A Nashville Welcome: British Meets Southern Style
Design by Sarah Richardson
Photography by Stacey Brandford
Reno-Free Makeover
"When a family from London, England, decamped to Nashville, Tenn., they wanted to land somewhere that instantly felt like home. Designer Sarah Richardson, who had worked on the homeowners' previous house, knew exactly what they liked and was up to the challenge of working on a short timeline. The caveat? There would be no renovation... The refresh was all about the power of decorating, injecting traditional English touches and a fresh, updated feeling with just paint, fabric and furniture. Post-makeover, the home's soft palette combines with dramatic flourishes to achieve the perfect union of British and Southern Charm."
- Excerpt from House & Home Magazine (Apr. 2019)
Entry
Neutralize What You Can't Change
"We couldn't refinish the floors or doors in the foyer, so we worked with them. The way to balance darker floors and wood elements and still have things feel fresh is by going with an antique-wash rug. We picked a traditional rug in a lighter palette and added antique bird etchings and line drapery in a Jacobean paisley pattern. The entry sets a casually elegant tone for the rooms to come" (H&H, Apr. 2019).
Family Room
Go Light to Make it Bright
"The family room overlooks the garden and pool, so we used clours from outdoors - soft grey-green tones on the dresser, a mossy green velvet chair - but more faded and washed out. Things don't have to be old and loud. For a lighter, brighter environment, try tone-on-tone artwork. Consider the mood of a room; all the layers need to embrace that feeling" (H&H, Apr. 2019).
Kitchen
Add Character with Vintage Finds
"In the kitchen, we worked with the creamy palette of the existing tongue-and-groove walls. The chairs were vintage finds that we had painted white and reupholstered to go with the limed oak table. On a thick, flatweave rug like this one, chairs pull out easily. The rug creates a lovely neutral foundation; I have the same rug in my own home in the city and at the farm" (H&H, Apr 2019).
Dining Room
Anchor Sight Lines with Something Beautiful
"Never underestimate sight lines; I think about this a lot. This hallway goes through the dining room to the double family room and the garden outside. I love that when we put a table in this long hallway, it draws people in. The house has many windows with views that needed to be framed" (H&H, Apr. 2019)
Fill Rooms with Handsome Pieces
"Many of us have rooms that we transition through all the time, so make sure you enjoy the journey and that the room tells a story. In this home, the dining room is smack in the centre of the house, with many rooms flowing from it. This 19th century English triple-pedestal table will always look great. Buy pieces that'll be with you for the long haul, and enjoy experiencing them, even if you don't use them often " (H&H, Apr. 2019).
Living Room
If You Can't Ignore It, Don't
"We believe you can make any room look great. The house has yellowy, golden tones throughout that we had to temper and cool off, so we went with a palette of oyster, cream and greyed aqua. Because we couldn't change the dark green marble or wood mantel in the living room, we added notes of blue-green to work with the existing surround. Overall, everything feels sun-faded and soft" (H&H, Apr. 2019).
Sunroom
Create the Space You Need
"I believe in dedicated spaces. When you look at a room, think about what you'll do there and how you want it to feel. This is a room for him and her, for morning coffee overlooking the garden or for reading a book in the afternoon. It doesn't need seating for many people, so a pair of chaises works. It's also where their dogs will come and go from the outside, so the large indoor-outdoor rug is very practical" (H&H, Apr. 2019).
Bedroom
Balance Busy Patterns
If you're going to have something as bold as this wallpaper, everything else has to whisper. The linens and grasscloth-covered dresser offset the richness of the principal bedroom's wallpaper, which was already here. We covered the headboard in creamy chenille and added the lightest of accent touches in aqua and green. Everything is light and ethereal (H&H, Apr. 2019).
Family Room Sources: Sarah Richardson Design: custom armchairs, sofa and ottoman, throw | Kravet Canada: various upholstery, drapery and throw pillow fabric | Dash & Albert: rug | Wayfair Canada: end tables, table lamps, bamboo stools, artwork | Elle & Eve: sideboard | Eurocraft Restoration: sideboard refinishing
Kitchen Sources: Surya: rug | Around the Block: vintage chairs painted white | Eurocraft Restoration: chair refinishing and upholstery | Kravet Canada: chair seat upholstery fabric | Bungalow 5: table | A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals: Niermann Weeks chandelier | D&E Lake: prints and framing | Wayfair Canada: mirror, sideboard, dishes, rug | Union Lighting and Furnishings: table lamp
Foyer Sources: Wayfair Canada: lanterns | Elte: runner | Vintage Fine Objects: chairs | Eurocraft Restoration: seat cushions | Kravet Canada: cushion and drapery fabric | D&E Lake: bird print and framing | Benjamin Moore: wall paint, Dune White CC-70
Living Room Sources: Sarah Richardson Design: custom armchairs and sofa | Sarah Richardson for Kravet: Peony Tree Aquamarine fabric (drapery & pillow), Granby Chambray (pillow fabric) | Kravet Canada: various upholstery and pillow fabric | Maus Park Antiques: mirror | John Young Galleries: demilune table | Around the Block: table lamp | Lampshades Unlimited: custom lampshade | Pottery Barn: pink throw pillow | Wayfair Canada: coffee table | D&E Lake: print above mantel | Benjamin Moore: wall paint, Seapearl OC-19
Hallway Sources: Kravet Canada: drapery fabric | Canadian Drapery Hardware: drapery hardware | Around the Block: pedestal table | Pottery Barn: vase | Goodwill: vintage books
Dining Room Sources: Thibaut: wallpaper | Union Lighting and Furnishings: chandelier by Visual Comfort | D&E Lake: prints and framing | Maus Park Antiques: dining table | John Young Galleries: mirror, dining chairs, sideboard, murano lamp | Around the Block: pedestal bowl, vase
Sunroom Sources: Sarah Richardson Design: custom chair and chaises, throw | Sarah Richardson Design for Kravet: drapery fabric, All Star Indigo (chair fabric), Line Weave Sky (chaises fabric) | Kravet Canada: throw pillow fabric | Dash & Albert: rug | Wayfair Canada: table lamps | Elte: sideboard | Of Things Past: blue and white pottery, garden stool
Bedroom Sources: Sarah Richardson Design: custom headboard and bench | Kravet Canada: bench, headboard, throw pillow and drapery fabric | Bungalow 5: dresser | Made Goods: mirror, nightstand | Ribbehege & Azevedo: table lamp | Pottery Barn: stool | Around the Block: accessories on dresser | Whole Foods Market: orchids | Canadian Drapery Hardware: drapery hardware | Of Things Past: vintage accessories
