Flower

“Since I was a kid, I just wanted to be in Nashville.”—KEITH URBAN THESE WORDS—SO PASSIONATE, PLAIN, AND SIMPLE—reflect the spirit of this town. Of late, it seems more and more people from all over “just want to be in Nashville.” And the influx is undergirded by a welcoming population of native and longtime Nashvillians. The city is an effervescent cocktail of contrasts: the Schermerhorn Symphony Center filled with the strains of the Nashville Symphony; devotees of country music at its Mother Church, the Ryman Auditorium; gussied-up ladies and gents attending the Iroquois Steeplechase; Bridgestone Arena teeming with hockey fans decked out in “Preds” gear; and an all-ages audience at a Taylor Swift concert in Nissan Stadium. Look up to see sleek, sky-high buildings downtown and gracious old-world mansions and…

“ Whether it’s a floral subscription, a clipping from your garden, or a bouquet from the farmers market, flowers do wonders for the heart and the spirit.”—MELANIE MARSHALL, FLORAISON “ Is there anything that can transform a moment, a morning, a mood, or a space as instantly as an array of fresh flowers? Their color, fragrance, movement, ability to attract the eye (and distract it!), and the sheer sensual pleasure they give make them nearly miraculous.”—ARIELLA CHEZAR, ARIELLA CHEZAR DESIGN, SHOWHOUSE FLORAL DESIGN CHAIR “ When beginning an arrangement, I have an idea of the story I want to tell. Often the flowers write their own script—I just help direct them.”—ANNA LISA DOBBS, ANNA LISA DESIGN “ Flowers really are the punctuation for any room. I strive to create a…

The FLOWER Showhouse nestles among 6 lush acres in Nashville’s Belle Meade neighborhood, only a hop, skip, and a jump from the bustle of Music City. “It’s almost like you hear the sound of trumpets as you drive down Belle Meade Avenue, go past the gates of Percy Warner Park, and turn into the stately driveway,” says Honorary Chair Alexa Hampton. While the setting was a wow, the original manor-style house, built in 1999, was more than due for a reimagining of its interiors. Enter architect Jamie Pfeffer of Pfeffer Torode who readied the house for the here and now with thoughtful and strategic renovations, working alongside Maker Construction. “We approached this house like an editor as we altered and refined it, looking at how we could customize the interiors…

MAKINGAN ENTRANCE Margaret’s design unfolds with a progression of interesting pattern, from the diamond design of the Artistic Tile floor at the entry to the scenic Lee Jofa wallcovering that evokes a Flemish tapestry in the vestibule. COLOR WHEEL “For the palette, we were influenced by a Brunschwig & Fils fabric we chose for the prominent table skirt in the atrium. The floral print bursts with bright, lively colors and plenty of personality as it pulls everything together.” STATELY STAIRCASE “It’s a sizeable space that needed a statement, and a gallery wall of old portraits, landscapes, and sunburst mirrors felt very British-country-house.” A runner from Sacco Carpet echoes the palette of blue - and - white porcelain Margaret sprinkled throughout her spaces. BRIGHT SURPRISE On a paneled wall at the…

NEUTRAL FOUNDATION “I knew I would be including jewel tones in the upholstery fabrics and other colorful art and accents, so I didn’t want the walls to compete. I selected a quiet Thibaut grasscloth set above the wainscotting that brings warmth and texture. For the ceiling, though, I did include a bit of shimmer—Perennials Celestial gilded wallpaper. The paint trim color, ‘Green Stone’ from Little Greene, provides an ideal frame for the wallpapers and décor.” POWER PLAYER “Some clients shy away from purple and pink hues, so I thought it would be fun to show how fabulous a dose of raspberry can be. We had a sectional sofa upholstered in a luscious deep pink velvet; it feels like an indulgent dessert!” ANTIQUE ADDITIONS To evoke a room that had been…

THE RIGHT PLACE “To make a room this large feel both physically and emotionally luxurious and yet intimate, I arranged furniture from my new collection for Baker Furniture to bridge spatial gaps. I like to pull pieces away from the walls which provides an opportunity to play with shadows and light.” SIZE UP Susan knew the room could handle a wallcovering with an expansive pattern, so she chose a scenic paper from Paul Montgomery. “I was attracted to the color, reflectivity, and scale.” BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL The overhead lighting had to command some real estate to be taken seriously—anything too small would get lost. Susan selected a Currey & Company chandelier, appropriately named ‘Magnum Opus,’ in a tiered style with rows of leaves in white glass. “It’s hard to imagine the room…