I visited Nashville for the first time this past winter with a few friends to celebrate the New Year. It was a bit of an odd choice for us because none of us particularly like country music, but we wanted to see first hand what the hype was all about. I was surprised to discover the city's rich diversity as well as all the little gems (like Rolf and Daughters, Poppy & Monroe, and Abednego to name a few). I also found the nearby community of Belle Meade to have some of the most charming houses I've ever laid eyes on. I was reminded of my jaunt to Nashville when I saw British supermodel and musician Karen Elson's home featured in Architectural Digest this past April. First of all, in what world is it fair for someone to be both a supermodel and a respected musical artist?! But I digress. Karen grew up in Manchester and had been on the lookout for a place to call home in Nashville. When she spotted the 1940s house she now inhabits, she felt an instant connection to the exterior because it reminded her of an English cottage.
For the design, she entrusted two of her close friends who's style she admired- Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward. The duo started the home's transformation by adding in architectural details reminiscent of an English country house, like arched doorways. Elson wanted her new home to feel collected and a bit quirky, so Pierce and Ward scoured local Nashville antique shops for decor. The chairs above were recovered in the emerald green fabric and sit in front of a fireplace clad in Moroccan tile by Alyse Edwards.
The butler's pantry features a faceted pendant and a layering of interesting textiles:
In the kitchen, the cabinetry is painted in Sherwin Williams' Underseas and Danish modern counter stools surround the island.
Shades of green continue in to Elson's sitting room and a cool tiered coffee table acts as a center piece, anchoring the room:
In Karen's boudoir, fellow redheads dance along her walls while a The cheeky wallpaper is designed by illustrator Constanza Theodoli-Braschi:
A barley twist drop-leaf table from Gaslamp Antiques sits next to Elson's bed in her master bedroom:
The bathroom vanity area includes brass hardware and a Moroccan bone inlaid stool. I love the eclectic mix throughout the spaces- even with all the layering of differing periods and styles, the home ultimately feels comfortable and pulled together.
Karen scored the Italian chandelier hanging above her soaking tub on Ebay:
“It’s transformed my life,” Karen says of the new home. “I love my home, I love entertaining, when I come from traveling I’m so happy to get back into my house. I know it’s just stuff but I gotta say... it’s such a luxury to have a beautiful home.”
Read more about Elson's home in the original article here.
Have a great Monday!
XOXO,
Sam
