How To Bring Your Dream to Picture-Perfect

Ever wonder what it really takes to transform a home from Pinterest boards to picture-perfect? It’s a mix of meticulous planning, professional execution, and just a little elbow grease at the end for a photo finish. We recently wrapped up a full-home remodel that started in June 2023, and we’re taking you behind the scenes from ideation to the final pillow fluff.

Let’s get started. 

The Process: From First Meeting to Final Reveal

Every great design starts with a conversation. What works? What doesn’t? What are the must-haves? What does your family need to function at your best? This particular home had a kitchen that functioned—but not as well as it could. Builder-grade cabinets stopped short of the ceiling, leaving storage untapped. Appliances cluttered the countertops. The layout was fine, but it needed refinement to fit a duo that loves to cook, bake, and entertain.

We maximized every inch of the kitchen while keeping the existing footprint. Through careful planning, we stretched the cabinets to the ceiling, providing more storage and a polished look. We added a built-in coffee station to replace the clutter of countertop appliances. We gave the appliances a major overhaul, adding a gas range, double (steam) oven, and sub-zero fridge that turned a standard kitchen into a chef’s dream. And because every great kitchen needs hidden storage, we converted the old laundry room into a butler’s pantry with an extra fridge and dishwasher.

The visual transformation was just as intentional as the logistics. White quartz with bold black veining stretches to the ceiling. Warm cedar cabinets and ebony-stained lowers add contrast. And the hardware makes a bold statement with mixed metals in matte black and gold. Even the lighting is layered for the perfect ambiance, with recessed lights, under-shelf lighting, sconces, and pendants all working together to offer the perfect vibe for any occasion. 

The Final Toast and Touches

At the end of every project, it’s important for us to celebrate our clients' visions and the hard work that went into executing the design. We host a client appreciation party, this time in their newly renovated kitchen. The celebration was complete with delicious food from their favorite local spot, Sunflower Café, and glasses of champagne raised in gratitude. Inviting the contractors and their subs to join in allowed us all to relive the project's ups and downs together. During the celebration, we showcased before photos of each space alongside the newly improved interiors, creating a perfect “look how far we’ve come” moment. 

Post-party, there’s one more step: photos. This is where function, beauty, and a job well done collide into a magazine-worthy moment. When we plan a photoshoot at one of our properties, we make sure every detail is addressed: pretty soap pumps, containers for everything, perfectly placed accessories, and fresh flowers to breathe in new life. 

How to Make Your Own Home Feel Photoshoot-Ready

Sometimes, you won’t need a full renovation to get a designer-level look at home. Take our insights from photoshoot styling to help your home be fit for a magazine cover all the time. 

Start with function: hide the clutter, swap out everyday items for prettier alternatives, and invest in storage that keeps everything in its place. Small upgrades—like matching soap dispensers, a chic tray, or beautiful baskets—help keep your space looking curated. Next, match functionality with style. Open shelving is perfect for easily grabbing your most-used items, but keep in mind things like cutting boards and dishes can serve double-duty as design pieces. 

Whether you’re planning a renovation or just looking to refresh your space, the right details—both big and small—make all the difference. Reach out to schedule your consultation today.

The “Old Made New” Trend in Practice

Earlier this month, we shared all our takeaways from the Antiques & Garden Show in Nashville – a mecca for design inspiration both timeless and modern. One of our biggest observations stemmed from antiques: while heirloom pieces have long been used to accent spaces, we witnessed many designers and collectors breathing new life into those pieces. 

Dated wooden chairs had been reinvigorated with bold, brand-new fabrics, and showrooms had new components like modern art and trending wallpaper woven together with historic elements like classic china and timeworn sconces. 

Being big fans of bold prints and quality materials ourselves, we’re big fans of this shift. And actually, we’ve put it into practice! 

Check out how we incorporated beloved antiques into this refreshed home. 

Dining Room

If there’s one room synonymous with antiques, it’s the dining room. China cabinets, pressed linens, and storied chandeliers often define dining room decor, but in this recent renovation, we wanted to bring a touch of freshness to the space.

We started with our client’s existing dining room set, refreshing the chairs with new, durable fabric. Then, we decorated the surface with her stunning collection of linens and silver, adding fresh-cut blooms to liven up the space. 

When focusing on designing around antiques, remember it’s perfectly fine (and we might even say encouraged) to incorporate modern trends as well. In the dining room, we added a trending paint color to the walls and the ceiling, and finished the look with high-quality curtains in a print that seamlessly combined old and new. We decorated the wall by hanging her collection of antique plates. 

Finally, we upgrade the room’s lighting with modern options, focusing on reflecting light up onto the ceiling instead of down onto the guests. 

Living Room

Even with heirlooms in mind, we never waver on our commitment to increasing functionality in a space. Our client had a desk for work taking up a chunk of her living space, so we got creative with rearranging to give her a more dedicated work area that could still double as entertaining space. 

We added wainscoting to the wall – which itself is an old trend made new again. In Amish tradition, wainscoting included a thick ledge for hanging chairs at the end of the day. We incorporated this technique by making the ledge a bit thicker for our client to display her artwork, always movable and never anchored to the wall. 

We incorporated the new lighting into the living room as well (which is on trend for 2025) and brought a fresh coat of paint to the walls and ceilings. 

If you have collected pieces that need a modern twist, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today!

Takeaways from the 2025 Antiques & Garden Show

For the past 15 years, Paige has wandered the floor of Nashville’s Antiques & Garden Show in search of new design trends, repurposed heirlooms, and stunning landscapes. Back this year for its 34th run, the show supports Cheekwood Estate & Gardens and ECON Charities. The show brings together tons of exhibitors showcasing the best in antiques, gardens, and horticulture, and also offers an educational lecture series (this year’s keynote: Brooke Shields!). 

We left this year’s show feeling inspired and enlightened – here are our big takeaways.

Old Made New: Repurposing Antiques

It’s no surprise the “Antiques” & Garden Show was filled with heirloom pieces. But, one thing that struck us this year was that many of the items had been made new again. Dated wooden chairs had been reinvigorated with bold, brand-new fabrics, and showrooms had new components like modern art and trending wallpaper woven together with historic elements like classic china and timeworn sconces. 

Might we suggest… adding a designer-made modern pillow to an antique couch?!

Heirloom pieces are a funny thing – many things like serving ware and platters were designed for very specific purposes, which was a sign of wealth back in the day. This year, Paige was delighted to see lots of oyster trays making a comeback.

UK versus U.S. Design

One of the lectures shed light on the differences in home design between the United States and the United Kingdom. Led by British design icons Veere Grenney and Rita Konig, plus the editor-in-chief of FREDERIC, Dara Caponigro, Paige’s biggest takeaway was the juxtaposition between old and new. 

In the UK, most homes are historic in and of themselves, embodying a timeless charm and plenty of trending “cottage core.” Designers may modernize a space by adding high-quality prints and tapestries or new furniture, weaving in heirloom pieces to tie in the home’s central charm.

But in the U.S., the trend to fill ultra-modern homes with antiques (mainly procured from the UK) is a stark contrast. It’s not uncommon to see a new build with floor-to-ceiling windows, brand-new appliances, and the latest and greatest technology, then decorated with curated antique pieces. 

Designers are Better Together

Paige didn’t explore the Antiques & Garden Show alone. This year, she attended alongside three fellow design firms, each bringing a unique perspective to the show. Unsurprisingly, Paige was drawn to bold colors and funky prints, while others gravitated to exhibitors better aligned with their preferred styles. 

That’s precisely why a show like this is so beneficial – it offers plenty of useful learnings spanning a variety of tastes, so attendees can find ways to tweak their personal style while also exploring those drastically different. 

Interested in incorporating some of these takeaways into your own designs? Let’s chat.

The Convergence of Mid-Century and Modern

We love a trend (speaking of, see our predictions for 2025!), especially when one once popular rears its head years later. Mid-century modern interiors are inspired by the mid-20th century, so think back to those living rooms you saw on your favorite sitcoms. The style is marked by lots of natural materials, clean lines, bold pops of color, and functionality. So, needless to say, we love it. 

We were recently privileged to work on an entire mid-century modern-inspired renovation in Nashville. We’ve already shared details on our stunning kitchen makeover, and now we’re taking things into the bedroom. 

Go behind the scenes with us to see how we put the modern in this mid-century masterpiece.

Old vs. New

One trend we’re happy to see move on is white-washing or obscuring natural wood. Don’t get us wrong, we understand how these elements can make a space feel dated, but we’re here to remind you that a little careful sprucing can go a long way without slapping paint on top of your home’s character. 

This particular remodel had lots of bold cherry wood original to the home, and through thoughtful design, we were able to honor the original wood and make it a 2025-approved focal point of the space. We accented it with moody purple paint (reminder why we love this for bedrooms), a neutral accent wall, and custom drapery that tied it all together. 

Mid-Century Modern Touches

Preserving the natural wood couldn’t be the only mid-century modern element we incorporated. We kept the theme woven seamlessly throughout with things like geometric print on the custom drapes, a funky bedside sconce with an exposed bulb, a neutral yet textured wallpaper adding intrigue, and a bed frame with lots of clean lines. 

The theme continued as we turned to knicknacks. We used simple rectangle decorative boxes for storage, a simple circular mirror above the dresser, and incorporated gold metal accents throughout. 

Automation

Now, there’s nothing mid-century and everything modern about this next part. We cited automation as a big design trend we’ve been seeing in recent years, but one thing that’s often overlooked is the amount of careful planning required to pull it off well. For this build, we wanted the curtains and drapes to be able to open and close with only the touch of a button. Working with a designer ensures the goal of automation is present every step of the way: from selecting the fabric through sourcing the technology, concealing any mechanisms, a seamless install, and a functional mechanism. 

Whether you’re a lover of all things mid-century, a modern maven, or a little bit of both, we’re here to help you achieve all your goals. Get in touch! 

Paige’s 2025 Design Trend Predictions

A new year always ushers in a new wave of trends — in fashion, in behavior, and, of course, in design. Over the years we’ve watched trends in home design evolve from all-white everything to bold pops of color, from ultra-modern to warm and cozy. As designers, it’s our job to stay on top of these trends, differentiating what’s “right” from what’s “right now,” then blending it all with the individual design preferences of each of our clients. 

We’re thrilled to see that the direction home design is heading this year matches much of our own personal style. From leveled-up lighting to a touch of nature, these are four design trends we’re predicting to see this year. 

Color is Back

If you know us at all, you know how exciting this is. We’re notorious for our use of color in design, whether that’s an all-pink salon, a moody bedroom with careful color choices that set a certain mood, or nature-focused browns and greens creating a seamless transition between indoor and out. 

Color can bring warmth, intrigue, and plenty of personality into a home, and there are several ways to do it. If going all-in on painting your walls and ceiling a bold hue isn’t for you, consider adding pops of color through accent furniture, eye-catching decor, or even fabrics. 

Or, might we interest you in a colorful pillow?! Grab yours here. 

Lights, Camera, Action

Lighting can impact the ambiance of a space more than any other design choice you make. Something too bright can feel industrial or institutional quickly, but lights too dim are less than functional. We’ve always paid close attention to our lighting selections, but where the trend used to be recessed or hidden lighting, we now get to make it part of the fun. 

We’re seeing lots of fixtures using textured materials, trimmed with things like tassels, grasscloth, and sea glass, or made with a mix of elegant metals and finished wood. We’re thrilled to see this trend emerge – because pretty lights are absolutely able to put the fun in functional. 

Natural Materials

We’ve been highlighting this since our first visit to Jackson Hole–natural materials are a stunning incorporation into design. Wood is an obvious, with it making a well-deserved return in cabinetry, on ceilings, or even in lighting as we mentioned before. 

In Jackson Hole, architecture and design plays seamlessly with their stunning surroundings. We love seeing wood take center stage, mixed perfectly with stone, natural metals, and other earthy enhancements. 

Smart-Home Technology

Having a home filled with gadgets and automation isn’t a novel idea in 2025, but it’s a trend that certainly isn’t going away. From smart garage door openers to sophisticated security systems all the way down to shades that open and close with the push of a button, it’s equal parts functional and impressive when you have a home that just gets you. 

But one trend we’re hoping to incorporate this year is using designers to achieve your smart home goals. In order to make all parts work together seamlessly, it takes careful attention to detail and plenty of advanced planning. We recently spearheaded a smart shade and curtain system in a primary bedroom, and it took five experts working together to get it right. 

We’re always here to help clients incorporate trends into their homes, all while lending our industry expertise to be sure it’s done well. From automated everything to bringing earthy touches indoors, let’s chat about your big dreams this year.