I have a dear friend who owns one of the most gorgeous homes with the most potential, that I’ve ever laid eyes on, in the heart of Brentwood, TN.
The first time we pulled into their driveway, we were smitten by their home. {This photo is actually pretty shameful as it was taken in the early morning blazing sunlight when I showed up for before photos rocking the yoga pants… It doesn’t do it justice, so luckily there’s more to come.}
I think the first time they saw it, they were too. I mean,who wouldn’t be?
Brooke, and her husband Brian {Brian and Brooke are high school sweethearts-I think that’s a claim to fame in itself} are some good friends of ours, and they’re about to embark on a redo of their own.
But let me show you a photo first, for posterity’s sake. This is the best I could do, because all things memories are currently in storage… but we go back. Like, prom days back. With ringlets and baby’s breath wedged in between said ringlets that may or may not spontaneously combust because hairspray, cued up to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, high school drama, back. And even before that. Like, junior high back. Which for the record, I think is much more awkward than high school.
And once upon a time in Junior High, I got a perm and a stereotypical bully called me Chelsea Clinton. This was an insult at the time, because Chelsea Clinton was also going through her awkward phase. And clearly, I didn’t let that one go. So basically Brooke stood as witness for all my awkward stages.
In retrospect, the perm was a bad call, so I had it coming. And in retro-restrospect, I think I’m still in an awkward stage, but Chelsea bloomed and or had some rhinoplasty or something.
So Touché.
I’m pretty sure this is roach poop on my face, because this photo was pulled out of storage after years of forgotten hibernation. But anyway. Far back.
{My eyebrows, though.}
But back from that thought train of derailment: It’s been really fun to reconnect now that we’re in Nashville – they transplanted a few months ago themselves – and when they showed us their plans for their redo, we couldn’t help but jump right in and talk it up with all things house revamps.
So we’re thrilled to share their ideas and plans with you today, as we get to follow right along with this process, and throw in some of our own ideas as well… even though Brooke totally has this. It’s kind of her thing.
Here’s their entryway, which will undergo a bit of a facelift of it’s own… but their sweet pup Como was there to greet us – {PS those floors!}
The home was built in 1961, and has had quite a few additions of it’s own through previous owners. Brian and Brooke are tackling it one day at a time, and are simplifying the entire left wing of the house with a major redo of the kitchen variety.
To the right, is the existing music room which holds a grand piano. Brian is a very talented musician {and I’m the dork that wants him to play every time we visit :: Sits in corner. Claps like excited seal ::}.
They already have some gorgeous one of a kind pieces, as they have quite the eye. Like this painting {and the foyer piece} by their talented neighbor who is also an artist – Ronell Venter – And that crystal chandelier that was handed down from Brooke’s Grandmother. Something we love love love about Nashville is the creativity here. It’s an endless well of inspiration.
This table is also kind of amazing, because it was her mother’s. So much potential.
So down the hall, we come to the left wing of the house… and this entire side is getting a bit of a facelift. And for starters, this wall will go. But before rambling too much, I’ll show you shots of their existing kitchen:
Which is definitely full of charming character of it’s own. But Brooke is kind of a gourmet chef. And by kind of, I mean, blow your mind, chef. So they’re opting to start their expansion, here. The addition will go right past these windows, and also be pushed out of this wall.
Here’s their current eat-in area, which will also be included in the redo.
Think vaulted ceilings with wooden beams, terra cotta floors, and beautiful marble countertops.
Off their eat in area, is the current bonus room space and existing laundry room.
And a small bathroom.
Which will both get a major overhaul.
It’s where Brian currently works, and is a bit of a multipurpose room. But will be turned into a fitness space, and his music room will be relocated to a nice sitting room area elsewhere in the home.
It’s so charming now, as is. But when you see where they’re going with it, you’ll love the beautiful simplification they’re making by working with the existing footprint of the home, and expanding beyond.
So here’s a sneak peek at the home’s current layout – I drew up a quick mock up based on their existing plans.
And a basic idea of how it will look afterwards with new addition:
And here’s an outside view of the existing kitchen:
And a view from the back. On the outside, the addition will basically come to this column in their patio. Rather than taking it all the way to the existing patio wall, this allows room for foundation and moisture build up over time, and was a wise choice on their part to prevent future issues.
And a sneak peek {I nabbed with their permission} of the preliminary drawings.
This is basically the Disney World of epic glorious kitchen remodels, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it!
Here’s a few of the pretty materials Brooke is considering…
And there was a little bit of this action the other day at the slab warehouse.
Those cranes are scary. No kids allowed. But that eye candy was amazing…
She’s considering quite a few beautiful colors, like Farrow & Ball’s Clunch and Old White, for starters.
And mixing it in with a beautiful eclectic feel and finish.
So, stay tuned. Because we have lots more to come… and Como can’t wait to show you her new space!
Have an inspired day!
psssst- an update {part 2 is here!}
MC says
I love it – very charming! Excited to follow along….but where do they sleep? I don’t see any bedrooms…
ashley @ the handmade home says
Yes – it is a beautiful house! That’s on the entire right side of the house, which we left off intentionally in the floor plans to allow Brooke and Brian a little privacy for now since we put it out on the www ;}
June says
What a pretty house! Can’t wait to see what you all do with it!
Beth says
Gorgeous! I can’t wait!
Aimee says
I love the trees on their lot, but oh my goodness that kitchen space looks amazing on paper! I can’t wait to see it finished.
Robbin says
I have a question, and if it’s a silly question, then please forgive me. But here goes. Why would someone buy a house and then spend SO MUCH MONEY remodeling it? This is obviously going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to remodel. Why not just spend more money to buy a house that is the way you want it in the first place, or build brand new and have everything the way you want it? I live in Missouri, and people might paint and put down new flooring in a house they buy, but nobody does anything of this magnitude to any house I’ve ever seen around here? Again, not trying to be negative, as I’m certain this remodel will be absolutely gorgeous. Just not sure why they would put this kind of money in an older home. Why not just build new or buy a newer house that has the vaulted ceiling/big kitchen that they are wanting. Blessings to all!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Robin – Well, this is for lots of reasons. But you’re basically asking us why we’re currently doing what we’re doing… if you look at our current remodel of our own home. This is something we’re very passionate about so I’m more than happy to answer the question for lots of reasons.
• The land. Their lot is incredible and sits on over two acres. And the location is too. Just like ours. We have an acre of land and our location is unreal. People here sacrifice their first born for that. We took a loss on our first home to move here, and our home has already gained in value more than what we lost just from purchasing it… and it’s true what they say in real estate: Location location location. Things like that aren’t common here in Nashville. They’re very rare, actually. Houses are built on TOP of each other in newer neighborhoods. When we were looking, we could reach out and touch our neighbors. And outrageously priced. It’s ridiculous. You can’t get a place like this here in the location we are, or they are, without paying millions.
• The Charm. You can’t replicate that in newer homes. You just can’t. Their house comes with a beauty and awesome footprint that has a ton of potential. They’re keeping that in the redo and integrating it seamlessly with the rest of the remaining house. That’s nowhere to be found in new homes.
• In newer builds, they’re mostly done in neighborhoods here, and you can not get the custom look you want. You choose from a or b from a basic floor plan with generic granite and cheap cabinets-mass produced elements you see in every other builder grade house, and move forward. This allows them {and us with what we’re doing} the flexibility to do exactly what we want. With better value and quality without a mass production builder jacking up the prices and giving them less value.
• The price. Even a custom build on a custom lot still won’t hold the pros this one does. It’s actually cheaper than replicating.
• Their environmental footprint is less. They can donate the things in their home they aren’t using, and reuse some as well. It’s still less than an entirely new build.
• We chose what we did because we saw value. Space here is limited, and so are funds, this is a great way to get exactly what you want with charm and history to boot. These homes tell a story. There is no replicating that.
These are only a few of our favorite points – I guess my question is, why not? It’s an adventure and educational process and something that you just can’t replicate with a new build. It’s kind of amazing. ;} Hope that helps!
Robbin says
Thank you SO MUCH for the reply!!! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to hear from anyone so I am pleasantly surprised! Your reply is really very interesting and you gave me a great explanation which sets out the differences between housing where you live and housing where I live. I live in rural Missouri (my hometown has a population of 4,500 people!). Land here is cheap and readily available. So a “location” to build here isn’t hard to find. Even less expensive homes in the small town near me (I live on a farm outside of town) have big, big yards. No mass produced subdivisions here. There are no spec homes being built here. Every new build is custom. But I do understand that that isn’t the case in a big city like Nashville. And the area we live is honestly not an affluent area. Very few people would have the funds available for a remodel of that scale and, if they did, they would just build new. People around here “trade up” in houses. You buy a starter home, live there a few years and save money, then buy a bigger nicer house, live there a few years and save money, etc. Our son and DIL have just been married a little over a year and have already moved to another bigger, nicer home. Very few people stay in a house for the rest of their lives here (when we bought our house where we live now my husband and I had been married 12 years and this was our 13th house . . . long stories you don’t want to hear LOL). But I’m guessing you and your friend will stay in these homes for a long time?? That would make a difference as well!!! Again, THANK YOU for the explanation and for not being offended by my question. I certainly didn’t intend it to come across that I thought your remodeling a home was a bad idea. . . I just wondered why you would remodel so extensively, and now I understand :0!!! I will be anxiously watching your remodel (and hopefully your friend’s remodel) unfold through your blog and can’t wait to see the finished homes. Wish I lived close enough to stop by for a cup of tea and a good visit. I’ve never been to Nashville! I know that both homes will be GORGEOUS!!!! Blessings to you and yours and thanks again for taking the time to offer an explanation!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
No I totally get it! It truly is all about where you live. And I think how you view things, too.
Growing up, my parents did both. We remodeled a home while we lived in it, and that had an impact on me – memories we will never forget. My cousins also lived in an old farmhouse, and they remodeled it, keeping to it’s historical feel, and visiting that farmhouse are some of my favorite memories – the creaky wood floors and thick molding- it was used as a Civil War hospital and sat on a dairy farm. Unreal. My grandmother’s house had the old porch and stone on the side and the slamming screen door – my grandfather build it by hand and was a builder in Mississippi – all of these are the things that unintentionally molded who I am and they are things I find myself searching for in homes, now. It’s just a love of mine. A passion.
We started out with the trade up mentality in builders grade because location dictated that for us. And then the market crashed where we lived, and we stayed in our last home for ten years. I learned that I didn’t like things in it, and thought… well, why not change it? And that kind of formed who we are and why we view things the way we do.
I hope I didn’t come across as overly direct – it’s a subject matter I’m passionate about because we played with the pros and cons and weighed all the decisions carefully and tirelessly before moving forward with it all. This is Brooke’s forever home, and we plan for this is as ours, as well. Plans change, but our intentions are to stay.
Once you put all that energy and money into something, in a location like this, it’s not something you see pass by all too quickly. We have projects to last us for a lifetime, and can’t wait to just get in it to make it happen. ;}
Amy says
Gorgeous! But does that mean the kitchen gets absolutely no natural light? I couldn’t stand cooking without windows nearby!
ashley @ the handmade home says
There will be huge picture windows at the end, next to some french doors, as well as, I believe, plenty of skylights – I didn’t share the other sketches that show that ;}