The Nashville Symphony Show House 2015, presented by Castle Homes, is a paradigm of original architecture, quality craftsmanship and innovative design. It makes for the perfect excuse to plan a road trip to Nashville (if you are reading today from outside of Nashville!).
Seated on the pastoral cusp of Hillsboro Road, the Southern contemporary folk home possesses the bucolic charm of farmhouses from the early 19th century. The house was completed through the joint efforts of Wade Weissmann Architecture, Alan Looney of Castle Homes, Julie Couch Interiors, Mark Simmons Interiors and Rozanne Jackson for The Iron Gate. The 5,500-square-foot home, complete with three bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and a three-car garage, is decorated from the ground up with historic detailing. From the four-board fencing to the exterior siding, each element of the house was carefully considered, resulting in a euphonic exchange between vintage appeal and modern functionality.
Shielded from an unexpected rain by the pillared porch, we were welcomed into the foyer of the show house. Stately but not lavish, the entryway to the home is dominated by a sculptural staircase. Designed by Wade Weissmann, this unique architectural element divides the ground floor into parts, keeping a small study distinct from the den and dining area. The living room, decorated by Mark Simmons Interiors, features contemporary and traditional elements. A gorgeous oriental rug, threaded with muted golds and blues, covers the floor in front of the fireplace. The far wall of the den is lined with large French doors, which let natural light cascade onto the sitting area. At the rear of the room sits the dining room table, created especially for the home from floorboards of the Municipal Auditorium, as an ode to Nashville’s lettered music history.
Upholstered chairs bring warmth to the dining area. The gorgeous table was created out of reclaimed floorboards from the Municipal Auditorium.
The kitchen, dressed in white paint, stainless steel appliances and rich timbers, is the perfect balance of polished and unrefined parts. It is an entertaining space, as much as it is a place for preparing food. The massive, custom island, created from reclaimed white oak wood from a Wisconsin milk barn, stretches the length of the room. It is a domineering feature that reiterates the arcadian vernacular of the overall design of the home. The kitchen opens at two places onto the dining area and den, creating cohesion across the ground floor.
Tucked off the side of the den is the master bedroom. Romantic, but not girlish, it is a tranquil space that inspires repose. A handblown glass chandelier hangs from the pyramidal ceiling, reflecting light across its white, planked sides. A beautiful, four-poster bed, with a cowhide sofa at its foot, is the focal point of the room. Modern art decorates each wall, providing a compelling intersection between contemporary decor and traditional furniture. Designed to feel like a large sunroom, the adjoining master bath is cloaked in natural light. Equipped with a lavish bathtub and a his-and-hers vanity, it is a fine example of tempered grandeur.
The master bedroom, designed by Julie Couch Interiors, is a sanctum of pale tones and delicate textures.
Ascending the staircase, we are greeted by a gorgeous study. The view from this elevated nook is breathtaking, as is the decor, conceived by Rozanne Jackson of The Iron Gate. With twin couches flanking its walls, this rustic haven is a place to recline with a good read. The study opens to two identically shaped bedrooms, one designed for a boy and the other for a girl. The masculine side is covered in earthy grays with eclectic totems like vintage records lining the walls and shelves. The feminine side is draped in cool whites. Fine art frames the plush bed perched at its center.
The upstairs study, created by Rozanne Jackson for The Iron Gate, is a beautiful assemblage of woodland charm and contemporary relevance.
This upstairs bedroom sits to the right of the study. Simple but sophisticated, it has just the right amount of texture and color.
This feminine bedroom mirrors the masculine bedroom on the opposite side of the study. Each room was carefully designed to maximize the space.
Seated just past the laundry room is the lounge. Expertly designed by Julie Couch Interiors, it is undeniably urbane, but maintains the rustic warmth that pervades the rest of the home. Black-and-white prints of the Nashville Symphony adorn the walls, contrasting beautifully with the contemporary desk. Each element of this room possesses a comfortable but polished appeal.
The lounge is polished, but still manages to feel like a place to relax and entertain. Rich grays and browns are a dynamic punch against the neutral walls.
The back of the house was certainly designed for entertaining. With ample seating on the covered porch and gravel patio, it is a place to gather with friends and family over a soothing view of Nashville’s wooded landscape. The exterior of the house is covered in fiber cement siding, which has look of 19th-century materials, but requires little maintenance. The roof, which is metal with a baked finish, is just as easy to maintain.
The manicured lawn and patio provide the perfect backdrop for an outdoor gathering.
Potted plants and natural accents bring life and energy to the outdoor sitting area.
Rustic but sophisticated, the Nashville Symphony Show House is proof that a new home can feel like it’s been in a family for decades. With historic aesthetics and state-of-the-art appliances, it is a dream house that balances provincial charm and modern sensibility.
The Nashville Symphony Show House is open June 12-28. Make summer plans for a road trip, or if you live in Nashville, set aside a few hours to enjoy this splendid home! For more details or to purchase tickets, visit nashvillesymphonyshowhouse.com.
A special thanks to Castle Homes for sharing this outstanding home with us today!
Photography by Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography
