Rustic Refinement and Old World Elegance Define This Nashville Holiday Home

While the home emits an old-world attitude, Todd didn’t want it to feel overwrought with antiques. To counterbalance this, he designed and created all the upholstered pieces throughout, finishing them in contemporary patterns and colors. High-gloss cabinetry by Christopher Peacock conveys a fresh aesthetic against the rustic stone floors and mahogany doors, while centuries-old chandeliers merge with modern fixtures to strike a balance between old and new.

“I used many of the couple’s travel photos as inspiration for my design, honing in on patterns and details of architectural features they had photographed over the years,” the designer adds. “Composing a welcoming and livable home was top priority for these clients, and I wanted their family and friends to feel comfortable as well.”

Having worked with the owners for many years and on numerous projects, Todd has become fluent in meticulously implementing his design aesthetic to align with the owners’ exquisite taste and style. To that end, when they put their previous home on the market, the potential buyers loved it so much they wanted to purchase it turnkey, with everything in it. “As a designer, I don’t think you can receive a bigger compliment,” says Todd with a laugh.

Admittedly, this aspect made the designer’s job especially fun because he could now curate every piece specifically for the couple’s new residence. Aside from sentimental keepsakes and beloved works of art, all furnishings were either custom-designed or thoughtfully chosen for this home.

“I selected antique pieces from around the world—one of my favorites being the dining table that once was part of a sculptor’s studio in Austria more than 300 years ago,” says Todd. “It had layers upon layers of paint and materials from years of work.”

Another notable find—an antique door from an Italian bakery—Todd converted into a beautifully patinaed coffee table for the living room. Then he finished his overall look with authentic one-of-a-kind rugs, some of which are hundreds of years old.

Todd’s refined aesthetic also applied when it came to decking the halls of the couple’s new abode from top to bottom for Christmas. “The key factor for all of my holiday designs is to keep it tasteful and simple, use real product when possible, and when it’s not possible, use the most authentic faux greenery on the market,” he notes. “I prefer a natural look, so we shy away from things that are beaded or covered in glitter.”

When it comes to trimming Christmas trees, the designer avoids over-the-top tree toppers, preferring instead to preserve the natural shapes of the trees. For the living room, he fashioned an elegant and tasteful holiday tree in a style befitting the home’s old-world essence. A burnished gold starburst figure crowns the treetop while complementing its organic silhouette. Todd also collaborated closely with friend and landscape designer Daniel Keeley of DK Design to coordinate complementary fabrics both inside and outside, replicating the sense of sitting on a terrace overlooking the Tuscan countryside.

“In the game room, or what we call the Razorback Room, we integrated the family’s traditional ornaments, as well as blown-glass ornaments, to generate a more classic Christmas feel,” says Todd. “The couple also displays an elaborate Charles Dickens snow village, lending a timeless European feel while keeping family traditions alive.” Outside, lavish greenery and beribboned wreaths adorn the arched stone passageways leading into the house.

The owners genuinely love and experience every space in their home nearly every day. During the morning or afternoon, you can find the wife in her office with the doors open to a private courtyard while her husband spends time in the adjacent Razorback Room. In the evening, you can find them both in the main living area, enjoying their oversized custom chairs and ottomans while they watch television and relax. The wife also loves to cook in her chef-worthy kitchen or dine alfresco while grilling from the outdoor kitchen or creating artisan pizzas in the gourmet pizza oven.

“The most rewarding part of this project was creating something special with these homeowners in mind,” notes Todd. “They are remarkable people who continue to trust me to express my talent as a designer. Plus, the wife is so enthusiastic anytime I have a new idea or find a new treasure—her excitement is over the moon!”