Every artist needs light and color. A historic ranch in the Forest Hills section of Nashville was missing those key elements when painter Elizabeth Stern bought it in 2020, but it had other unique charms. For starters, it had barely been touched since it was built in 1950—a renovator’s dream. Then there was the property, more than eight acres (yes, within city limits), including a poolhouse and barn—structures now more difficult to build thanks to zoning restrictions. Stern saw an opportunity and knew a good design team could help her transform it. So she called on local architecture firm Pfeffer Torode, and the project’s lead architect, Erin Cypress, brought in interior designer Liz Bonesio to tackle the job. Over the next two years, the three concocted a plan to fill the ranch with color and personality, and bring the light of day into its darker recesses.
First things first: light. Cypress devised a series of cased openings to bridge the private quarters at one end of the house, where the bedrooms are located, with the public areas at the other end, where Stern wanted a free-flowing space to throw parties and play pool and mah-jongg. Then the architect proposed a sunroom addition off the kitchen and living and dining rooms, connecting them with the garden and patio. “Now it’s a space that pulls you into the outdoors,” Cypress says.“Even when you aren’t physically outside, it almost feels like you are because there are so many windows and the ceiling height is so gracious.” Stern also asked to use as few recessed lights as possible. Bonesio delivered, except for a handful in the kitchen, sourcing a variety of flush-mount fixtures to spread light around. Next, color. From the beginning, she and Stern had fun with it, Bonesio says. An earthy, pink-toned terra-cotta emerged as a recurring theme, from the plaster walls of the dining room that doubles as an art salon to the reclaimed French parefeuille floors of the sunroom. It’s paired with blues—mostly Farrow & Ball Skylight, a pale blue-gray that brings out its warmth.
By the time the project was done, every detail had Stern’s personal touch—even the chickens’ roost in the barn (complete with its own chandelier). “I love when you have the opportunity to work with someone whose home really is a reflection of them,” Cypress says. “Her perspective made it so beautiful.”
Living Room
Pictured above.
Built-ins painted in Domingue Architectural Finishes mineral paint in Primrose (insets) and Fine Paints of Europe GC822 (trim) flank the original marble mantel. Flush mount: Remains Lighting Company. Chandelier: Room. Curtains: custom, in Lee Jofa fabric. Rug: custom, Erden.
Kitchen
Stern specified an all-wood island with no plumbing, so Cypress had one made in oak.
Paint: Chapel (cabinets), Domingue Architectural Finishes. Countertop: Cristallo Azul quartzite. Faucet: Barber Wilsons & Co. Pendants: Balsamo.
Butler’s Pantry
A deep Kohler sink turns a storage room into a convenient space for arranging flowers. Pendants: Remains Lighting Company. Countertop: London Silk quartzite, Triton Stone Group.
Across from the utility sink, cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore Sandblast (frames) and Sherwin-Williams Blustery Sky (shelves) and backed in Zak + Fox wallpaper hold Stern’s ceramics.
Sunroom
The “catbird seat” is what Cypress calls this idyllic corner off the kitchen for everyday meals. The blue ceiling makes the cheerful space feel even more connected to the outdoors.
Pendant: Soane. Shades: Zak + Fox fabric with Bruder trim. Banquette: custom, Room, in Casal (body) and Perennials (cushions) fabrics. Table: Christophe Delcourt. Chairs: Schwung.
Dining Room
Stern wanted to host parties, not just dinners. Paneling painted in Farrow & Ball Skylight lets her hang art salon-style. Nearby are a dining table slash pool table and a piano. Wall plaster: Brique, Domingue Architectural Finishes. Chairs: Rose Tarlow.
Mudroom
The “very heavy” sink was a Facebook Marketplace find; the Chicago Faucets taps were de-plated to let the unlacquered brass show. Paint: Seapearl (walls), Pilgrim Haze (trim), and Blue Note (door), all Benjamin Moore. Pendants: Currey & Company.
Primary Bedroom
A Dennis Miller bed upholstered in Rose Tarlow fabric introduces a cozy mix of prints. Nightstand: Brett Design. Sconce: Soane. Bedding: Libeco Home.
Guest Room
The Peter Fasano wallpaper inspired a natural palette. Beds: custom, in Fine Paints of Europe GC603 lacquer. Nightstand: Made Goods. Coverlets: custom, in Osborne & Little fabric.
Bathrooms
The primary bathroom (left) features a gilded papier-mâché Fisher Weisman chandelier and a Victoria + Albert bathtub with Barber Wilsons & Co. tub filler. Café curtains: custom, in Etamine fabric. Rug: Eliko Rugs.
The guest bathroom (right) is a jack-and-jill shared by two guest bedrooms. The Lacava trough sink allows Stern’s daughters to share the space easily. Paint: Farrow & Ball De Nimes (trim). Wall tile: Tabarka Studio. Ceiling light: Remains Lighting Company. Sconce: Circa Lighting.
Greenhouse
A Hartley Botanic Victorian plant house serves as a potting shed and prep zone for herbs from the garden.
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