stay on track. People often get stuck in the weeds; they get overwhelmed with renovations. It’s so important to have the right team or someone to partner with to keep you focused on getting what you want out of the home.”

Although the Dukes bought it with the intention to remodel for resale the term “flip” seems an inadequate description of this jewel of a house. “It’s the features that really set this home apart. The attention to detail is phenomenal, says Loudenbeck. The master bath has a heated floor, the kitchen has an Aga Elise induction range and a custom vent hood. The original kitchen was transformed into a large, fully equipped scullery for entertaining, and the study has an eye-catching wood-paneled ceiling. 

That focus on detail sometimes led to more work, but the results justify the effort. Loudenbeck says, “We didn’t really stick with what was easy; we made choices based on what was best. In the office we used pecky cypress on the ceiling as a decorative element. The front and back doors are solid alder. We used smooth cypress on the beams. It was a lot of using the right elements in the right place, but when it came to paint and stain, we had to use a different combination of stain on each of these to make sure that it all looks the same in the end. Every wood stains differently. So many details and to get the end result that you want you have to focus on each and every one of them. The end result will be affected if you don’t take everything seriously.”

Loudenbeck’s vision for the design was to retain the character of the original home while pushing the envelope to take the design from traditional more toward transitional. While she had Duke keep what she calls “little jewels” from the original construction like arched openings and a curved staircase, she admits she went a little edgier on the lighting selections, the finishes and the modern waterfall island in the kitchen. “Adding unique and different elements that are more transitional creates a great balance between what was here and what was done. It’s a beautiful marriage of the two,” she says.

Two of the areas that received full do-overs were the home’s bathrooms and kitchen—rooms Loudenbeck says a discerning buyer would most definitely want to see equipped with up-to-the-moment features. Along with the show-stopping range, vent hood from Lipford Sheet Metal and waterfall counter in quartzite with just the right blend of warm and cool tones, the kitchen boasts a large commercial-style refrigerator/freezer and a bar area embellished with antique mirror-front doors. Open, natural wood shelving in both the kitchen and the scullery bring an earthy element that Loudenbeck loves to incorporate in all her designs and pair with stone and mixed metals. “I feel like it creates a real sense of warmth, especially when the walls are lighter,” she says. 

While Bramlett was able to work with the rooms in the front of the house, the ones on the back weren’t compatible with a modern, open floor plan, so they had to be completely redone. You’d never know it, though. “In a renovation, the ultimate goal is that you don’t want it to feel like the newly done part is disjointed from the rest of the home,” says Loudenbeck. The renovation team achieved that goal perfectly. The floor plan flows seamlessly from the front entry with its majestic, yet clean-lined curved stair, to the large dining room, to the newly built family room and kitchen. “We took the traditional elements and gave them a little different spin—a bit cleaner, different finishes to make it look new and fresh versus feeling like we had to go back with what was expected.” 

The master suite was created with relaxation and luxury in mind. While it feels private and secluded, the bedroom is also soaked in natural light. The vaulted ceiling repeats the natural element of wooden beams found in the family room. The bath is full of all the latest bells and whistles, from the heated floor to the freestanding soaking tub to the his-and-hers vanities to the deluxe shower with multiple sprays. “We knew that someone in this home on this land in the heart of Germantown would want a really special home. When you have a chance to put all the fun stuff in, why not?” laughs Loudenbeck. 

Asked about the effort she and her Warehouse 67 team put into fully staging the home Loudenbeck had this to say. “In our area, homes don’t usually sell furnished, but in other parts of the country that’s more typical. We are seeing that change a little, though. We’ve furnished it tastefully and so that it blends perfectly with the house. A buyer might like the fact that they could walk right in and only need to bring sentimental pieces that they want with them.”

In addition, the team felt that with the scope of this renovation, it was only fitting to dress the revitalized home in style. “We wanted to show the sentence finished, with the exclamation mark. What the potential of this house could be,” the designer says. 

It’s clear from Loudenbeck’s enthusiasm that the architect, builder and designer achieved the full potential on this collaboration. “I think it’s fun to sit back and take in the beautiful vignettes created in the home,” she says. “When you’re walking through the house it reads well. There’s something pretty in every view and at every different angle.”

Creating a Classic

Interior Design by M.Steffens Interiors | Story by Terri Glazer | Photography by Ross Group Creative

When a couple sold their house in Germantown in 2016 they weren’t planning to build a new house. In fact, the wish list for their new home was quite the opposite. The two neighborhoods they had their eyes on were both long established. 

They purchased a house in Belle Meade, an East Memphis area known for its stately older homes on tree-lined streets, with the intention of remodeling it. As plans progressed, however, they realized a redo wouldn’t be feasible. The only option that made sense was to start from scratch. 

Disappointed but undeterred, the pair brought in experts to create a new-construction home with an older, classic ambiance. “I wanted it to feel like a home that belonged here and had been a part of the neighborhood for some time.  In terms of interior features and finishes, we wanted pieces that would be timeless and lasting,” the homeowner recalls. Missy Steffens, owner of M. Steffens Interiors, was on board from the beginning, along with architect Doug Enoch. “That was a great thing to be able to have the architect and designer sit down with us at the same table when we were walking through how we wanted the house to feel.” 

The finished product, built by Walker Uhlhorn and Uhlhorn Brothers Construction, is an updated classic designed in a courtyard style to maximize views of the parklike backyard. The peaceful vista includes large trees, lush green spaces created by landscape designer Harry Schuh, and the home’s original pool, with a fresh structural and cosmetic facelift.

In keeping with the owners’ desire to respect and fit in to the neighborhood, Enoch set the structure as far back from the street as possible. In addition to the goal of not overbuilding the lot, the owners again emphasized the desire for the home to feel as if it had been on the street for years. “So many homes in the neighborhood have grown and expanded over the years with tasteful additions. Doug provided a design that gave the far left and right wings a different treatment which subtly felt as if they had been additions to the original house,” says the homeowner.

The exterior’s green and white color scheme is the end result of a collaboration between Steffens and the homeowner. “We thought we wanted antique brick, and that’s what we did the chimney and the outdoor space in. Missy and I spent hours driving around town looking at houses, and we think we landed on the right look.” 

Adds Steffens, “The green creates that cozy, cottagey look, but it blends in well and makes you focus more on the rest of the home.” As for the white painted brick that covers most of the house, the designer says that also had to be precisely the right shade. “We wanted it to be white, but really soft.” 

Moving to the interior plans, the clients asked the architect to keep in mind their family’s casual lifestyle. “We wanted a lot of open space that would be nice but comfortable,” says the homeowner. The parents to a blended family of three older children knew they would be empty nesters before long, so they envisioned their new house as one that would meet their needs long-term. 

Enoch came through with a floor plan that has all the kids’ bedrooms upstairs; the downstairs and outdoor area are a custom fit for the couple. “We love being outside so the pool and the outdoor area and the porch...especially in fall and spring, that’s where we are,” says the homeowner. “We have my husband’s den and then our bedroom and bathroom downstairs. We really enjoy it in the evenings. He likes to stay up and watch sports and I like to go to bed, so we tried to make it space that we could enjoy, just the two of us.” 

From the first step into the bright, welcoming entryway, it’s clear that green is an overarching theme in the home’s design, evidenced in the showcased views of the verdant outdoor space. The rear of the foyer was originally intended to be an art wall, but, at the homeowners’ request, Enoch inserted an oversized floor-to-ceiling window that floods the area with light and shows off the beauty of the backyard. 

The wall of windows continues in the open combined family room and dining area, and although the couple is thrilled with the expansive views they enjoy, they admit it took a bit of getting used to when they moved in. “We felt like we lived in a fishbowl for a while,” she says with a laugh, “but I think we’ve adjusted. It’s funny how much I love the openness now.” Even the family pet is a fan of the large windows. Otis the boxer “posts up” daily at the front window and watches the world go by from his favorite vantage point. 

The family room’s furnishings reflect Steffens’ signature design style. “I love something old in each room. But I like to keep things fresh, so we also introduce current materials. I like to try to mix, and different textures are always interesting,” she explains. The room features comfortable seating for the whole family, but is missing an item often included in a home’s main gathering area—a TV. 

The omission was a request from the homeowner, and one she says garnered plenty of questions. “Everybody asked me when we did that, ‘Are you sure you don’t want a TV?’” She couldn’t be happier with the result, though. “What I’ve really enjoyed about it is when our kids are over for dinner we all end up sitting in here after we’ve eaten and we actually talk. We have conversations and we share things about the week. Maybe we turn music on. We laugh. So I have loved not having a TV in here.” 

Over the mantel Steffens placed an original piece by Oxford, MS, artist Carlyle Wolfe Lee, who paints en plein air then finishes her works with a stencil layering process. The homeowner says she loves the way its green hues bring the outside in. “The view through all the windows, and the beautiful green siding...it just enhances!” 

The open kitchen’s simple design reflects casual elegance. Classic white cabinets in a symmetrical layout are topped with Carrera marble in a honed finish for a softer look. Steffens repeated the same marble on the full-height backsplash behind the range in the name of design simplicity. She likes the idea of having only a few different materials in a kitchen, and the large island opposite the range has a walnut countertop. 

The island anchors the space as well as giving guests a gathering spot. “I wanted a big island because we entertain a good bit. We have friends over and this is where everybody ends up,” says the homeowner. 

Behind the range wall lies the scullery, a feature that the family loves having and uses constantly. From the abundance of storage space in its cabinets to the extra dishwasher and sink to the pair of refrigerator drawers, everything about it gets high marks from the homeowner. 

Near the rear entrance, a pantry and utility closet disappear into a shiplap wall, giving convenient room for even more storage as well as small appliances like a coffee maker and a microwave. Steffens calls the area the clients’ “grown-up mudroom.” In place of lockers or cubbies needed for a family with young children, she designed the spot to hold a treasured bench and a painting by local artist Beth Edwards that the homeowner says is her favorite one in the house. “As much as I love the outdoors, when Missy sent me this piece of art I knew it was the one.” 

Bathed in stunning floral wallpaper from British designer Neisha Crosland, the powder room is a showstopper. Steffens is pleased with the way the paper fits into the home’s overall design. “I love the movement in it and the range of greens that flow through the house. The deep, deep greens of the leaves and the bright white background. This just really worked with the whole house. The house flows through different saturations of green—some are more blue green and some are more yellow green.” The room’s only window is high on the wall, so Steffens didn’t have to cover it to allow for privacy. She did, however, have to come up with a way to fill the space between the vanity and the window. A tall backsplash and wall faucets provide the perfect balance, and do so with loads of panache. 

The saturation of green color reaches a peak in the office, where the walls and all the trim sport the same deep, lush shade. Steffens says going all in when using a bold color creates a refined look. “If this room had white trim or even white mullions on the windows it wouldn’t quite have the same sophistication. But it’s a commitment and it can be scary for people.” 

An antique brick fireplace not only gives the room a cozy feel, it also gets regular use in all but the hottest months of the year. “My husband loves a fire, so sometimes when I get home from work he will have one burning in here and in the fireplace on the porch,” says the homeowner. 

If the office is a man cave, albeit a sophisticated one, the master suite has a decidedly feminine flair. The bedroom is simple and roomy, but not grandiose. The homeowner instructed Steffens to design the space with minimal furniture and no television. She says, “I wanted it to be a place where we can rest.” The sanctuary feel comes from a custom upholstered Hickory Chair bed with simple bedding and an original Catherine Erb work of art. All Erb’s creations have a different moodiness to them, says Steffens, who chose the depiction of sky and clouds for its serene nature. 

The artwork is dreamy, but the homeowner says the view out the large window opposite the bed is the most picturesque scene in the room. “I love that I can see our home out this window, especially at night when the porch is all lit up out back with a fire in the fireplace. Doug said more people should be able to see their home from inside their home and we agree.”

The elegant master bath gets an ethereal feel from natural light spilling in through a window above the large soaking tub and from the soaring vaulted ceiling. A full wall of built-in cabinets and drawers eliminates the need for a lot of furniture and keeps the space clean and simple. “Simple is calming to me,” says the homeowner. “Running a business can be stressful, and to come home and have things simple and pretty and comfortable...it makes a big difference in your life.” 

Even though it has been over two years since they moved in, the homeowner admits that the house is still a bit of a work in progress. Steffens has no problem with the extended nature of the project. She says, “That never bothers me because once you’re in a space you can really think through how the family lives and provide an even a stronger design. It takes more time in some ways but at the end, the product’s always fantastic.” 

Adds the homeowner, “We’re still working on layering those last items. I didn’t want to rush out and buy things just to fill the house. I want it to take time and have meaning. To nest over years.”

Turning a house into a home. Nesting over years with time and meaning...carefully creating a sense of place and belonging.

A Group Effort

Interior Design by Cindy McCord | Story by Terri Glazer | Photos by Ross Group Creative

Teamwork made the dream work for a Germantown couple’s new home construction project.

With their two grown children out of the house and on their own, a pair of Germantown empty-nesters decided it was time to trade their home of 27 years for a new, slightly downsized abode that would better fit their current lifestyle.

To achieve their goal they brought together what the homeowner describes as a “dream team” of professionals: architect Jeff Bramlett, home builder Thomas Wirth and designer Cindy McCord. They also provided their pros with plenty of ideas, pictures and inspiration which McCord says laid the groundwork for her design choices. “It helps so much when your client is very organized and has a lot of pictures showing the direction that they want to go. We took it step by step and worked in the beginning on details for all the architectural features and the mantels and all. She had great ideas to get us started.”

Although the homeowner came into the process prepared, she was also willing to take expert advice. “I wasn’t even sure I wanted a dining room in the house when we were working on the plans, but Jeff kept saying, ‘You want a dining room!’” she recalls. “I’m so glad he talked me into it because I already had all the furniture and we enjoy entertaining, typically more casually, but there are times when you want to be in a dining room. It’s really fun to be able to use the crystal and the dishes that we’ve had for all these years to do a beautiful tablescape.

McCord helped the homeowners fill the dining room, and most of the house, with beloved pieces they had collected over time. “We redid the dining room chairs, but we worked around her things because they were so pretty,” she explains. Local faux finisher Richard Martin transformed the chair frames, and McCord paired a neutral velvet upholstery with a knockout hand-painted accent fabric on the backs for maximum impact. Peaceful green tones in the custom silk drapes and a landscape painting that hung in the entry of the previous home work together to create a pastoral feel.

Wirth’s skilled craftsmen created the built-ins in the dining room and throughout the house, and the homeowner couldn’t be more pleased with the result. “[Wirth] took ideas that Cindy and I had and pulled them together. I think the built-ins are what made the house special, more of a truly custom home.” 

In a room full of stunning features, the limestone fireplace is a standout. Simple and beautiful in its own right, the fireplace is even more remarkable in that it is part of a double-sided unit. The half that warms the adjacent family room has a completely different character, as planned by the homeowner and McCord. Its grander scale fits the larger room’s proportions to a T. 

The home’s open plan was created with entertaining in mind and includes a beverage station McCord says is unlike any other she has seen. “Our previous house had a bar, and it always seemed crowded, so we wanted an area that you could walk up to but not have to go behind,” explains the homeowner. The spot includes an ice machine, refrigerator drawers and a wine tower, surrounded by handsome cabinetry in a stain color that is repeated on the nearby kitchen island. McCord suggested the antiqued mirror backsplash that extends to the ceiling around a generous window.

The homeowner had a few well-thought-out requests for the open kitchen, one of which was a “mega” island with uninterrupted space. “In our other home, so often people would end up standing around the island. In this one, we actually have six seats (four across and two tucked into the ends) so you have better conversation than with everyone facing one direction,” she says.

Other must-haves for the kitchen included appliance garages in the corners to keep small electrics handy, but out of sight, and the deep sill on the large window behind the sink. McCord dressed that area up with a pair of lamps and a window treatment in Madeaux by Richard Smith fabric that adds the perfect amount of color to the mostly white kitchen.

The pantry/office space is one of the homeowner’s favorite spots in the house, thanks in part to its charming Dutch door, a nod to her midwest upbringing. “I’m from a small Dutch community in Wisconsin, so I had to have a little bit of Dutch coming through in the design,” she laughs. “I love this room! To have a desk in the front of the house with so much natural light and really close to the kitchen is great. It doesn’t feel like it’s stuck away in a closet.” McCord didn’t neglect the details in an area that designers sometimes skim over. The desk’s vivid blue is mirrored in the wallcovering treatment on the ceiling. Lucite accents in the desk chair, cabinet hardware and curtain rod provide a light feel, while Galbraith & Paul drapes add a hint of whimsy.

Beyond the kitchen and a jewel of a powder room is one of the home’s most exceptional features, the product of Bramlett’s creative genius. The idea for a floating back staircase was born during one of the couple’s early conversations with the architect. She recalls, “When we first sat down Jeff was asking us about our wishes and needs for the house. He asked how many staircases we wanted and at the same time I said, ‘One’ and my husband said, ‘Two.’”

Adds the homeowner, “Jeff had the idea to do this staircase and we absolutely love how it turned out and just having a back staircase, as well. Not only the architectural value—it’s beautiful, but to have the access to the upstairs from the garage is great. You can pull in the garage to this private entry and go right up to the guest rooms upstairs without having commotion at the front door.”

The staircase even provided an unexpected bonus during quarantine time: the area underneath the steps proved to be an ideal spot for the homeowner to practice yoga when going to class wasn’t an option.

Wirth encountered challenges creating both the back and front staircases, but rose to the test like a true team player. In place of balusters on the back stair, the homeowner requested clear acrylic, a material with which Wirth had little experience. And on the front stair rail, a combination of iron with gold accents, also took time and effort to achieve. The homeowner recalls, “Gold melts so quickly compared to iron; it kept dripping and it took so much work to get it right. At the end of the day, there are some imperfections to it, but that’s the creation of an artist at work. It’s not manufactured, it’s handmade.”

The main-floor master bedroom is a light-filled retreat, complete with a soaring ceiling and picturesque views of the lush backyard. Two comfy armchairs and show-stopping furry ottomans in front of a pair of French doors give the couple room to work or relax. Furniture and a rug brought from the family’s previous residence look right at home, thanks to expert placement and added accents from McCord. 

The master bath is both a study in luxury and a tribute to the homeowner’s heritage. She explains, “The town where I grew up is only 10 minutes from Kohler, WI, and almost all the homes there have Kohler fixtures because the factory is within minutes from home. I purposely wanted to have Kohler throughout this house for that reason. I made a trip to Wisconsin to their design center to pick out all the plumbing products. I had our plans and I worked with one of the designers there at Kohler. When I came back, Cindy and Ferguson’s pulled it all together.”

McCord raves about her client’s chosen brand. “The finishes on so many of the Kohler pieces are so different and unusual!” She also loves the Calcutta Gold marble the couple chose for the master bath floor. “It has a little gold and a little gray. It doesn’t date a design or box you into using a certain color palette.”

Another win for the designer/homeowner team, the natural stone selections for the house were a group effort over the course of time. “Cindy said that was one of the first things we should pick out and I wondered why we were doing that so early,” the homeowner remembers. “Well, we didn’t pick it right away, but we started looking and looking. It took time to find the treasure of the right countertops that we wanted.” Adds McCord, “If you don’t start early, then you have to settle for what they happen to have in stock at the time.”

It’s clear these homeowners didn’t settle when it came to any detail. Their careful planning and partnership with top professionals assured the stunning results they dreamed of for their long-awaited custom home.

Oxford Oasis

Interior Design by Tara Felice Interiors | Story by Terri Glazer | Photos by Sélavie Photography

“Every room should have something exciting in it.”

These words form one of Tara Engelberg’s interior design mantras; a tenet that rings true in every room of the Oxford, MS, home she recently completed for a family of five. 

Engelberg, owner and creative director of Tara Felice Interiors, set out to update the classic residence right off the town’s square while respecting its traditional architecture and cottage-like vibe. She points to the project to illustrate the fact that a home doesn’t have to be large to be well appointed. “I loved working with a house with character and great bones. I think it goes to show that you don’t need to have a massive house to have an amazing, warm and inviting space. In a smaller home, the decorating budget can go further, making it possible to have more quality pieces, since you need fewer of them. It allows me to focus on furnishing the house really well and to really hone in on the details.”

Previous owners had remodeled the home a number of years ago, but the drab colors and Tuscan-style materials didn’t keep in the character of the house or seem appropriate for a vibrant family with three school-age children. “The house has amazing windows and was getting beautiful light, but between the heavy curtains and the paint colors, you couldn’t see it,” says Engelberg. “When someone tried to ‘modernize’ the house before, what they did just didn’t add anything.” 

The transformation starts from the front door. Engelberg convinced the new homeowners to rearrange the living room’s layout to make up for the lack of an entryway. “The old layout wasn’t bad, but I wanted to create some definition because the front door opens straight into the living room. I like having a little foyer feel, so I wanted to put the sofa facing the fireplace. I like it when you come in and you have a moment to feel like you’re in the entrance to the home,” she says. 

She freshened up the fireplace by painting its dark wood white and replacing travertine with tumbled marble. Then came the aforementioned excitement: black-and-white resin nesting coffee tables, a colorful Michael Barringer original painting from L Ross Gallery, and a chrome armchair upholstered in a cheerful orange that echoes the tones in the art. 

The pop of orange in the living room is but a foreshadowing of what’s in store in the adjacent dining room. Formerly painted blue and nondescript, the walls now sport a vibrant orange grasscloth wallpaper, set off by bright white trim. Asked if the bold color was a hard sell to her clients, Engelberg says they happily agreed to her suggestion. “They were into it!,” she recalls. “They gave me a lot of creative freedom and listened to my ideas and reasoning, and they love the room.” The bright grasscloth wallpaper was a perfect option, she adds, because it provides both warm color and texture. 

While every room should have excitement, not everything in the room can be a focal point, Engelberg explains. There needs to be balance. “Whenever I do bright colors, I try to temper it, like in cooking when you mix eggs into hot ingredients slowly so they don’t ruin. Most everything else should be calm. The dining room rug is solid white wool and the chairs have a very simple ticking stripe that looks like vintage French napkins.”

In the kitchen, Engelberg decided to take the wall color in the opposite direction. Previously painted dark blue, the now-white walls set a clean, bright backdrop for the reimagined room. The homeowners opted to paint the existing wall and base cabinets white, but the designer urged them to tear out the existing kitchen island in favor of a larger one that would provide storage as well as a seating area large enough to accommodate the whole family. Bathed in blue with a butcher block countertop, it’s the perfect spot for a quick breakfast before school or work. The kitchen’s new flooring, oversized black and white hex tiles, provides vintage character, and the open baker’s rack is an attractive storage solution. An abstract painting by Melissa Dunn, also from L Ross Gallery, is a true standout against the crisp white of the wall.

Engelberg says the master bedroom underwent one of the biggest transformations of any space in the home. She took the wall color from dreary to inviting and rethought the window treatments to bring more light in and improve the view. “This room has an amazing view and beautiful trees and greenery, so we took out plantation shutters to open it up,” she says, explaining that she prefers simpler window coverings to the often-used shutters. “[Shutters] look busy for no reason.” Her designs tend to feature simpler window treatments like panels and Roman shades in neutral colors. “I love their casual, relaxed feel,” she adds. 

Because the room isn’t perfectly symmetrical, Engelberg decided not to pair nightstands by the bed. Instead, she opted for a different low chest on either side, a choice that provided needed storage in the older home with limited closet space. The fact that both chests are similar in height allowed the pair of angular bedside lamps placed on them to work beautifully.

The room’s overall feel is serene, thanks to the simple white bedding and neutral rug. Pops of color come from the lamps as well as accent pillows in a geometric print, orange and blue. “I’m obsessed with blue right now,” Engelberg admits. “I think it’s a great neutral that goes with just about anything.”

And then there’s the art. Two pieces grace the room: a Lisa Weiss painting hangs over the bed, and a large, square work by Nashville native Kit Reuther graces the opposing wall. According to Engelberg, the Reuther work from David Lusk Gallery was a must-have. “I told the homeowner, ‘If you only buy one piece of art for your home, it has to be this one. It is so beyond perfect in the bedroom—the shape, the colors, the serenity.” 

Next to the master suite is the den, the family’s hangout area. Here, Engelberg again removed blinds to open up the view of the home’s treed yard and repeated the blue, orange and white color theme. She equipped the space with a game table so the kids have a place to do homework or work a puzzle. The family can relax in deep armchairs covered in soft corduroy or on the comfortable sectional.

It’s that kind of comfort that drives Engelberg’s design. Having battled and beaten cancer a few years ago, she says she now knows the true importance of environment. “Where you live, what your space looks like, feels like, completely impacts your mental health, your physical health, your relationships with people around you. There’s such a strong connection. So I always look at that when I’m looking at someone’s house. It’s not just that we have to make it look pretty; it’s how can we make it live well for you...The rooms you spend the most time in have to feel good.”

Tara’s Tips | More thoughts from designer Tara Engelberg

On light fixtures: “I love lighting. Lighting, to me, is like the jewelry of the room. You can get bold with it. You can get creative with it. You can get delicate with it because chances are, kids and dogs aren’t going to knock it over.”

On window treatments: “I don’t like big, fussy window treatments. I don’t think they should be the focal point; the window and the view and the furniture in the room should be the focal points.”  

On accessories: “I love going to estate sales and the one thing I always look for at estate sales is brass candlesticks. You can have a super modern room with everything new and you add a little patina in a brass candlestick and it changes the feel of a room instantly. Most of my design is for families, so I feel like adding a little touch of vintage or antique because it gives a comfortable feel.” 

On mixing vs. matching: “My favorite way to create a personal space with layers and depth is by mixing textures and elements. A room shouldn’t look like you purchased everything from a page of a catalog, or from the same store even.”

Fresh for the Family

Story by Terri Glazer | Interior Design by First Fruit Collection | Photography by Annabella Charles

The stately Georgian architecture of Brooke and Brian Sparks’ Germantown house might give the impression that the interior would have a stuffy, formal feel. Not so. Thanks to Brooke’s vision and daughter Ashley Toney’s professional expertise, the home is the perfect blend of beauty and comfort.

That’s a good thing, because the house is often filled with the couple’s family: three daughters, two sons-in-law and four young grandchildren, all under the age of four, who live in the area. 

When the Sparkses bought the home about a year and a half ago, the original 1993 decor was in need of an update. Ashley recalls, “My mom’s friends wondered why she wanted to move into this house. Her previous house was brand new and, of course, updated.”

Toney, an interior designer and owner of First Fruit Collection in Collierville, could see past the tired decor to the home’s true potential. “The thing about this house that’s really great is that you take this house that you thought was super dated, you redo the bathrooms and the kitchen, add new paint, new light fixtures, and it’s amazing how different it is,” she says. 

Patty Michaelis, First Fruit store manager and designer, echoes Toney’s formula for bringing any home from past to present. “You can make your house look fabulous; it doesn’t matter how old it is!” she says. “We didn’t even have to replace the floors or the cabinets in this house. A lot of people would have come in here and thought they had to rip out everything.”

The freshen-up began in the light-filled front entry with new custom doors, furniture and drapes. Weathered benches under arched windows in alcoves on either side of the front door, and a pair of antique sideboards with blue paint in just the right degree of chippiness set the relaxed mood for the entire house.

Adjacent to the foyer is the office, the perfect workspace for Brian and his constant canine companion, Gunner, who usually makes himself right at home in a comfy leather mission-style chair. Over the room’s fireplace hangs a custom painting by Nashville artist Lauren Dunn depicting Gunner perched in Brian’s rowboat, ready for a duck hunt.

Just across the foyer, the dining room is a mirror image of the office architecturally with a matching fireplace and the same floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s plenty of room for the family Brooke loves so much to gather for a meal around the primitive farm table. Louis XVI chairs with monogrammed backs and a stunning chandelier lend a dressy touch.

With a grand piano and showcased collection of Herend animals, many living rooms would be off limits to children, but in the Sparks house the design choices were made with the youngest family members in mind. All the furniture is upholstered in performance fabrics so stains are never an issue. “We can sit on all the furniture; it’s very liveable,” says Toney.

While the kitchen received a major facelift, the work didn’t involve changing the room’s footprint. As Michaelis pointed out, the “bones” of the room were fine—no gut job necessary. It was design magic rather than revised architecture that brought this room from dated to dazzling. “We painted all the cabinets, redid the backsplash, put in new countertops and added new hardware,” Toney says. The soft gray/green color she chose for the cabinets, paired with classic white marble counters and subway tile backsplash gives the kitchen an almost seaside quality. Gold-tone hardware warms the look up and adds a hint of elegance. In the connected breakfast area, the beachy theme continues, from the painting of sailboats on the water, another Lauren Dunn original, to the table and chairs in the colors of driftwood.

The custom drapes in the breakfast nook, and throughout the home, reflect a trend Toney says is becoming quite popular of late: they have pattern. Whether the fabric is a floral print or the interest comes in the form of trim, today’s drapes are more of a focal point in design than in the recent past.

“People are definitely going for more color,” she says. “It’s great that people are wanting more than just white. We’re still doing neutrals on the walls—this house is painted all the same color—but you have pops of color with the rugs, pillows, fabrics and wallpaper.”

Yes, wallpaper is making a comeback, but it’s not your grandmother’s chintz roses and borders. Michaelis admits that it’s not always easy to talk customers into it, though. “Sometimes it’s hard to get people to agree to wallpaper because they’re afraid of it after growing up with it. It was everywhere!” 

Adds Toney, proving the old adage that the design apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. “We love wallpaper in bathrooms and we love it in laundry rooms and in bookcases. It’s great because Mom loves wallpaper, too.”

Brooke and Brian’s master bathroom wallpaper proves that point. Subtle and understated, the pattern doesn’t scream out its presence at first glance, only revealing itself as wallpaper on closer inspection. Its impact in the room is major, however, in the quiet beauty it gives. 

The wallpaper was only part of the head-to-toe makeover in the master bath, which Michaelis says is her favorite room in the house. With new tile in a show-stopping hexagon pattern, newly painted cabinets, fresh marble countertops, a new soaking tub and a reworked zero-entry shower, the space is all-new and all luxurious.

The master bedroom, bathed in calming cool tones, is a quiet retreat. A wall of windows affords views of the home’s exquisite backyard and pool area.

The home’s upstairs is clearly the domain of the grandchildren Brooke loves so much. Bedrooms feature design elements including twin iron beds adorned with bunnies and a table and chairs with a tea party set, just waiting for invitees. 

The upstairs bathroom features wallpaper, but this time it’s on the more vibrant end of the spectrum. A whimsical treasure map scattered with pirate ships and animals galore lines the walls, making hand washing and bath time a thrilling adventure.

Also designed with little ones in mind was the upstairs bonus room, now transformed into a spacious playroom with toys, books and games to keep the grandchildren endlessly entertained. 

Toney says that the friends who were initially naysayers about the house are wowed by its transformation, and her mother is also thrilled with her daughter’s work on her new home. “Mom says she thinks her house is beautiful, but warm and inviting and liveable, since her grandkids are constantly in it. Her home shows that she loves and lives for Jesus and her family, especially the grandkids—she’s all about them!”

St. Jude Dream Home®

Story by Terri Glazer | Photos courtesy of ScenaVR | More information about the 2020 Memphis St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway

Although the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus wrote “the only thing constant is change” around 500 BC, it rings truer today than ever—just ask the organizers of the Memphis St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway!

Not everything has changed, however. For the 21st year in a row, a lucky winner will be awarded the keys to a brand-new luxury home here in the Mid South at the end of the month. Like in past years, a $100 ticket reservation buys the chance to win the house, valued at an estimated $500,000, and other prizes including a new car from Wolfchase Nissan or Wolfchase Honda. And, as always, the $1.5 million raised through the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway will benefit the life-saving work of St. Jude, the world’s premier pediatric cancer research center.

What is different this year, is that out of an abundance of care, the open house for the St. Jude Dream Home® in Lakeland’s Kensington Manor neighborhood has been postponed until further notice for patrons’ personal safety and well-being. 

That fact hasn’t stopped Southern Serenity Homes and the other trade partners from their labor of love, building a gem of a house, though. The traditional-style two-story residence features a low-maintenance brick exterior highlighted by a gracious covered front porch. With approximately 4,000 square feet, there will be plenty of room for the future homeowners to entertain in comfort. Four bedrooms and baths will easily accommodate a growing family.

“Dream Home” is a fitting name for the house—it includes highly sought-after amenities like Brizo fixtures, Shaw flooring, Trane HVAC systems and high-end Bosch appliances as well as unique features like an expansive laundry room with a dog washing station. The outdoor living area, complete with a full kitchen, sits ready for memories to be made.

Another fact that hasn’t changed is that the number of tickets available is limited. This year, just 15,000 tickets will be sold. Just as in the past, a sell-out is expected before the live drawing, set for Sun., June 28 on WMC Action News 5. 

Since sponsors Ashley Homestore® and Stash Home won’t be able to work their magic staging this year’s edition, we thought we’d throw it back to last year, and reminisce about one of our all-time favorites among the 500+ St. Jude Dream Homes that have been built nationwide over the years, raising over $420 million for the hospital’s fight to end childhood cancer. 

The 2019 Nashville St. Jude Dream Home® was a true showstopper. Located in the Jackson Hills community in Mt. Juliet, the four-bedroom, three-bath home fulfilled the top three requirements for real estate: “location, location, location.” Says ALSAC/St. Jude spokesperson Mare Rote, “The rear porch overlooked the brand-new community sports field, a wiffle ball field that has become the favorite gathering spot for Jackson Hills residents.”

Vaulted ceilings accented with wood beams gave the open first floor an expansive feel. A fieldstone fireplace anchored the living area, while the adjacent kitchen projected a sophisticated feel thanks to a massive island. Base cabinets in almost-black paired with white wall cabinets topped by glass-paned display doors to add interest, while a classic white farm sink and subway tile backsplash lent a timeless feel. The custom vent hood and classic lantern light fixtures took the kitchen’s elegance factor to the next level.

Staff designers for Signature Homes, the firm that has built the last seven Nashville St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway homes, hit a home run with an unexpected feature in the laundry room, often an afterthought when it comes to decor. Moroccan-style tile in black and white covers the floor and an entire wall for an extra punch of pattern. Juxtaposed against clean white shiplap, the treatment took this laundry room far past utilitarian.

The ultimate design highlight of the home was the master suite, an area that truly had star power. Michael Moloney, featured decorator on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, who served as the celebrity design ambassador for the home, focused his talents on the master bedroom and bath, and the results were stunning. Moloney’s creation featured handsome dark wainscoting on the bedroom walls, the perfect backdrop for the rugged poster bed. In the master bath, he combined rustic (the stained wood floating vanity), dramatic (the black herringbone wall tile) and elegant (the luxe gold fixtures) in perfect harmony. Just past the deep soaking tub and huge open shower, the master closet’s gourmet coffee maker and built-in dresser would make morning routines a breeze.

“Last year’s lucky [Nashville] winner purchased just one ticket for $100,” recalls Rote, emphasizing the fact that the limited number of tickets available increases the odds for winning the home or one of the other prizes. For a list of the additional prizes this year’s Memphis ticket holders are eligible to win, go to dreamhome.org. 

In this time of so much change and uncertainty, the most important fact that has not changed is that St. Jude is one of Memphis’ greatest assets, leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Treatments invented at the hospital have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the doors opened over 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares discoveries it makes and never bills patients’ families for treatment, travel, housing or food. 

A Fresh Start

Interior Design by Cindy McCord | Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Ross Group Creative

Their nest was empty and their home was new—it seemed like the perfect time for a complete redo. Interior designer Cindy McCord recalls that the owners wanted their recently constructed Germantown home to have a totally new environment. “They didn’t bring any furniture with them from their previous place; they started fresh. She wanted a light, simple, airy and timeless feel.”

Built by Tayloe Company, the transitional-style residence has plenty of curb appeal thanks to its painted brick exterior. From the first step into the entryway, the design tone is set, a look McCord calls “coastal casual elegance,” that flows throughout the house. Crisp white walls play off handsome hardwood floors in a perfectly medium stain; not so dark as to be imposing, but dark enough to anchor an otherwise cool palette. A traditional style chest in an updated finish—distressed blue/gray—sits beneath a subtly antiqued mirror to form the focal point. A large original painting of a tranquil landscape by Atlanta artist Thomasa Seymour greets guests as they enter the home. McCord says she chose the entryway’s Dash & Albert rug with both durability and simplicity of style in mind. Its relaxed striae pattern features flecks of neutral colors and precisely the right amount of blue. 

Just off the entryway, the dining room is one of McCord’s favorite parts of the house. “I love the dining room; it’s so pretty and simple,” she says. The table is dressed-up farm style with graceful curved pedestals and a soft oak finish. It offers ample seating for eight in distressed, antique-white chairs. The table and chairs are the true stars here. In keeping with the simplicity of the overall design plan, McCord put no other furniture in the space. The pared-down furniture placement and simple sisal rug allow the room’s “jewelry” to shine. The chandelier blends classic crystal features with metal in a fashionable bronzy gold finish for a look that is formal without being fussy. A grouping of six framed intaglios adds an elegant touch, while full-length custom drapes frame the room’s large arched window.

The family room gives the homeowners and their guests plenty of room to relax. A pair of handsome sofas with exposed legs and English rolled arms face each other, separated by an oversized custom ottoman upholstered in blue fabric with Greek key tack accents. Design symmetry is important here, from the twin reclining armchairs to the pairs of blue velvet throw pillows on both sofas, to the charming garden stools McCord selected in place of standard end tables. Built-in bookcases that adjoin the fireplace are backed in grasscloth in tones that echo the rich linen of the sofas.

The space opens into the kitchen, where elegance abounds. To-the-ceiling cabinets and a curved range hood draw the eye up while a pair of tall windows allow light to flood the room. Classic features like white Shaker cabinets, subway tile and quartzite countertops add to the appeal, but the kitchen is more than a pretty face. A spacious island does triple duty, holding the kitchen sink and dishwasher, providing work and seating space, and giving the homeowners sought-after storage that’s even accessible from the side and under the counter ledge that serves as a casual dining or conversation spot. 

The sunny breakfast room adjacent to the kitchen is the perfect place for morning coffee or a casual lunch. For a more private feel, the homeowners can close the cleverly-placed cafe curtains on the room’s large windows.

After a busy day, the master bedroom is the ideal relaxing retreat. Simplicity and serenity were foremost in the design, McCord remembers. A light-filled nook off to the side of the room that holds a pair of chairs and an ottoman seems meant for a book and a cup of tea. Mother Nature provides a stunning view out the windows. “The house backs up to an area with lots of beautiful trees, so that nook is well used,” the designer says.

It may be one of the smaller spaces in the house, but the powder room is not to be overlooked. In fact, a picture of the half bath that McCord posted on her social media had her followers buzzing. “That room has gotten over 1,000 likes on my Instagram,” she exclaims. This is the spot in the home where she made the boldest design choices. From the custom vanity in a deep blue to the moire watermark wallpaper to the rich gold accents to the pops of orange, the room is a true showstopper.

Although it has been a year and a half since she completed the project, McCord looks back on the job fondly. “[The homeowner] approached me to help after the project had started. I was super busy at the time, but I am so glad I took it on! She was a great client and I loved working with her. We worked closely together—she trusted me and it worked out well!”

Staying Power

Interior Design by Robin Selberg | Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Ross Group Creative

Interior designer Robin Selberg reinvents her Germantown home to keep pace with her family’s needs.

Robin and David Selberg have lived at the same Germantown address for almost 20 years, but the space they call home now is quite different from the one they moved into back in 2001. Over the course of three renovations the couple has transformed the house into the perfect home base for them and their three young adult children.

The house flows so perfectly, though, that you’d never guess it has had three facelifts; and that’s the real beauty of it. Michael Murphy, Jr., of Mike Murphy Builders, who was at the helm of the latest project, says that’s a feat not easily accomplished. “Part of the challenge is when you walk in, not to be able to tell what happened when. Anybody can knock down a wall or add an island, but to have it not be obvious that it was three separate remodels is a different story.”

The Selbergs’ love affair with the house started shortly after they attended an open house there. The two older children had just started school at St. George’s and a few friends had moved into the neighborhood, but Robin and David weren’t necessarily looking for a new home. That status changed quickly when they toured the house and were wowed by the acre-sized lot on which it sits. They bought the place and right away replaced carpet with hardwood floors, installed new front doors and made a few other changes.

Four years later, their family had grown to include three children and it was time to remodel to accommodate their new set of needs. This second project included a sunroom, a new laundry room, a master suite and a friends’ entry. 

By 2018, Robin was ready to embark on yet another renovation, this time focusing on the kitchen. “It still had the original cabinets and tile floors from when it was built in 1978,” she recalls, “and we just knew it could be better.”

Robin had big dreams, but wasn’t sure they were achievable until Murphy came into the picture. She wanted to open up the kitchen area and convert a small, seldom-used dining room into a pantry, but she didn’t know if a redo on that scale was possible. “Once Michael drew it all out, I saw it and I knew we had to do it. That was a big turning point for us,” Robin says.

“I love a new house, but there really is something about remodeling and how the house feels afterwards. There’s always something surprising.” —Robin Selberg

After a structural engineer confirmed that a large wooden beam entirely in the attic space would support the new open floor plan, it was full speed ahead. “The house has eight-foot ceilings so you don’t want beams sticking down,” explains Murphy. “We knew we weren’t changing the ceiling height, so the challenge was how to make it as big and open as possible without anything showing.”  

Soon the beam went up, the walls came down, the space originally meant to be a formal living room became a larger, more useful dining room, and a deluxe walk-in pantry took the place of the old dining room. 

As a professional designer, Robin had definite ideas about what she wanted. “We knew we wanted to have an island in the kitchen and once we found out we could open it up I kept asking Michael how big he thought we could go with it. Once Michael laid it out and I saw how it maximized our space I knew it was perfect,” she says.

She also knew she wanted it to have an open and airy feel, and what it would take to create that feel in a space with relatively low ceilings. “There couldn’t be a lot of upper cabinets. We went back and forth with Burton Crawford of Crawford’s Fine Cabinetry. Even though you see a lot of kitchens without wall cabinets in magazines, you don’t see that done around here very much. My husband even doubted, but I was adamant.”

The kitchen plan included floating shelves in place of cabinets on one wall, but even those were vetoed at the last minute. “We had them made and the workmen were about to drill the holes to install them when I said, ‘No, don’t put them up.’ I’m so glad I stopped them because I really like the clean look,” says Robin.

Her list of kitchen must-haves also included wide shiplap walls. David, however, was in favor of tile for the backsplash behind the range, for ease of cleaning. Robin searched and searched for the perfect tile, but never found one she loved. A photo of shiplap in a chevron pattern did catch her eye, though, and now the unique treatment makes a striking statement. 

Decked out in blue with fancy black marble countertops, the cabinets make the biggest visual impact in the kitchen. Robin admits that she is bucking current trends, but she’s confident in her choices. “My style is eclectic; I like what I like. The trend right now isn’t a lot of color, but I’ve always liked color. I had red cabinets before.”

Since her new cabinets were custom made, the color options were limitless. “I had about three different colors that I was going between for the cabinets; one was a little more green and one was more blue. I ended up going to Memphis Paints to look at the Farrow & Ball paints. I walked in and they had a new display, and there was Hague Blue. I knew it as soon as I saw it!” On the one wall that has upper cabinets, the cabinets, the trim, the walls and the ceilings are all painted the same crisp white. The continuity of color is a trick of the design trade that makes the room feel larger. The colorful art on each sides of the windows are by Emory Art.

While she likes her vibrant kitchen, it may be the new pantry that Robin loves the most. It features plenty of storage, along with counter space and electrical outlets—the perfect spot to keep the coffee maker, blender and other small appliances handy yet out of plain view. “I tell all my clients who are remodeling a pantry to be sure they have power available and a countertop in it. Without a countertop it’s not as user friendly.”

The most recent renovation didn’t stop with the kitchen. A downstairs bathroom received a dramatic redo from top to bottom. The original tub area is now a spa-like oversized shower with black and white marble subway tile. Black hex tiles on the floor give the room timeless appeal. A custom vanity designed by Robin and topped with the same dark marble used in the kitchen completes the look. While the final product is a stunner, Murphy admits he wasn’t certain about Robin’s countertop choice at first. Undeterred, Robin knew it would be perfect; she loved the matte finish and knew the dark color would be the most practical option for the way her family lives. 

The project also included a few tweaks of earlier remodels. As part of the 2005 renovation Robin had a built-in desk installed near the home’s rear entrance, but she never used it as she thought she might. Now, in its place there is a handy bench with storage underneath and coat hooks above. 

Murphy describes the powder room as “night-and-day different” from the way it used to look, despite the fact that the floor plan for the space remained the same. The half bath is a knockout with bold floral wallpaper and a unique vanity. Says Robin, “It was a table that I had bought for $50 on an online marketplace.” After a few modifications and a coat of paint in her favorite shade of green, the piece has a new purpose adding flair to the design.

The Selbergs have put their personal stamp on each part of the house over the years, truly making it their home, and they intend to stay put and enjoy it for the long haul. “Michael’s sister is a realtor, and when we finished this project she said, ‘You know, I could sell this house in a minute.’ I’m not planning on going anywhere!” Robin laughs. 

“Germantown is getting built out. There’s not a lot of spots for new houses to go up,” says Robin. “We love living in Germantown; it’s convenient. We didn’t want to move from Germantown, but we needed our space to be different. I think that’s the way of the future in Germantown. I’m all for remodeling to get what you want.”

And Murphy is in full agreement. “You’ve adjusted the house with your family’s needs. You keep making the space you have so much more usable and efficient.” 

After two decades and three major projects, it would seem that the Selbergs might be done with home remodeling. When asked if that’s the case, Robin says without hesitation that a new separate garage is next up on the agenda. Life changes, floor plans and designs change, but it’s a safe bet that the Selberg family’s address will remain the same for years to come.

A Triple-Double

Interior Design by Betsey Mosby Interior Design | Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by B. Flint Photography

The home of Ole Miss basketball coach Kermit Davis and his family scores big on beauty and durability.

When you lead the busy life of a head coach at a major university, it’s important to come home to a peaceful haven. It’s also important to entertain, so your house has to be show-stopping, yet durable enough to withstand consistent wear and tear. That’s the triple challenge Ole Miss basketball coach Kermit Davis and his wife Betty presented to designer Betsey Mosby when they teamed up with her to complete their Oxford home.

Mosby describes the design aesthetic she envisioned for the project as “livable.” She adds, “We tried to make it an easy design that would be great for entertaining. Betty may have the whole basketball team over one night and then a fundraiser for the university the next! She needed items that would be easy to clean and a layout that would comfortably seat the masses. We focused on clean lines and minimal accents to keep the rooms fresh, beautiful and easy for party prep. Obviously, with Kermit’s busy schedule, particularly throughout the season, we also wanted to create a calming and relaxing environment that they could enjoy as a family together.” 

The house had been partially renovated when the Davises bought it, but because it was a work in progress, they were able to customize all the finishes. Although most of the furnishings are new, the family asked Mosby to include some special pieces they had acquired throughout their years of marriage. “We incorporated their children’s portraits in the living room and other special accents throughout, and also collected some beautiful pieces that they can love for years,” she explains.

“We hung the intaglios offset on top of the moldings to add interest. I think it balances the antique mirror beautifully and also adds a sense of imperfection that is very important in any space.”

—Designer Betsey Mosby

“Betty loves blue and so we were able to incorporate that throughout the house,” says Mosby, a Jackson, MS, based designer who also has an office in Oxford. She worked in pops of color to give dimension to her design, but chose tones that didn’t disturb the tranquil overall ambiance—peach art in the foyer, blush in the living room and soft green in the master bath.

The gracious entryway sets the tone for the whole house. Filled with light courtesy of double front doors the Davises selected, the foyer welcomes guests in a warm, yet tranquil manner. Gleaming hardwood floors anchor the room, while crisp, white walls and a soaring ceiling give the space a lofty feel. For the custom ironwork, Mosby teamed up with the homeowners to create a design she calls “minimal with a twist.”

In the adjacent living room, white walls accented with classic picture-frame moldings pair with seating in light neutrals and accents in several shades of blue. While white furniture and basketball players may seem an unlikely mix, Mosby used a secret weapon that helps the light-colored sofas and chairs stand up to whatever might come their way: outdoor fabrics. The Sunbrella textiles she selected are durable and easily cleaned—they can even be bleached if need be.

The dining room is a study in the art of combining traditional with current. Mosby sourced all the furniture and art, along with a graceful chandelier in rubbed gold tones with understated crystal accents to play off the room’s large windows. She chose a large landscape painting for the space. “It lends a traditional aesthetic to what is typically the most formal room in a home,” she says, adding, “The updated chair shape and abstract art flanking the buffet make the traditional feel current, too.”

The updated classic theme continues in the elegant kitchen and keeping room. Natural light pours in through oversized windows that also provide a view of the beautiful property. A cozy fireplace is topped by a large TV, and, of course, there’s plenty of seating, from dressed-up bar stools to inviting chairs and a velvet sofa to a pair of poufs upholstered in a whimsical blue and white print—room for the whole team to watch a game. A large island and ample counter space in the kitchen facilitate party prep and quartz countertops allow easy cleanup, whether Betty is cooking dinner for the couple, their daughters Ally and Claire, or caterers working a party. Mosby repurposed an unused space in the house that now comes in handy for the family and their frequent guests. She recalls, “The coat closet under the stairs was really not needed and I had the idea of turning it into a hidden bar that they could easily access and also close off when they didn’t need it. Behind a pair of bi-fold doors is the happiest little spot, complete with a perfect dry bar. Having this easy spot makes entertaining a breeze for them whether it’s a large function or just happy hour for two after a long work week.”

Another small area that makes a big impression is the powder room, decked out in a striking blue and white geometric wallpaper. “We wanted a little jewel box of a space and absolutely love this one,” says Mosby. “Betty and I were both very drawn to this paper and we selected the blue hue for the cabinet to add impact.” Clear lucite light sconces let more of the bold pattern shine through.

At the back of the house a study with a masculine, yet still elegant, feel makes an easy, informal gathering place for guests or a quiet spot for Kermit to formulate game strategy. A large abstract painting above the sofa/chaise combo plays off exposed wooden beams to produce just the right degree of contemporary style without wandering too far from the updated refinement of the rest of the home.

The Davises’ master bedroom is a familiar retreat for the couple, filled with pieces they have acquired and kept from their previous homes. Mosby added new side tables and lamps, drapes with custom trim and a custom bolster pillow to create a new look without a complete redo of the treasures they already loved. 

Likewise, the master bath has a replay of a design feature Betty prized in a former residence. “She had previously had the same floor tile in a bathroom and loved it,” says Mosby. The designer suggested painting the cabinets a pale gray/green to complement the lovely basketweave tile in carrara and black marble. Timeless green silk roman shades on the windows add to the bathroom’s peaceful aura. 

Beauty and durability don’t stop at the back door of the Davis home. The couple recently added a swimming pool that sees use most of the year, thanks to Mississippi’s climate, and they called on Mosby again to provide the design. “The back porch serves as a souped-up living area and we incorporated interesting materials like outdoor velvet to help it feel luxe and like an extension of their house, but also to ensure, of course, that it was very easy to clean.

From front door to backyard, Betty and Kermit Davis, with some expert coaching from a master designer, have created the ultimate triple-double: a home with perfect stats in tranquility, beauty and durability.

An Enlightened Home

Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Annabella Charles

Years of planning result in a light-filled home in which beauty and practicality mesh seamlessly.

The owner of this East Memphis home says she has always been inspired by natural light. “It’s just uplifting,” she explains. That love played heavily into the plan when the couple turned to David Anderson, a Memphis architect who specializes in custom homes, to create the house where they are raising their family.

Lots of light was at the top of the must-haves they gave Anderson—a long list compiled over time and with much thought. “There was an existing home here that my husband had originally lived in, and we were living next door. We planned for probably seven years, just kind of dreaming and planning and sketching out ideas and making wish lists,” the homeowner recalls. “Then finally, we decided to take the plunge. We bulldozed the house that was here. [Construction] took about a year and a half to complete, start to finish.” Lockwood Griffin of Griffin Homes was the builder. 

 “We wanted so many windows in the home. David has this knack for windows,” says the homeowner. “He really delivered on just where to put the windows so light would filter in but we’d still have privacy.”

“We’re living in this house. We want it to be nice and neat and have a charm to it without the pressure of perfection.” 

— Home Owner

Nowhere is the emphasis on windows more evident than in the home’s dining area. Situated at the front of the house, adjacent to the open kitchen, a double-height set of windows backs a banquette that spans the entire length of the space. The windows continue around the corner to the room’s west wall, allowing even more light to flood in. 

Every aspect of the dining room, from its size and scale to the furnishings, is the product of careful consideration. “When we built the house we knew we didn’t want an enormous footprint on everything so we tried to consolidate and work with David on making the most of a space without it being so grand. Palladio built the long bench and we decided that since we were having a banquette, it would be easier when we’re having multiple guests over, as they’re sitting on the banquette, to have a table that would split for the ease of getting in and out. 

That “light-filled-and-not-enormous” aesthetic continues into the adjacent kitchen. Explains the homeowner, “With the floor plan being so open, the area kind of turns into one big living space. I didn’t want it to read so much as kitchen.” To that end, she decided to forego wall cabinets and  selected a refrigerator that didn’t require a front vent. Even the barstools that border the kitchen island are upholstered, for a “softer look,” she says. Although the white fabric on the seats looks refined, it’s also easy to clean, a must with seven-year-old twin sons in the family.

Despite the absence of upper cabinets, this kitchen offers plenty of storage, from drawers in the oversized island, to the sizeable pantry just behind it, a feature the homeowner describes as a happy coincidence. “When we were working with David on revisions, we were, again, trying to keep the footprint from being so large. We had to make a change in the powder room and it ended up enlarging my pantry. I was so glad because I went from a little broom closet to this pantry that has storage, a nook for keeping track of lists and even a little dog food spot.” The clever addition of barn doors allows the owners to close off the pantry when entertaining, transforming the area from a utilitarian necessity to a passthrough leading guests to the powder room. “We wanted to have seating enough for friends and family,” says the homeowner, “but we also knew this room would be lived in. The kids are going to have their pillow fights in here so it’s all furniture we can use.” Pieces range from a coffee table the family had in their previous residence and a well-loved leather chair to a new sofa, chairs and accessories selected specifically for the room. 

Along with an abundance of light, a sense of tranquility permeates the house, thanks in part to the neutral color palette that runs throughout. The oak floors are finished with a simple classic gray stain, the walls are washed in a soft white, and the furnishings range from light-toned woods to soothing beiges, grays and taupes. “I like a calm in my life. I didn’t want to have too much going on everywhere and I wanted things to flow nicely,” says the homeowner. “We’re living in this house. We want it to be nice and neat and have a charm to it without the pressure of perfection.” 

The downstairs master suite is a serene retreat. A tall ceiling in the bedroom creates a roomy feel which the homeowner loves, although she admits her favorite touch is out of plain sight. Flanking the room’s window alcove, full-length drapes hide a wall-mounted TV when it’s not in use. The curtains can open to let in the natural light the couple so loves or close completely for privacy. Elegant, yet completely livable, the master bath exudes a spa-like feel with a free-standing soaking tub and clean white fixtures dressed up with gold accents. 

A generous guest suite completes the home’s first floor, but upstairs is the domain of the children. At the top of the staircase a rec room holds all the toys two busy boys could need, plus a TV and a cozy window seat—the perfect spot to read a book. Originally conceived as attic space, the room came to be as part of the effort to minimize wasted space. “Basically all the hallways. That’s why we have this little area outside the boys’ bedrooms,” says the homeowner.

Brilliantly designed with twins in mind, the two children’s bedrooms are almost identical and each has its own bath. The wall that separates them is more aperture than barrier, a large cased opening with barn doors. Says their mother, “With twin boys, we didn’t know. Right now they love sharing a bedroom, but maybe one day they’ll want separate bedrooms, but would still want that feeling of being together. Or if they had sleepovers, it’s an area that could have the feel of a suite. They can close the barn doors for privacy, or if we have extra family come in it can serve as a second guest room.”

Just outside the boys’ bedrooms and open to the downstairs, a study loft holds two desks for homework, topped by built-in bookcases laden with family treasures. “Things that were my husband’s parents’. Things that were his. It’s sweet to have a little spot where you can put those mementoes.” And, spoken like a true mom, she adds, “With it being in the loft area I can still kind of hear what’s going on. I can take a peek up and make sure they’re at their desks.”

When it came to their home’s exterior and outdoor living, the owners applied the same detailed thought process that went into the inside spaces. “With a new construction home, we didn’t want it to look brand new; that’s why we chose reclaimed brick. We debated on every single detail about it...how far apart we spaced the bricks to the color of the mortar. We put samples up and looked at new brick that was supposed to look like old brick. We were lucky to find this old, old brick that helped give the house that instant patina and charm.”

Even the fence was the subject of careful planning. “We didn’t want it to feel like a barrier, but just something to help contain two little boys and a dog. We wanted it to feel homey.”

Out back, a cozy covered porch and an inviting pool promise sun-filled days and family memories waiting to be made. Like the rest of the home, the T-shaped pool design was intentional, with children and their safety in mind. “I really wanted a shallow end that the kids could play in,” says the homeowner. “I always pictured a basketball or volleyball game going on in the shallow end.”

Even the detached garage is well thought out and useful for the entire family. In addition to room for two cars, the garage has plenty of storage and even a “kids’ garage” for the boys’ bikes and gear. Above, a studio space provides room for the homeowner to create art, a passion she put on the back burner while her children were younger. And, of course, it has great natural crosslight, she admits. “It has windows on the front and back walls, so it’s a great space.”

With a degree in graphic design and a love for fine art in general, it’s no wonder that the homeowner fell in love with the design process—”the options and the studying and research and building a layout of just want you want.” Through deliberate planning and with expert professionals carrying out that plan, she created an inspired and light-filled nest where her family can thrive.

Past and Present Perfect

Interior Design by First Fruit Collection | Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Sélavie Photography

On a recent tour of the 2019 Vesta Home Show’s Kelmscott Manor with designers Ashley Toney and Patty Michaelis, words like “airy,” “dressy” and “pretty” peppered the conversation. The opinion is echoed by thousands—literally. The majority of the over 18,000 people who attended the show last October voted for the house as their favorite, making it the People’s Choice winner. 

Toney, owner of First Fruit Collection on the Collierville square, and Michaelis, her design partner and manager of the store, teamed with builder Dave Moore in a year-long labor of love to bring the house from concept to completion.

Moore describes the home, located on Chapel Woods Cove in Germantown, as traditional English country in style, but packed with every amenity a modern family could need. The exterior is a handsome blend of stone and brick. A formal garden to the right of the front entrance, highlighted by a traditional fountain, lends a decidedly dressed-up air. An arched covered entry welcomes visitors through double front doors painted an eye-catching cornflower blue in a foreshadowing of the interior color palette.

Just inside, the entryway, which Michaelis describes as a “showstopper,” opens to a two-story stair hall that draws the eye immediately upward. The floors, however, are worthy of equal attention; stately in a stunning diamond pattern. Created by Danny Benard of Mid South Flooring, the light-stained oak runs throughout the downstairs, an elegant foundation for the decor. 

Impressive paneling furthers the English country manor feel of the entry. “We loved the idea of having some paneling,” recalls Toney. “Our trim carpenter from Navarro Brothers Finish Carpentry did even more than we imagined!” An important aspect of First Fruit’s design strategy is to let artists be artists, she explains. “That’s kind of our thing. We like to figure out what we want and then let the experts go with it. When you give them too many constraints they’ll do the work, but it ends up being something less than it could have been.” That strategy paid off in spades again when it came to the “jewelry” of the entryway, the stair railing, created by Willie Kelley of Absolute Iron. “We showed him a picture of something a lot simpler,” remembers Toney, “and he came up with this and we loved it! The matte finish actually has a little shimmer to it.”  

“We took traditional and updated it, modernized it.”

-Kelmscott Manor designer Ashley Toney of First Fruit Collection

The dining room’s uncomplicated, open layout offers minimal wall space on which to place furniture, but the one piece Toney selected for the niche alongside the table and chairs came to be a foundational choice for the home’s overall design scheme. “We found the sideboard at market and kind of based the room around it. We knew we wanted a blue palette for this house and that sideboard, which is a replica of an antique, is a great anchor for the room,” she says. 

Coffered ceilings, subtle chinoiserie-patterned curtains and a distressed wood chandelier make the dining room feel formal, yet not fussy.

“This is probably our favorite den we’ve ever done,” admits Toney. “We love the open windows, the symmetry of the room.” That symmetry comes most noticeably in a pair of built-in cabinets under matching windows flanking the fireplace. The trim on the cabinet doors replays the diamond pattern of the entry floor, while the stone tops add a chic accent that keeps the room’s decor on the transitional side of casual. 

Adds Michaelis, “We definitely wanted it to be a little dressy, but still feel lived in. We don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t sit on the sofa. We’ve had guys coming in here sitting in these chairs and saying they are the most comfortable chairs ever.

The den opens to a gourmet kitchen in which each feature outshines the one before. The cornflower blue first introduced in the front doors and the dining room sideboard makes a bold comeback in the cabinets. “It’s pretty, but unexpected,” says Toney. “In a design palette that’s otherwise simple, this is the pop of color.”

Traditional pecan-colored wood on the barstools and in custom ceiling beams from Burrus Co. brings warmth to balance the cool blues, and the vent hood created by Christie Cut Stone is a statement piece. Gold-tone faucets and hardware here and throughout the home are at once of-the-moment and timeless. No conversation about the Kelmscott’s kitchen is complete, however, without a mention of the adjacent wine room. The glass-encased alcove is the perfect home for a connoisseur’s collection, temperature- and humidity-controlled, and centrally located. Vesta attendees clearly agreed, voting the room their favorite feature from among all the innovations in the show’s six spectacular homes. 

Nearby, the laundry area is a study in practicality plus beauty. White cabinets with Silestone tops pair with wooden open shelving created by Navarro Brothers. Several new shades of blue appear, from sky blue paint on the walls to navy decorative accessories. Lockers and baskets provide a place for each member of the home’s future family to organize, and there’s even a special spot for man’s best friend—a glass-enclosed dog bath, complete with a feeding station built in underneath. Don’t limit the space to canine use, though, suggests Michaelis. “It would also be great if you had to hose something off… maybe a muddy child!” she laughs.

The design team couldn’t be happier with the way the master suite turned out. Just as with the den, Toney describes the bedroom as luxurious, but liveable. Furnished in serene tones, the restful bedroom retreat leads into a classic white bath, with an unexpected touch. Burrus’s birch ceiling beams soften the tone without detracting from the spa-like feel. Through the bathroom, the huge master closet does double duty. Cleverly dressed up with the custom trim work that is one of the home’s hallmarks, a solid steel door marks the space as a certified safe room/storm shelter. 

Along with three more bedrooms and baths, the Kelmscott’s second story features a media room, but the light-filled space is a far cry from the home theaters that first appeared in houses 20 or so years ago. White walls, multiple windows and light carpet create a sunlit ambiance. When it’s movie time, though, the space transforms into the ideal setting for viewing. Custom shades block out all light for ultimate enjoyment of the built-in projection TV system.

Although the 5,000-square-foot home is a showplace, its builder admits that his favorite part of it is outside its walls. “I’m an outdoor person, so I love the outdoor room and the backyard,” Moore explains. It’s easy to see why: an inviting pool and hot tub await, next to an inviting outdoor living room, complete with bluestone flooring, a vaulted and beamed ceiling, a stone fireplace and two TVs, one of which is visible from within the hot tub. “No one will ever have to miss a play,” says Toney. 

The Vesta Home Show website describes the Kelmscott as a combination of the best of the past with the best of the present time. Thanks to the efforts of the team that created, constructed and furnished it, this house will surely provide the best of the future, as well, for the family that soon calls it home.