Built in 1915 by Charles Platt, architect of the American Renaissance movement, “Boxwood” is known as one of the most prominent houses in the Belle Meade neighborhood of Nashville. When the owners enlisted architect Gil Schafer for a refresh, they embarked upon a journey that took four years to complete. The original house had been substantially altered in the 1950s and required painstaking dismantling and complete restoration. Schafer explains, “It had to be completely reworked in order to restore the substance of Platt’s original interior, reintroduce the original French doors out into the garden, reconfigure the 50’s entry portico in a manner more suited to Platt’s architecture, and, most importantly, adapt the house to the lifestyle of a young family in the 21st century.”
Schafer worked in close collaboration with landscape architect Gavin Duke to restore the garden, and with decorator David Netto to restore the classical elegance and understated formality of the original house while simultaneously making it suitable for a modern young family. Schaefer’s classic aesthetic combined with Netto’s modern traditionalism proves that a historic residence can indeed be updated for today’s living without losing any of its original soul.
Let’s take a tour with images from the March 2011 issue of Veranda, Gil Schafer’s portfolio, David Netto’s portfolio, and Period Homes.
CREDITS
Interior Design by David Netto Design
Landscape Design by Page Duke Landscape Architects
General Contracting by William Andrews Contractor
Lighting by Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design
Photographs by Max Kim-Bee, Gil Schafer III, Jonathan Wallen
Styling by Caroline Englefield
To see more of this timeless home, including renovation shots, please visit Gil Schafer’s portfolio. We also recommend his books, The Great American House and A Place to Call Home.
More of Schafer’s work can be enjoyed by clicking the links below…
- COZY IN CONNECTICUT BY GIL SCHAFER
- IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WITH GIL SCHAFER
- A FLORIDA VACATION HOME BY GIL SCHAFER
- A PICTURESQUE NEW YORK FARMHOUSE BY GIL SCHAFER
- TIMELESSLY TRADITIONAL BY MILES REDD AND GIL SCHAFER
- A HISTORICALLY INSPIRED DUTCH COLONIAL BY GIL SCHAFER
- A PLACE TO CALL HOME BY GIL SCHAFER III
- A MILES REDD HOME HITS THE MLS! (Gil Schafer architect)
Cozy in Connecticut by Gil Schafer
In the Countryside with Gil Schafer
A Florida Vacation Home by Gil Schafer
A Picturesque New York Farmhouse by Gil Schafer
Gosh could that house be any more gorgeous and classy?
Love the toile bedroom with an oval window. And the “gate within a gate” iron treatment is interesting.