23 Aug Refined Nashville cottage
When I went to visit designer Mary Follin recently, I knew she had renovated her ranch home in Nashville, but I was blown away when I drove down her street, and realized I was in front of her retreat.
To appreciate this home even more, you have to see what the house looked like in its previous life.
Clearly a charming home, but what a transformation! Mary and her husband, Chris, took the plunge and over a period of 9 years, totally changed their existing home. Mary designed it, but because of her busy schedule, took a long time to actually get it just the way she wanted it.
Cottage style with a segmented roofline is what they wanted, and with the help of James Dunn of Vintage Millworks, this is what they collaborated on and achieved.
Dunn did the windows, all the custom millwork and pecky cypress ceiling.
Decorative light fixtures came from Artifacts in Nashville.
Mary also worked with Daryl Garrison who is a master in paint glazing techniques. The finishes are subtle and rich. Garrison also painted the columns in the home. And he painted and glazed panels on the walls, and did the custom stain finish on the cypress in the library.
The painting is by artist Charlotte Terrell. The paint color throughout the downstairs is Benjamin Moore Tapestry Beige. Mary says it is a green based cream that changes with the light.
And then there’s the hand painted wallpaper, done by Paul Montgomery out of Virginia. Mary says the original hallway was too small for art, so she chose these papers to accent the space.
All the tile and marble in the home comes from Traditions in Tile & Stone.
I could just keep gushing about this house and how much I personally love it, but to stay on point, I need to tell you more about Mary and her design philosophy. For nearly four decades, Mary Follin Design has been helping clients shape their homes in a manner that reflects their own personal style and way of living. She’s done it all; from a home on Sea Island, Georgia, to a condo in Aspen, Colorado to a log cabin in Williamson County near Nashville and a hunting manse near Sewanee, Tennessee.
We sat down in her gorgeous home to chat about her design philosophy and her beloved golden retriever, Tilly Marie joined us.
Stylish Retreats: Are you traditional?
Mary Follins: I’m traditional, with an open mind.
Stylish Retreats: What’s the most important question you ask a client about a project to get the best result?
Mary Follin: I ask them how do they like to live in their home and interact with their family in the spaces. What spaces are the most important to them. That defines whether the home is open or there are more private areas. How do they entertain? It needs to reflect how they truly live their life.
Stylish Retreats: Do you have a favorite go to color?
Mary Follin: Green. I see it as a neutral color. It’s found everywhere in nature.
Stylish Retreats: What’s the most fun part of a design project for you?
Mary Follin: There are three parts. The first is getting the initial inspiration for the space. Second is applying the make up and jewelry for the home; the paint, floors, color palette and fabrics. And finally, when their first guests walk in the door and say, “this looks just like you.” Then I know I’ve done my job.
Stylish Retreats: What’s some advice you could give to someone who wants to update their home?
Mary Follin: If a room doesn’t feel complete, identify what it is that makes you unhappy. Is it a blank wall? Then start looking for the right piece to complete the space.
She emphasizes the importance of scale, architecture, and color in a home.
Mary also says, “It’s never just about a hardwood floor, a rug, six chairs and a coffee table. Rather, it’s about getting to know exactly how my clients live currently- how they want to live- so that everything, including plumbing, flooring, lighting, color and textures, comes together to beautifully surround and shape every experience that will take place within the space.”
Tilly Marie couldn’t agree more.
Stylish Retreats appreciates Mary’s time and talent. Mary can be reached at her office; Mary Follin Design; 615-385-9944 and seen on Instagram. Decorative painter Daryl Garrison; 615-480-2881. Vintage Millworks is on Instagram, as is artist Charlotte Terrell, Paul Montgomery Studio, Daryl Garrison, and Artifacts. Links to those with websites are provided in the article. Thanks again for reading and sharing!
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