HEY Y’ALL. Once again, an EHD team meeting was slightly derailed by a new Architectural Digest home tour. As interior design lovers (read: nerds) we’ll admire and dissect home tours like we are scholars studying a very serious topic. Usually it goes like this: One person will innocently say, have you all seen _____’s new home tour?? Once that can of worms is open we start gabbing about what we love or think is interesting, inspiring, or unexpected. It’s our job to have our fingers on the pulse of interior design (we say to ourselves) as we stare at each photo and contemplate each design element. So, because we spent a decent amount of time admiring and commenting on Kasey Musgraves’ Nashville home designed by Lindsay Rhodes, we figured we’d share with you all (and ask to hear your thoughts, too). It’s a wonderful mix of high end and lived-in homey-ness, with some fresh design trends throughout. And as a fun side note, I think we should do a globe pendant count, because there is one in almost every room. Whoever gets the right amount in the comments wins!! Okay, now let’s explore.
Do we spy a vintage Murano glass pendant?? Yes, we sure do. When Caitlin predicted they might be the next best thing in lighting, we trusted her gut so an appearance here is a welcomed, happy surprise. We all love the tree and how it brings in a layer of playfulness and it juxtaposes nicely with the ornate mirror that is very luxe and regal. Already, you can tell there is a lot of mixing styles so the overall style of the home is truly hard to pin down. Oh, and cowboy boots are officially decor, right?
As you’ll see, this home is full of rounded edges and shapes which was definitely intentional. The coffee table, sofas, pillows, and side table all have a roundness that really softens the space and makes it feel uber inviting. Also, we love they actually showed a TV in the living room. Stars, they’re just like us!!
Emily pointed out that the sofas are cool and look comfortable too. I kept saying that it really feels like a human being lives here as compared to other celebrity homes that can sometimes feel cold and museum-like.
Emily immediately noticed the two rectangles behind the sofa while I was stuck admiring that odd mannequin-looking statue. At first glance, the rectangles almost look like a vent, but we are pretty sure it’s understated minimal art. If that’s the case, the placement is really unexpected, and definitely aligns with the angles of the wall cut out and built-in shelf (the inverted shapes are another special touch).
Caitlin made a good point saying that this home tour is a great inspiration if you have an 80s-style house and Emily agreed.
We all want to know all your opinion on this kitchen. We absolutely love the lime wash walls, the island, the seamless-looking range hood, and the square patterned globe pendant. It’s a very simple farmhouse-style kitchen, that isn’t totally aligned with the style of the rest of the home but feels homey and inviting. It makes me believe that someone who loves to cook and entertain lives here. What do you think??
We all love the Frank Gehry Wiggle Stool and a tiger rug is the perfect playful accent for this art room.
Jess noted that almost all the windows throughout this home look original, especially that oval window because it’s not often that we see oval windows nowadays. Also, you’ll notice there are not a lot of window treatments throughout this entire home, but we love that they chose to add curtains between the living and dining room to add some movement and softness to the space.
Oooh, THE SIMPLICITY. Would you want your bathtub to feel more cozy? Jess said yes she would, but I think it’s cool and very spa-like so I am pretty down. We are all very into that floor tub faucet for its minimal shape and vintage brass look.
Oh yes, there is a lot to love here. That antique gilt French bed frame is awesome, we love how tall the windows are, and we all wish there was a close up shot of the wall art. Jess pointed out that the rug placement is interesting, and made us think that there must be more going on on the other side of the room that we can’t see. Or it’s just there for the shot 🙂
We all loved this shot and it’s a good reminder that the checkered rug trend is still happening. That accent table is stunning and the round bottom shelf accents really well under the arched window. Are you keeping track of all the globe pendants?? This one might be my favorite placement.
The primary bedroom has a lot of elements that are shown throughout the home. The rounded edges, the globe pendant, simple shelf styling, playful plants and trees, are all elements we keep seeing again and again (and love).
Did you catch those bulb sconces built into the headboard?? It’s our favorite hotel-inspired small bedroom hack. I’m also very into the extremely simple monastery chic bedding. Oh, and do you recognize the nightstands?? They are Leanne Ford for Crate and Barrel and we LOVE them. Julie even used them in her best friend’s room makeover a few years ago. We are BIG fans.
OKAY, this is powder bathroom dreams. The “wallpaper” was done by hand by Louisa of Pierce and Ward in 2014 (!!!) and we are all pleasantly surprised at how well it holds up. It’s all nude sketches by a local artist named Hazel King and it’s so unique and cool. (I might be a little too obsessed–like I want to replicate it immediately). We always say that a powder room is an excellent place to take risks and this one definitely speaks to that.
Emily noted that this room looks like it’s from a different home altogether and we didn’t disagree. It’s very serene and has a full-on California casual vibe. I am normally not the biggest fan of reverse book end bookshelf styling, but I’ll make an exception because the neutrality is extremely calming here.
Built-in vanities was one of our 2022 bathroom trend predictions so it’s always fun to see them come to fruition. Jess’ eagle eye spotted the bulb sconces and we all agreed they are a very special touch. It’s all the little details for us, like the mini knob non the medicine cabinet, the ornate mirror over mirror styling, and the sherpa rug to add a layer of warmth and texture to an otherwise white bathroom.
The off-center tiny sink is adorable and the camel is rad (and made by Kacey Musgraves herself!).
This was everyone’s favorite room by far. The pink walls are an exciting shift from the white and off-white colors throughout, and the chandelier is perfectly modern and retro. Jess really loved the placement and scale of the round pillows. If you are wondering if that is a candle with a lampshade on it, you are not alone. I, too, wondered the same so we did a little investigating and found out that candlestick style table lamps are in fact a thing. It’s a very cute decor element here that adds a hint of playfulness.
Do those pink curtains remind you of anything??? Jess’ WFH room reveal perhaps??? Guys, pink is having a real comeback (stay tuned for a post on that). Aside from that, Emily loves the chair and confirmed pencil reed is having a moment, another bulb sconce makes an appearance, and the low placement is an unexpected lovely choice.
All of us “Ooooooooh’d” at this shot. I am pretty sure we all want a 4 ft tall head bust. Is that too much to ask???
So, now you’ve peeked inside our brains, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Sound off in the comments below (but as always, please be nice and considerate :)).
*Design by Lindsay Rhodes
**Photos by Lelanie Foster
***via Architectural Digest
Paige Wassel reviewed the home on YouTube – worth watching as a counterpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtAhd5Q6OWg&ab_channel=PaigeWassel
The before was so much better! Please watch the video everyone!
Came here to say the same thing! This reno replaced a rich, charming, timeless Pierce + Ward project with what feels to me like a trend-based whitewash. It’s almost tragic. I love Ms. Musgraves, and she has some nice pieces, but I have to say I’m getting tired of the rounded-edges everything + checkerboard + milky palette look. It’s going to date quickly.
Oh man. Pierce and Ward home was SOO much better, what a waste
Ohhhhhhh – wow. The previous decor starts at 17:15 of the video review and has SO much personality. Yep – definitely much more my style (I might declutter a bit visually, but it was awesome). I do think I prefer the plaster in the new house vs the tile that was all over the kitchen, and especially the range. But otherwise, loved the previous.
This is someone’s home. They styled it how they wanted it to reflect their personal needs and taste, and you all are trashing it. Everyone should live how they want. You all are trashing it but non of you actually have to live with the same wallpapers, colors and fixtures in their homes
I don’t think anyone’s “trashing” it. It’s a debate of preferred styles as invited by the blog post. Yes?
Yes 🙂
Ohhh fun find thanks for sharing! Neither house is really my style so I’m not sad about it either way but it’s fun to see the transformation. I do feel like the elements I enjoy most and that seem most unique in the “after” were actually existing elements put in by the previous designer (the funky brass chandelier, the semicircle console table in front of the window, etc.) so I guess good job previous designer!
Agree with many of the comments, I much prefer the Pierce + Ward version of this house. The new version seems unresolved & the style isn’t consistent between rooms.
I strongly disagree with Ryann’s statement “I kept saying that it really feels like a human being lives here as compared to other celebrity homes that can sometimes feel cold and museum-like.” I want to cry for the previous style, it was so much better.
Too much all white, made it boring for me.
i really enjoyed this tour on AD and one of the things that i noticed that i thought was funny is how in the second to last picture, her dog is posing a lot like her 🙂
i love her little mini bar area with the camel. i like that it mirrors the camel art above it. and all the colored glassware. it adds a great amount of color to that white space. just a pretty moment in there. all the lighting is so nice. globe lights are just really inviting to me.
the shot with the checkered rug is awesome! i remember being really struck by that one. the nude wallpapered bathroom is really unique and cool. all the all-white spaces weren’t my favorite. so, i really liked when she had colorful things in some of the white spaces, even if it was just flowers or trees. any shot with pink in it was a winner for me. i’ve been saying it forever. pink in a space makes everything better.
The dog isn’t happy though – she has her ears back.
The dog may be listening to Kasey. They often orient their ears to where they are listening/paying attention. Heelers (this looks like a mix) are well-known to be one-person dogs and the dog may be uncomfortable with the people photographing her so is listening to and focused on her person.
Hi Tara,
Blue Heelers are an Aussie breed and I know them well, my neighbour even has one.
Unless your neighbor is Kasey Musgraves, your opinion on this particular dog’s feelings is meaningless.
Love the tree and the murano pendant. In fact all the light fixtures here are pretty amazing.
But what’s up with this sofas-without-legs trend. Sofas just look sloppy and awkward sitting right on the floor — like someone forgot to attach the legs.
I like it – my sofa sits on the floor, on purpose, because cat toys were constantly getting stuck under there LOL
Lol! 🙂
Yes…the underneath land of lost cat toys!
~Deborah
I intentionally removed the legs from my couch because I have a 6yo, a 4yo, and a 2yo, and you do NOT want to know what kind of things I was finding under my couch (rotted apple cores anyone?). But that was definitely a choice for function, not for design, ha ha.
I think you misspelled the owner’s name both times you used it, in different ways.
I can’t believe I missed that! Kasey and Kavey! Ha!
Love this home. Would enjoy the EHD team’s take on how to get this look at home, preferably on a budget or with smaller rooms (my home is adorably small).
I second that! Would really enjoy it
AD included a bunch of shoppable links at the end of the feature. Maybe check if any of those are more “off the rack” than custom. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-kacey-musgraves-serene-nashville-home
Interesting and kind of fun to see a counterpoint to a “cohesive” home because some of these rooms are beautiful but seem like they are in a different home. As a design lover, I can understand that agony of wanting pretty rooms and loving many different styles. So good for her for just going for it! I agree that the all white rooms are not really my thing. Regarding that possible unusual art behind the couch in one of the first photos – my guess is that is under the stairs storage of some kind and they put doors/screens on it. If you look closely, the angle from the niche that follows the stair line is right in line with the angled corner of that screen/vent/whatever. It could even be a place for her dog to hang out but has doors on it to close it up when not in use? Final thought – I usually like globe pendants and my fave is the one in the checkered rug shot, but the one in the kitchen doesn’t feel quite right to me. Thanks for featuring this space and giving me lots to think about this morning!
That tree (the one across from the boots)!!!! Any guesses on what kind it is??? Is it even real??? I want one!!!!
I think it’s a variety of juniper topiary, in a Pom Pom style.
Found a similar branch style: French Blue Scotch Pine
Thank you!
Behind the couch, those look like screens to cover an under the stair storage opening rather than weirdly placed abstract art. Also, maybe I’m dumb but how does one turn on the faucets coming out of the wall above the bathroom vanity? I don’t see handles.
It’s a pretty house and looks comfy cozy without feeling pretentious.
There are white knobs on the wall, she shows them at 12:46 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zkOLKMiX9c&ab_channel=ArchitecturalDigest
Agree. Pretty sure you can see what she’s covered in the video of the before room….for those who followed that link anyway. It’s not art…generally I think she made a lovely calm home that suits her style, but it also feels like an overreaction to what was there. No idea why she’d buy a house that needed so much redo just to suit taste. Seems like a lot of houses go have gotten whitewashed for less effort to same effect. Although that backyard is stunning.
I loved the house so much before. The colours and the wallpapers were to die for. I also loved the ‘before’ kitchen. It had so much character with the wooden shelves and those beautiful dark floors!
Sort of unrelated, but there’s an estate sale this weekend for Alex Trebek’s house and so we get an unstaged glimpse into his house and…it’s pretty dated! Kind of funny to think of celebrities also ignoring their tile countertops and old bathrooms. If you’re interested: https://www.estatesales.net/CA/Studio-City/91604/3243012
Looks like he and his wife had lived there for 30 years. Looked well maintained. Maybe they didn’t want to hassle with changing anything, it was all things they picked out originally and never tired of, or it held a lot of family memories “as is”. Who knows. https://nypost.com/2022/03/07/alex-trebeks-studio-city-home-of-30-years-sells-with-7m-ask/
Thanks for sharing these links, Cici and Kj. Picking things that you love instead of following trends, keeping up with maintenance, and staying put as long as feasible is a more sustainable way to live. It warms my heart to see homes of wealthy people who have the means to constantly change things, but don’t.
I agree Kj and Ann, Alex Trebek’s home reflects a lifetime of memories and collecting beautiful things, especially art (really wonderful art!) and is about what made the couple happy – not about following design trends. I think it’s important to not judge by current styles and trends – everyone has different tastes, sensibilities, history, and awareness of what makes them happy.
Fortunately we all are unique individuals and have the freedom to express ourselves in so many ways and our homes and the things we choose to live with. 🙂 Viva la difference!
~Deborah
PS, Thank you to everyone who shares links, it’s always interesting to see different perspectives – unless unkind judgements are expressed publicly – it’s allows us all to learn and grow! 🙂
Pierce + Ward are legendary. This is … not. I can appreciate the girly minimalism, but it seems wasteful to have stripped out all the sensational original details in favor of this bought it at the mall aesthetic. See the “before” here: https://www.thenordroom.com/louisa-pierce-eclectic-nashville-home-for-sale/
Alex, sorry I just missed your comment before posting mine.
Differing view: My head would explode if I tried to live in that “before”
Me too. I love this iteration of the house. Feels very personal, and while we might not feel a defined “style,” there’s certainly an aesthetic.
It’s a lot of wallpaper and texture and color and trinkets … I can understand the head explosion. But I think you could have quieted things without stripping out the soul … should a home in AD (AD!! as in ARCHITECTURAL Digest) remind you of a cookie-cutter 80s home? I don’t know. It’s her home, and it has some lovely moments (that vintage bed with the delicious cloud bedding come to mind) … but I suppose what I’m reacting to is that the new design feels flat, whereas the original interior had so much personality and character. FWIW, the elements the EHD team seemed to like best — the powder room, accent table/arched window combo and wet bar — are holdovers from the original design.
MY GOD THOSE BEFORES ARE THE THINGS DESIGN DREAMS ARE MADE OF!
👍
Oh my gosh, the before is to die for!!!
What a shame, but I guess, it’s her house right?!
To me, the previous version seems more like a home.
Here is a blog post with the “before” pictures. The home was designed/built in 2012 by Louisa Ward of Pierce and Ward. https://www.thenordroom.com/louisa-pierce-eclectic-nashville-home-for-sale/
I didn’t suspect after reading al these comments but I like the contemporary version actually more. I can definitaly see the charm of the older version but the now version seems like more of a unity. And though not the most original design I still love soft colors and rounded corners. Must be the millenial in me?
I have to agree with others that it’s honestly a little disappointing. Kacey has such a big personality and vibe, the house seems to contradict that. I’m sure she’s happy with it, but missing some whimsy and boldness. (Aside from the powder room and pink room!)
Love the before…..the latter is a very different vibe, but also beautiful.
I rarely write comments here, and when I do they have always been positive. However, this feels like the Emperor’s New Clothes if I am being honest. Everyone should love their home, and I am glad she likes it. My issue is that this was featured in AD, and lots of people seem to be on board with that. I think simple can be very special, but this was not. It feels like a 90’s builder-grade house with some expensive couches in it. It doesn’t feel creative (minus the bathroom and a few pieces of art). It doesn’t flow. It doesn’t give me a sense of who she is (I see glimpses, but not much more). I think this was more about the star than the house. AD wouldn’t have featured this had it been John Smith’s house. Just a girl saying there are no clothes on the Emperor.
But it’s not builder home (and definitively not 1990s, I’m old enough to spot that real estate) and she’s more unique in that she’s not replicating other designers, doesn’t use the same elements at all. She’s a young woman who has a lifetime to collect antiques and art. Why is it expected for a young woman to have it all at that age? Do all people her age have it all? Do they even have the time to devote to everything? To friends, family, kids, work, hobbies and art/antiques hunting? Why can’t she have a calm and restful palette at home? If she lived in a small home it would be cluttered perhaps. She lives in a big home, and has lots of rooms to spread her things around.
Well said. Calm and restful refuge is what many of us need in this hectic, buzzing world. I find this home to be serene, timeless and full of light. While I sometimes enjoy seeing eclectic, busy places, I could never stand to live in one (let alone having to dust & vacuum it). This space suggests to me that the owner knows herself and her own aesthetic. Look how many designers do their own homes in calm, simple neutrals, avoiding from pattern or much detail. The eye needs a place to rest. At least, some do…
I have zero issue with the lack of contrast or color. Simple can be absolutely stunning, and everyone should have a home that reflects them. I clarified my comments a bit more above.
Let me clarify. I don’t think this is a 90’s builder-grade home. I think that some of what was done makes it feel that way. Also, I don’t think a home needs “stuff” to look good. I also think every home should evolve and be collected over time. I have zero issue with this being her home and the fact that she is happy with it. I am happy for her. I also think many homes that we see in design magazines feel unattainable and look like a museum. I think a home should look and feel like a home. The problem I see here is that I don’t think this really tells me her story. I didn’t think it felt personal. I also don’t think it has great design elements (with the exception of some of her personal art and that chandelier from the previous owners). For those reasons I don’t think it should be a feature in AD, and I don’t understand why this is an example of beautiful design.
P.S. I wouldn’t want to live in the house before she re-did it. I appreciate, though, the talent of that designer. It was way too much for me, but it told a story. I understood what it was about and who might live there.
White-on-white just doesn’t do it for me, unless you’re a monastic, maybe? (Plus, I’m well over turning books back-to-front to show the pages….shouts “I don’t actually read books” to me)
I can appreciate the style, but, not in my aesthetic, with the exception of a couple of details (a few pieces of art, etc.) and THAT BATHROOM!!! Wowza!!!
It’s certainly interesting to delve into, but it’s a bit cold and lacking in soul for me.
I so much prefer the before design.
Anytime someone judges how much a person reads based on how they choose to organize their books, I recommend reading Design Mom’s newsletter on the topic. It and the comments are great. https://designmom.substack.com/p/are-you-bugged-when-people-organize?s=r
(As the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover….don’t judge a reader by their book organization!)
Agreed! I arrange my books by color…and (EVEN WORSE!) keep the colors I don’t like on the shelves that have doors, lol! Silly to judge someone based on this but also…WHO CARES if someone has a bunch of books on display and doesn’t even like to read? Our homes are FULL of pretty things that are there just to be pretty, so I don’t get the double standard about books.
Just finished reading “The Library Book” by Susan Orlean (great book BTW!) and loved this quote “…you read a book for the experience of reading it. You didn’t read it in order to have an object that had to be housed and looked after forever….. The reading of the book was a journey. There was no need for souvenirs.”
Yup, good point. However, those books are purely and overtly ‘devorator items’ not purveyors of literature. C’mon.😏
LOL…no issue with that! 🤣
At least you can see the spine to tell what the book is!
I think my overall feeling of this space is that it photographs nicely, there are some interesting pieces but in the end it’s pretty boring. It doesn’t need to be as lively as the previous version but it does need some soul.
I watched the video on YT before seeing these pics, and I loved it! It has a very nice relaxed vibe to it and I love that she used a lot of vintage pieces. She also mentions the orbs in the video!
BUT! thank you to the commenters sharing the before, which was a completely different feel! And now it feels very wasteful to have changed the wallcoverings so much. It’s a different house. They both have their merit, but i think I slightly prefer the before!
I always wonder how much furniture / accessories etc are brought in to stage the space. As a TV producer and designer, I’m aware of how much styling happens behind the scenes. Of course we have to make it as pretty as possible, but I have an issue when I don’t even know what’s real or if most of the home is for show. Sure, add some lamps or cool. pillows here and there, but The Dakota Johnson AD tour is a prime example of wtf. I’m pretty sure almost everything was brought in specifically for the shoot, which was a real bummer. Watching that video I just think ok she’s literally making a point to showcase things that she’s probably seeing for the first time which is so bizarre. At least with this space I feel it’s pretty true to what it is in real life, with the addition of some flowers and expert styling.
This “is it just styling or is it theirs” is something that my husband and I commented on (we looooove watching the AD your videos). Whereas Dakota Johnson was like “um, here’s, a thing?” and didn’t feel like the house was hers, Kacey had a ton to say about the art, where she found it, what inputs she had, and why it was so different from her past, more whimsically designed houses. I really appreciated how personal it felt – the art in the guest room that the EHD team calls out as “wanting a bigger picture of” is a blown up vintage photo of her mom! It’s so cool, and it’s not the only one in the house! Sure it may not be Design with a capital D but it’s personal and it’s lived in and that’s what I enjoyed about it.
Ryann specifically asked what readers think about the kitchen. My thought is where is all the storage? How do people live without upper cabinets?
For me the description of something looking like a museum nails this “after” home tour. It doesn’t look like someone lives there. I don’t know who the celebrity home owner is, but there’s nothing to tell me about her (except the dog) in these photos. It feels very sanitized.
The before pictures give much more personality and were more interesting.
For anyone who’s not clicking through the links in the comments to “the before” pictures, it’s not weird art behind the sofa its apparently covers for the built in nooks under the staircase.
I think the fact that it doesn’t look like someone lives there is the exact right…vibe? Am I using that word right? Anyway, Musgraves *doesn’t* live there most of the time, which is, in fact, her entire point about why she is trying out the style she is in that house. She works a lot and is on the road as a country music singer, which last time I checked was full of loud color, loud music, flashing lights, all night parties whether you feel like partying or not, loads of people everywhere, and stress and drugs. When she does get time to go home for a little bit she *wants* minimalism, monasticism, white on white on white, simplicity, even plainess and emptiness, all that stuff so many commenters are dinging her for. This young woman probably needs a plain, rather empty, boring house to balance out what her life looks like while touring & not go crazy. I applaud her for trying something new and going for what she thinks she needs at this point in her life. I did not like the tone or, frankly, most of the content in the youtube linked by the other commenter. Ms.… Read more »
I hope that Kacey enjoys this home for many years to come. However, I do agree with the other commentors that the “before” felt way more special. Considering how complete a vision the before was, it kind of bums me out that she just painted everything white, cream, or blush (in a way that it wouldn’t if this was a dated house or a fixer to begin with). Everyone deserves a house that they love (even if no one else likes the design choices) but taking out the awesome wallpaper (which must have cost a fortune and taken tons of time)…. I’m weeping for the original designers.
Also love the original post’s references to this being good inspiration for an 80s house. You’d never get that from the before images.
Commenters you are doing exactly what you accused Erin from Apr 34 for. It’s painful to read. I’m one to give the owner all the benefit of the doubt. It’s her home, she’s allowed to feel as if she was in her home. If she needed to change something she shouldn’t feel bad for this. Apparently there was no buyer who found the previous esthetic to be perfect or to die for. It might have been wasteful, but that’s on the previous owner as well. If they created a perfect home why did they move? Apparently it was no longer a good match for them, whether they needed to downsize, upside, or chase something elsewhere. We all have our reasons for moving and changing the house new live in to fit our needs, including esthetics.
I respectfully disagree, Lane. I don’t see it as the same thing at all. The “before” of this home was professionally designed and featured on several decor blogs, hence all the posted links. Erin’s post featured unpublished “before” photos of a personal home not intended for mass public viewing…or scrutiny. Not a fair comparison.
The before and after of this home couldn’t be more opposite, in my opinion. Why is it wrong for people to have a preference on the two? Especially on a design blog, where one style doesn’t fit all.
It is a fair comparison. Everyone was not pleased with Erin who spoke negatively of what some other family did with their home. Now, the readers are speaking negatively of what the new homeowner did with her home. I think you can have a preference. It’s not necessarily what you say but how. And actually both sets of former owners are probably laughing after they basically sold a house that no longer satisfied their wants.
I think the “after” looks gorgeous and calm with the exception of that powder bathroom which just looks like a weird shot of crazy amidst the zen. People are linking to the “before” photos and those are overwhelming to me, so intensely busy and detailed that I would never be able to relax, so I don’t blame her for making so many changes. Who wants to live in somebody else’s vision? It’s hers now.
I really like the kitchen but I like it because it does not look like someone who loves to entertain to me. Looks like someone without kids too. I like seeing a kitchen that’s suited to the person in the house and looks more human sized and intimate.
I guess I am in the minority of people who does not really like the before. I love some wallpaper and I love color but for me the patterns of wallpaper and how much of it would have made me strip it as well if I had bought this home. Also too much open shelving so I can see where she might have felt this way when she bought it and had the desire to tone it down. There’s things that can be seen as wasteful but stripping and painting a house when buying it doesn’t feel like that to me but I live in a town where people buy a property with a beautiful home on it for 2mil plus and completely tear it down and build on every inch of the lot. That is definitely wasteful! I like that she didn’t make every room have to be so cohesive. If you like a few styles why not do them in different parts of your home! I don’t see either before or after as being anything unique- both styles seem well used in the past. The current home seems fresh and crisp! Love the oval and round windows. Also… Read more »
I think a lot of the comments here are pretty rude, we don’t need all the links. I would think discussing the prior house as more than a mention is pretty rude in general but I prefer this version for sure. I’m not sure I could enjoy more than an hour in the prior design let alone live there and I’m no minimalist. Confused why anyone would call it timeless except insofar as if it’s crazy enough it’s always crazy? For sure that was skill in that version but I’m not surprised that it couldn’t find a buyer that wanted to keep those wallpapers.
I usually love a serene simple design with lots of white paint and light. This home tour has lots of delightful elements, but it also feels a bit like they forced in some trendiness that doesn’t quite belong, or stopped short of refining the room? Then I looked at the before designs and in my opinion, that’s far more cohesive and just a masterpiece of interior design. What a shame.
in looking through the pictures, I agreed with the article about the main “moments” that really stood out in the home. While the style of furniture isn’t my style, the curved bottom table in front of the arched window, and the light fixture placement, the built in bookshelves and again the light fixture, the seating under the windows we’re all the moments that made the house suited for AD. The bathroom struck me as not designed, but just styled for a photo shoot. The powder room was also a standout but was noted as not changed from the previous designer. In clicking on the link to see the “before” I noticed that the standout moments from the house as it is now were all there in the before (with the exception of the large bust – which is cool) but the light fixture scale and placement, the built in bookshelves, even the curved bottom table in front of the arched window!! Those were all there in it’s previous state, but it appears as though the current owner/designer instead of paring down the visual business of the previous design, decided to strip the majority of real interest from the home (RIP… Read more »
With the exception of the bathroom “wallpaper” and the camel duo, this all feels kind of flat to me. I think it proves how hard it is to pull off simple in a way that’s still inspirational and unique.
would love a review of Paltrow’s home that was also featured
There’s a lot here to like, but I just can’t live in an all white house.
I get it. Some people can not deal with contrast, it makes them anxious and so she went with a style that works for her and isn’t that what we all want? As a designer it’s about what works for the client. I agree that many of the things are already one foot out the door but who cares if she loves her house.
Hi all,
The house’s design prior to Kacey Musgrave’s is worth a look. The side by side is pretty stark. A fun feature on the blog might be to compare and contrast.
So interesting, and thank you for sharing the AD photos and pointing out the features that stood out for the EHD team. I really enjoyed the more personal parts of the home (mostly the framed art/photos/joint) as well as the plant wall in the kitchen, the quieter kitchen (for me, too much subway tile in the previous design) the drapery separating the living and dining room, the upstairs nap/tv room (not the checked rug) the antique French bed (!!!) the art room – love the overall light and the bar cart turned art cart! That pool side photo of her with the Grecian head and her outfit was fabulous! The overall aesthetic was not mine (mine is more eclectic, colorful and collection oriented) but I can appreciate that it is hers for what she needs right now to live comfortably and happily, and that is really what design should be. As Alice said in an earlier comment: “…so I don’t blame her for making so many changes. Who wants to live in somebody else’s vision? It’s hers now.” I’m also very glad she kept a few features from the previous design that spoke to me; the powder room “wallpapered” with… Read more »
I forgot to mention that the earlier design (except for some of the walls – not a fan of rooms tiled floor to ceiling or a lot of wall paper – my preference is more for accent) is more my own aesthetic. I enjoy lots of different designs, styles and aesthetics, some I would enjoy living with, and many more I appreciate as a visitor! 🙂
What a roller coaster this one was for me! The photos featured in this post made the space feel flat and unfinished to me. It just looks sort of temporary and transitional to me, like maybe she said “Paint it all white for now so I can move in. I’ll sort it out later!”
So I looked up the AD feature article to see if I was missing something. You guys, this is her divorce house! She wanted a clean slate and it’s her “first try at minimalism.”
So that lead me to watch the home tour on YouTube. The photos in the article and here on EHD don’t really do the place justice. It’s much more interesting “in person.” Every piece of art has a story behind it. She’s an antique and estate sale enthusiast, and all of her little treasures are hidden away in shelves and nooks. I suspect it’s to keep things looking minimalist everywhere else. I predict this foray into minimalism won’t last forever, but in the meantime she has created a fresh canvas for what comes next.
OH MY… That bathroom gives me LIFE. I am an artist and I have piles of life drawing sketches that I haven’t wanted to part with but I wasn’t sure what to do with them. Using them as wallpaper is so inspired. I would love to know more – how were they applied, was anything applied over the charcoal to prevent smudging, etc. Please investigate! I wish we had more angles to see more of that room.
Hi Monika…you can buy cans of sealant to protect charcoal with no bleeding, smudging or change in patina.
I counted 7 globe lights!! Gorgeous home
What a lovely name. Sounds like a great name as an author.🤗
In my mind I envision guests being entertained in the before house and then in the featured AD house. The before home was designed to showcase the homeowner’s design talent. The new version is to serve as a backdrop for relaxed fun times with family and friends.
This is such a fascinating home tour because the 80s vibe is really not my style, but I still appreciate and respect what they did here! Not for me but good for them! It’s legit cool.
Except for that powder room. I love it. I want to duplicate it right now. CAN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE POWDER ROOM SCONCES. Anyone here know what they’re called? I want to know the right search terms so I can find some myself!
Do a Google lens search by taking a photo of the sconce.
Google was no help for me. But try searching various combos of these words: porcelier, lightolier, paulding, porcelain, ceramic, vintage, antique, bathroom, wall sconce, art deco, art modern, victorian, white, black, metal, bronze. I found a few similar options but none with that same metal/porcelain combo.
The giant bust is from my aunt-in-law’s store in Minneapolis, MN! The store is called Hunt & Gather and is a treasure trove of unique finds. The owner’s home tour is quite a feast for the eyes too! https://mspmag.com/home-and-design/hometours-kristi-berkvam-stratton/
Whoo! Fabulous.
The “mannequin-looking statue” is actually a wasp’s nest. She talks about it in the AD YouTube video. It is simultaneously beautiful and creepy!
This may be harsh but… I’ve not seen a more boring space recently. I’m a bit minimal myself but this home feels stark and stripped of character. I thought this before viewing the before pictures but even more so now. It truly looks builder grade. I do understand a simple color palette to focus on art but my hope is she finds/creates more and enlivens the place. I just don’t know why she was drawn to it in the first place, I assume location or the backyard? It’s an odd one to include in AD.
TBH I didn’t really like the before or after, but it’s Kasey’s home so she can decorate it how she likes. However (and I think this is what the comments might be getting at) if you want a minimalist house why but one that is completely minimalist it it’s style. I don’t know anything about Nashville Real Estate or Kasey Musgraves (once again her house she can do as she likes!) But presumably budget wasn’t a massive issue so why buy this house? I think it is the tension between the style of the house and the style of the decor that feels a bit off.
I find minimalism seems to work best in either old homes (think of those beautiful Swedish apartments you see on Instagram), 60/70s homes with clean lines (think Emily’s Mountain House) or new builds… So maybe having the minimal look in a non-minimalist new build is what is throwing people off.
👋
Everything is perfect. Bathtub is amazing the simplicity and brightness…
Yikes! I just cannot hold back a minute more. Creamy white kitchens, living spaces, etc., all very soothing. Personally I aspire to Coastal Grandma style (maybe a bit more color,though? Greek Isles coastal? ) BUT…the elephant in the room is this: how does one keep anything clean? One jump on the sofa after my Golden Retriever runs around the yard, then what? And do the owners (or their staff) carry around cleaning supplies for cabinet fronts from room to room throughout the day? Please do a “down and dirty” post on decor that can stand up to fur kids and also everyday spotiness! Do performance fabrics really work? Must one buy a robot vac for dog hair on hardwood floors? What’s the daily maintenance on white cabinets? I know you have answers!
I have 2 kids and white walls/light timber floors/white kitchen. No dog but my boys are 3 and 5 and pretty grotty.
Robot vacuum essential (run it in the living/kitchen/dining most days, mop once or twice a week). Upstairs gets vacuumed once a week.
Walls get pretty gross with handprints but I have paint that I can spray and wipe. I’ll do a touch up paint in high traffic areas later this year. Kitchen cabinets not too bad – I give them a quick wipe when needed.
BUT …I have a dark coloured couch made of performance fabric (it’s actually awesome – I hosed off the cushion when one of the kiddos was sick on it) but I’m not sure it would have worked so well if it was white.
I bought my light coloured rug cotton second hand it’s a sacrificial lamb – I spot clean it regularly but when it gets too gross I’ll replace it with a more durable one that can be cleaned more easily.
Bur agreed – a EHD post on this would be great!
These EHD team calls sound like so much fun! Maybe someday you could run a contest and the winner gets to join an EHD zoom call??
I recognised the home about half way through the tour. I too prefer the decor in the ‘before’ (no surprise, as I own Pierce & Ward’s book), but having compared the pictures side by side, I’m struck at how little was changed beyond the surfaces themselves – the kitchen, bar and bathroom cabinets are still the same, as is pretty much all the millwork! It’s actually an extremely good illustration of how much relatively superficial changes can radically transform the look of a house, which I think makes it quite inspirational.
SO, generally speaking, it takes a whole hecking lot to get me watching video content—just not my medium of choice. I am not intimidated by walls of words and will 99.999999% of the time opt for that over any sort of video. OKAY, now, preamble done, here it is: I would absolutely LOVE to watch a video of the EHD team live-commenting on AD (or other) home tours. My mind houses exactly zero video-making skills, but in it I am imagining a side-by-side situation where there’s a Brady Bunch–style zoom mosaic with the team on one side and photos from the AD shoot on the other, highlighting each team member as they monologue on the photos that appear.
…Anyway, now that overcaffeinated soliloquy’s done with, what I actually came here to ask the EHD hive mind is if anybody has an ID on the plant in Kacey’s foyer. Bueller? I love its architectural silhouette and—more to the point—the fact that it looks relatively low-maintenance (a desert variety of some sort?). Whew! Friday! Let’s get it, folks.
It’s id’d above in the comments and in the AD video tour (https://www.architecturaldigest.com/video/watch/open-door-inside-kacey-musgravess-serene-nashville-home#) as a French Blue Scotch Pine. https://www.monrovia.com/french-blue-scotch-pine.html
Thank you so much, KJ! 🙂
My very late to the party thoughts : First, EHD has a great team with different opinions and should do more of this sort of group design reviews. Love the various call-outs from different team members gravitating to different items or views. Second, it was so interesting to compare this post to the AD article to the owner-hosted AD video. Each added to my understanding of the current decorating direction. Finally, what a treat (via reader-posted links) to see the same home beautifully designed, styled and photographed in such different ways. So often, we are presented with poorly lit and photographed “before” images so of course the “afters” look great! Hope we are lucky enough to see it again as it’s a lovely home and I imagine the present design will evolve.
The magazine says the house was built in 2012! Nothing lost really in the renovation. I think a lot of the previous decoration looks really dated.