Step inside this exceptional 1950s colonial home renovation in Tennessee

White painted brick colonial house at dusk with covered front porch, black shutters, and landscaped driveway

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A 1950s colonial home has undergone an extensive restoration by Pfeffer Torode Architecture, nestled on an 8.5-acre property in the Forest Hills section of Nashville, Tennessee. This historic ranch is a harmonious blend of history and modern living, featuring a 5,132-square-foot main house, a barn, a pool house, and a greenhouse. The architect preserved the colonial charm of the 1950s main residence and transformed the 5,959-square-foot barn into a versatile artist studio.

The landscape design complements the natural contours, creating a gradual reveal of the property. The pool house, with an asymmetrical design, serves as a connection to the outdoors. The collaborative effort with the homeowner resulted in a seamless fusion of historic charm and modern functionality, making ‘Fountain Hill’ a sanctuary for creativity and expression.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECT Pfeffer Torode Architecture
INTERIOR DESIGNER Liz Bonesio
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Daigh Rick

Glossy navy blue paneled door with brass knob opening to foyer with bold botanical wallpaper mural

What We Love About This Home

Fountain Hill is the kind of property that takes your breath away, a stunning Nashville estate so creatively designed, it’s befitting of an artist. The lovingly restored 1950s colonial, converted barn studio, and greenhouse potting shed each feel like a natural extension of the land. The interiors are bold and deeply personal, layering rich wallpapers, painted cabinetry, and carefully sourced antiques in a way that feels as much like a curated gallery as it does a family home. We especially love the Victorian-style greenhouse that doubles as a potting shed and herb prep zone, setting the tone for a property that celebrates both creativity and the art of living well.

Tell Us…

Which space on this property do you love the most? The cozy sunroom banquette overlooking the garden, the light-filled artist studio in the barn, or the greenhouse potting shed tucked among the trees? Let us know in the comments below!

Note: If you’re drawn to sensitively restored homes in Tennessee, you may also enjoy this historic farmhouse renovation in Franklin, Tennessee, and this stunning update to a Nashville house on a woodsy property.

Living Room

Living room with pink bookshelves, navy cabinets, ornate fireplace, and mid-century lounge chairs

Above: The living room features built-ins painted in Domingue Architectural Finishes mineral paint in Primrose (insets) and Fine Paints of Europe GC822 (trim). The marble fireplace mantel is original to the home. Grounding this space is a custom area rug from Erden.

Dining Room

Sitting room corner with two patterned armchairs, terracotta upper walls, and paneled wainscoting

Above: This intimate dining space is not only a place to host parties. Also nearby are a dining table and a pool table, as well as a piano. The wall paneling is painted in Farrow & Ball Skylight. The wall plaster is in the shade Brique, sourced from Domingue Finishes.

The Kitchen

Warm kitchen with wood island, globe pendant lights, beadboard walls, and woven roman shades

Above: This oak kitchen island provides additional storage, chopping space, and casual dining. The perimeter cabinets are painted in Chapel by Domingue Finishes and topped with Cristallo Azul quartzite (icy white background with gorgeous blue hues).

Farmhouse kitchen sink with brass bridge faucet, marble countertops, and steel-framed garden window

Kitchen with wood island, striped counter stools, globe pendant lights, open shelving, and marble range backsplash

Above: The pendant lights over the island were sourced from Balsamo Antiques.

Transitional mudroom hallway with built-in white drawers, wood countertop, and brass pendant light

Butler’s Pantry

Scullery with dusty rose cabinets, slate floor, farmhouse sink, and gray beadboard walls

Above: The butler’s pantry features a large Kohler sink, the perfect spot for making flower arrangements. The countertop is London Silk quartzite. The pendant lights were sourced from Remains Lighting Company.

Open glass-front cabinet with pink exterior, blue patterned wallpaper lining, and collected ceramics

Above: The cabinetrs are painted in Sandblast by Benjamin Moore, while the shelves are painted in Blustery Sky by Sherwin-Williams. The backing is Zak + Fox wallpaper.

Sunroom

Sunroom breakfast nook with curved banquette, round table, rattan pendant, and steel-framed windows

Above: This sunroom addition is situated just off the kitchen, living, and dining rooms, helping to connect them with the outdoor garden and patio. This space provides the owner with an idyllic spot for enjoying everyday meals. The custom banquette is upholstered in a Casal fabric with Perennials fabric cushions for durability.

Above: The ceiling light fixture is from Soane Britain. Connecting this space to the outdoors is a cheerful shade of blue on the ceiling.

Owner’s Bedroom

Floral upholstered headboard with pink and striped pillows, brass wall sconce, and pink table lamp

Stone fireplace surround with brass floor lamp and upholstered armchair against olive plaster wall

Owner’s Bathroom

Primary bathroom with freestanding soaking tub, sculptural bronze chandelier, linen curtains, and wood plank ceiling

Above: In the owner’s bathroom, the soaking tub was sourced from Victoria + Albert, paired with a tub filler from Barber Wilsons & Co. The area rug was sourced from Eliko Rugs.

Guest Room

Twin bedroom with olive green carved headboards, yellow blankets, orange nightstand, and small-pattern wallpaper

Above: In the guest bedroom, the wallpaper from Peter Fasano inspired a natural palette. The custom beds are painted in a Fine Paints of Europe GC603 lacquer. The nightstand is from Made Goods.

Guest Bathroom

Bathroom hallway in slate blue with view into twin bedroom featuring olive headboards and yellow bedding

Above: This jack-and-jill guest bathroom is shared with another guest bedroom (pictured below). The space features a trough sink by Lacava and wall tile from Tabarka Studio. Light fixtures include a sconce from Circa Lighting and a ceiling light from Remains Lighting Company. The trim is painted in Farrow & Ball De Nimes.

Guest Bedroom

Guest bedroom with warm neutral walls, dark teal trim, navy door, and layered textiles

Mudroom

Mudroom with antique stone laundry sink, brass faucets, vintage spool collection, and herringbone brick floor

Above: In the mudroom, the unique sink was sourced from Facebook Marketplace. The walls are painted in Seapearl by Benjamin Moore, while the trim is Pilgrim Haze by Benjamin Moore. The door is Blue Note, also by Benjamin Moore. The ceiling pendant lights are from Currey & Company.

Outdoor Gardens & Entertaining

Dark steel-framed glass conservatory addition surrounded by vegetable garden beds

Rear exterior of white brick house with black steel conservatory addition and outdoor dining patio

Pool house with colonial architecture, arched dormers, blue French doors, and curved pool in foreground

Rustic pool cabana with weathered wood columns, scalloped rafter tails, and poolside outdoor dining

Barn House & Artist Studio

Dark gray gambrel-roof barn conversion with sliding wood doors and ornamental grass landscaping

Converted barn interior with soaring wood truss ceiling, concrete floors, mezzanine loft, and artist studio space

Steep staircase with black-painted risers, raw wood treads, industrial bulkhead sconces, and weathered board walls

Attic bedroom with gambrel ceiling, exposed beams, octagonal window, ornate headboard, and striped blanket

Sunlit barn interior corner with antique armchair, leaning wooden ladder, and original horse stall doors

Barn loft bathroom with clawfoot tub, exposed beams, beadboard walls, gallery of small framed prints, and pink sofa

Artist studio with wall of steel-framed windows, paint-covered workbench, brushes, and large canvas in progress

Greenhouse

Victorian-style glass greenhouse with black steel frame on stone base surrounded by garden plantings

Above: The greenhouse is used as a potting shed and prep zone for fresh herbs picked from the garden. The beautiful Hartley Botanic greenhouse is designed to resemble a traditional Victorian structure.

Small black steel-framed greenhouse with gabled roof on stone base, filled with potted plants and garden tools