A Belle Meade Home Designed in Perfect Balance
Some homes immediately reveal what makes them special. Others ask you to slow down—to notice the way morning light settles across the kitchen island, how a hand-painted mural quietly draws your eye from one room to the next, or how every color feels as though it was always meant to be there. This Belle Meade residence is one of those homes.
Morning light pours through a wall of windows, illuminating creamy cabinetry, warm oak floors, and unlacquered brass that will develop a beautiful patina over time. Framed by tailored Roman shades and views of the surrounding landscape, the kitchen feels effortless—equal parts elegant and inviting. Wrapped in Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, the cabinetry reflects the natural light beautifully, creating a warm backdrop for the thoughtfully layered interiors beyond.
For interior designer Jessica Bandstra of Dogwood Proper, this new build was an opportunity to create something deeply personal. The homeowners envisioned a residence that reflected both of their personalities equally, and Jessica answered that challenge with remarkable thoughtfulness. Rather than asking one aesthetic to take precedence, she designed a home that celebrates two distinct points of view while feeling beautifully unified from one room to the next.
While architect Erin Cypress, then with Pfeffer Torode, provided timeless architectural bones, it was Jessica's use of color, texture, and layering that transformed the house into a home with a distinct sense of identity. The front door is in a grounded blue called De Nimes by Farrow and Ball while the exterior is painted in Winds Breath by Benjamin Moore a creamy white that pairs perfectly with the slate roof..
That story begins in the dining room.
Wrapped in a hand-painted mural by Susan Harter, the dining room became the home's defining moment. Rich with color and movement, it established a palette that quietly carries throughout the residence, allowing each room to feel connected without ever feeling repetitive. More than a beautiful focal point, the mural became the inspiration for every color choice that followed.
Hidden within the scene, a cleverly concealed jib door is wrapped in the mural, allowing the pastoral landscape to flow uninterrupted across the walls. It's the kind of quiet detail that often goes unnoticed at first glance, yet perfectly illustrates the level of craftsmanship and thoughtful restraint found throughout the home.
Just beyond, the living room continues the narrative with walls painted in Silver Lake Dad by Drop Cloth, creating a quietly sophisticated backdrop that allows antiques, artwork, and collected pieces to take center stage. Nearby, the sitting room offers a softer pause, where Sherwin-Williams Polite White lends a subtle warmth that perfectly complements the natural light.
The beauty of the palette is in its restraint. Each room borrows from the dining room mural in a unique way, creating moments that feel distinct without ever competing. In her suite, Farrow & Ball's Light Blue No. 22 wraps the trim and adjoining bath in a soft, luminous blue that feels graceful and timeless. His suite, by contrast, embraces richer tones and tailored details, offering a moodier interpretation of the home's overarching palette.
Throughout the home, Jessica's approach is one of quiet confidence. Color isn't used simply to make a statement—it creates a rhythm, guiding you from one thoughtfully composed room to the next. Every finish feels intentional, every furnishing collected, and every detail contributes to a home that is both elegant and deeply livable.
Executed with exceptional craftsmanship by Brentwood Builders and framed by the thoughtful landscape design of Jason Gabbard, the home is a testament to the power of collaboration. Together, the team created a home that feels gracious, welcoming, and enduring—one that honors the architecture while reflecting the lives of the family who calls it home.
In the end, it isn't one room that defines this Belle Meade residence. It's the conversation between them. Beginning with the dining room mural and unfolding through every carefully considered color, finish, and furnishing, Jessica Bandstra created a home that reflects two personalities while speaking in one beautifully cohesive voice. It is a thoughtful reminder that the most memorable interiors aren't simply beautiful—they tell a story.
Project Team
Interior Designer: Dogwood Proper
Architect: Erin Cypress (formerly with Pfeffer Torode when she designed the home)
Builder: Brentwood Builders
Landscape Architect: Jason Gabbard
Stylist: Colson Horton
Photographer: Native House Photography
More Timeless Homes
One of my favorite parts of Garden & Grace is sharing the homes and the talented creatives behind them. If you enjoyed touring this beautifully layered Belle Meade new build by Jessica Bandstra of Dogwood Proper, I think you'll love this featured home as well. It's another inspiring example of timeless architecture, thoughtful interiors, and gracious Southern living.
Non-white Paint Colors That Add Character
If you’re looking for paint colors that bring personality to a space without feeling bold or overwhelming, these three favorites are worth considering.
If you’re looking for paint colors that bring personality to a space without feeling bold or overwhelming, these three favorites are worth considering.
Woodlawn Blue by Benjamin Moore
In a two-story foyer with semi-good natural light, this soft blue feels fresh, inviting, and perfectly southern. It’s light enough to keep the space open, yet adds just the right amount of color. I especially love how it looks paired with creamy white molding—it highlights the architecture and gives the entryway a timeless charm. See the full home tour with Kate Morrison from Eastover Collection here.
Light Blue by Farrow & Ball
This cozy den proves that soft color can still feel rich and layered. Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue creates a soothing backdrop that plays beautifully with warmer tones—think browns, reds, and deep blues. It adds depth and character to smaller rooms, making them feel intimate rather than dark. See my full home tour with Mary Margaret Underwood here.
Tissue Pink by Benjamin Moore
In another entryway, Tissue Pink offers the faintest blush of color. I didn’t even notice it was pink until I looked back at photos—it’s that subtle. This hue adds a gentle, feminine touch without feeling too sweet, and pairs effortlessly with greens, blues, and creamy neutrals. See my home tour with Kate Figler at her Nashville, TN home here.
10 Classic Front Door Colors
Picking the perfect paint color for your front door is a tough choice—here are 10 designer-loved options.
Find the perfect shade of paint for your front door is a tough choice, but you can't go wrong with a black front door on a traditional white exterior, Interior designer Morgan Britt Howard tells Garden & Grace.
"However, lately I have been drawn to a tone on tone look," Morgan says. Start with a taupe like Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter for the exterior, and use Clary Sage by Sherwin Williams for a pop of tonal color.
If you're looking for more inspiration, here are eight other front door paint colors that are sure to give your curb appeal a boost.
Everything about this Isle of Hope estate we featured on the blog earlier this summer is a dream. But if there's one thing to copy in your own home, the front door is it. The front door (Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Grey) has a jewel-like hue to it, beautifully dressed in bespoke brass knobs by Wilmette Hardware.
The 2019 Southern Living Showhouse still inspires us five years later. The design team went with Sherwin-Williams' Blustery Sky for the antique front door—a preview of the old-meets-new charm to come.
Remember when Morgan told us you can't go wrong with a black front door? This home by Chauncy Boothby Interiors is all the proof you need. She used Farrow & Ball Pitch Black—a truly timeless choice.
Another tonal pairing, Cover Me in Ivy captured this Atlanta home with Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee Revere Pewter on the shutters and front door for a traditional look.
This deep, midnight blue (Farrow and Ball Hague Blue 30) is so sophisticated. I love how it reads nearly black in this lighting.
Farrow and Ball Vardo is a whimsical choice for bringing your front door to life—just as Kristina Phillips did here.
This sweet front door is painted in Benjamin Moore's Sugarcane. I love how it breaks up the white but still plays like a neutral here.
You may have seen this one on Garden & Grace before—we just can't get enough. The brick is painted in Benjamin Moore Natural Cream, the perfect backdrop for the Tarrytown Green front door.
The perfect way to accessorize your front door is with a tailored boxwood wreath and statement door knocker. Shop our favorite picks below!
Favorite Finishes: Sarah Catherine Design Shares Inspiration For Fall
As summer starts to wind down, we wanted to provide the Garden & Grace community with fresh seasonal inspiration. We tapped Birmingham-based designer Sarah Moore, of Sarah Catherine Designs, to share a transitional interior scheme.
As summer starts to wind down, we wanted to provide the Garden & Grace community with fresh seasonal inspiration. We tapped Birmingham-based designer Sarah Moore, of Sarah Catherine Designs, to share a transitional interior scheme. The finishes she selected incorporate multiple textures, colors and patterns while still keeping some consistency in the tones in order to bring the space together.
Let's take a look at Sarah's pre-fall vision board.
The centerpiece for this flat lay is the Namay Samay floral fabric in the top left corner. "The colors and patterns remind me of leaves falling from a tree, while still having the bright and vibrant feel of summer," Sarah says. She imagines it for a pillow or drapery, paired with a blue linen solid fabric that can be used as welt on a pillow or on the leading edge of drapery panels.
These Alex Conroy and Namay Samay fabrics complement the palette in their colors and pattern scale. You could bring in a solid grey/green velvet rope-chain style trim to this combo as pillows to add some additional texture and interest, Sarah says. This blue ikat fabric from Cowtan & Tout is an iconic, classic print that helps root this design in timelessness. Add a simple ivory tassel trim to pillows or draperies for the final look. Here's the iconic fabric in pillow form! 
Farrow and Ball's Lotus wallpaper is a go-to for Sarah. The taupe and ivor colorway is both bold and elegant. "The Classic Cloth green leaf print fabric also provides that elegant transition from Summer to Fall in its muted, soft sage green color," Sarah says. Pair it with a rust linen fabric to bring more warmth to your space. For paint, Sarah recommends Farrow & Ball's Blue Gray and Pigeon. The subtly moody hues provide a peace backdrop, she says. 
To bring in as much warmth and texture as possible, Sarah chose a beautiful creamy Carrera marble tile, bamboo woven shades, and a natural woven sisal rug. Warm wood tones pair well with brass hardware, tying everything together, she says. Here are shades and a sisal rug we love!To polish off the look, you can use grasscloth wallpaper on the ceiling or back of bookcases to add depth and texture to your space. 
All photos are by Sara Catherine Design
Sarah Catherine Design is part of the Garden & Grace directory, our trusted list of home experts—curated for our discerning readers. Want to be apart of the community? Inquire here.
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5 Classic Exterior Paint Combinations
Finding the right combination of colors for your home can be tricky. We looked to some of our favorite designers and architects to find the tried-and-true paint color combinations to inspire your next exterior refresh. Like this first one of Lucy Williams' gracious home painted in Benjamin Moore Dune White.
We love Lauren Elaine Interiors' classic brick bungalow. Benjamin Moore Natural Cream serves as the backdrop that allows the Tarrytown Green front door to shine.
If you're looking for a clean, classic white, Benjamin Moore White Dove might do the trick. It's what architect Catherine Sloan used on this restored Nashville treasure. The slightly warm undertones ensures the white doesn't come off too stark.
Blue and white always feels right, and Danielle Rollins nailed the balance here with Benjamin Moore's Cloud White, Polo Blue and Blue Danube.
If you want something a little creamier than White Dove, Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is a popular option—for good reason. We love how the home captured by Cover Me in Ivy paired it here with Revere Pewter on the shutters and front door for a traditional, tonal look.
For a true Southern, Georgian-style home, the design duo at Canvas & Clay recommends Sherwin Williams Natural Choice 7011 with Farrow and Ball Railings No. 31 on the shutters. Railings can read black or navy, depending on the lighting, which provides the perfect contrast.
For more exterior paint colors, check out this Garden & Grace exclusive sneak peek of a large family home in Georgia and a Charlotte family's home transformation.
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