a fresh build: primary bedroom reveal

I know you thought you were never going to get to see these reveals in our primary suite addition. It has actually taken us this long to get it all together with all of those polishing touches that are so important and only come with time. Basically, cobbler’s kids have no shoes. We honestly just have a ton going on, so our own house comes last these days . Someone told me the other day, “…You do a lot. I have no idea how you do it…” I quickly informed them that I am in fact, officially a hot mess so don’t even begin to feel impressed by my chicken-with-a-head-cut-off way of life. Friends can confirm: We’re both perpetually exhausted and need a vacation. I think that’s why we’re so happy to be so close to being done with our own house. {Even though I have more plans up my sleeve, of course.} And this room feels like a real escape. We’re so grateful to be preoccupied with helping our clients and content development… But today we’re thrilled to share our very own primary bedroom reveal! 

This whole journey was six-ish years in the making. I’ll do a quick recap here, if you aren’t familiar with our story. If you really want go dig, be sure to check out our entire journey here.  A few key points:

• In 2016 we purchased this fixer upper for the community, schools, and the yard. {We’re located in Franklin, just outside of Nashville.} We’ve taken this house from under 1700 sq ft to over 3700, and it’s increased to over 5x the value, in the meantime. Previously, it took us one year to sell our last home in a bad market, and we almost lost our shirts {and sanity} making that leap to change our family’s trajectory. So the irony is definitely not lost on us. We’re happy to be here. We’re so glad we took this on. 

• It’s been a journey. We had high hopes that we could expand and build a primary suite. Because of codes here and septic, we were initially told no. {For those of you who are not familiar with Williamson County septic, people are shut down regularly here because of codes. We’re currently one year into the process with another client, {sharing soon!} just waiting on approval, but it’s going to be epic. For those who don’t seek permits, see the house across the street from us: purchased by investors who wanted to flip and didn’t check the rules first = sitting vacant and unmoving for a year.} All five of us were initially crammed into two bedrooms during the first round. I wasn’t kidding when I said it’s been an adventure, while we started to grow our business locally. We decided we would at least make the house great, even if we couldn’t add our primary suite. All the while, we hoped that little space to the left in the first photo, could eventually be knocked back and expanded on.

• So, we finished the main level + upstairs, the basement, and built an addition on the back part of the house, too. Then the apocalypse hit in 2020, so we squirreled, and decided it was the best time to take on landscaping and a cabana. I mean, if the world was ending, let’s throw a {small and isolated} party. Then after all of that, we were finally ready to move forward again… because the rules changed and people shifted positions in the septic department and we had a plan and were familiar with the system and well… then it happened.

Never in the history of ever has a walk-through entry point, looked so good. 

So, it was all a big process and a collab with our awesome architect. We loved working together to come up with the final design. We finally moved in this past summer, but we still had all those sweet details to add. We also moved back out {more on that below} and played musical bedrooms because the kids finally got their own spaces and were so happy to spread out. It’s been a lot.

I’ll be sharing the butler’s pantry walk through + laundry space very soon {isn’t that door with frosted glass fantastic?!} the laundry room might be our favorite addition for practicality’s sake – but in the meantime… here’s that bedroom space we waited for, for so long.

We finished this space off last summer {enough to move in} and then because of a leak over the winter-before-last in the kitchen {yeah, that happened} we promptly moved the entire family back out of the house, so that we could have matching white oak flooring throughout. We’re honestly glad it happened – it’s been a game changer for our family from lightness to low maintenance with two dogs and three kids and so much more. Am I wearing you out yet? I told you it’s been a thing. 

I’ve shown you a preview of our stained glass doors {probably our favorite creation to date} and the reveal of the bathroom beyond.

But this view was worth waiting for. It’s my favorite in the whole house. See more of our primary bath details, here. 

Here’s the view down our hallway, where our closets {and water closet} are located. There’s now a cut-through straight to our pool on the outside, with our new deck. We couldn’t be more thrilled just to have access to a bathroom poolside, without tracking through the entire house. Game changer. 

Because when we first moved in, it looked like this. It’s hard to share new additions without sharing how far we’ve come, too. Can’t wait to get better photos this spring!

But back to the inside: Here’s the view walking back to our bedroom from the bath, which is what you’re here for. 

And another view of that door. Because I have to. It’s hanging art, I tell you. 

This space is now our retreat from the world. I have no idea how three of us {our daughter shared the upstairs bathroom space with us because ew, brothers amirite?} shared a tiny bathroom for so long, but it’s perfect for her now! {See her space, once ours, here.} 

We added a new bed, and more of our favorite blinds as blackout additions for our space. {All sources listed below!} We actually upcycled this from our pool room, since the old windows went away. I also layered our old bedding and combined it with a touch of new, for a fresh look. 

We knew we wanted minimal furniture in this space. Remember that thing about codes? We went as close as setback allowances would let us, building it on an actual angle to the original house on our acre lot. As you can see with the right side of the house, the original builder didn’t give a crap about setbacks and wasn’t held to it… So every inch of real estate truly matters here, as you can see by the left side. We chose to do a raised ceiling in the design, which really made a huge difference with the feel of it all. I’ve also wanted a canopy bed forever, so it works this way! 

Here’s what we did on the other side: 

I love a good fireplace in a space. I’m obsessed with them, actually. Our home now has three, and I adore them all. One thing it took me a moment to get past about living here, was all things winters in Tennessee. This southern girl wasn’t prepared for how hard they can be. Yes, I know people in Saskatchewan are side eyeing me right now. So fireplaces and ambience were important to me. ::laughs in southern::

I’m also quite determined to add storage to this house. If there’s one thing it’s been short on, it’s storage. Now that the laundry has been moved upstairs from the basement, we have an opening there to create a closet. {Coming soon-ish.} We also took the opportunity to design built-ins around the fireplace. 

I’m amazed by the space this provided. 

Here you can see a little peek into the laundry and butler’s pantry again. Now you see why we kept the furniture minimal.

We also keep a tv behind that painting. A built-in entertainment center, with storage. Yes please. 

No, I haven’t even had a chance to organize it yet, but the higher parts are perfect for blankets and linens we don’t use that often, and off-season clothing. These amazing drawers are also soft-close, and I love how they work hard in the space!

It’s just perfect for the room and our needs. 

I love this view and the subtle hits of color. 

Features we love + sources:

• Paint colors: 

We wanted this to be a continuation of the rest of the home. Of course, we planked those ceilings again, and added touches of neutrals and blue to keep it soft. We used White oak for our ceiling beam, along with Egret White for the walls, Pure white for the trim, and Rainwashed for the ceiling. 

Windows + Exterior Design {as seen above}: 

Our windows in this addition, just like the rest of our home, are from the incredible Window World. We have loved making our house a home again with their amazing partnership. They have so many things to offer – be sure to check out our initial outside makeover here!

Lighting: 

I’d initially chosen a ceiling fan from Kichler’s fabulous collection because they have nice options in clean design. But in the end, I just couldn’t do it. I’m a chandelier girl all the way. So I chose this beauty, their Thisbe™ Chandelier, which feels like jewelry in the space. We also went with their downlights for plenty of lighting in this space. It’s added so much great character!

Fireplace/TV area: 

Tile: The fireplace was decked out by our favorite line by Jeffrey Court. The photos honestly don’t do it justice. Park place is our very favorite. It’s a marble mosaic with blue accents, and this pattern is so beautiful. 

You may recognize its sister tile from our pool room space. Again, we just wanted to tie everything together, and we love the way we have subtle repetition throughout our home.

This neighboring room has a similar look but a different feel, in subtle ways. They sparkle. 

Cabinets: 

The cabinets were custom designed by us, built by GP Cabinets. They do beautiful work with details like dovetail drawers and those soft close features. We  have a post coming up highlighting their beautiful work, so stay tuned. 

Paintings: Both are a part of my original collection, prints can be found here. Be sure to check them out!

Hardware: The hardware is one of my faves, by D lawless. They’ve been our go-to for years, since our very first nursery seventeen {!??} years ago. We use them now throughout our home and for all our clients, too. I adore all the sizes that are available in this style. 

Here’s a glimpse of this alcove, once the painting is removed. We have this feature in all three fireplaces in our home. It was a compromise between the two of us: Jamin wanted a TV, and I wanted art. Someone asked me why I wouldn’t just have art on the TV. An art TV. Whatever. That’s a great idea, but I’m an artist. Therefore, I want real art. And the ability to put my hands on it, while changing the look entirely on a whim makes me happy.

Vent covers: For the floor and this return vent are from Vent Covers Unlimited. We have this style throughout our home, and love that their custom designs make the every day feel so beautiful. We did white for the wall to blend in nicely, and a darker metal for the floors. It’s the little things. 

Bedding: 

Our original duvet + larger pillows are via Crane and Canopy as a part of their Luxury Linen Bedding Collection. We added it a few years ago, and I am still obsessed. We also added this navy blue quilt from their store a few years later, and it’s perfect for layering. 

Pillows: 

The original chambray pillows can be found here + the lumbar pillow, here.

Additional quilt {because I’m a sap for a good classic ticking stripe} from here. 

Rug: from Overstock.

They definitely add a soft color and cozy feel to the space. 

Window Treatments:

We used our existing blinds from the pool room – Select Blinds which work as a great blackout blind. With style. 

Accessories I may have left out: The lamps are a very old flea market find from over a decade ago… with Target shades. I think I paid ten dollars for them. The nightstands are from Pier 1. 

And that’s wrap on our bedroom tour!

Here’s another glimpse from the bedroom into that butler’s pantry. I love this Jeffrey Court HD tile!  Coming soon… because we’re oh so close. 

What’s your favorite part? We’d love to hear. Got any questions? Shoot them our way! We’re so happy to be settled. Thank you so very much for stopping by. Have an inspired day!