As you walk through the front door of this tucked away, zero-lot-line Germantown house, a rich, inviting navy blue foyer welcomes you in.
It wasn’t always like this, though. The homeowners knew that Fran, of Fran Winstock Interiors, could undertake this project and complete it in a timely manner. The goal was to bring their home into the 21st century with modern color pallets, reupholstered furniture and fresh paint.
After searching for three long years, the couple bought the home seven years ago when they were downsizing from 6,000 square feet, with their kids grown and not living at home anymore. After finding the 3,000-square-foot gem, the remodeling folks got to work.
“We painted much of the house neutrals,” explained Fran. “To update the hall bathroom, we replaced the shower curtain with a seamless glass shower door. And I decided to put a lovely wallpaper on the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling! The homeowners liked it so much, we ended up framing some of the wallpaper and hanging in their dining room.”
The kitchen also got a big overhaul, complete with a new eat-in counter-height island, and comfy new pillows and cushions for the custom-made wrap-around seating made to fit the table. The space feels light and airy, thanks to 10-foot ceilings, a beautiful large window that lets the sunlight stream in, and all the cabinets brighten up the space since being painted cream from brown.
Just off the kitchen are two more fabulous spaces. The living room boasts ample seating over a custom-made plush rug with stunning built-ins flanking the newly painted fireplace, which is certainly the focal point. Perhaps the most-used room is the outdoor screened-in porch, smartly designed with waterproof Sunbrelle fabric on all the furniture and an often-used grill. It overlooks a serene, lush backyard – the perfect spot for peace and quiet. “That is our favorite space,” said the homeowner. “When we host for Thanksgiving or Passover, we open the doors from the living room to the outside space – people just really like being out there.”
The homeowners’ bedroom, bathroom and a couple rooms upstairs were also part of the renovation, with calming grey, blue, white and cream paint and décor. The gutted and remodeled master bathroom with a soaker tub feels like a spa you could spend all day in. That feeling flows into the bedroom with the new modern ombre blue fabric headboard and luxurious bedding. Thinking through every detail, Fran cleverly chose washable bedding because the homeowners’ pup likes to veg out with them.
“The goal was to create a livable, warm home. The couple likes to entertain a lot,” noted Fran. “I was able to quickly figure out their style. The homeowners trusted me to select colors and accessories, which can really make a room stand out. Even with downsizing, thankfully all the furniture fit, and we didn’t have any surprises in the process.”
It’s not just the furniture and color choices that stand out – the beautiful art lining the walls, most of which was created by local Memphis artists, accents each room to perfection.
“It was so easy working with Fran, like she was my best friend or sister,” said the happy homeowner. “She got everything right the first time, we didn’t need second looks or different options. She picked up on our style so quickly, and I trusted her. My husband can be pretty hard to please – but we’re both incredibly happy with how our house turned out. We just love it all.”
