...what can you do with an old bank building?

The Hotel Indigo opened in the old American Trust Building and adjoining Nashville Trust Building on Union Street in Nashville!

Personally, I always love finding out how old buildings are being renovated and restored.

I remember this particular building from when we first moved to Nashville because it is next to the Stahlman Building--which then was the "home of country music"--something that was very new to me.

The Nashville Trust building is one of the oldest multi-storied buildings in Nashville and was considered to be a "skyscraper" in its day!

Built in the 1920s, the developers did a great job preserving the integrity of the period architecture.

After a concert at The Ryman last night, my husband and I decided to take the short walk to check out the new Indigo!  What we found was an eclectic mixture of old and new--when blended resulted in clean, minimalist design.

Original and restored marble floors in the lobby and bar area

 Sitting area in the bar is done in lime suede and chocolate leather with accents (on pillows) of raspberry.  I believe that this area was once the bank lobby.

Marble facing on the walls below the lobby windows.  Although I can't be sure, it looks like the original woodwork was kept and painted.

 The Phi Bar

Bar and adjoining bar area with sitting area (done in lemon with the same raspberry accents)

Cream leather bar stools

Sitting area adjoining the bar--check out the woodwork and ceiling!

Starbucks @ the Indigo downtown

 

Cafe area (part of Starbucks)

For more information on the Hotel Indigo, check out the web site!

...gotta love the old buildings... in search of another!

Special thanks to my friend, Michelle for letting me know that the hotel opened!

...collections...My Sports Memorabilia!

A few days ago, I talked about the collection of artifacts that I used in decorating my husband's office.

I used one of my own collections of sports memorabilia to put together a funky display in the loft area in our house.  The space provides a second family room and overlooks the main family room.

I think that my interest in sports came (in part) from growing up in between two brothers.  Although my older brother usually loathed anything sports-related, my younger brother played baseball for many years.  ...also, it seems like there was always a game blaring on our televisions (all of them)...Mets, Knicks, some type of hockey, and of course--Broadway Joe!

I have this memory (from when I was about 4 or 5 and living in Brooklyn) of my father and uncles driving away in a gray and pink convertible heading to a Mets game and me running after the car trying to convince them to take me with them.

... and my collection begins...

In our last house we had a bonus/media room.  I displayed many of the sports collection on walls and tables.  When we moved to our current house, I decided to use the items as decorating tools.

I began with a glass-door cabinet.  I knew I wanted to keep with the bungalow style, but, wanted to add some funkiness. 

The cabinet:  Ethan Allen Horizons piece that has the look and feel of a bungalow cabinet.

Next, I started to gather the items that I thought would be "worthy" of the cabinet.  The glove in the picture above was my father's.  I found the football mask at an antique show in Maine last summer.  ... and speaking of football... I was not a fan until the Titans came to Nashville.  ... and the rest is history.

Here are several other baseball-related items:

Framed photo I took at a Braves game in the 1990s.

Framed letter and signed card that Jeff Blauser sent to my first grade class (along with a signed card for each student!).

Framed cover of the Baseball Weekly that appeared after 9/11.

 Limited edition Subway Series commemorative

 The cabinet includes mini spot lights for added focus.  (Mike Piazza bear on the left!)

Collection of sports-related books.  Some given to me by a colleague who has now retired.

Titans football signed by the members of the Music City Miracle Team!

Season Ticket Holder Program and Lanyard (Music City Miracle!)

Framed and signed picture of Jevon Kearse (The Freak) from his rookie year.

...and the final display...  There are several other framed items that I have in other places in the house, but, the cabinet with the current display assembled adds a funky touch to a bungalow!

The cabinet is in a second family room in our house.  Future plans for the room--I am on the lookout for Stickley easy chairs for game watching!

On this wonderful spring day, I can almost hear blue yelling, Play Ball!

...on second thought, how many days until Titans Training Camp!?

The Aviator: Part 2

Tuesday's post began the story of decorating my husband's home office.  We continue today with the rest of the room that holds the collection of The Aviator.

Because of the lines of the tudor style house, the room is long and narrow with slanted ceilings and a dormer.

With the high ceilings and slanted lines, it was easy to make use of the height (see the tall Barrister case from Tuesday's blog).

Once again, I began with paint!  This time, Ralph Lauren Suede in Fawn's Leap.  Suede is a bit tricky to apply and once on the walls I didn't think it looked at all like ... suede!  But, we have had several friends tell us that the walls look like they are covered in suede fabric, so I guess it worked!

The most important piece in the room is the desk.  Because the desk would face out into the room, I needed something that would have woodworking made to be seen from the front.  I relied on Ethan Allen and selected a piece from the British Classics collection.

Wood carving on front of desk.

This well-made piece is large with a great workspace.  Even though the desk is large, the design reflects craftsmanship and detail.  There are also sides that can be extended when working on projects!

The work surface with sides extended.

For the chair--Ethan Allen side chair from the Townhouse collection. 
I selected a fabric that brought out greens, taupe, and the fawn color of the walls. 
(Details: chair back, fabric, and arm)

The room has one oversized window in the dormer.  I installed wood blinds and made the drapes so that they can remain open for more light.  The fabric:

Silk and cotton in taupe with striped black, cream, and taupe accents.  Fabric was purchased at the old Associated Salvage in Nashville which has now gone out of business...   ;-(

This lateral file cabinet in cherry with inlays sits in the dormer below the window.  We have had this piece for over 15 years, but it is still in good condition.  (...needs the pulls changed!)

Lateral file in dormer window

An armillary sits on the cabinet to further enhance the "aviator/aviation" look.

The final touch...an authentic Underwood that belonged to my husband's grandfather who was a printer by trade.  It still works but need a ribbon!

FUTURE PLANS:  Right now the room has white shelving under one of the eaves / slanted ceiling walls.  I would like to have custom built-ins installed and am looking at several options if that doesn't work out.

...more to come... as I search for a woodworker...or take a class in woodworking and DIY...more likely!