When interior designer Elizabeth Malmo caught wind that a property was about to go on the market right around the corner from her home, she and her parents went into action. Veazey and Collie Krausnick decided to purchase the home that day, and their family design project began. Having worked together previously on a lake house in Arkansas, Elizabeth and her parents knew that this project would be fulfilling and fun. “From day one, my mom was so open to any idea I threw out. Dad was too, but definitely less involved in selecting fabrics and finishes!”
When it came to marrying function with form, Elizabeth knew that Collie could definitely play a role. “Dad’s a big hunter and wakes up sometimes at 4:00 a.m. We specifically designed their primary suite so that he could walk directly into his bathroom to shower, move seamlessly into his closet and exit out a secret door leading back toward the front entrance hall.” Added bonus: the grandkids love this door!
The grandchildren were considered throughout the project, according to Elizabeth. “My mother is a master horticulturist (travels the country to judge flower shows), but she also is practical and wanted her backyard to be fun for the grandkids.” The result is a huge backyard putting green surrounded by beautiful gardens.
When asked about sourcing furniture for the new home, Elizabeth said, “We really were not in a rush to scheme the whole house at once, so we took our time.” Veazey’s father was an interior designer in Memphis, and she acquired a number of beautiful English antiques from her parents that were utilized in the new design plan. The Krausnicks also love art, so finding new homes for their pieces was very important. “Sometimes my parents buy art when they travel, but mostly they love to support local artists. David Lusk is very used to getting my call on December 23rd on behalf of my dad to find something special for my mom!”
Elizabeth mentioned that, when placing furniture, they really struggled to find the perfect coffee table. “One day at my house, mom commented that the table in my living room would be the perfect size. So, in true interior designer fashion, I let her have mine and found a new one!”
In addition to Collie’s secret door, Elizabeth created a few other special design elements for enhanced function and form. In order to hide the large TV in the living room, Elizabeth worked with David Lusk to commission eight sketches, by Carlyle Wolfe Lee and Chris Garner built a beautiful, framed screen on which to hang them. The screen folds back to reveal the TV.
Architects John Harrison Jones and Chris Parker added to the home’s charm when they discovered the perfect spot for a wine cellar. During a walkthrough, they realized that there was a lot of space under the stairs. So, they applied paneling to hide the door and used a secret magnetic lock that only opens with a special key. Elizabeth came up with the idea to paint the inside a dark red, to create an unexpected view when you open the door.
Elizabeth’s use of color is a dominant theme throughout the house. “I don’t think you can deny that I love color, but I do think it is important to pick and choose how you use it.” In the centrally-located living room, Elizabeth covered the walls in a light neutral linen to add warmth to the large space. In the dining room, she lacquered the walls and ceiling in a beautiful green. “There is so much natural light during the day, so the darker ceiling makes the room glow, and it also makes it super cozy at night during a dinner party.” Elizabeth went all in when she painted the cabinets in the butler’s pantry chartreuse and wallpapered the walls in a floral pattern. “It’s one of my favorite spaces in the house, and you catch a glimpse of it from nearly every room.”
Throughout the project, Elizabeth primarily focused on how her parents would use their new space both personally and for entertaining. Now that they are merely a hop, skip and jump away, the whole family can gather to enjoy the beauty and functionality of this special home.
Elizabeth Malmo is an interior designer located in Memphis, Tennessee. Her retail space, Collected by Elizabeth Malmo, is located in Laurelwood Shopping Center.