Peach and the Willow

 

The interior design world has been swimming in a tranquil sea of soft greys and neutrals for several years now.  I, too, have swooned over and embraced the trend of a less fussy, achromatic interior.  But who says you can’t have the best of both worlds!?  Both calming and colorful!  Imagine my absolute glee when I was approached to decorate a newly built luxury condominium and the homeowners wanted NOTHING to do with grey!  (Sorry grey…I still love you).  They wanted energy!  Color!  A little Glam and a whole lotta fun!!!  (This is where you picture me doing my happy dance!).

Newfound empty nesters, Lea and John Hackett, traded their sizable home on the outskirts of town for a luxury condominium in the city, adjacent Nashville’s Centennial  Park.  They were looking for a clean sweep…a fresh start…and I’m not talking about a new housekeeper!  A fresh start for the Hackett’s meant bringing very little of existing furnishings to the new space but, instead, purchasing new pieces that would suit a smaller imprint and be more exemplary of their personal style.  In fact, a bed, a bench, an antique chair and a couple side tables were all that made the move!  My first challenge was to create a home that met their style expectations but also looked curated over time. I LOVE this challenge!  Second challenge?  Implement all the pieces quickly!  They had sold their prior home and closed on the new condo so would need a place to lay their head pronto!

Let’s dive into some design details of the house, starting with the “fan favorite” before photos.  Check out these views!  And blank canvas!

 

This show stopping foyer sets the tone for the entire home!  Lea wanted her rooms to be vibrant with hints of glam and art deco subtleties.  My favorite quote from Lea was spoken one afternoon early in the planning phase as she explained the aesthetic she’d like to see her interiors reflect.  “Sometimes I feel like I have a 1920’s flapper inside of me!” she said as she spoke of her love for art deco design.   I totally get it, Lea!  Your inner flapper wants to feel at home too!!!  However, she insisted that the house not come across as “theme-y”.  Embracing those glamorous leanings, one of the first decisions made for the house was this spectacular crystal chandelier that hangs in the foyer!  An authentic art deco stool found on 1st Dibs sits beneath the niche where an art deco inspired mirror hangs, reflecting the most perfect cerulean blue wallpaper (York), bridging the best of modern and classic design.  The abstract rug by West Elm further enhances the octagonal foyer but also gives a fun and approachable style to the space.

Moving through the hall and into the living area, an exciting array of color, art, and furniture peak the senses.  The room is filled with magnificent light as 180 degree city views are plentiful.  Mechanized shades provide privacy when needed.

The Scott Eakin artwork entitled “Constant Companion” provides the perfect focal point as it hangs above the starburst sideboard.  Kelly O’Neal fabric by Design Legacy was used on the antique rocker, creating a match made in heaven between canvas and chair!  The before photo is a perfect example of how an old chair can enjoy a modern, new approach.  Not only did it get upholstery but a new paint job in the same dark grey as the kitchen cabinets.The acrylic coffee table sits atop an over-dyed turquoise rug, creating the ideal contrast for the deep blue velvet sofa and sugary white swivel arm chairs (Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams).

The view of the dining area continues to highlight the Hackett’s love for color, eclecticism and provocative artwork.  With four grown children either in college or the work force, it was fun  displaying a quartet of their artwork from bygone years to play adjacent a German artist’s modern work.  The smokey acrylic chairs further enhance  city views but also act as a cohesive factor between the dark grey kitchen cabinets and dining area.  Notice the lighting?  A tasseled chain chandelier becomes quite the “flapper” in the room, wouldn’t you say?  A little edge…a little glam… a whole lotta style!

The Master Suite embodies effortless luxury and comfort.  The hand dyed velvet lumbar pillow in Shark Blue (Kevin O’Brien for Peacock Alley) informed the decision for color blocked silk drapery and soft bedding hues.  Original artwork by Angela Simeone.  

Full size dressers were employed in lieu of smaller side tables.  With storage at a premium in this new space, I’m pleased that this room was spacious enough for the addition of two dressers.  The fun animal print bench came from their prior home.

The guest bedroom was designed with their youngest daughter in mind.  Although she was starting her first year of college and leaving the nest, hopes are she would return many times and often before she graduates.  The room took on a soft, boho look…welcoming and restful  for their daughter or any guest!

The third bedroom…aka, the Music Room, is one of my favorite spaces in the house!  It’s a quick-change room in that it serves as a music room for songwriting and playing, a media room for watching your favorite movie or playing Xbox and a bedroom for guests.  How, you ask?  The two oversized chairs (Pottery Barn) unfold into twin size beds!

Check out the following before pic to really appreciate the transformation of this small space.   The dark walls provide drama, the stripes mimic the keyboard and create visual interest and the mirrors (kept from the original staging) provide the illusion of space.

As the tour of this home comes to a close…Imagine your busy day giving  way to a  periwinkle ombre’ dusk like this one…you step out onto your spacious wrap around patio outfitted with Summer Classics furniture, view the city skyline as the sun casts its final spotlight, take your first sip of wine…breath deep…then exhale.  Good stuff!

Many thank you’s (along with high five’s, hugs and kisses) to Lea and John Hackett for allowing me to dream along side them and decorate this beautiful home.  It was such a pleasure working with you guys as you are a designer’s dream!  I will never forget the words you wrote to me in an email:

“We both love this place so much, Sabrina!  Thank you for all that you have done to help make this one of the happiest time of our lives!”  Lea Hackett

Huge thank you to the Hackett’s Real Estate expert, Mina Jensen of Keller Williams, Green Hills, Layson Group!  Her glowing referral and introduction was the first piece of the puzzle!

Photos courtesy of:  Shannon Fontaine