HOME FEATURE

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STORY TER R I G LAZER | INTERIOR DESIGN AN N P R IN C E IN TER IO R S PHOTOS R O SS G R O U P C R EATIV E

When a designer

partners w ith homeow ners to outfit a new residence, the task is often to select all new furnishings. That w asn’t the case w ith this East Memphis house, how ever. Ann Prince, ow ner of Ann Prince Interiors, became a specialist in “mergers and acquisitions” for the project, crafting a stunning design aesthetic that blends new ly purchased pieces, favorite items from their former house and treasured family antiques w ith furniture, art and more acquired from the previous ow ner’s estate sale. The finished product fits the home and family perfectly.

The ow ners, a family w ith three school-age children, came to ow n the house through circumstances so serendipitous that they knew it w as meant to be. W hen they mentioned to a family member w ho is a realtor that they w ere planning an addition to their former house, she suggested they look at properties instead.

It w asn’t long before she show ed them the house they now call home, and although they w eren’t initially planning to move, the homeow ner says they love their new place.

The previous

ow ner had raised her family there and w as starting a new chapter. She w as ready to part w ith some of the beautiful furnishings and extensive art collection she had amassed over the years. The new residents w ere the fortunate recipients of several pieces of furniture and w orks of art she placed in an estate sale. Prince used her design expertise to incorporate them, along w ith the family’s existing furnishings and some new pieces, to create an elegant ambiance that is also tough enough to hold up to family life.

Case in point is the green sofa in the living room. The homeow ner fell in love w ith its graceful curved shape w hen she saw it at the estate sale. Prince had it covered in the striking upholstery that’s as durable as it is beautiful. “It’s Schumacher Performance Velvet and it’s amazing,” she says. “I accidentally left the fabric sample out in the rain and it looked just as good after!”

The living room is a study in contrasts as family antiques in dark w ood blend w ith glass and lucite tables. Prince mixed neutral prints in the rug and upholstered chairs to add interest in the background.

She continued the theme of old and new, bright, dark and neutral in the adjacent dining room, w here an original painting by N ew O rleans artist Ashley Longshore is the focal point. The antique dining table is an heirloom from the homeow ner’s grandmother, but the side chairs are all new. Although their light, neutral look is elegant, the chairs are ready for action; Prince upholstered them in faux leather she describes as “indestructible.” N ailhead detail on the end chairs mirrors the table’s oval shape. Scalamandre printed grasscloth w allpaper once again proves that neutral doesn’t mean boring.

Prince w orked her blending magic again in the family room, and set it all off by painting the built-ins in Benjamin Moore’s Galapagos Green— a saturated yet sedate hue. The previous homeow ner had the pair of abstracts now above the sofa in a different spot, but they look so perfect in their current placement, it seems as though they w ere meant to be there all along. The size and scale of comfy armchairs from the family’s former home also w ork w ell in their new setting.

Just off the family room, a casual dining area seems to bring the outdoors in, taking advantage of the home’s lush, green setting. The gallery-style area is light filled thanks to a full w all of w indow s that counteracts the w eighty design of the rough-hew n w ood ceiling. Further dow n the gallery hall, Prince continued to play up natural elements; she papered the friends’ entry in green Clarence House w allpaper w ith stylized leaves for just a touch of w himsy.

The kitchen received a facelift, as did several other areas of the home, thanks to Architect David Anderson and RKA Construction. Storage w as the homeow ner’s top priority and Anderson delivered in spades. From the w all of cabinets and draw ers in the kitchen to the “secret” w ine closet near the bar area to the mud room w ith a locker and draw ers for each child, there’s a place for everything— even a built-in dog kennel and a Chippendale-style pocket doggie gate to corral O live the pup. Midtow n Cabinetry & Millw ork crafted all the custom cabinetry.

The renovation

of the master w ing included rew orking the laundry room and upping its design quotient. A cheerful blue palette that includes eye-catching cement floor tiles makes the thought of doing the w ash dow nright appealing.

The mood is more serene, though, in the revamped master suite. Anderson’s vision reimagined the layout, and the current floor plan is simple and restful. Large w indow s in the bedroom afford full view s of the parklike backyard and pool. The master bath is an elegant blend of marble, w hite and chrome w ith soft, blue-gray w alls.

Part of the remodel included adding a dow nstairs bedroom and bath for the family’s youngest child. Her suite is roomy and comfortable, perfect to “age up” w ith her as she grow s.

Although the beautifully blended house is the star of the show, the home’s backyard is another example of how the current residents have meshed w ith the former ones. The previous ow ner w as an avid gardener and her labor of love is evident throughout the backyard. W inding paths reveal adorable fairy gardens and surprises, all conceived and created throughout the years by the past ow ner. The current homeow ner admits she isn’t an accomplished gardener, how ever, her mother-in-law is an expert w ho often lends her talents to preserving and improving the scenery.

The family enjoys the pool, firepit and back house constructed by the last ow ner, but have put their ow n stamp on the backyard w ith the addition of a hidden batting cage and putting green perfect for boys w ho love sports.

From the front door to the backyard, the house and grounds are truly a haven. The best of everything, w hether new ly acquired, from the family’s past, or through the home’s heritage, blends so perfectly it feels that it w as destined to become the place this family w ould call home.