A Seat at the (Custom) Thanksgiving Table

We’re fast approaching the season of Thanksgiving, appropriately filling our team with an abundance of gratitude for all of our incredible clients, partners, and plentiful blessings both personally and professionally. For everyone who has had a hand in supporting our small business this year and beyond, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 

The holidays are notorious for putting homes on display, from festive parties to dinners with loved ones and cherished moments spent cozied up indoors. Need a few ideas to help spruce up your space last-minute? We have you covered here. In the meantime, we’re shedding light on a partnership we’re extra thankful for this year, and how we’ve banded together to create the perfect Thanksgiving gathering space for our clients. 

Littlebranch Farm

When it comes to natural wood furniture and stunning custom home decor, we know exactly who to turn to. Kelly Maxwell is the mastermind behind Littlebranch Farm, creating breathtaking pieces like fireplace mantles, coffee tables, dining tables, and more, fashioned out of live edge wood. We’ve loved incorporating these stunning pieces into a number of our projects, from showstopping mantles to unique end tables and stunning dining spaces built for memorable gatherings. Plus, we were recently featured together in an issue of AT HOME magazine, check it out! 

While custom pieces may take a little more time (and we’re happy to help facilitate ordering the perfect piece), there are a number of ready-made products available on their website. The perfect gift for yourself or a loved one! 

Rustic Pieces Brought to Life

One of our largest collaborations came through in a recent home renovation, where we added a custom bar space centered around a brick fireplace in a woodsy Nashville home. With the fireplace as a focal point, we know we needed stunning mantle pieces to further accent it. We added four small shelves for displaying bottles and barware, and a larger piece situated below our client’s taxidermied deer (a gift from Luke Bryan!). 

The Littlebranch Farm team executed our mantle vision perfectly, but we didn’t stop there. To complement the rustic touches throughout, the team fashioned a custom dining table with bench seating to accommodate large gatherings. We had a blast decorating the space once our full vision came to life. We broke down the full project here.

Thanksgiving Tips

When you work in a field where you’re designing kitchens and dining spaces all year long, we keep Thanksgiving and other gathering occasions top of mind through every build. We’ve learned a few tips and tricks you can implement if you’re hosting your own gathering this year: 

Fresh Flowers

There’s something about florals that immediately elevate and brighten a space. We love adding vases of seasonal flowers (like mums, roses, sunflowers, or carnations) around the house and as a centerpiece for your table. 

Seating

Make sure everyone has a space to relax, catch up, and enjoy their Thanksgiving feast! Before guests arrive, create thoughtful seating areas with seasonal touches so everyone feels right at home. 

Prep + Cleanup

When renovating a home, we always recommend dedicated spaces for party prep and cleanup that’s tucked away from the crowd, such as a scullery or prep kitchen. Of course, this may be hard to pull off before the big day, so we recommend identifying one secluded spot in your home that’s meant to contain the mess while the party’s in full-swing (best to start with an empty kitchen sink and dishwasher!). 

The PWID team is also gearing up to add all the finishing touches to each project this time of year. This means we won’t be taking on any new clients for 2023, but our books are open for 2024! We’d love to hear from you in the new year. 

Western Style Spotlight: Western Design Conference

The Paige Williams Interior Design style doesn’t traditionally skew Western, but we’re always up for learning about different trends and staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest in every aspect of design. Recently, Paige set out on her CEO trip – an annual opportunity to reflect and plan – in Jackson Hole, and while there were plenty of mountains to bike and views to enjoy, she also visited the Western Design Conference for a style spotlight honoring the best of the west. She met so many talented makers from furniture building, custom lighting, textile designs, and tons of artwork, plus interior designers who specialize in mountain living at its finest.

Paige ran into a familiar face from home on her adventure out west – talented furniture maker Kelly Maxwell of Little Branch Farm (who actually invited Paige to attend the show in the first place!). Kelly has contributed custom reclaimed wood pieces for a number of PWID projects (like this stunning mantle), with pieces perfectly suited for a plethora of design styles. From rustic to modern to, of course, Western, we’re proud to continue partnering with Kelly for our local clients. 

Check out some of our top takeaways from Wyoming!  

Show Takeaways

Overall, the show displayed impressive makers spanning arts, architecture and fashion all rooted in history. Paige was blown away at how many textile designers were in attendance, each excelling at both visual creativity and innovation. We particularly loved these stunning pieces!

Mountain Art by KimbieArt and Horse Paintings by Alexa Marie

Jute & Gold Threads Woven Textiles by Rhiannon Griego

Sapana Malaysia Coat

Exploring Jackson Hole

Paige was surprised to learn that the architecture throughout the city of Jackson Hole emulated modern mountain living as opposed to rustic cabin style traditionally found in a mountain town. This, coupled with the stunning landscapes from the surrounding Gros Ventre and Teton mountain ranges, definitely served up inspiration for future projects seeking similar style. Check out these photos! 

The Continuum Hotel

Pops of Color!

Mountain Ranges

Biking in Jackson, Wyoming

It’s Football Time in Tennessee

One of the benefits of living in the south is that the outdoor season goes beyond the summer months. While the heat and humidity does seem to overstay its welcome some years, everything from backyard BBQs to pool days and porch sipping can stick around well into the fall. This means that creating an outdoor oasis fit for any season is a staple around here, and we love helping our clients create transitional spaces that not only blend seamlessly from the inside out, but also perfectly shift from season to season. 

Check out this recent renovation we space planned & designed – with an extra exciting announcement at the end!  

Sports Bar

We’re not biased, but this is one of the coolest projects we’ve worked on to date. We helped completely transition the existing garage, which was used exclusively for storage beforehand, to a stunning lounge and bar space that carries through to the outdoors. Inside, we converted the concrete space to a lounge area complete with a wood-paneled wall from Good Wood Nashville covered in sports memorabilia near and dear to our clients’ hearts, a dedicated bar space with seating for five, and a separate lounge area with a TV, fireplace, shelving, and a sectional for added seating. 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

But what did we do with the garage doors, you ask? We gave them a facelift all their own. We swapped the metal lift doors for stunning accordion-style windows that open into the backyard from LaCantina Doors, allowing the beautiful rolling hills to be seen from the inside in chillier weather or opened into the back deck on nice days. We added a mesh screen to keep the bugs at bay. 

Pool Deck

The outdoor pool deck is a stunning oasis thanks to both the existing landscape and the design, serving as an extension to take the party from the inside out. The doors open to reveal a covered patio that cascades into a concrete pool deck, complete with loungers, a separate gathering area, and a covered space for grilling.

The sloped backyard offers stunning views of the surrounding area, which is perfectly rural and embodies the beauty of Tennessee in a stunning way. 

Fall-Friendly Outdoor Spaces

Creating a space fit for fall can be achieved in ways both big and small. Especially in the south, days can heat up when the sun is shining and cool off significantly once it sets, so consider adding an outdoor fireplace or a firepit surrounded by adirondack chairs for cozy evenings with a s’more in-hand. 

Of course, you can’t forget about football season! Adding an outdoor TV area with seating for a crowd, plus space for a grill, is the perfect way to host a tailgate right at home. 

Although… if you want an indoor/outdoor entertainment space as perfect as this one, we have some good news! This home is currently on the market, available to view HERE. If you want to help spruce up your current home, our door is open! 

Behind the Scenes: The Farmhouse in the Woods

The farmhouse trend has continued to grow in popularity in the south and beyond when it comes to home design, but we helped our Nashville-based clients go beyond decor to bring their stunning ranch-style home dreams to life in a recent renovation. From an expansive living and dining area to a jaw-dropping outdoor entertainment space, this farmhouse in the woods has it all to be a haven for entertainment and memories yet to be made. 

Let’s go behind the scenes of this project, from planning through the big reveal. 

The Design

We were involved with this build during the floor planning sessions all the way to completion in order to assist with all of the obstacles the construction process brings. 

The Details

There are a plethora of details throughout the Farmhouse in the Woods project, from curated art to custom wood pieces and more. In partnership with Kelly Maxwell of Little Branch Farm, we incorporated reclaimed wood throughout the home: as floating shelves utilizing wood from our client’s family farm, as fireplace mantles both inside and out and as custom statement furniture pieces. 

The outdoor entertainment space is a focal point in and of itself, made even more stunning through the addition of custom pieces from Karla Deal and Copper Is My Canvas. We added four pieces atop the mantle above the fireplace with a matching coffee table. Copper is an excellent material for outdoor projects as it’s conducive to changing weather. We added additional pieces of curated art throughout the home from artists Catron Wallace, Heidi Schwartz and Revi Ferrar. 

The Results

Through thoughtful touches and enhancements to our client’s build, we were able to help create a space that checks all of the family’s boxes. Entertainment was always a primary goal, which we achieved in multiple areas of the home from a prep sink in the kitchen to a cozy outdoor haven. 

The overall design expertly merges modern stylings with rustic touches, with sleek colorways and modern fixtures balanced by plenty of wood detailing. 

Do you need help executing your big ideas? We’re here for you!

How To: Add Entertainment Spaces Throughout Your Home

So you want to be the host with the most, but you don’t know where to begin? We’ve certainly been there with our clients, and we’re here to help. There are plenty of ways to add up the ante on entertainment in your home, from open-concept spaces to seating for a crowd and built-in amenities to make hosting a breeze. 

In a recent Nashville new construction project, we helped create multiple spaces perfectly suited for entertaining. While this home may be the ultimate gathering spot, incorporating just one of these ideas will have you well on your way to a perfect party in no time. 

Wine Pantry

When creating a pantry poised to hold everything our client’s would need to support not only their family, but also guests, we knew we needed a space for their impressive wine collection. During the building process, our clients added a hidden wine wall inside their pantry to both store and showcase their bottles, while also keeping it separate from the rest of the home. 

Whether you’re a wine, coffee, beer, or cocktail connoisseur, it’s important to be mindful of how storing bulky bottles may impact design. In this case, we were able to create a space that’s both functional and beautiful – and now they’re ready to pop the bubbly as soon as guests arrive!  

Outdoor Gathering

This particular build was tucked in a stunning wooded area, which was a natural focal point for outdoor entertainment. The back porch is elevated to offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, and there’s plenty of seating to accommodate larger gatherings. Plus, we added a small breakfast table facing so our clients and their guests can start every day with a spectacular view. With a fireplace at its center, the space can be used in any season. 

When creating outdoor entertainment space, seating is key. Consider adding a sectional and leaving room to add additional seating when needed. 

Prep Sink

We all know the woes of party prep and, even worse, party clean-up. When designing the kitchen layout, we incorporated a dedicated prep area with a separate sink to make the pre-party work a breeze. With a separate prep area, our clients can leave the primary kitchen space in mint condition while preparing for guests, or choose to use the prep area as a bar space to serve coffee or cocktails as guests arrive.

Dining Room

From dinner parties to grazing tables, the dining room is a key part of any entertainment set up. In this build, we added a six-person dining table directly off the kitchen that also offers stunning views of the surrounding woods. With beautiful details like a linear rod iron light fixture and locally-curated art, the dining area is ready to be adapted for a wide variety of gatherings.

Are you interested in incorporating dedicated entertainment spaces into your home? Give us a call today.