Gothic Franklin Cityhouse Interior Anthology creates a modern aesthetic in history driven town Written by Gloria Houghland / Photography by Andrea Behrends and Michael Scott Evans Who doesn’t think of downtown Franklin as the epitome of America’s most quaint Main Street? With its dazzling array of specialty shops, its unique dining experiences, atmospheric streetlights and outstanding historic buildings, all connected by sidewalks, it is consistently ranked as one of America’s favorite small towns. Its 1799 founding date, along with its storied Civil War heritage, only add to its incredible charm. Many of the estates along the tree-lined streets have been modernized over the years with new homes constructed more recently, which reflect the original design aesthetic of this very alluring town. We enjoyed a tour of one of these “period inspired” homes and were totally enamored by the warmth and character emanating from the home. In fact, it was almost impossible to tell whether this was a new home honed to historic perfection or an historic home which had been meticulously updated to today’s exacting trends. Either way, the result stands as the ultimate complement to the design team of Jennefer and Rick at Interior Anthology. The small Ledgelawn conclave on West Main Street, within blocks of the Historic Square, was developed on the 2.5 acre property of the 1903 Dosier House. Careful planning and attention to detail went into the design of the six structures (they all have front porches), so that they would all meld seamlessly with the Hincheyville Historic District, Franklin’s first subdivision, c. 1819. Interior Anthology was selected by the owners of this Gothicinspired home while it was still under construction. This young, and much sought after, design firm is headed by husband-and-wife team, 66 slmag.net
Rick and Jennefer Guthrie. This dynamic duo chose all of the finishes and the new furnishings, as well as some of phenomenal works of art showcased here. “This is the best representation of what we do,” Jennefer said. “I tackle the interior design and Rick focuses on the fine art, from the purchase to the framing to the placement of each piece.” There are many eclectic and extraordinary works from the homeowners’ collection of heirloom pieces to an abstract Edie Maney, which serves as the focal point on the staircase wall to a plethora of lush plein-air landscapes by Jason Saunders. “I took the owners to several artists’ studios,” Rick said, “and they fell absolutely in love with Jason’s work. They purchased several pieces and I selected and framed them with moulding which underscored their rural theme. We even talked Jason into creating a still life for the couple’s dining room featuring their family silver and china.” Jennefer laughed and chimed in here: “We wanted to embrace their silver collection without them having to constantly polish it!” She continued by noting that they used the pair’s existing formal dining room table and chairs while adding new host and hostess chairs at each end, which they then dressed in floor-length linen. Other fresh elements include a sumptuous antique Oushak, which incorporates the home’s neutrals touched with a perfect dash of seafoam; and the light of a more modern crystal chandelier, which helps draw the eye to the handsome custom draperies framing the windows. Jennefer describes it as a “traditional look, updated with crisp, clean elements balanced by the story telling commissioned painting.”
