Nestled in the hills of Avalon, 391 The Lady of the Lake Ln, Franklin, Tennessee, 37067, is a European Countryside-inspired estate that exemplifies how thoughtful details can transform a house into a home. Every inch of this home has been carefully designed to create a space that is both functional and beautiful.
Though newly built, this home is filled with timeless charm, set apart by its intricate details and graceful, feminine touches. It is a perfect example of the shift away from neutral gray-and-white palettes and toward warmth, character, and personality. Rather than following the minimalist trends that have dominated recent years, this home embraces texture, color, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
“Everybody is moving away from the white and the gray,” Lisa Culp Taylor explains. “Everything's warming up, lots of textures. We're seeing more and more leaning into natural tones. We're not necessarily seeing browns and tans, but more natural tones, earth tones, and lots of texture.”
Although this house is spacious at 8,651 square feet, it still feels warm and inviting. With vaulted ceilings, walk-out balconies, and windows that flood the home with natural light, every room feels effortlessly inviting and shares an uplifting atmosphere. On top of that, the house has two flex spaces that will be finished and transformed into a guest suite, a home office, or an at-home gym, per the buyer's specifications, allowing endless possibilities. These additional spaces allow for the homeowner to make the home their own, adapting it to fit not only their lifestyle but the rest of the house.
This house also has some unique features that are a rarity nowadays, a beautiful reminder that the art is in the details. “You also have the Porte-cochere,” Lisa points out. “That is so nice because you're able to pull up under that, get all your groceries out, walk those straight in the house from the friend's entry. Or, if you do have friends that are over, they can pull up and park there under the covering if it's raining and then come in the friend's entry. I just think that's such a nice feature.”
This luxurious home is a masterpiece of elegance and charm, and its thoughtful details are the work of a woman’s touch. Crafted by Garden Gate Homes, co-owner Kara Christensen, alongside her daughter, transformed this blank canvas into a stunning reflection of style, warmth, and sophistication. This duo incorporated feminine details that altered the atmosphere of the home, encapsulating the address’s name, literally The Lady of the Lake.
“For Chloe, my daughter who is learning to be a designer and who helped me in the construction design phase of this home, the parlor and “tea room” definitely appeal to her the most with their more romantic styling,” Kara explains. “She is a girly girl from her head to her pinky toe, so she is all in on the recent move to more feminine design trends. “
With this mother-daughter duo, no detail is ignored. From elegant, timeless wallpaper to breathtaking light fixtures, they thoughtfully picked out each element to seamlessly blend the home into its environment. The result is a space that feels both intentional and effortless, where every room flows beautifully into the next, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
“Seeing a picture from 1823 of a Royal Cottage renovation designed for the King of England — the design was never brought to life, so it felt right to let the picture inspire a creation of my own that would be,” Kara says. “With this home being built in the majestic hills of Avalon, it seemed a perfect fit. “
While many newly built houses follow the same signature style, this home was intentionally designed to blend in with Franklin's historic charm while still offering the same luxury and convenience as new builds. The balance between tradition and innovation gives the home a character that feels familiar yet unique.
Lisa points out, “While it's in a newer neighborhood, the home still has the charm of homes from the past.”
Charm and attention to detail are essential elements that should never be overlooked in a home. These details not only enhance the beauty of a home but also create a sense of character and timeless appeal that make it truly special.
For more information on this house, check out Lisa’s website.
"The design was never brought to life, so it felt right to let the picture inspire a creation of my own that would be."