It takes a special kind of interior designer to happily accept the challenge of overhauling a new construction home. The lack of history, charming architectural features and usual ultra-modern details might make some design pros pause.
However, Amber Guyton of Blessed Little Bungalow didn’t think twice when a lawyer enlisted her to reimagine her four-bedroom property in Nashville. “Since the homeowner has such a demanding career, she wanted to come home to a space that reflects her interests,” Guyton says of the client, who is a Mississippi native. “She wanted her own little sanctuary.”
Guyton delivered, transforming the sterile 2,300-square-foot home into a comfortable, personality-packed haven that reflects her client’s love of art, Black culture and traveling.
Entryway
“It felt like an endlessly long hallway,” Guyton says of the home’s entry. The homeowner knew painting it wasn’t the best approach for the transformation, so they took a different route. She covered the walls in a neutral geometric wallpaper, hung Lulu and Georgia’s Puddle Mirror in gold and displayed a variety of artwork, including a striking portrait by Gee Horton. “When you enter the front door, the entryway immediately introduces you to pattern and nods to African culture with a modern twist,” Guyton says. “I consider it a taste test of the aesthetic before being introduced to it fully in the larger open space shared by the living, dining and kitchen spaces.”
Living Room
The property’s tall, narrow nature, which is most prominent in the living room, presented a challenge for Guyton. Her solution? Lean into it. She accentuated the fireplace, a Wayfair find — and introduced contrast to the primarily white space — with a feature wall decked out in Sherwin-Williams’ Iron Ore. The rich charcoal shade immediately draws the eye. “Some people would think to put a big piece of art or drapery there, but taking the millwork all the way up to the ceiling was a great way to add character,” she explains.
Guyton also designed around the client’s existing furniture, including a Crate & Barrel sofa and accent chairs from Wayfair. Art was especially key in this space, too. “Family is very important to the homeowner, and it was a joy to add family photos throughout the space in a gallery wall and portraits in an aesthetically pleasing way,” Guyton says, noting that she relied on picture frames from HomeGoods and Framebridge.
Kitchen
Guyton kept the existing kitchen cabinets even though blue is far from the client’s favorite color. She made it more appealing with the right accessories. “Although the client didn’t love the paint color, I was able to convince her that the other colors added to the space would make it appear more neutral,” Guyton says.
Along with hanging art that the homeowner purchased in Cuba, Guyton installed floating shelves to showcase pieces that reflect her passion for traveling and trying new recipes. “We styled the open shelving with a few of her souvenirs, cookbooks written by Black chefs and people of color and added a globe she owned to emphasize her inspiration by and love of travel,” the designer explains.
Dining Area
The open dining area near the kitchen and living room has a casual feel, thanks to the seating arrangement. “The idea of a formal dining room is a bit fleeting for millennials and Gen Z…instead of six chairs, we added four chairs and a bench (both from Wayfair),” Guyton shares. The dining table is from Lulu & Georgia and the artwork above the table is Manyoya Kifalme by Kabriah Asha.
Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom’s color palette is a departure from the rest of the home. The wall color is daring (Sherwin-Williams’ Sunset), but in a way, it feels like “someone is giving you a warm hug,” Guyton says. She tempered the hue with layers of neutrals and light-colored textiles such as linen.
The Maya Bed from Arhaus (now discontinued) completes the space. “The rattan texture and artisan details makes the bed a statement piece in the oblong-shaped room and looks beautiful against the newly painted sherbert-colored walls,” says the designer.
Powder Room
“This was a great opportunity to do something that had a wow factor,” Guyton says of the powder room. “You feel like you’re stepping into a different world.” Guyton’s “Abstract Attraction” wallpaper from her collection with Mitchell Black is the perfect match for the basket-style pendant light.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
