Nashville natives Caroline and Clark Brewer are both naturals at writing creative vignettes. She is a visual merchandiser for a freelance stylist and also Anthropologie, and he is a photographer. So it’s no surprise that trendy displays embellish the couple’s two-story bungalow.
Using paint and a mix of classic accessories with modern furnishings, each room showcases a range of repurposed, budget-friendly furniture and splashes of bold hues to produce the couple’s own gallery of collected creative ideas. “I’m eclectic and I like to collect items from all over — from the flea market to West Elm and everywhere in between,” Caroline says.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Clark and Caroline Brewer
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Size: 1,521 square feet; 2 bedrooms,1 bath plus a second-level studio
Corynne Pless
In the dining area, a long troubled farm table combines a weathered secondhand seat and some modern finds from West Elm. Clark and Caroline found the chalkboard for $5 at a garage sale and Caroline pictured a modern household crest-type drawing to be inserted to it. They asked Chelsea Petaja, a local artist and friend, to style the crest.
Wall color: Alaskan Husky, Benjamin Moore; trim: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; chairs: Scoop-Back, West Elm; rug: West Elm; console: Dumont, West Elm; plantation dining table: Paul Michaels, Monroe, Louisiana
Corynne Pless
A wide array of family photos, art and decorate the breakfast area, abiding by Caroline’s decorating philosophy to personalize wherever possible, as every thing can help trigger a loving memory. The floral painting is from a flea market in Aix-en-Provence, France. “Clark took a wedding in France last year and we were lucky enough to get to travel across the country. It’s one of my favourite pieces in my house,” Caroline says.
Wall color: Sleigh Bells, Benjamin Moore; trim: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; table: Odyssey, CB2
Corynne Pless
A clear acrylic console shows some favourite house design publications and a pair of miniature classic bowling pins, embracing a easy styling suggestion shared by Caroline. “Start with your own principles and then gradually layer in furniture and accessories,” she says.
The metallic seat is classic.
Wall color: Horizon, Benjamin Moore; console: Peekaboo, CB2; lamp: TJ Maxx
Corynne Pless
The front door opens right into the living area where built-in bookshelves flank a painted brick fireplace. Clark and Caroline painted the brick fireplace as well as the interior of the cabinets when they first moved in. Mounted deer antlers hang over the mantel with a photograph of Caroline’s grandma’s The fresh flowers are from a nearby farmer’s market.
More: How to paint print like a pro
Chairs: 8th Avenue Antiques, Nashville; wall color: Horizon, Benjamin Moore; trim: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
Corynne Pless
These built-in cabinets enclosed in the breakfast area are original to the house and are utilized to keep serving dishes.
A classic ironing board doubles as a posh wet bar. Colorful bowls and pub essentials are accumulated on the timber while the libations have been stored in a rustic wire basket below.
Corynne Pless
The couple left the kitchen as is using its black countertops paired with glistening subway tile and stainless steel appliances.
Corynne Pless
The classic 1950s General Electric fridge in the laundry area was bought for $40 at an estate sale and shops the couple’s extra food and beverages.
Light: Knappa, Ikea
Corynne Pless
The previous homeowners included that the main bed frame along with a couple other house accessories for just $200. Caroline utilizes a dress form mannequin to organize a few accessories.
Linens and cushions: Bella Notte and West Elm; drapes: West Elm
Corynne Pless
A weathered dresser and little sitting nook are opposite the bed. An antique card table hangs as art.
Corynne Pless
“I love our hallway. I’m the visionary and Clark is the executor, the patient,” Caroline says. “We painted the hallway white to make it brighter and then Clark stenciled a graphic print on the walls in white metallic paint” The project took just two weekends.
The classic world map was found at an antique shop in Mississippi.
Corynne Pless
The next degree of the house is the couple’s home office and guest room, all accessed by a narrow, 21/2-foot-wide stairs.
On precisely the same desk at which Clark did his homework as a child, he edits his photography jobs.
Seat: Wrap Chair, West Elm
Corynne Pless
In Caroline’s workspace, she utilized neon washi tape to frame classic artwork above her classic metallic desk.
“Because the stairs is so narrow we had to cut the couch in half to get it up the stairs,” Caroline says. “Luckily we could reassemble it.”
Yellow armchair: estate sale; drapes: West Elm; desk seat: Ross
Corynne Pless
The couple picked up the classic bookshelf from an antique shop in Mississippi.
Corynne Pless
The second-floor studio has been outfitted with a classic iron twin bed frame dressed with mismatched colorful linens for visiting guests.
Corynne Pless
Planted out front are geraniums, hydrangeas and a few blue fescue grasses to frame their open porch.
Corynne Pless
Caroline relaxes with Clark on their porch swing. “I think that the secret to enjoying your house is decorating it with items that talk to you and not worrying about how it does all fit together,” Caroline says.
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