Nancy Meyers Films and Found Antiques Inspired this Southern Family Home
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Designer: Shannon Eddings, Shannon Eddings Interiors
Location: Austin, Texas
Type of home: Single-family home
Size: 2,800-square-feet
Years lived in: 2
When it came to the design of this four-bedroom, three-bath family home in central Austin, Texas, designer Shannon Eddings wasn’t about to sacrifice style in the name of functionality. Instead, livability was at the center of the design brief from the homeowners, a couple with two young daughters and a small dog. Shannon’s mission was to make the space feel homey and infuse character through thoughtful layers, heirloom furnishings, and curated artwork.
On Nancy Meyers Films as Inspiration
“I wanted this space to feel like a charming Southern home filled with cozy furniture, antiques, and meaningful pieces,” says Shannon, who also referenced Nancy Meyers films as inspiration to her and one of the homeowners. Shannon set out to design a space where the family can truly relax and feel comfortable in every room. “Throughout the home, I wanted to create spaces where you can sit and linger in,” says Shannon. “Nothing that feels too precious.”
Shannon designed the interior one step at a time, starting with working with Logan Architecture to open up the floor plan and modernize the rooms. She notes that she obsessed over every single detail, and it’s evident in the balance she nailed throughout: Warm and cool colors; effortlessly layered patterns; and old and new furnishings.
On Waiting for Antiques to Find Their Way to You
It was a priority to reflect the family’s personality and lifestyle throughout. For example, these homeowners love antiques and pieces with meaning. “Shopping for antiques and vintage is a lot of hustle but worth it when you find totally unique pieces,” says Shannon. “These homeowners don’t settle for good enough. They’re OK with waiting for the perfect piece, which is super refreshing.”
Follow along as Shannon takes us on a tour of this 2,800-square-foot home and dishes on the thoughtful touches that make up this relaxed, welcoming abode.
Designer Shannon Eddings searched high and low for a perfect console for the entryway and landed on this rattan beauty. She created a functional yet beautiful way into the house, including re-upholstered antique ottomans, which can be brought into the living room when the homeowners entertain guests. The sconces are quintessential Southern, and the door paint, which matches the rug, echoes indoors and out.
Shannon says designing the formal living room was “plain fun.” The homeowners have a large collection of family heirlooms, including a showstopping grand piano, so the key was playing with pops of color, pattern (see the modern zig-zag wallpaper and checked armchairs), and textural elements (like the linen-covered sofa, leather armchair and woven floor lamp) to lift up the older pieces.
Don’t let its pale, soothing palette, and country-estate look fool you: This family room is high-functioning for a family with two young kids. High-performance fabrics on the furniture can stand up to inevitable spills, and a wall of built-in storage houses the family’s TV and the kids’ toys. Style meets function at its very finest!
The dark and moody screened-in porch is located off the family room. The house sits on a bluff, giving this space a treehouse feel. Shannon used outdoor furniture and textiles but notes that the coffee table is an antique.
Featuring olive green cabinetry with inlaid arches, quartzite countertops, and backsplash and classic polished nickel hardware and fixtures, the kitchen is a showpiece at the center of this family home. There are so many design elements at work here, yet they all play together in perfect harmony to create the ultimate space for family dinners, entertaining guests and countless snacks in between. The green hue of the cabinetry is echoed in adjoining rooms.
The grand wooden dining table and antique chandelier are juxtaposed with the sleek Carrara marble fireplace surround and black Salt chairs. The hits of green in the artwork echo the cabinetry in the adjoining kitchen. The wall paneling underscores the formality of this dining space.
The girl’s room is soft and pretty without being overly precious. Shannon worked with the architect to design this clever and cozy built-in bed and shelving nook. It’s the ultimate enclave for cuddling up and reading just two more books (no, three!). Adding gold tones in the sophisticated sconces and framed artwork ensures the room grows up with its little resident. The quilt was made by her great-grandmother.
The kids’ bathroom has plenty of zest thanks to the bright lemon wallpaper. Brass fixtures and hardware and a handsome double vanity ensure this space is also pleasing to the grown-up residents.
In the main bedroom, decor elements like the caned bed frame, checked Roman shade, Mid-Century nightstands, and upholstered bench create a refined, serene look. The layered rugs add warmth and varied texture. The design inspiration for this room came from Diane Keaton’s bedroom in Nancy Meyer’s Something’s Gotta Give.
The watery green wall tiles are an unexpected focal point in the ensuite. “They have a handmade quality and inspired how the rest of the room came together,” says Shannon. The chair rail behind the tub references the windows’ traditional diamond muntins, which are original to the home. High-end herringbone marble floors and polished nickel fixtures and hardware complete the soothing spa-like retreat.
The office reflects one of the homeowner’s passion for music. Wall paneling and built-in cabinetry appear in a watery blue shade, which is a nice foil to the dark wooden furniture (all antique). The room feels at once fresh and traditional.
Shannon had this antique chest turned into a washstand by adding a countertop, sink, and faucet. Its dark wooden shade acts as a grounding counterpoint to the airy blue floral wallpaper.
When designing a home, Shannon likes to do a walk-through and find out how the clients live in the space. Since the homeowners go in and out through the laundry/mudroom, she designed the hard-working room to be multi-purpose with cabinetry and plenty of hooks (not shown). The marbleized terracotta backsplash is eye-catching and coordinates with the warmth of the butcher-block countertop. The artwork is from a local Austin artist.
Sources:
Common areas:
Pale Oak wall paint, Benjamin Moore
Classic Gray trim paint, Benjamin Moore
Entryway:
Isla Console, Made Goods
Antique ottomans reupholstered in Ituri Field Rust fabric by Brooke Perdigon
Mirror, Ballard Designs
Sconces, Visual Comfort
Living room:
Antique sofa reupholstered in Pindler fabric
Custom toss cushions in Diana Voutsa fabric
Pandora rug, Loloi Rugs
Side table (by sofa), Made Goods
Side table (between armchairs), Bliss Studio
Vintage armchairs reupholstered in Pindler fabric
Linen drapery with Samuel and Son velvet trim
Parasol Floor Lamps, Arteriors
Wallpaper, Kelly Wearstler
Family Room:
Custom sofa & armchairs, Lee Industries
Toss cushion fabric by Penny Morrison and Zak and Fox
Artwork by Tara Wenske
Kitchen & Dining Room:
Tate Olive cabinetry paint, Benjamin Moore
Pendant lights, Currey and Company
Faucet, Rohl
Appliances, Cafe Appliances
Dining table, Bernhardt Furniture
Dining Chairs, Chairish.com
End chairs, Ballard Designs
Kid’s room:
Mauve Desert wall paint, Benjamin Moore
Mary Citrus Orange toss cushion and valance fabric, Lulie Wallace
Sconce, Visual Comfort
Kid’s Bathroom:
Wayne Pate wallpaper, Studio Four NYC
Gray Owl cabinetry paint, Benjamin Moore
Faucets, Delta
Croft Brass Mirrors, CB2
Sconces, Arteriors
Floor tiles, Daltile
Primary bedroom:
Harbour Bed, Serena and Lily
Toss cushion fabrics by Penny Morrison and Zak and Fox
Gourd table lamps, Ballard designs with scalloped shades from Matilda Goad
Custom bench with Penny Morrison fabric
Rug, Surya
Custom Roman shades in Pindler fabric
Primary Bath:
China White wall paint, Benjamin Moore
Swiss Coffee cabinetry paint, Benjamin Moore
Sea Green Zellige wall tiles, Riad Tile
Chandelier, Visual Comfort
Office:
Templeton Gray wall and cabinetry paint, Benjamin Moore
Picture Lights, Visual Comfort
Powder room:
Anna Wallpaper, Lulie Wallace
Mirror, Crate and Barrel
Mudroom:
Southgate Faucet, Signature Hardware
Fornace backsplash tile, Cle Tile