I am thrilled to be part of the open house sponsored by Music City Publications, Inc., and, in my new role as lifestyle editor, it has special meaning. As I have pivoted in life, this was the perfect opportunity to pursue my love of interior design for a good cause, helping to raise funds for Folds of Honor. However, I am excited to share that plans are underway to reopen my shop, Amy Montgomery Home, at a new location in Columbia. More to come on that later!

As this journey unfolds over the next 12 months, I will take you through the building process, share design tips, and everything in between. From styling bookshelves and selecting the perfect color palette to designing a functional scullery, each issue will feature helpful tips and inspiration drawn from the building of this home. First, I’d like to set the stage by sharing a brief overview of the house and the details currently in progress, all of which will be on full display at the grand reveal on August 27, 2026.

Walking through this Carbine & Associates home for the first time in Williamson County, with it still echoing with the sounds of progress, I was reminded that we are not simply witnessing a build, but the beginning of a story. A tale that will soon be filled with beauty, intention, and life. This thoughtfully designed two-story modern European farmhouse blends timeless materials built of bricks softened by Hardie board accents, and a floor plan that gracefully balances beauty and livability.

At its heart will be a peaceful first-floor master bedroom with a soaring beamed cathedral ceiling, and a spa-inspired bathroom with a zero-entry shower, complemented by a freestanding soaking tub that invites restorative pauses at the end of the day. A generously appointed walk-in closet and adjacent laundry room will add a layer of luxury and convenience. The first-floor guest suite on the other side of the house will also feature a zero-entry shower, extending the same level of comfort to visitors.

Upstairs, the home will continue to unfold with two additional bedrooms, each with its own full bath and walk-in closet. Bedroom #4 will feature a beautifully integrated Murphy bed from Nashville Murphy Beds, with a charming built-in desk tucked into the roofline beside it.  

The second-floor laundry room will add another layer of convenience, allowing visiting children and grandchildren to tend to their own needs. Altogether, the design anticipates a home filled with life where children return often, grandchildren gather joyfully, and every generation is welcomed.  

Thoughtful entertaining will be woven seamlessly throughout the home, beginning with well-placed powder rooms on both the first and second floors, ensuring that guests are always accommodated with ease and privacy, no matter where the gathering unfolds. When it’s time to host, the dining room will set an inviting tone with a custom handmade table framed by built-in bookcases, creating a sense of warmth and understated sophistication.

With the open-concept layout, the kitchen will be functional and beautiful, complete with a well-appointed scullery that allows for effortless hosting while keeping prep work neatly out of sight. From there, the home will open into a handsome living room, where a two-story stone fireplace will anchor the space. Around the corner, there will be a thoughtfully designed first-floor office that offers both functionality and refinement, with custom-built-ins for organized productivity.  

As you move upstairs, the home will transition into leisure spaces, including a bonus room and a movie room, perfect for relaxed evenings and family gatherings. Adding just a bit of intrigue, a mystery room awaits. It will be an unexpected and delightful feature revealed at the open house in August.

This home’s outdoor finishing touches will reflect a commitment to modern luxury and livability. The outdoor living area will invite year-round enjoyment, anchored by a fireplace and enhanced by a retractable screened porch that will provide comfort in every season. Lastly, the backyard will feature a tranquil pool setting, complete with a dedicated pool bath to ensure those wet bathing suits are left outside.

As this curated residence takes shape, it will stand as a testament to the beauty of intentional living and the excitement of new beginnings where vision, craftsmanship, and community come together. I’m looking forward to sharing the house’s progress and inviting you to join me at the grand reveal this August, where we will applaud the contractors who played a major role in building the house and donate to Folds of Honor to show appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military and first responders.

Get Your Tickets Here

With more than 30 years of design experience, AMY MONTGOMERY has built a signature style rooted in gracious living and effortless entertaining. As the owner of Amy Montgomery Home in Nashville, she offers a thoughtfully curated collection that reflects her timeless, inviting approach. Her Columbia shop is set to reopen in the coming months. Design services are available by calling (931) 982-4988, and her collectionof entertaining essentials, along with select services and a calendar of events, is available online at amymontgomeryhome.com.

The post The Architecture of a Home Build appeared first on Williamson County Living.

In the South, fall transitions us from long, hot summer days to the cold winter season, and what a glorious transition it can be!  Characterized by shorter days, the colorful foliage emerges as temperatures drop and trees create beautiful displays of vibrant hues, including deep reds, rusty oranges, and pops of yellow. We tend to want to mimic these elements inside our homes. Bringing in some autumnal colors with pillows, tossing a textural throw blanket across a club chair, and adding in some bright, rich fall colors will bring the autumn vibes full circle.  

Pillows are to be used and enjoyed. They give cozy support on a sofa or chair, plus an added design element to pull your furnishings together. Even if your color palette doesn’t change for the fall season, simply introducing a few extra pillows creates that added layer we appreciate during a cooler season. A demure leopard fabric is one of my go-to layers to bring autumn into a room. Leopard is a neutral design element and gives a bit of chic to an otherwise casual season, and has that natural component we look for as we prepare for fall.  A neutral leopard pattern can coordinate well with your year-round florals and stripes, and when paired with solids, it serves as the perfect finishing touch. 

How to get that texture we desire in the fall?  A throw blanket, which you toss across a club chair or sofa, can be made from a woven knit or even a nubby chenille. Knotted fringe elevates your textures further. One of my favorite texture items is a bowl of acorns. I have collected them since my son was little and look forward to styling them each year. Try filling an antique jar with tiny faux persimmons or kumquats. It’s easy, they’re colorful, and can be reused again and again. You can style a small vignette with a jar or glass container filled with your fall fruits, along with perhaps a wooden dough bowl. 

The element of natural wood adds texture and an inviting feel to your home on cooler days and nights. I love a great antique dough bowl, but there are so many reproductions out there that work just as well. A wooden cutting or charcuterie board works well in the place of a dough bowl. A metal element goes hand-in-hand with the wood, so consider adding some brass candlesticks for a warm tone.  Taper candles are inexpensive, and autumnal colors such as saffron, terracotta, or paprika will complement your vignette. Using odd numbers for candlesticks always works best.

If we have met or you follow me on Instagram, you know my affinity for blue and white. Blue and white for autumn is spot on! My love language is fresh flowers, and there are some dazzling ones that are abundant in autumn. An arrangement of faux bittersweet can be so beautiful and last you from September through Thanksgiving. Shades of orange mixed with blue and white chinoiserie make for the perfect color complement. A tall vase on an entry table or dining room buffet makes a colorful statement to bring the season indoors. Blue and white is a classic, but brown transferware is a staple. I popped a couple of vintage transferware dinner plates into my corner cupboard, and it works well as a darker-toned fall accent. Plates are always useful for decorating, and they don’t have to match! A good coordinating pattern will pull it all together.

September is the beginning of one of our most beautiful and temperate seasons, and should be enjoyed inside our homes and in our outdoor living areas. The social season explodes in September, too; dinner parties, hayrides, trick-or-treating, and fall and holiday open houses approach, filling our calendars, and the excitement of planning Thanksgiving with friends and family begins. 

Start now to prep your porch and add those warm, comfortable touches to your interiors; you’ll be set and ready for October and November. As November arrives, we are all busy organizing family gatherings and the upcoming holiday in December. You’ll be glad you planned ahead and can sit back to enjoy all that autumn has to offer.  

AMY MONTGOMERY has over 25 years of design experience and owns Amy Montgomery Home in Columbia, Tennessee. She delights in sharing her personal collection of vintage china and dishes with readers. As a lifestylist, she is focused on the home and is thrilled to offer her customers an elevated customer service experience. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com for additional information and follow her on social media at @amymontgomeryhome.

The post Bring Those Autumn Colors Inside appeared first on Williamson County Living.

Decluttering isn’t just about making space—it’s also a great way to help others in need. My grandmother had a saying for just about everything. We’ve all heard “Waste not, want not,” and that was one of her favorites. We live in a world of excess. We have all said… I need that purse, skirt, pair of shoes, etc., when truly it is a want.

My mother’s Sunday school teacher had a line she would occasionally use: “I need to get my ‘wanter’ fixed.” I’ll digress here and leave most of that subject matter to someone else, but what I do want to talk about is what to do with that excess when it is no longer wanted or needed in our homes. The occasional yard sale is always a fun endeavor, but that’s not always possible, and many people simply don’t enjoy hosting them. Of course, shopping at other people’s yard sales is much more appealing to me!

If you are Facebook savvy, you can always make a little green by posting your items on Facebook Marketplace. I’ve used this handy little system many times, and almost always the results are positive. However, when time doesn’t allow or when simplicity is the best option, DONATE! I cannot think of a single negative aspect to donating unwanted clothing, kitchen items, décor, tools, and the like.

There are many entities in the business of selling your donated items. I have personal experience with GraceWorks and Habitat ReStore, among others. These are using your donated items for local worthy causes, and what better time to give than around the holidays?

Let’s talk about household donations first. Those last three wine glasses from the set of eight, those leopard print heels that made you wince when you walked in them, the jeans that are just not quite on the cutting edge of style, the trim fit business shirt that is a little too trim fit now, or the TV that isn’t smart but still works great, can all be donated. There is someone out there who needs wine glasses, and those three are the perfect fit for their budget, and I am betting there is a cost-conscious, smartly dressed lady out there with a foot narrower than mine who will be giddy with glee that she scored a pair of Anthropologie leopard heels for $7.

Some people who thrift shop from donation stores are on a budget, starting out fresh or starting over, but there is a group of people who shop thrift stores for the simple pleasure of finding the unusual, the discontinued, the out of the ordinary, not to mention just the pleasure of scouting out a bargain! My mom and her husband live in Franklin, near Westhaven, and several thrift shops are nearby, which they frequent regularly. Along the way, they have formed several friendships with the staff members who work there. I think it’s all a part of that small-town charm.

I have also been the recipient of several of my mom’s thrifting trips. Antique mirrors, brass doorknockers, and an extensive collection of beautiful books for my library have all been acquired through their adventures. Someone else’s donation has benefitted me, so I am happy to donate my unwanted items to others! There is the added benefit of that April 15th tax deduction when you donate.

Additionally, if you are remodeling, many items can be reused and repurposed. A few items I have donated in the past include stainless steel sinks, faucets, a stove, wall ovens, a microwave, and interior doors.

Side Note: When I remodeled my previous home in Nashville, the prior owner removed all of the original 1940 hardwood doors and replaced them with faux wood doors. Why??? Over a period of four years, I hunted down yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores, and replaced every one of them with repurposed vintage doors and hardware, which brought me great joy.

Keep in mind, when renovating, the donations are almost endless. Granite counters, walls of cabinets, chandeliers and lighting of all types, exterior windows, cabinet hardware, bathroom mirrors, and interior doors are all donation options. “Waste not, want not.” Oh! I want to mention that ReStore also offers pickup, as do some other donation centers.

To help minimize clutter year-round, I keep a large shopping bag at the back door to drop items in as I declutter. When it fills up, I take it to a donation drop-off location. I feel good about having clean closets and, along the way, helping someone else out. There’s never anything wrong with having an empty drawer, cabinet, or closet!

One of my best thrift store finds is a beautiful mahogany sideboard from Habitat ReStore, which I purchased several years ago for $275. There was not one scratch on it. Not everything in your home can be that big of a bargain, but when you do find one, it sure does feel good! While a well-collected home is comforting and desirable, excess can weigh us down. So, go free yourself this holiday season and give back by donating!

Finally, now that your house is clean and ready for the holiday season, I’d like to share one of my favorite pork tenderloin recipes with you. Enjoy!

AMY MONTGOMERY has over 25 years of design experience and owns Amy Montgomery Home in Columbia, Tennessee. She delights in sharing her personal collection of vintage china and dishes with readers. As a lifestylist, she is focused on the home and is thrilled to offer her customers an elevated customer service experience. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com for additional information and follow her on social media @amymontgomeryhome.

Ingredients  (Serves 6)

2 3/4 pounds pork tenderloins
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce 
1/4 cup oyster sauce 
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon minced, fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon ketchup 

Instructions

1. Place tenderloins in an 11 x 7 x 1.5 inch baking dish.
2. Combine honey and the next six ingredients, stirring well; pour over tenderloins.
3. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for eight hours, turning occasionally. 
4. Remove tenderloins from marinade, reserving marinade.
5. Grill tenderloins over medium-hot coals 25-35 minutes, turning often and basting with reserved marinade. Pork is done when meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of tenderloin registers 170 degrees.
6. To serve, slice tenderloins thinly and arrange on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme if desired.

Note: Recipe was adapted from Southern Living, Five-Star Recipe Collection.

The post Decluttering Before the Holidays appeared first on Williamson County Living.

PHOTOS BY HEATHER DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Welcome to May and June! The South’s most desirable time of year for a wedding. Weddings come in all different sizes and styles these days. The micro-wedding has gained popularity over the last few years, with brides focusing on spending time with family and friends in a more intimate setting. With smaller weddings and fewer guests, an at-home wedding could be the perfect solution for couples who want privacy and desire to spend more time with those attending.  

A house with an open traffic pattern is best suited for hosting over 20-25 guests. If that space leads to an outdoor area, it can work even better. If you’ve been in the South for long, you know never to plan an outdoor event that is solely outdoor and in an uncovered area. Rain is always a possibility and can put a damper on an outdoor wedding or reception. The photos shared on these pages reflect the bride and groom’s desire for an intimate event spent one-on-one with family and friends. 

The location? The bride’s parents’ home. While the 1938 Tudor is quaint from the exterior viewpoint, the open main floor interior allowed for the perfect ceremony, which included only parents, siblings, and sibling spouses. The ceremony, attended by the bride, groom, minister, and eight guests, was held in the spacious formal dining room. The dining room table featured a large arrangement of fresh flowers for the ceremony, and the dining room chairs were used for seating guests. 

The bride dressed in the guest bedroom upstairs, and when her time arrived to greet her groom, her father awaited her at the bottom of the steps. The staircase, draped in yellow and white roses with lush greenery and fresh magnolia, was beautiful for the bride’s entrance and served as the perfect backdrop for the double-ring ceremony. The bride’s choice of yellow roses complemented the forest green staircase walls and looked beautiful for early spring.

After the ceremony, the dining room chairs were stored in an upstairs bedroom, clearing the way for two caterers to set the dining table with an early cocktail supper. The flower arrangement from the ceremony was moved to the center of the table and was flanked all around by trays of beef tenderloin, chicken satay, roasted vegetables, and an extensive charcuterie selection. The extended family waited during the ceremony at the Airbnb, just across the street from the parents’ home, so that photos could be taken immediately after the nuptials. At the same time, the inside was being transformed for the cocktail supper for guests arriving in just a couple of hours. 

The wedding cake table was located in the breakfast room. The breakfast room featured French doors that led to the covered veranda, where clothed tables and wooden bentwood chairs awaited guests. The bride’s father hung clear sides to the veranda cover to protect the evening from any rain that might have come their way. Blessedly, there was not a drop of rain that early May Saturday. A tradition not held too often any longer, the bride and groom waited at the bottom of the staircase at the front door and greeted every guest as they arrived—such a very personal gesture to extend to your guests. 

As guests moved from greeting the new couple, the staff served a variety of passed hors d’ oeuvres. The flow of the house and the covered veranda allowed enough space for the bride, the groom, their families, and 38 guests to mingle easily. A little trick used to keep guests out of the kitchen worked very well. The caterers brought portable ovens and coolers and operated out of the lower-level garage. The florist covered every surface in the kitchen with greenery and florals, even the top of the range.  

Music for the bride’s entrance and the reception was provided by a classical guitarist. The caterer’s set-up time was used for him to transition to the veranda.  Nothing too bold, simply understated, and the perfect background music for a lovely evening. The flower boxes on the veranda were “planted” with Boston ferns, fresh yellow roses, and greenery.

The guests were greeted at the front door with the front planter box filled to the brim with yellow roses and fresh greenery, along with evergreen topiaries surrounded by yellow roses. Small arrangements of the same flowers were placed on each table, draped with off-white, textured linen cloths. The bride’s parents’ favorite local bartender served champagne and two signature drinks created by the bride and groom. 

One of the sweetest moments of the day was the groom and his mother making the half-block walk to the local florist to pick up the bride’s bouquet. Where else but in the quaint town of Columbia, Tennessee, could this be possible? There were so many small-town moments associated with this perfect at-home Southern wedding. The parents’ friends who brought them two loads of fresh cut magnolia stands out as one of the sweetest gestures of the entire wedding week. The bride’s mom’s friend, a freelance florist, captured her vision of the house florals perfectly, while the local florist down the street was so accommodating to allow the groom and his mom to be photographed picking up the bouquet. Neighbors provided the pièce de résistance by moving nine cars off the narrow historic street to locations away from the house, as there was no off-street parking available in the downtown location. Indeed, it was undoubtedly the perfect at-home Southern wedding.

AMY MONTGOMERY has over 25 years of design experience and owns Amy Montgomery Home in Columbia, Tennessee. She delights in sharing her personal collection of vintage china and dishes with readers. As a lifestylist, she is focused on home and is thrilled to offer her customers an elevated customer service experience. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com for additional information and follow her on social media at @amymontgomeryhome.

The post The Perfect At-Home Southern Wedding appeared first on Williamson County Living.