A young family’s nest

25 May A young family’s nest

You know when you’re going to feature a designer’s personal home it’s going to be a good house, even when you’ve never been there to check it out first. But it may not be what you are attracted to.  In this case, it was both!  And I knew when I parked out front of Tori Alexander’s house in the Belle Meade Links neighborhood, I would love the inside because the exterior had all the elements that catch my eye.  Painted brick; check.

Contrasting shutters; check.

Blue Hydrangeas; check.

Porch swing AND a swing hanging from a tree in the front yard; check.

And then I went inside.

How much style can you fit into a  two thousand square foot home?  As much as possible here.   From the art, to the fabulous fabrics, and teak root coffee table, it’s got it going on.

Tori and Dave Alexander bought this house when they first married but didn’t stay long. Life took them to California where she started her design business and still has projects going.

Then there were two babies. But they came back to their hometown and have done major work on this sweet house.

In the living room that stretches the width of the house, they eliminated a wall that had made it two separate rooms.  It is Tori’s favorite space.

Tori says she loves the Palm Beach look and is drawn to the textiles and mix of vibrant colors on natural materials, like rattan and bamboo.

For example, these vintage chairs. And the painted faux bamboo blue mirrors on each side of the television and shelf.  She says she always starts the design process in a room with fabric choices and goes from there.

Then there’s her amazing collection of  colorful paintings by well known artist Murat Kaboulov.  There are several in her living room.  Alexander also has infused alot of blue and white porcelain vases in her space, inspired by her mother.

Then there’s the master bedroom that has such pizazz.

I’m crazy about the bedding and the headboard came from Craig’s List.  I think alot of people are afraid to go with bold fabric choices, but not Tori.

Then there’s Mamie and Eliza’s darling bedroom.   That’s Norris, their puppy, posing for the photo and his fifteen minutes of fame.  Mamie was busy placing her rocks in their special spot.

The wallpaper is from Cole & Sons.  Curtains are custom, made from Sister Parrish fabric. And the pink striped chair hails from Palm Beach.

Mamie was home on this day getting ready for her fifth birthday party.  She is a doll.

She also showed me around the rest of the house, including the newly updated bathroom she shares with her little sister.

The playful zebra wallpaper is from Scalamandre.  And the cool pulls are from Nest Studio.

The kitchen has also been renovated with a large dining area for the family along with great light fixtures and another place to sit at the island.

Then there’s an upstairs with Tori’s office, full of fabric samples and her tools of the trade.

Currently, this busy designer and mom has twelve projects in the works, with four of them in California.  She’s doing lots of nurseries for young families along with kitchen and bath renovations.  You probably won’t find her sitting and just chilling in her living room with Norris very often!

Thanks Tori, for opening your home to Stylish Retreats!  And happy 5th birthday to Mamie.

You can follow Tori on Instagram at @AlexanderInteriorsNashville or reach her at Tori@AlexanderInteriors.net.

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