This Southern home is warm, inviting and entirely modern. Welcoming for small children, yet contemporary by design, this home proves how gorgeous original art, uncluttered spaces and wide-open rooms can provide the perfect setting for raising a family.

The home's wide steps make for a welcoming entry.
The home’s wide steps make for a welcoming entry.

When interior designer Austin Fleener, of Copp-Canale Interiors, was called to help finalize the furnishings and fluff the house, those fun last details that make a house truly pop, she says she was presented with a fantastic opportunity. “The house is stunning and filled with phenomenal art. My job was to take the house and finish it out with furniture and accessories—to make the house into a livable and comfortable home within the gorgeous structure. The only blank slate, per se, was the master bedroom. Otherwise, there were strong bones in each room that needed some additional things (furniture, lamps, pillows and a plan to make it all work) making the house truly a cohesive unit that moves easily from one area to the next. It really is a home filled with kids all the time, so the challenge was to make sure it was at once truly livable and comfortable, but not have that aspect run against the strong lines of the house, or take away from its beauty. My job was to enhance it.”

When you pull up to the home, located on a sleepy street near the Cheekwood Botanical Garden in Nashville, TN, you sense something special, and it does not disappoint. Architect Manuel Zeitlin was called before the original house was even purchased. He walked through the house, saw the lot and said, “Buy it.” He completely understood the vision and knew this was the place to make it happen. About 20 percent of the former ranch house was kept and incorporated into the modern design. With builder Davis Properties hired to build the beautiful home, this team delivered and then some.

All photos below, unless noted, are by Wiff Harmer.

Contemporary Modern Home
Upon entering the home, you are greeted not only by an affectionate black lab, but by plenty of open air and clean lines, as well. The steel railing is by PJ Maxwell of Herndon & Merry.
Art work is important to this family and they source their art through David Lusk Gallery (locations in Memphis and Nashville). The horizontal piece in the dining room is by Macey Craddock. The painting at the far end is by FILL in. You see the dining room immediately to your right when you enter the house, so this artwork makes a bold statement. Note the lighting which Southern Electric made custom.
Artwork is important to this family, and they source their art through David Lusk Gallery (locations in Memphis and Nashville). The horizontal piece in the dining room is by Maysey Craddock. The painting at the far end is by Hamlett Dobbins. You see the dining room immediately to your right when you enter the house, so this artwork makes a bold statement. Note the lighting, which Southern Lights Electric made custom. The table is from Karmal Skillington, and the chairs are from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
To your left, upon entering, is this piece of art work by FILL IN. Also note the beautiful custom door by FILL IN.
To your left upon entering is this piece of art by Kathleen Holder. This focal point leads you to the master suite. Also notice the beautiful custom door by Vintage Millworks.
You can see the front door in the far back right, which shows how open this house is. This living area and kitchen are all part of the same room. You are see that the upstairs is open to the living area through the metal rails visible in the top of the photo.
You can see the front door in the far back right, which shows how open this house is. The living area and kitchen are all part of the same room. You see that the upstairs is open to the living area through the metal rails visible in the top of the photo. Steel rails are by Herndon & Merry.
Another view of the living area. The bench that runs under the fireplace is made from concrete; the fireplace screen is a piece handed down from the homeowner's grandmother.
Another view of the living area: The bench that runs under the fireplace is made from concrete; the fireplace screen is a piece handed down from the homeowner’s grandmother.
A white kitchen that has perfectly hidden places for everything so that the counters can remain clear.
The white kitchen has perfectly hidden places for everything so that the counters can remain clear. The bar stools are comfortable (and don’t slip!) and were found via Design Within Reach.
This view of the kitchen shows the breakfast nook and all the windows that let in an abundance of natural light.
This view of the kitchen shows the breakfast nook and all the windows that let in an abundance of natural light.
These shelves provide a colorful focal point from the kitchen.
These shelves provide a colorful focal point from the kitchen.
These little feet allow you to better see the width of the wood plank flooring.
These little feet allow you to better see the width of the wood plank flooring.
Even the coffee maker can be found in a hidden station with coffee, mugs and sugar.
Even the coffeemaker can be found in a hidden station with coffee, mugs and sugar.
Deep pull out drawers make setting the table extra easy.
Deep pullout drawers make setting the table extra easy.
The breakfast nook looks out to a gorgeous backyard, beautifully landscaped by FILL IN.
The breakfast nook looks out on a gorgeous backyard, beautifully designed by landscape architect Sari Barton.
The butler's pantry provides a nook for wine, spirits, glassware and more.
The butler’s pantry provides a nook for wine, spirits, glassware and more.
The family room is found past the dining room and butler's pantry and next to the garage. This is where the family can curl up and watch a movie. The furniture is all Mitchell Gold.
The family room is found past the dining room and butler’s pantry, next to the garage. This is where the family can curl up and watch a movie. The furniture is all Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Room + Board. The art is by Rana Rochat, sourced through David Lusk Gallery.
When you enter from the garage, you can turn into the family room or go straight into this family storage area. Hooks and drawers provide plenty of space for backpacks, team equipment and more.
When you enter from the garage, you can turn into the family room or go straight into this family storage area. Hooks and drawers provide plenty of space for backpacks, team equipment and more. Note the wall to the left does not go all the way to the ceiling. And that gorgeous piece of art? Another Maysey Craddock piece acquired through David Lusk Gallery.
The master bedroom is found at the opposite side of the house from the garage and offers a sanctuary to the energy of the rest of the house. Calm colors, pretty views and linens that you want to sink into.
The master bedroom is found at the opposite side of the house from the garage and offers a sanctuary to the energy of the rest of the house. Note the calm colors, pretty views and linens that you want to sink into. This artwork is from Maysey Craddock.
Another view of the master bedroom.
Another view of the master bedroom

Photos below are from StyleBlueprint photographers:

This view is out of one of the windows in the master bedroom. You can see the long steps up from the back patio to the soccer field (yes, a soccer field!). Note the wooden overhang.
This view is out of one of the windows in the master bedroom. You can see the long steps up from the back patio to the large flat yard above. Note the wooden overhang.
The screened porch can be accessed by both the living area and the master bedroom. You can see the same fabulous wooden ceiling to which the porch swing is attached.
The screened porch can be accessed by both the living area and the master bedroom. You can see the same fabulous wooden ceiling to which the porch swing is attached. The swing was custom made via Karmal Skillington.
The view from the porch swing. If you look closely you can see one of the soccer goals to the right, behind the large boxwood. You can also see the yellow slide from the playset nestled under the back trees.
The view from the porch swing: the perfect perch for watching kids play in the yard. You can also see the yellow slide from the playset nestled under the back trees.
A view of the house looking down from the soccer field.
A view of the back of the house

It’s pretty fabulous!

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About the Author
Liza Graves

As CEO of StyleBlueprint, Liza also regularly writes for SB. Most of her writing is now found in the recipe archives as cooking is her stress relief!