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.
Step Inside a Houston Home with Dogwood Proper
This Houston home, redesigned by Jessica Bandstra and Bonnie Greene of Dogwood Proper, is a masterclass in thoughtful, continuous design.
This Houston home, redesigned by Jessica Bandstra and Bonnie Greene of Dogwood Proper, is a masterclass in thoughtful, continuous design. Spanning the entire home—from the kitchen and living spaces to bedrooms, bathrooms, and outdoor living areas—the project feels cohesive yet layered, refined without ever feeling overworked.
What sets this home apart is the seamless dialogue between old and new, perhaps most evident in the kitchen. Arched cased openings soften the architecture and set the tone for a space that leans subtly European in spirit. Inset cabinetry painted in a nuanced blue-green hue pairs beautifully with warm brass finishes, striking a balance between tailored and inviting. Expansive yet intimate, the kitchen offers generous seating at both the breakfast nook and the kitchen bar—designed for everyday comfort while maintaining a sense of elevated, thoughtful design.
The result is a home that reads as collected over time rather than decorated all at once—timeless, livable, and deeply considered. It’s a beautiful expression of Dogwood Proper’s ability to create interiors that honor history while embracing a modern sensibility. As you scroll the images, I hope you enjoy the thoughtful details, layered textures, and timeless design moments throughout the home.
You can explore more from Dogwood Proper at www.dogwoodproper.com, or shop their curated collection of furniture, lighting, and décor at 4239 Harding Pike, Suite 200, Nashville, TN.
Dogwood Proper is part of a distinguished group of interior designers across the country on the Garden & Grace Directory. For more on them and other designers in your area, visit the Garden & Grace Directory.
Images provided by Dogwood Proper and taken by Kerry Kirk Photography.
Curb Appeal: Discover the Architectural Beauty of Nashville
These striking homes are just a handful of the many charming homes that grace the winding streets of Nashville and its surrounding areas.
I was recently in Nashville for an opportunity to shoot a home tour that I can't wait to share with you. When I travel, I have a habit of strolling through the city's most established neighborhoods. The treasures I find often stop me in my tracks and I can't help but take a photo. Nashville was no exception to this tradition—I was totally charmed by its traditional Southern architecture, with homes old and new.
With their rolling estates, long gravel driveways and mature landscaping, these character-filled Nashville homes made the most gracious first impressions. Take a stroll with me.
The leaves starting to change color frame this traditional painted brick home perfectly.
I love how the double staircase entry mirrors the shape of the circular driveway.
Every time I look at this photo I appreciate something different, from the stone facade to the shingled roof to that enviable front door.
Have you ever seen a garage with so much character? The arched garage doors, climbing ivy and cupola perched right on top? Swoon.
Even the street signs in Nashville are charming. I love the horse detail here.
I love the scale, light blue front door and porte-cochère here.
A true storybook cottage, I just love the green peeping through.
What other cities do you want to stroll through with us? We've done Charlotte, North Carolina and Birmingham, Alabama so far. Tell us in an email.
SHOP CURB APPEAL FINDS
