12 design tips I learned from Ruthie Lindsey in Nashville

by Donna Cain

Having a great Nashville getaway with my daughter April. We are on a triple mission to visit our elderly aunt, mother/daughter time and to help investigate some new products for her store, the Boston General Store.

We have had a great trip and have enjoyed staying at an airbnb on the North Side. While Byron and I usually stay at Bed and Breakfasts, April has been following a designer/speaker on social media that rents her home out. Her name is Ruthie- and lets just say that everyone in Nashville knows about this gal. We did not have the opportunity to meet her but after staying in her home, April and I both felt a kindred connection to her gentle soul.

After being an innkeeper for so many years and enjoying decorating – I never stop thinking about decorating our home and inn. I just can’t turn it off- in a good way:) While staying at Ruthie’s home I just had to smile at her decor. It’s casual bohemian mixed in with eclectic, charming vintage finds. She’s created a really fun environment that makes you instantly feel at home. I was amazed actually, and while this style would never fit into our decor at the Captain Freeman, I did take away a few wonderful decorating tips and ideas I wanted to share.

1. I’ve always known this from my previous training but after sitting in Ruthie’s living room shown above, it reinforced the idea that one of the most important pieces in a home is the sofa. In my mind it’s the one piece we should not feel guilty about splurging:)  This piece was high end, probably purchased new,  soooooo comfortable and the angles perfect for cuddling up on the sofa to gaze out the window. The room is small but Ruthie chose the perfect piece and the large size was appropriate.

   

2.  Lighting is so important in a home and after refurbishing two inns we are the first to know that it is not cheap. I am guessing many in Ruthi’s home are vintage that she has repurposed. This beauty in the living room was stunning. During our last two phases of remodeling at the Freeman I found the following on-line sources for lighting which really have some great options: Old Brick Lighting on Ety (I love their School House pendants), Ballard Design (chandler in our tea room), Antique Hardware, Schoolhouse Electric and my favorite Restoration Hardware.
3. I was so tickled to see this corner cabinet in Ruthie’s hall as it gave me the inspiration for our future renovation in our Eastham room. We want to use the existing closet for bathroom space and the question arose-  where do we create a closet? This is the perfect answer in the corner beside the bed. The walls are very tall in that room but if you create  unique angle with the top modeling this cabinet looks like it was always there. I also love the wooden closure knob and the front mirror.

   

4. Feathers are the new rage and I just loved seeing this little feather wall in the hall. Not quite sure if this would fit in the Freeman but I loved this touch.

   

5. Ceilings are important! We have been painting them the same color as the walls- it serves two purposes-it’s easier to paint:) and it makes the ceiling look taller. We recently painted our tea room a mustard yellow and the ceiling deep sky blue. I loved the tin ceiling in Ruthie’s library. It’s actually very easy to install tin now as you can purchase a product in squares that are easy to install.

   

6. I adore hard wood floors and really do not like staying at accommodations where there is wall to wall carpeting. Thankfully we were blessed with beautiful hardwood floors at the Freeman and I was able to find some wonderful accent area rugs. This was a beautiful one in the living room and I loved the deep rose tones. Since the room was filled with mostly light colors this bold rug popped on the floor and made the room warm.

   

7. We heard that Ruthie is in to wearing hats and how fun that she created wall art in her bedroom of all her favorite hats. April loves hat too, so it felt perfect that April should enjoy this room.

   

   

8. The kitchen was darling and equipped with everything to make our pour over coffees. We were happy campers. Also enjoyed the cheerful string lights over the kitchen cabinets which we made sure to leave on to enjoy when we came home at night. We think the cabinets below were from Ikea and the top glass cabinets original- how perfect to combine functional new with historic old.

   

9. This chair was a stunner! April and I have always loved vintage Eames chair and this one was a beauty! In perfect condition and a warm camel color. What a great find Ruthie!

   

10. I have always believed that the dining room or kitchen table is the most important room in the house as that it where the family gathers for meals. It’s the nucleus of the home where we can share food and thoughts. We loved Ruthie’s dining room and imagined that some fun times have been shared around that table.

    

11. This bedroom was so inviting from the layered bedding to the hanging pendant from the ceiling.
12. Saving the best for last- we loved playing the old fashion player in the  living room complete with old records and admired the taxidermy goat watching over us.

Thanks Ruthie for sharing your lovely home with us. It was the perfect accommodations for our Nashville trip. Only thing missing was a swing or rocker on the front porch:)