The Workman Home

A Fusion of Old and New

Premier Living

By Lindsey Clute / Photography by Jacob Macias

When Justin and Michelle Workman decided to leave Los Angeles to find a better place to raise their family, they began by refining their search and let the pieces naturally fall into place.

“Michelle did a ton of research. I initially gave her a target climate zone – which put us in the Southeast and eliminated us moving back to where I grew up in New Jersey – and we came up with a preferred city size,” says Justin. “We didn’t want too small of a city because we still wanted art and culture and a real downtown, but we also didn’t want too large of a city because we would encounter a lot of the same challenges that we wanted to get away from by leaving Los Angeles. We researched and visited a lot of different places in the Southeast. We kept coming back to Chattanooga.”

fusion of old and new home from outside

Thirteen years later, they’ve combined elements of their house’s original bones with a mix of contemporary touches. The result? A charming house that blends traditional character with the vibrancy of a modern refresh. From the rolling pastures outside to the thoughtfully reimagined interiors within, the property – affectionately named “Idyllwild” – radiates a sense of peace and personality.

inside living room

“This design is very eclectic – a mix of modern and traditional, new and old. As an interior designer, my tastes range far and wide. We love art in all forms and we love to travel. Our home is a representation of our life together over the last 25 years.” – Michelle Workman

corner of living room

Couple workman

Photo by Philip Slowiak

The home’s aesthetic is largely due to the careful curation of items collected over the years. From the bear rug in the living room to the artful trinkets, each object has a story and a purpose in the house’s design.

Dining room

“We have a lot of original art that we collect,” Michelle explains. “I peruse a lot of auctions and have two distant uncles who were well-known artists from their time periods, so I look on auctions for their pieces all the time. We also love supporting local artists, and we often pick up whatever strikes our fancy while we’re traveling. We have a lot of pieces that we’ve purchased in Europe that are either from street artists or antique pieces that we found at a flea market.”

inside kitchen

Although they’ve called the house home for more than a decade, most of the renovations have taken place in recent years. The couple transformed every inch of the property to achieve the home they’d always envisioned – adding a guest suite, reimagining the interiors, and making significant updates inside and out. Their effort and attention to detail shine through in thoughtful touches like the hand-painted wallpaper and the concealed coffee bar and larder cabinets that maintain a clean, streamlined look in the kitchen. Marble accents and a statement Italian chandelier tie together the mix of colors, metals, and textures in the room, enhancing the home’s overall mood.

sink and stove area

Connected to the kitchen is the family room, where the family spends much of their time together. That same sense of connection extends into another favorite spot – the adjoining living room and game room. “We love to play cards and board games with our sons,” Michelle shares, “so we had to have a game room – which is open to the living room and has a record player and a bar.”

In addition to the contemporary art, the primary suite’s bright colors and vintage furnishings lend an almost fantastical charm to the space – a true reflection of the couple’s style and story. “Our primary suite is not only the most personal, but has elements that capture all parts of our life, style, and aesthetic,” Michelle says.

Inside room yellow curtains

Deep hues blend with softly repetitive wallpaper and animal-patterned upholstery in the room’s cozy sitting area, while a marbled fireplace and cutout bookshelves merge the themes in a truly unique display of artistry.

bedroom area tiger pattern

“It is definitely our personal oasis,” Justin adds, “not just a place where we sleep and get ready each day, but where we also enjoy spending time reading or watching TV in the sitting area, or lounging out on the private deck. Some of our most unique and cherished pieces of furniture and artwork, which we have found together over the years, are in the primary suite, making it a very personal space for us, which I love.”

kitchen pink ceiling

“Michelle and I have successfully created our home in every way that is uniquely ours, and perfectly reflects our personalities and lifestyles. It’s my favorite place to be.” – Justin Workman

washing machin earea