Designer Laura Thurman’s Home: Colorful, Cozy & Collected
From modern art and exotic lanterns to moody statement walls, interior designer Laura Thurman's home is the epitome of "collected." Each room boasts a unique personality, but the design remains beautifully cohesive. Take the tour!
Fondly referred to as “Maison Thurman,” the home of Laura Thurman, founder of Thurman Design Studio, is a comfy abode featuring designer touches like vivid area rugs, exotic light fixtures, and thoughtfully curated furniture that blend elegance and vintage flair. Located about 30 minutes from Nashville’s bustling downtown, her family home in Thompson Station, Tennessee, offers easy access to the city’s perks while also providing a peaceful retreat.
“We wanted something that was new and large enough to accommodate our family needs, with a little more space,” Laura tells us of her decision to move farther out of town. “Ultimately, we needed to be able to afford it. Moving a little further out gave us space, newness, and a doable budget.”
A spacious home was particularly important for Laura and her husband, Josh, given their remote work needs and family dynamic. “My mom has lived with us for three years now,” Laura explains. “We built a one-bedroom apartment attached to the house for her, equipped with a full kitchen and living room. It’s the biggest blessing to have her with us. Our son, Tristan — who will turn 3 years old in June — loves my mom. The multigenerational household is the way to go, in our opinion.”
As a designer, Laura possesses what she calls a “global aesthetic filtered through a modern lens,” which is evident from the moment you step into her home. “This house is a celebration of all the wonderful trade vendors we partner with and a reflection of the blessing that has come from hard work and doing what I love most!” she says. “The home displays bold color, a multitude of textures, unique wallpaper, and my passion for world travel and global design.”
From Moroccan lanterns to modern art, each room offers standout features. “I need a home to have a soul,” Laura tells us. “I find the most impactful way to do this is by introducing artifacts, sculptures, or unique artwork from around the world. There’s nothing wrong with a brand-new vase. However, it will never top my oversized, handmade Moroccan clay pot filled with large bamboo shoots.”
Encompassing much of the first-floor landscape, the kitchen, dining room, and butler’s pantry are devoted to functional family living. But that isn’t to say it’s all about practicality. Laura’s artistry and affinity for international flair shine through in a big way.
“They say kitchens are the heart of the home, and it’s true,” she says. “We love to entertain, so I wanted a large dining room that could easily fit 10 people. The beautiful, extremely comfy, custom pink tiger sofa bench is the hero of the space … Overall, I wanted the home to be comfortable, unique, layered, and memorable.”
Laura’s biggest design challenge was starting with a home that was not fully custom. “We didn’t spend a year working on the drawings with an architect and then designing it just the way I wanted,” she explains. “It’s a semi-custom home. I picked everything but had many restrictions. It was a great learning experience; when you have limited options or few changes permitted to a floorplan, you start to truly consider what is really important to you in a home and how your family will best experience it.”
Given that both Laura and Josh work from home, creating inviting, productive office spaces was essential. Josh’s office has thoughtfully displayed baseball memorabilia surrounded by rich, peacock-meets-indigo-colored walls. In contrast, Laura’s office brings in a softer feminine vibe — the perfect place to welcome clients.
“My office had to be inspired, functional, and beautiful,” she tells us. “It’s always a joy to see clients’ faces when they get to the top of the landing. I suspect they don’t anticipate seeing such a professional yet spacious home office. The world of professional interior design is very intense and rewarding but stressful. It’s important that I have an office space that feels special.”
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.