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ALLISON ELEFANTE
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ALLISON ELEFANTE
Meg White, of her namesake Meg White Interiors, has a love for home design that runs deep.
A Nashville native, White has family roots in the design world, starting with her mom, Margie, and aunt, Hattie, a decorator and antique lover. As a young girl, White looked forward to their weekly trips to the antique mall, getting lost in the aisles upon aisles of treasures and trinkets. White’s interest in antiques only grew when she went to the University of Georgia for their interior design program. Upon moving back to Music City, White worked at Bradford Interiors, a store and interior design center on Hillsboro Road.
After a few years, she took a leap of faith and went on to establish her own brand, and opened her own little antique store called Petit Chateau. When her business partner relocated to Texas in 2008, White slowly transitioned back on her own to Meg White Interiors. Since then, she has established herself as a top designer in Nashville, known for her chic spin on timeless décor.
“I don’t have a signature Meg White Interiors style,” she says. “I truly just want the house to reflect the family. I do what I think would be the best of what they desire.”
And that’s exactly what she did for her clients on Elder Place.
“This specific project was really fun,” she says. “Years ago, back when I had my store and a business partner, we redid a room at Elder Place. I hadn’t heard from the client for quite a while, as they were planning on selling their house, but then about two years ago, she contacted me and said that they were adding on to their current home.”
Once the builders, The Marchetti Company, constructed the additional livable space, White got to work. With this specific project, the client knew what she did and did not want, and White took every detail into consideration to ensure the space felt as if it was always a part of the house, and that it also reflected the family that calls it home.
“The owners of Elder Place didn’t want a white kitchen because they tend to show dirt. Plus, the style of the kitchen had to be something that would last—timeless and not trendy,” she says. “That’s where we came up with the beautiful quarter sawn oak design. The cabinets were all hand done and truly create the ‘wowness’ of the kitchen.”
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ALLISON ELEFANTE
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ALLISON ELEFANTE
Behind many cabinet doors are garages for hidden appliances—pretty in the front, but practical in the back. Even the freezer sits behind a cabinet face in the pantry, creating clean lines, an organized space, and a timeless look.
“The kitchen is right off the living room, and although it’s technically not open concept and there’s some delineation between the spaces, the client wanted it to not feel like such a kitchen, so the warm wood tones from the cabinetry really help to blend the space with her family room.”
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and Elder Place has the type of kitchen that makes your heart skip a beat. White’s client is big into cooking and enjoys cooking meals for friends and family. With this in mind, White was intentional in choosing materials.
“The countertops and backsplash look like high-end marble, but they are porcelain slabs, meaning they aren’t porous so they won’t absorb, crack, or chip easily,” White says. “These were chosen purposefully so that they not only look seamless, but are also practical. If spaghetti sauce splashes on them, they won’t stain either.” No part of the kitchen was left untouched, from the depth and dimension of the coffered ceilings to the bold and spacious island.
“I loved the idea of the wood cabinets and once we figured out the finish I thought ‘I think we need something to break it up,’” she says. “Your eyes stop at the island and it’s like, ‘That’s a moment.’ While the house is mostly neutrals, the deep navy island is a pop in a sea of oak. Plus, the color blends with art in the family room and the wet bar to create a cohesive space.”
No detail was left unnoticed. The enviable farmhouse sink can fit a large sheet pan for easy washing; hardware shines in a warm brass finish to complement the warmth of the cabinetry; a prep sink just next to the range offers an additional space to wash fruits and veggies; and the oversized pendant lights were bumped up in size to fit the scale of the island. Lest we forget, the hood vent—in a plaster finish to provide texture and depth—is a strong element and focal point that is framed between two picture windows letting in ample amounts of natural light.
ALLISON ELEFANTE
Just off the kitchen is a a cozy and inviting living room, which boasts even more functional décor and a mix of textures and fabrics. “The clients are big readers and don’t watch much TV so we framed the fireplace as the focal point with a sofa across from it and two swivel chairs in front,” White says. “Everything in this room was picked specifically for texture, tone, and layers, but also practicality, too. All pieces of furniture were made with indoor/outdoor fabric because they have a dog and young kids, so they’re not just good looking, but make sense for the family, too.”
A commissioned painting above the fireplace, the funky astronaut art made by a local artist, and acquired pieces from traveling add pops of color to the room.
“I don’t do a lot of matching when I design,” White says. “One side table is an octagon shape with brass inlay and a marble top which is totally different from the wood one on the other side. The sofa is simple, with a clean arm so that the other furniture can be the stars, and there’s even a mirror with quills to provide a natural element.” Each piece is complemented by the room’s mix of textures, including a wool rug, wooden coffee table, raffia wallpaper, and a large, sumptuous leather chair.
ALLISON ELEFANTE
Vastly different from the neutral kitchen is the dark and moody powder bathroom. The small space is filled with big design elements. Monkeys dot the wallpaper, a bold mirror makes a grand statement, and a beautiful burl wood vanity provides warmth and stunning visual texture. The white marble countertop balances the darker toned walls and the brass hardware complements the burl to create an extravagant, hotel-like bathroom.
From one room to the next, Elder Place features clean lines, a timeless look, and chic, intentional design, but most importantly, it’s a space that the family can grow into, host their friends, and enjoy for years to come. (megwhiteinteriors.com)