My Houzz: Bright Boho-Style Carriage House in East Nashville
See how a New York native has transformed her 724-square-foot home into a live-work space with organic modern flair
Walsh works from home as the vice president of operations for a real estate company, as well as owner of Solstice Design Studio, an online shop where she sells handmade dream catchers. “The main floor is where I spend most of my time working and living,” she says. “Since I spend so much time here, I don’t want to feel as though the space is closing in around me.”
When Walsh was looking for a place to rent when relocating to Nashville, she found the carriage house listed online. When she emailed the owner, he told her that his daughter-in-law was named Erin Walsh and that he had ties to Buffalo. “It instantly felt like a sign that it was the right place for me, so I flew down a few days later to check it out,” she says.
Diamond-pierced hurricane candle holder: Anthropologie
When Walsh was looking for a place to rent when relocating to Nashville, she found the carriage house listed online. When she emailed the owner, he told her that his daughter-in-law was named Erin Walsh and that he had ties to Buffalo. “It instantly felt like a sign that it was the right place for me, so I flew down a few days later to check it out,” she says.
Diamond-pierced hurricane candle holder: Anthropologie
The kitchen is completely open to the living room, with a small nook in the corner that includes built in-bookshelves. “I love the unique trim the designer incorporated and the openness of the main floor — it feels so light and airy,” Walsh says. When the sun is shining, the entire main floor fills with light, creating a serene space to work or relax.
Copper barware: Anthropologie
Copper barware: Anthropologie
Walsh styled the nook’s shelves with colorful vases, personal photographs, books and some of her favorite records.
Pari rattan chair: Anthropologie; Souk wool rug: West Elm; scarf wall hanging: Temple, Block Shop; Reflect pillow: CB2; shop similar accent pillows
Pari rattan chair: Anthropologie; Souk wool rug: West Elm; scarf wall hanging: Temple, Block Shop; Reflect pillow: CB2; shop similar accent pillows
Table: custom, Wrafterbuilt; chairs: Target; Sailor’s mirror: Anthropologie; moon chimes: Mudpuppy Ceramic Studio; Hans table runner: Block Shop
Walsh, who owns a three-bedroom home in Buffalo, says she found designing a 724-square-foot space challenging at first. “I had to be mindful of what I brought with me and how to arrange the space,” she says. It was important to her that it be both functional and comfortable. Her custom dining table fits the space nicely, giving her a place to entertain without being too crowded.
The custom TV console, also by Wrafterbuilt, is one of Walsh’s favorite pieces. The tones of the wood pair well with the overall palette of warm neutrals throughout the home, and she loves being able to own pieces that are one of a kind.
Console table: custom, Wrafterbuilt
Console table: custom, Wrafterbuilt
The main floor includes a beautiful spiral staircase leading up to the bedroom.
The bedroom is much smaller than the main floor, with just enough space for Walsh’s bed and dresser and a little room to move around. There’s a tiny sink and, around the corner, a toilet. (There’s a full-size bathroom downstairs.)
Dresser: West Elm; browse similar white bedroom dressers
Dresser: West Elm; browse similar white bedroom dressers
Figuring out how to fit all her belongings into a small makeshift closet was a major challenge for Walsh, but she kept things simple with her wardrobe and made sure to utilize every inch of space.
Having a small space can be both a blessing and a curse, Walsh says: “Luckily this place is fairly small so I can’t go overboard on buying things!” She focuses on purchasing handmade goods from small business, and those are the items that carry the most meaning for her. “Those are pieces that will stay with me for a really long time, so they are worth spending a bit more on,” she says.
Eagle blanket: The Joinery NYC; side table: Etsy; dream catcher: Solstice Design Studio; Roar + Rabbit Ripple ceramic table lamp: West Elm; shop table lamps
Eagle blanket: The Joinery NYC; side table: Etsy; dream catcher: Solstice Design Studio; Roar + Rabbit Ripple ceramic table lamp: West Elm; shop table lamps
Walsh’s dream catchers can be found throughout her home, along with lots of houseplants.
The carriage house is nestled in the backyard of a main house that’s owned by a couple. Walsh has a small patio looking out onto a church, and her place is a convenient walk to some of East Nashville’s most popular restaurants.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Erin Walsh
Location: East Nashville, Tennessee
Size: 724 square feet (67.3 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Erin Walsh characterizes her style as “organic modern with a bohemian vibe.” The Buffalo, New York, native moved to Nashville and into her renovated carriage house in the beginning of 2017. “The last few years I’ve been drawn a lot to furnishings that are handmade, made with natural and organic materials and that are quality items I can keep for a long time,” she says. The coffee table is a custom-made piece by Sean Wrafter of Wrafterbuilt that Walsh brought with her from New York.
Walsh gravitates toward textures and layers. “When you have a predominantly white space like mine, they can add an element of warmth,” she says.
Burrard sofa: Article; Colca rug: West Elm; coffee table: custom, Wrafterbuilt; Fiberworked mirror: Anthropologie; Martini side table: West Elm; ottoman: Bryar Wolf; wall art: 1767; suede pillow: Williams-Sonoma Home