An artist lives here

11 Aug An artist lives here

It’s not every day you see a home with a log cabin attached to it, but it’s also not every day you get inside a home that’s on the National Historic Register circa 1830. As they say, they don’t build ’em like this anymore. Here she is.

The all brick classic beauty was the original home in the Eagle’s Glen subdivision in Franklin back in the day, with the homeowner moving the log cabin from Kentucky to this site, attaching it to the main house in 1840.

I’m thinking it’s this space upstairs in the log cabin portion of the home that won over the new homeowner. You see, Kate Lewis is a well known artist originally from West Tennessee who has lived in Chicago with her family for the past twenty years. When her cousin, realtor Elizabeth Crockett told her about this historic home, Kate and her husband wasted no time in getting down here to see it and make it their own! With four children and their dog in tow, the family packed up and moved into the four square home. Here are a few more pics of how the house looked when they arrived. Clearly the house had been updated over the years with modern appliances and other charming details.

As you can see, fabulous bones in this home. I, too, would have been smitten. Look at the gorgeous floors, beams and every room in the original part of the house has a fireplace! The suspended spiral staircase in the foyer is original to the home. There are large wooden doors throughout with original brass hardware you just don’t find anymore. The four main rooms are all 18 by 18 feet square with high ceilings and beautiful windows.

But that was then. After Kate put her touches on it, here’s a look at what a fresh coat of paint and new light fixtures have done to freshen her up! And keep in mind, this is just in the four main rooms of the original house! From bright green, gold and blue to a soft shade of white.

This is Kate’s daughter’s room that’s now painted the dreamy shade of white called “Milk Glass” by Dunn Edwards. Her daughter created a fun collage above her bed of photos from their lives in Chicago along with other memories.

Kate obviously has a very cool vibe with hanging chairs in several rooms, modern stools, interesting lighting and of course art.

I love how Kate has encouraged her children to create their own pieces of art and display them in their bedrooms. Not surprising coming from an artist with an endless supply of creative juices flowing.

Let’s go back to the kitchen when Kate and her family first moved in. Certainly very nice with darker stained cabinets.

When I first visited back in late March, this is how I found the kitchen.

Now here’s the updated version, after a few short months.

So much has changed. Open shelves, new counters and backsplash, the sink has moved, and there’s a bigger island and new lighting, along with a painted brick wall behind the fireplace in the dining area.

Off the kitchen is what was once a carport that had already been converted into a den. Kate added the skylight, used a fresh coat of paint and her style to update this space that flows from the original house to the log cabin.

Here’s what the log cabin upstairs looked like before.

And now!!!

This particular painting is featured in the book she illustrated, called “Artists in Residence,” featuring 17 artists and their living spaces. She had it on her easel back in March.

Above is Kate’s latest work now available to purchase. (You can find her on Instagram @katelewisart or katelewisart.com)

She started a series of black line paintings on stretched linen a few months ago. @morningfindsketch

I really find it astounding that a mother of four and a wife can also produce so much art! She’s clearly brimming with ideas and positive energy to produce all of this. And that’s not all. She’s a gardener too. When I was there recently, work was going on in front of the house, including four raised beds for vegetables and herbs right outside her kitchen door.

And so, a house with a long history begins a new chapter with the energy of a young family making new memories.

Thanks so much to Kate for sharing her home and painting retreat. Check her out on Instagram, @katelewisart. Opp Guenard was the project manager for the home renovations. Elizabeth Crockett with Benchmark Realty sold the house to Kate and her husband. She can be reached at 615-202-7580 or her email; ecrockettrealestate@gmail.com. Tennessee Kitchen Gardens is building the raised beds. tennesseekitchengardens.com. Roger Rust is their landscaper.

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