Text by Bethany Adams
Stumble across this quaint Tennessee cottage on an afternoon stroll, and you’ll likely expect the inside to reflect time-tested style and a classic spirit designed to last—and you’ll be right. But the classic appeal Nashville designer Julie Couch introduced to this Southern charmer comes with a side of contemporary elegance and plenty of light.
Spilling into the living room, the sunlight sets the bright and airy palette aglow with a welcoming ambience that paves the way for an abundance of sweet pastels. Subtle shades like the pink velvet armchairs to one side of the fireplace imbue the design with a feminine elegance, and expertly layered finishes fill every inch of space with interest.
From the Greek-key rug to the warm wooden beams, floor-to-ceiling textures and patterns are thoughtful details that help the subdued shades shine—like the splash of blue in the artwork above the mantel. Built-in shelves flanking the fireplace are a functional touch that turn favorite reads into a fun point of interest.
Step into the dining space, and you’ll find that texture takes on a larger role, with a soft sea green wallpaper creating a focal point swimming in sunlight. A bank of windows centered on a diamond-pane pattern overlooks a dining set that marries modern sensibilities with cozy comfort, providing plenty of room for gatherings with guests.
Throughout the home, the design often finds its color in the artwork that is as carefully selected as the many hues and patterns that dress the space—but in the kitchen, a wall of built-in shelves showcases a collection of décor that’s a work of art in itself. Dishes and serving ware in pastel pinks, sunny summer yellows, and ageless aquas impart vibrancy and vintage personality in a one-of-a-kind display.
In an elegant take on the sweeter shades found throughout, the bedroom design makes use of a more mature colorway that captures a romantic elegance despite ample contemporary touches. Backing a bright white headboard, the room’s visual anchor features a gracefully gilded mirror set atop rose quartz curtains—a creative touch that adds more than a little dramatic flair to this serene retreat.
Honoring the timeless exterior, the pastel palette fades away in the home’s outdoor spaces, shifting the focus to the verdant views that surround the quaint cottage. Whether it’s on the porch swing backed by a trellis dripping in green or in the cozy chairs designed for evenings of conversation, there are plenty of spots to curl up and enjoy the beauty of summer.
