Text and Styling: Eleanor Lynn Nesmith
Photography: Jean Allsopp and Chris Luker
Land spreading out far and wide is a luxury to be embraced, especially in a metropolitan area. Ensconced amid a pastoral six-acre setting in the outskirts of Nashville, the new home of Karla and Rafael Calderon is nothing short of a masterpiece, where timeless architecture crafted with care merges effortlessly with refined interiors.
“Rafael and I are longtime friends,” explains Nashville builder Brady Fry. “We spent five years looking for the perfect property.” Invested both personally and professionally from the onset, Fry set the wheels in motion for the architecture, landscape, and interiors to be a true team effort.
“They wanted a home for family living and all manner of entertaining that also has space to accommodate extended stays by relatives and friends along with a true functioning office,” recalls architect Carson Looney. “In the initial interview, I asked, ‘Isn’t it time your home works for you rather than requiring your lifestyle to revolve around a house?’ and we immediately agreed that was the goal.”
With an artistic collaboration the hallmark of the project every step of the way, the home sits lightly on the land. A two-story centerpiece is flanked by a series of wings with paired gabled pavilions carving out a formal entry court. Curving driveways access garages positioned out of sight along both side elevations.
Materials are authentic and beautifully crafted. The integration of creamy painted brick, dark horizontal clapboard siding, and indigenous Tennessee stone lends an air of straightforward elegance. The roofline, animated with its blend of reclaimed slate and dark metal with shed dormers, gables, and sloping overhangs, reduces the apparent scale and cuts a memorable silhouette against the sky. Overall, the composition presents a kind of gracious Southern prose in its meandering stance and gentle placement on the land enhanced by the efforts of landscape architect Jason Gabbard.
With equally enthusiastic aspirations for the interiors, designers Paige Schnell and A. K. Tisa of Tracery delivered sophistication and stylish comfort. “When designing for an active young family who loves outdoor activities and all types of entertaining, practicality, flexibility, and accessibility are absolutes,” Schnell says.
Interiors unfold with a foyer at the center of a linear hallway between the home’s two somewhat formal spaces, offering an immediate visual connection while maintaining a sense of separation. In the dining room, a bold green ceiling pairs with delicate fluted wood paneling. A pair of green velvet host chairs and sturdy brown leather chairs surrounding a modern lacquered black table and a colorful patterned rug underfoot adds touches of the unexpected.
Anchoring the opposite end of the hall is a sophisticated lounge bar that accommodates everything from football on TV to guitar jam sessions to games of Skee-Ball to entertaining business associates. Graphic black-and-white fabrics on the four swivel chairs and draperies add a decidedly modern twist.
The heart of this home is undeniably its central living space flooded with natural light, where a gracious kitchen with two islands resides front and center. A sleek black marble island with six white leather stools offers varied opportunites for dining and entertaining, while a second white marble island is a working element that elevates the art of cooking.
In the family living room, comfortable and practical furnishings and fabrics in muted neutrals with accents of charcoal gray and black echo the elegantly understated architecture. Offering views out to the landscape, contemporary metal pocket and French doors open to create a seamless interchange with the pool, terrace, and party pavilion.
Ever mindful of the need for public and private zones, a sunny hallway leads to the primary suite, which occupies its own wing complete with a working office and considerable workout room. The paneled bedroom is a study in soothing blues and grays with a layering of silks, linens, and textures fabrics. A coffered ceiling, marble fireplace and an intimate conversation area tucked within a bay alcove further enhance the space.
The appeal of this house is a breath of ease and elegance that perfectly reflects the desires and daily life of the family. Nothing is overwhelming or overpowering. This is a home with a pleasing harmony and a promise to stand the test of time.
