Naturally Chic · Naturally Chic FOR A HOME WITH BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPING, DESIGNER ROBIN RAINS...

65 SOUTHERN HOME | MARCH/APRIL 2020 MARCH/APRIL 2020 | SOUTHERN HOME 66

Naturally ChicFOR A HOME WITH BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPING, DESIGNER ROBIN RAINS CREATES AN ELEGANT INTERIOR WITH A NEUTRAL FOUNDATION AND UNIQUE GARDEN ELEMENTS.

TEXT LAUREN GENTRY WALKERPHOTOGRAPHY ALYSSA ROSENHECK

The entry to the home was divided into three areas—the foyer, gallery, and salon. Designer Robin Rains layered and furnished the spaces to give them more intimacy and softness, and even included a custom, deep blue tête-à-tête across from the baby grand piano. The space was painted white, and floor-to-ceiling draperies were added between the columns to help separate the area.


Interior designer Robin Rains remembers the day she first drove to her clients’ home in Leiper’s Fork, Tennes-see. She made her way

through lush rolling hills and farmland before arriving at the property and the long winding driveway that would lead to the house. While waiting for a flock of geese to cross the road in front of her, she gazed out at the two-acre private pond and stunning landscaping that graced the six acres. “It was magnificent,” says Rains. “The neighborhood is an equestrian development with riding trails throughout the property.” The designer was warmly greeted by the home-owners, and the group had an immediate chemistry that would make the challenging project a joyful collaboration.

When the couple first pur-chased the home and land, the backyard was a massive open space that needed a significant amount of work and creative design. They hired Kaiser Trabue Landscape Architecture to take on the extensive transformation

Rains wanted to give the salon area multiple seating groups for intimate conversation. Unusual antiques are juxtaposed with more contemporary pieces, such as the 15th-century chairs with bold, large scale patterned fabric. A piece from the homeowners’ art collection hangs above the mantel, and the neutral palette is accented with blue-and-white porcelain.


“EVERYONE CONGREGATES IN THE KITCHEN, SO, WE CREATED A COZY GATHERING AREA CONSISTING OF A CUSTOM BANQUETTE.”

—ROBIN RAINS

Opposite: A seating area was added to the kitchen where the homeowners could enjoy morning coffee and look out at the gardens. Above and below left: The kitchen was redesigned, and the appliances were moved behind panels that added architectural detail. Below: A small, square room off the kitchen is used as the family’s breakfast room. The serene space looks out to the side garden and front grounds.

and, after three years, the once sprawling lawn was made over into a series of intimate spaces that now includes a sparkling swimming pool and ample room for entertaining. With their land-scaping goals accomplished, the homeowners then brought in Robin Rains Interior Design to take the interiors from a dark, formal vibe that lacked architec-tural appeal to a shining, bright display of comfortable and elegant spaces that flowed

seamlessly into the gardens. Along with installing the home’s new décor and furnishings, Rains and two designers on her staff, Shelby Ray and Kate Ladd, also worked to renovate the kitchen, master bath, and closets and update the spaces on the main level.

One of the most eye-catching elements of nearly every room in the home is the owners’ exten-sive collection of carefully selected art and blue-and-white porcelain. The couple is well-traveled and partial to artwork from Santa Fe and wanted to ensure their oversized pieces were displayed to make a state-ment and create focal points. The soft, neutral palette Rains used throughout the entire home allowed for a gallery-like feel and gave the art and porcelain a chance to truly shine.

The exterior of the home was


Left and above: The dining room’s traditional 18th-century table and chairs sit underneath an opulent chandelier and are accented with more garden elements. More of the homeowners’ blue-and-white collection is also displayed. Opposite: The pool is close to the master bedroom, giving the couple easy access from the room’s double doors.


painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for a fresh, updated look. When it comes to her favorite space in the home, Rains says the team put their heart and soul into every part of the renovation, but she particularly loves the kitchen. “The original kitchen had a very long, curved two-tiered island, ceramic floors, and massive amounts of stained cabinetry,” she says. “It all had to go.” More French elements were used throughout the space, such as the limestone flooring, a custom hand-rubbed zinc-and-brass hood, and unlacquered brass details. “Everyone congre-gates in the kitchen,” says Rains. “So, we also created a cozy gathering area consisting of a custom banquette with an antique wine-tasting table.”

In the master bedroom, textured fabrics, subtle patterns, and soft tones were used to create an elegant vibe that exuded old-Hollywood charm. Rains and her team were instantly in love with the room’s exquisite piece of oversized art and—since there was only one wall it could hang on—knew it would dictate what the rest of the room would feel like. The designer selected soft draperies that would not compete with the piece and had a custom Ironware International bed made to accen-tuate the tall ceilings. A true escape for the homeowners, the room was also arranged to allow easy access to the coffee porch and outdoor gardens. “Working with these clients was a blessing every step of the way,” says Rains. “They are both extremely fashionable, and we wanted to create something perfectly suited for this amazing couple.”

Opposite and below: The family room sits just off the kitchen and looks over the gardens. Rains started designing the space with the purple antique rug and kept the main pieces neutral with purple and blue accents. The room is used for comfortable TV watching and gathering with loved ones and leads out to the outdoor dining areas, above left, and pool.


The master suite was designed to exude Old-Hollywood elegance and glamour. Rains layered the space with textured fabrics, subtle patterns, and tones of pink and gray. The walls are draped with a blush-colored wool that adds softness and a cozy vibe while a striking piece of art hangs near the door. The bathroom is a showstopper that took careful planning and organization. Ron Farris of Farris Concepts in Architecture was hired to help create a space that was soothing. The arch was designed to showcase the herringbone marble pattern inside the niche, and the tub is adorned with 14-Karat gold fixtures.

Naturally Chic · Naturally Chic FOR A HOME WITH BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPING, DESIGNER ROBIN RAINS...

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