A Timeless Southern Colonial Home Tour
As interior designers in Nashville, TN, we often help our clients tell their stories through timeless design, but today I’m getting personal and opening the doors to my family home in Brentwood, TN for you! This home tour has been a long time in the making, and will walk you through one of the Southern colonial-style homes in the area. I’m so excited to share not just the design choices, but the heart behind every detail.
We moved into our colonial-style home four years ago after relocating from Dallas, and I knew from the minute we pulled up the long winding driveway that this place had something special. Among the many homes in Brentwood, TN, this one stood out. While it needed work, I could see the potential immediately, with the architectural details, the natural light, and the kind of layout that could be reimagined in incredible ways. Over the years, it’s evolved into a space that truly reflects who we are as a family, with every room holding a memory, a purpose, or a story we’re proud to share.
Southern Hospitality in Every Corner
One of the things I’m most proud of when it comes to my home, is the feeling people get when they walk through the door. Through thoughtful lighting, wallpaper, vintage art, and soft textures, every space in our home says, “You’re welcome here.”
We believe southern hospitality should be felt, not just shown! That’s why even our most formal rooms are designed with comfort in mind. This home tour is more than just a peek inside a house. It’s a love letter to functional design, meaningful details, and the kind of southern hospitality that turns a house into a home.
The Office: Where Creativity and Calm Come Together
This room used to be the formal dining room, but I knew right away it needed a new purpose. Since it’s the first space you see when you walk through the entry, I wanted it to feel polished but personal, so we turned it into somewhere I could work, dream, and create!
We added custom built-ins and the shelves display everything from current client samples to travel mementos, favorite design books, and little nods to my family. It’s styled, yes, but everything on these shelves is part of my everyday life as a designer (and mom).
The wallpaper in here is one of my favorite elements. It’s from Kelly Ventura, an artist I’ve admired for years, and I loved the idea of wrapping the entire space in it, including the ceiling. If you’ve never wallpapered a ceiling before, let this be your sign to do it! I promise it will take any room to a whole new level!
We added oversized iron doors with a soft gold hardware accent that ties back to the ones at the front of the house. They feel original to the home, which is always the goal in a colonial-style home like this. I didn’t want to close off the space completely, but I did want some separation. These doors give me that, and the glass keeps the whole entry feeling light and open.
One of my most favorite details is the hidden doorway from the office that leads straight to the kitchen. It’s not just functional, it’s a fun surprise, and one I use every day!
This space makes work feel a little more inspired. Whether I’m pulling samples for a new client project or hopping on Zoom with a design team, it’s the kind of office that reminds me how lucky I am to do what I love.
The Living Room: Light-Filled, Layered, and Full of Meaning
Our living room is one of the most sun-soaked and serene spots in the house, and it's packed with pieces that speak to our hearts! From a Restoration Hardware sofa that fits the oversized space just right, to a marble coffee table layered with travel mementos and old family photos, every object in this room was chosen intentionally.
You’ll spot tall arched windows and detailed molding throughout, a nod to the architectural details that give Southern colonial style homes their charm. We kept these original elements when remodeling, and now they act as natural transitions between our favorite spaces.
The fireplace, once outdated, now features a marble mosaic surround and soaring vertical art to draw the eye upward. The built-ins are filled with heirlooms, European finds, and personal treasures that reflect a lifetime of experiences and design evolution. It serves as a reminder that timeless home décor doesn’t have to mean expensive or trendy. It’s about layering in things that last and tell your story.
The Kitchen: Where Function Meets Southern Flair
When we bought the house, the kitchen didn’t make sense for a house this size. It was too small and poorly laid out for entertaining. So, we expanded into a former porch area to create a kitchen, family room, and dining space that flows beautifully, whether we’re entertaining or just making pancakes on a Saturday morning! Now, it features double islands (my absolute favorite feature), warm white cabinets paired with stained wood, and leathered quartzite countertops that offer both beauty and practicality.
You’ll also find a hidden pantry, a drink station, and cabinets that conceal everything from the fridge to the trash cans. Clean, streamlined, and beautiful!
We also added open shelving to display special pieces like art from European flea markets, antique breadboards, and family heirlooms. It’s one of those design choices that walks the line between pretty and personal, and that’s always my goal with functional design, to make your home work for your everyday routines and reflect your story.
The Family Room: The Treehouse Effect
Right off the kitchen is the family room, and I lovingly refer to it as our “treehouse.” The way the windows are positioned makes you feel completely surrounded by nature. When the breeze flows through and the deer walk by, you forget you’re just minutes from downtown Brentwood!
The palette here is soft and serene. We kept the furniture plush and the layout casual, perfect for movie nights, card games, or just watching the trees sway.
The Dining Room: Where Southern Colonial Meets Modern Classics
The dining room used to be a gathering space, but now it holds a large table, oversized bookcases, and the most beautiful floral wallpaper (from my new Spaces in Bloom line!). We filled the black bookcases with stemware, ginger jars, and antique art prints of old European buildings. The blue and white palette is a nod to traditional southern interiors, but the styling feels fresh and personal.
The Primary Suite: Calm, Cozy, and Just a Little Pink
Yes, there’s pink on our bed, and no, my husband doesn’t know (he’s color blind and a wonderful sport)! Our bedroom is so serene, filled with soft textures, elegant finishes, and a custom wallpaper design featuring delicate birds that always makes me smile (and adds warmth and whimsy).
The ensuite bathroom was completely gutted. We installed 100-year-old antique doors, a custom vanity with incredible amounts of storage (that got us featured in Martha Stewart), and champagne bronze fixtures that feel elevated without being over-the-top. And yes, I added a hidden water closet door because I hate seeing toilet doors in otherwise beautiful spaces. Design is in the details, right?
The Closet: Custom Storage with Personality
I’ll be honest, this closet was the tipping point for our renovation. My husband and I both love to shop (he might deny it, but his shoe collection says otherwise), and the existing closet just wasn’t going to work. The space used to be a home office but repurposing it into a custom walk-in closet gave us the room (and the joy!) we needed. We worked with a cabinetmaker to design every inch with intention. From pull-out drawers for accessories to double hanging rods, shoe shelves, and deep cabinetry for bags and seasonal items, it’s the kind of functional design that just makes life easier.
We added a large center island that serves multiple purposes. It’s great for folding laundry, setting out outfits, or (let’s be real) piling up clothes on busy weeks. Above, soft lighting and interior cabinet lights give it a boutique feel.
One of my favorite features? A display nook where I keep perfume, jewelry, and a few sentimental pieces, like a vintage tray that belonged to my grandmother. Every time I reach for a necklace or spritz my perfume, I think of her. It’s a dream space filled with organization, elegance, and just enough sparkle to make everyday routines feel special.
Outdoor Living: Spaces Made for Slowing Down
In true southern colonial style home fashion, the outdoor areas are just as inviting as the interior! From our screened-in porch (perfect for naps and summer storms) to the fire pit and grilling station on the patio, every corner outside is designed for gathering.
The pool was already here when we bought the home (it’s honestly a non-negotiable in Tennessee summers) and it’s surrounded with hydrangeas, rose bushes, and tall trees. It’s part sanctuary, part party central, and totally our happy place.
Why Home Is Everything to Us
More than anything, I believe that what gives a home its soul isn’t just pretty furniture or trendy finishes. It’s the memories. The meaning. The little details that say, “This is ours.”
If this home tour inspired you, or you’re ready to start making your home feel like you, we’d love to help. At Spaces in Bloom Designs, we know that beauty matters but comfort and story matter even more. Our goal is simple, to create a space where family and friends can feel deeply at home. That’s the same philosophy we bring to every client project, honoring meaningful objects, prioritizing functional design, and creating spaces that reflect who you are. Contact us today and let’s bring your dream space to life!
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