Contemporary and Cultivated Comfort

From the moment Victoria Caldwell arrived in the Scenic City, she knew it was exactly where she wanted to be. Before moving to Chattanooga, Victoria had her sights set on California, but as she began to cultivate a sense of community, that desire began to rapidly shift. “All the best people in my life are right here,” she says.

After brief stints in Knoxville – where she met her now husband Aaron Thompson – and Birmingham, Victoria found herself longing to be back in Chattanooga, and the duo finally decided to make the move. With no luck finding an existing home on the market that suited their wants and needs, they set out, with the help of Collier Construction, to build their own.

The result is a contemporary dwelling that artfully blends refined touches with an approachable aesthetic.

Even from the home’s exterior, guests get a sense of the striking duality that lies just ahead. White Hardie board is a casual choice, while rich wooden accents and elongated picture windows work to elevate the home’s façade. An earthy vignette dotted with palms provides the best in front porch lounging and is a fun space to have a drink while enjoying beautiful weather.

Stepping inside, visitors are transported into the home’s main thoroughfare. A wide stairway directly ahead leads to the home’s top floor, while a room just to the left provides the perfect spot for some quality time. Cloaked in a stunning hunter green, this room features a pair of leather armchairs, while a foosball table resting atop a cowhide rug can be found in the center of the room. Several wooden floating shelves house various collectibles and finds from an array of antique shops.

“In what would normally have been a formal dining room, we opted to create a more fun and casual space for our friends and family to hang out,” says Aaron.

Progressing further down the hallway takes visitors to the main living space where the living room, kitchen, and dining room all work together while still providing functionality all their own. The kitchen promotes vibrancy with its navy blue cabinetry, and gold accents found in the hardware and three pendant lights over the island layer on another pop of color. Waterfall quartz countertops with gray veining and an apron-front sink add a creaminess to the lineup of materials used in the kitchen, and select appliances are hidden behind cabinetry-style doors to keep the focus on what matters.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a space that functions as the dining room, where seating options abound. Four barrel-back barstools tucked under the island begin the transition, while a wooden dining table centered under an antler chandelier is surrounded by six studded parsons chairs. Along the perimeter of the space is a live-edge bar that accommodates seating for an additional three people.

Just steps away, the living room emits a distinct personality. A tufted leather sectional is paired with a high pile, rust-colored rug, and the same stunning blue found in the kitchen comprises an accent wall, thus bookending the space in color. Potted plants mimic the natural beauty seen just outside, and wooden beams lining the ceiling, along with the fireplace mantel, double down on the earthy atmosphere. A longhorn skull appears against the shiplapped, floor-to-ceiling fireplace surround, and when taken in conjunction with the warm and bright textiles of the room, gives off a faint Southwestern flair.

“When it comes to my style, I draw a lot of inspiration from David Bowie. He’s said before that he collects experiences, and that’s how he became his own person,” explains Victoria. “I feel like my style, as a person and when it comes to my home, is a lot like that. I just gravitate toward things that I like and collect as I go.”

Two sliding barn doors off of the living room grant access to the master suite. This room boasts the same hunter green as the game room and plenty of wood accents between the far wall and the coffered ceiling. A pair of salt lamps radiate a soft glow, and an essential oil diffuser goes one step further in creating a relaxing, sleep-inducing space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The master bathroom, however, is much brighter in nature. Monochrome patterned tile runs along the floor and is accentuated by a statement black soaking tub.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cabinetry mirrors that of the kitchen with its navy blue color and golden pulls, and the finish is repeated in two mirrors and lighting accents just overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shower tile is another bold choice and expertly combines colors and shapes.

Accessible from the living room is an outdoor oasis. Lounge seating for eight and a dining table make this a great spot for any occasion. Several ferns dot the openings to the backyard, and a staircase takes guests to the lawn area. Here, a stone patio encapsulates a fire pit, which offers a prime pastime during cooler weather.

“Building this home took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but now that we’re on the other side, it’s been great getting to enjoy the space,” adds Victoria. “Our heart and soul went into this project, but now we’re blessed with a comfortable and pretty home that displays all my favorite things and can accommodate all my favorite people.”

 

Aaron Thompson and Victoria Caldwell with dogs Hank and Howlan