Decor Goals: This Nashville Home's Green Kitchen Cabinets!

Nashville’s Historic Waverly neighborhood may be only a few miles from the neon lights of Broadway, but it’s a pocket of serenity — walkable to charming shops and restaurants, close to the action without being too close. And in the middle of it all, this beautifully renovated circa-1914 home merges historic charm and contemporary style with washes of color — green kitchen cabinets, a navy clawfoot tub, and more.

A hallmark of Sara Ray, this hallway boasts elegant wood flooring, a large potted plant, and a cabinet adorned with green glass decor. The space is beautifully completed by a stunning stained glass front door—a truly captivating home feature. — Welcome to this gorgeous abode designed by Sara Ray Interior Design — a balance of historic charm and modern elegance. Image: Allison Elefante

A cozy living room by Sara Ray features dark wood accents, a brick fireplace, a white lounge chair, and a glass coffee table. A large green plant adds freshness, while shelves showcase books and decorative items. — “This home exudes warmth, character, and a distinctly collected vibe,” says Sara Ray. Image: Allison Elefante

Thanks to the expertise of Sara Ray Interior Design and Allard Ward Architects, this 3,520-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom residence underwent an extensive renovation. The homeowners, passionate about mid-century furnishings, historic homes, houseplants, and their beloved dogs, sought to create a space that felt modern yet connected to its history. “This was a complete renovation and addition project,” says Sara Ray, founder and principal designer at Sara Ray Interior Design. “The kitchen and all baths were completely gutted, and all surfaces in the home — such as flooring, tile, and cabinetry — were replaced. New light fixtures and plumbing fixtures were installed. The two-story addition extended the rear of the house, which became a primary bathroom upstairs and a screened-in porch, mud room, and family room on the main level.” Every aspect of the home was carefully considered, including structural repairs, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC updates, ensuring that the house was not only beautiful but also functionally sound for modern living. Additionally, a wall was removed on the main level to create an open, flowing living and dining space. Exterior updates, including a fresh coat of paint and the addition of an outdoor living area with a fire pit, enhanced the home’s curb appeal and livability.

A cozy living room features a teal sofa, glass coffee table, and large potted plant. Bookshelves and a fireplace grace the background, while a black chandelier adds elegance to the ceiling. — Among other things, we’re pretty impressed with the homeowners’ green thumb! Image: Allison Elefante

“In our previous house, we had migrated toward a more modern and mid-century style, though we had always been drawn toward older homes, too,” explains the homeowner. “For this project, we wanted to honor the history and unique elements of the house but also incorporate more modern elements and furnishing. Sara did a great job of pushing us to embrace adding modern elements and making us comfortable that the original elements of the house would still shine through.” The home’s shingle-style architecture is reminiscent of the Craftsman movement, a style that aligns perfectly with the City Beautiful Movement—an urban planning initiative in the late 1800s to early 1900s that shaped the Historic Waverly neighborhood. Curved streets and lush gardens define the area, creating a picturesque backdrop for this design-driven transformation.

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A cozy living room features a tan sofa, patterned armchairs, and a large circular ottoman. Artwork and plants adorn the space, while a decorative fireplace and large windows flood the home with natural light. — A previously hidden fireplace in the family room was uncovered during renovations, becoming a stunning focal point. Image: Allison Elefante

Living room featuring a decorative fireplace, modern art, and a mix of patterned and solid cushions on a beige sofa. A round coffee table and plants add accents to the cozy space. — “The beautiful fireplace that was uncovered in the family room was a wonderful surprise!” Sara shares. Image: Allison Elefante

A modern dining room features a wooden table with six chairs, a central floral arrangement, decorative plants, elegant wall art, and a contemporary chandelier. — The open dining room is accented with potted plants and rust-colored chairs. Image: Allison Elefante

“I love mixing old and new elements in design, so this project was a dream to work on!” Sara says of the home’s footprint and style. “It is important to me that my clients’ spaces reflect who they are, their interests, and their personal aesthetic … This project’s clients’ extensive art and large houseplant collection, as well as many vintage mid-century modern furnishings, were the inspiration for the interiors.” The homeowners also really wanted to keep a few original elements. “The kitchen had some exposed brick from the back of an original fireplace,” they share. “We wanted to preserve and highlight that, so we were thrilled when Sara came up with a plan to incorporate brass shelving there that allowed us to continue to showcase the brick.”

The green kitchen, a standout feature from Sara Ray's design, boasts marble countertops and a wooden island with leather chairs. Pendant lights illuminate the space, while white and gold accents complete the homey decor. — The kitchen was completely reimagined with custom green cabinetry, a brass-clad range hood, and exposed brick, incorporating elements of both history and modern craftsmanship. Image: Allison Elefante

A Sara Ray gem, this modern kitchen showcases green cabinets, a marble backsplash, and brass accents. A wooden island with brown leather chairs and spherical pendant lights completes the design, making it a standout home feature. — The homeowners praise Sara for her help with unique kitchen elements, including designing a custom brass-clad range hood and a custom butcher block island. Image: Allison Elefante

Brass shelves, adorned with glassware and decorative bottles, feature a charming plant that adds life to the exposed brick wall backdrop. — The exposed brick in the kitchen became a highlight, beautifully accentuated by custom brass shelving. Image: Allison Elefante

“The updated flow feels open and modernized while still respecting the home’s historic integrity,” Sara tells us of the home’s layout. “The entry remained intact, with formal living and dining rooms on either side. The homeowner currently uses what would have historically been the dining room as their office.” She also explains that the family room and new dining area were opened for a more modern, open concept. “The kitchen remained in the same location, but the back side was extended as part of the new addition,” she says. “Also on the main level are a guest bedroom, guest bathroom, powder room, mudroom, and family room. The home’s upstairs includes a guest bedroom and bath, laundry, and primary suite. The primary bathroom was part of the addition.”

This living room features an orange sectional sofa, two white ottomans, and a cozy armchair. Large potted plants add greenery, while a framed artwork on the wall completes this inviting home feature. — Plush seating and oodles of natural light abound in this cozy family room. Image: Allison Elefante

Sara Ray's design features a cozy living room with a textured armchair, orange sofa, and large potted plants. A small wooden side table holds a floral arrangement, perfectly complementing the white-blinded window. — Texture, texture, and more texture make this space particularly warm and inviting. Image: Allison Elefante

A stunning bathroom by Sara Ray features a black and white tiled floor, a dark green vanity, an oval mirror, silver pendant lights, and a checked towel. This elegant home feature perfectly balances classic charm with contemporary style. — The tile design in this powder bath makes a statement while still maintaining subtlety. Image: Allison Elefante

A neatly made bed with brown and patterned pillows against a tan headboard, flanked by two lamps. A modern abstract painting hangs on the wall above. — The primary bedroom captures both masculine and feminine energy with its modern art and classic refinement. Image: Allison Elefante

View of a bathroom designed by Sara Ray, featuring black framed sliding doors, a vintage tub, a chandelier, and a window with sheer curtains. — The primary bathroom exudes vintage charm with antique-inspired tile flooring and a refinished clawfoot tub, seamlessly integrated with modern vanities and lighting. Image: Allison Elefante

This bathroom features a freestanding clawfoot tub and a leafy plant. A chandelier adds elegance, while a window with white curtains lets in natural light. The floor is tiled in an intricate white pattern. — “We wanted to preserve the original claw-foot tub, so we had it refinished and used it as a focal point for the new primary bathroom,” says the homeowner. Image: Allison Elefante

Modern bathroom with dual wooden vanities, gold fixtures, and large mirrors. Black double doors feature access to a bedroom where sunlight streams through windows, illuminating the bed. — Sliding doors separate the master bath from the master bedroom. Image: Allison Elefante

Completed in Fall 2023, the renovation was a two-year labor of love. Sara succeeded in crafting a space that reflects the homeowners’ personalities, passions, and lifestyles while maintaining the home’s historic beauty. With a perfect fusion of past and present, the house is now a warm, inviting sanctuary.