After years of designing homes for others, Cindy McCord took on the project of creating her forever home.
As an interior designer, Cindy McCord spends her days envisioning each client's dream home, so when it came time for her and her husband to build their forever home in their beloved Tennessee town, she had a good idea of what she wanted.
Cozy, comfortable, and traditional, their home is perfectly suited for the couple, their three children, and their three pets to grow into, all thanks to Cindy's practical yet stunning design. "We built the home to our needs," Cindy explains. "We took the time to design around our lifestyle as totally empty nesters when all the children were gone."
The home is designed in a horseshoe layout, almost enclosing the backyard to create a sort of secret garden for the family. The covered back porch is nestled in the center of the layout and, not surprisingly, is the spot where the family spends the most time, especially during the autumn months. "Everywhere we go in the home, we can see our porch," Cindy says. "We spend all of our time out there. We get our blankets, light a fire, and it's so fun."
“While French country is the design style of her own home, it’s not the only way Cindy designs her clients’ homes. “I design homes all over the spectrum in style,” she says.”
Inside, Cindy went for a neutral color palette and played with pattern and texture throughout the home. "I love simple French-country style," she says. "I love light and airy." The foyer offers a peek into the rest of the home, with elegant floral wallpaper and a large mirror above a console table which contrasts with a painting of a rural barn and a rustic lantern overhead—a beautiful blend of sophistication and comfort.
The living room brings in a pop of color, with two blue couches echoing the aqua blue sky in a piece of art that hangs in the space. Cindy notes that the space changes throughout the year as she switches throws, pillows, drapes, and other decor with the seasons.
“Cindy says that the key to having both a durable and beautiful home is to ‘keep your fabrics and rugs very textured and simple and add a little bit of elegance through your accessories, like lamps and pillows.’ ”
The sophisticated yet relaxed style carries into the open-plan kitchen and breakfast nook area, with space to sit and enjoy morning coffee while looking out onto the couple's beloved porch and garden. The kitchen takes an updated look on traditional style. Gorgeous paned cabinetry with rubbed brass hardware mixes perfectly with the vintage-style silver faucet. The space is an embodiment of Cindy's design philosophy of making spaces both beautiful and livable. "I work with so many clients that have pets and children, and there is a way to have a happy medium," she says. "You can have a home that is durable and looks elegant, too."
The charming breakfast nook and sitting area off of the kitchen is a spot for the entire family to enjoy relaxing mornings together. Whether sipping coffee in the cozy armchairs beside the fire or lounging on the built-in bench next to the table, there's plenty of space for everyone, even the family's two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and their pet cat.
Cindy took a more elegant approach in the dining room, with cane-back chairs surrounding a large wood table. An antique grandfather clock commands the space with subtle sophistication. Cindy chose patterned drapes to add interest to the room. "I like to start with things a little plain and then enhance it," she explains. "When you're not mixing way too many patterns and colors, it's easier to come off as a little more elegant from time to time but still stay durable with the textures of the fabrics."
Even with the gorgeous interior and perfectly laid out design, the family can't help but find themselves outside on their well-loved porch. With the fire roaring and her family snuggled together watching their favorite shows, Cindy admits that nothing inside can beat it.