Tour This Nashville Realtor and Blogger's Dreamy, Custom-Built Home

Even real estate agents have dream-home wish lists. Kelly Ladwig is an experienced Nashville agent with expertise in new construction and luxury, and she is the friendly face behind Home on a Nashville Hill. Step inside Kelly and her wife Suzie's brand-new custom home filled with a dash of contemporary design, splurge-worthy living essentials and salvaged brick tile.

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June 16, 2023

By: Rachael Jones

Show: HGTV Handmade

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Photo By: Matt Blair

Design of a Decade

Nashville real estate agent and creator of Home on a Nashville Hill Kelly Ladwig sets the stage for her custom home from the moment you turn the key to the front door. She and her wife Suzie and their five fur babies can now call this cozy, Tennessee space home, but they spent plenty of years prior curating what would end up in their perfect dream home. “Suzie and I have lived in just about every neighborhood in Nashville," Kelly says. "While we loved living more urban, we were both wanting more space to be able to spread out and breathe a little bit." So the two settled on buying a 1.4-acre lot in a neighborhood that offered a good combo — a slice of the country while being close to city life.

Everywhere You Look

“I truly love our kitchen,” Kelly says. “Some of my happiest times in this home are standing at the prep space being surrounded by friends and making memories. It’s such a central part of our home and that really translates to anyone who comes over. But ultimately, my favorite space is wherever me, Suzie and 'The Furry Five' are at the same time.”

Intentional Artistry

"[Another] thing I love in our kitchen is the painting of an arrow," Kelly shares. "It was done by a local artist named Jamie Beckwith who did several commissions for our home. We really discussed what this piece should be and signify. And the coolest thing about it is she wrote intentions onto the canvas as she painted. So it feels like there are special wishes for us that protect us."

Silver Fox Flair

"I’m from Milwaukee," Kelly says, "and I always loved the original 'silver fox' brick that is so prevalent in old lofts there. I had the opportunity to get the old brick from a building that was being demolished and incorporate it into our home. It’s unique and something no one else has or ever will have. And I think if we ever moved I would miss that more than anything."

One-Of-A-Kind Finds

"I really think every home needs something that is unique to the homeowner," Kelly says. "So often I see people who want what everyone else has. So, so many homes are duplicates of what we see on Instagram. And I just love it when I see someone who isn’t afraid to bring in something that’s a little quirky, and that represents who they are."

Show and Tell

"I’m a huge fan of finding home decor when I travel, especially internationally," Kelly says. "It doesn’t have to be big, but finding something from somewhere else makes it more special — like a vase from one country, a piece of art from another, or hotel key cards from different cities. It all helps tell the story of who you are."

Sit Back, Stay Awhile

Imagine sinking into the inviting leather lounge chair tucked away beneath the modern stairscase to the second floor. That's exactly how Kelly wants her guests to be welcomed. "I want them to feel [our home] is a space where they can truly be themselves and kick off their shoes and curl up on the couch. But I also like people to have the response of, 'Well, I haven’t seen anything quite like this before.'"

Forget Perfection

"I’m a big believer that decor does not need to be perfect," Kelly says. "And [your home] doesn’t ever need to be finished. I think every house is a work in progress, and it grows and evolves as you and your family grow and evolve."

The Two Go-Tos for Decor

When it's time to style a new space, Kelly knows exactly where she's shopping. "I think Etsy is an amazing resource for home decor," she says. "There are so many [options] with fun, quirky pieces. And I love to support small businesses — in general, small businesses are my favorite places to buy things. But, I do have to admit, a good Target run can also result in some really fun decor pieces without breaking the bank."

The Number One Splurge

Kelly's cozy, contemporary bedroom stuns with the chandelier and navy blue accent wall. But the real splurge is something less obvious. "I always splurge on sheets and bedding," Kelly says. "To me, there is nothing yummier than crawling into bed at night with the most perfect sheets. And I want to make sure my guests feel the same way when they are at my house."

Spot the Trends

"I am in and out of some truly amazing homes every day," Kelly says. "And I always love seeing what other people are doing and how I can potentially incorporate that into my own home design." In her bathroom, the natural wood and black trim combo pairs perfectly to give an effortless, luxe vibe.

Fancy Feast

And even Kelly's laundry room gets a stylish modern makeover, fit for the cats, of course. Subtle, gray cat cabinets offer function while the geometric floor tiles and enlarged cat photo steal the show.

Proudest DIY

"I had so many dreams for so long about sitting on our screened-in porch, looking out over the backyard and reading," Kelly says. So she worked with culinary garden designer Sara Gasbarra to bring her container-garden-meets-entertainment-greenhouse idea to life.

See More Photos: Meet A Nashville-Based Culinary Garden Designer Who Can Grow Food Anywhere

Purposeful Pollination

Best of all, the backyard design works for the herbs, the guests and the bees. As culinary garden designer Sara Gasbarra says in her recent chat with HGTV, "It’s really important to have pollinator-friendly flowers in your garden to bring in bees and to bring in wasps to help pollinate those crops that really need it, like the squash, tomatoes, eggplant and cucumbers."

See More Photos: Meet A Nashville-Based Culinary Garden Designer Who Can Grow Food Anywhere

Test of Time

"The goal of building this house was for us to be able to create memories with the people we love," Kelly shares. "It was fun watching it come to life, and we celebrated every little milestone."

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