Nashville’s Forest Hills section is home to a historic ranch that painter Elizabeth Stern purchased in 2020. The property, which includes a poolhouse and barn, had barely been touched since its construction in 1950.
According to the report, Stern saw an opportunity to transform the space with the help of a good design team. She called on local architecture firm Pfeffer Torode, and lead architect Erin Cypress brought interior designer Liz Bonesio on board.
The team worked together to fill the ranch with color and personality, and bring natural light into its darker areas. Cypress devised a series of cased openings to connect the private quarters with the public areas.
A sunroom addition off the kitchen, living, and dining rooms was also proposed, connecting these spaces with the garden and patio. “Now it’s a space that pulls you into the outdoors,” Cypress says.
The architect notes that even when you aren’t physically outside, the space feels like it is, thanks to the many windows and high ceilings. Stern also requested that recessed lights be kept to a minimum.
Bonesio delivered on this request, sourcing a variety of flush-mount fixtures to spread light around the space. The use of color was also a key aspect of the design, with an earthy, pink-toned terra-cotta emerging as a recurring theme.
This theme is paired with blues, including Farrow & Ball Skylight, a pale blue-gray that brings out the warmth of the terra-cotta. The result is a space that feels both natural and playful, much like a colorful home that reflects the owner’s personality.
Every detail of the project has Stern’s personal touch, from the design of the kitchen to the chickens’ roost in the barn, which features its own chandelier. “I love when you have the opportunity to work with someone whose home really is a reflection of them,” Cypress says.
The kitchen features wood ceilings that bring warmth and texture to the space. An all-wood island with no plumbing was also designed, and the rest of the space boasts ample cabinetry with a heavily veined stone countertop.
A butler’s pantry features stone floors that add durability and a sense of patina. A deep sink turns a storage room into a convenient space for arranging flowers, and cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore Sandblast and Sherwin-Williams Blustery Sky hold Stern’s ceramics.
The sunroom features a standout blue ceiling that calls attention to the room’s sprawling height. This space is designed for everyday meals, and the blue ceiling makes it feel even more connected to the outdoors.
The dining room doubles as a spot to display the homeowner’s art collection. Paneling painted in Farrow & Ball Skylight allows Stern to hang art salon-style, and a dining table-slash-pool table and piano are also featured in the room.
In the living room, colorblocking on the shelves puts a playful twist on classic silhouettes. Built-ins painted in Domingue Architectural Finishes mineral paint and Fine Paints of Europe GC822 flank the original marble mantel, creating a unique look that is reminiscent of classic designs with a personal touch.
A mudroom features a vintage sink that anchors the space and brings utility and charm. The sink was found on Facebook Marketplace, and the Chicago Faucets taps were de-plated to let the unlacquered brass show.
The primary bedroom combines chintz florals with modern furniture shapes for a dynamic scene. A Dennis Miller bed upholstered in Rose Tarlow fabric introduces a cozy mix of prints.
The guest room features shapely headboards that get an extra dose of drama with lively green paint. The Peter Fasano wallpaper inspired a natural palette, save for the bold hues on the bedframes and blankets.
The bathrooms feature cafe curtains that lend privacy while allowing light to filter in. The primary bathroom includes a gilded papier-mâché Fisher Weisman chandelier and a Victoria + Albert bathtub with Barber Wilsons Co. tub filler.
A greenhouse features an A-frame structure that carries the whimsy and playfulness outdoors. A Hartley Botanic Victorian plant house serves as a potting shed and prep zone for herbs from the garden, making it easier to prepare a house for sale by showcasing its best features.
By the time the project was complete, every detail had Stern’s personal touch.
The result is a space that feels both natural and playful.
