 |
Today, Karin Eaton, founder and CEO of Ironware International, takes us on a virtual tour of her beautiful, historic Nashville home.
Photographs courtesy of Scott Hughes.
Karin:
My husband, Robin, and I moved to this pre-Civil war house in 1994 with our 3-year-old daughter, Alex. We purchased our home from Tom Ward, who was then Rector of Christ Church. An unusual coincidence is that another rector of Nashville’s Christ Church, the Reverend Charles Tomes, built this house in 1854. He named it Glen Oak, and it is one of the most significant remaining examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Middle Tennessee.
It’s a fun house and a fabulous party house. Glen Oak is home to ghosts, (Alex is acquainted with one), and legends (perhaps a stop on the Underground Railroad). It’s an inspiring house. Glen Oak has a role in Alice Randall’s novel Ada’s Rules and graces the cover of Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O’Conner’s Appalachian Waltz album. It’s a creative house that provides the perfect oasis for Robin’s songwriting, as well as a constantly evolving showcase for the lighting and furniture designs of my company, Ironware.
The North tower has the original tin ogee-shaped roof. The carved vergeboard along the porch, the double Gothic arched doors and the quatrefoil detailing of the eaves are all characteristics of Gothic Revival. Because of the way the streets were laid out in the 20’s, this view of the house is not visible from the road.
Elizabeth and me at the entrance to Glen Oak with gold leafed chandelier, Gothic arch and William Morris-style wallpaper.
The dusky lavender of this room is so romantic! The mantel and fireplace surround are formed tole with the original faux marble paint. The caned armchair was found at the Nashville fairground’s flea market, and the rocking chair is 19th century from Robin’s family. The pastel is by Michael Bastow and the print by Tony Fitzpatrick.
A collection of lipstick prints are a souvenir from Alex’s 8th grade graduation
My bronze bust of our dearly departed boxer, Petey, guards a sculpture by Lanie Gannon.
We found this wonderful Napoleon III mechanical armchair with retractable ottoman in Normandy.
This pool table makes our house party central! It is illuminated by an Ironware billiard light. The two portraits were painted by Robin’s grandmother.
The mild chaos in this room is echoed in the chandelier, the painting by Kathryn Schoepflin and the charcoal work by Sue Mulcahy. Even though I struggle with it, ultimately, I find clutter quite comforting.
Jean Loup Sieff took this photo of me in the Bahamas back in the 80’s. Ironically, it was a job for Carel shoes. How French, right?!
All the walls downstairs are off white. The molding and ceilings provide the vehicle for the punch of color that I could never live without. The rug, throw, and striped mounted fabric were foraged in Istanbul. And, of course, the bed, chandelier, lamp and sconce are by Ironware.
This dormer is part of the bathroom renovation we did in 1994. The former owners gave us a set of 19th century stained glass windows they had found but never used. The oak leaf and acorn pattern are a perfect fit for Glen Oak.
Student charcoals by Robin’s grandmother hang over another Nashville Flea market find.
This 1950’s vintage French rotary telephone actually works.
The mule chest grounds the collection of photographs and prints from Robin’s family
French hand-forged iron
The original walnut banister dominates the entrance hall. My grandmother gave us the early 19th century Tennessee Jackson Press as our wedding gift.
This guitar was made by Mark Brewer, who is currently doing a kitchen and bath renovation for us. So Nashville!
Lovely sketch found at an estate sale hangs above a large amethyst crystal bookend, favorite reading and 2 Jamaican sculptures
Love the shadows of the carved vergeboard.
Thank you Karin! And thank you, also, to Scott Hughes for your amazing photography.
Undoubtedly, Scott captured the beauty and spirit of Glen Oak. If you are interested in seeing more of Scott’s work, click here. And, read more about Karin and the evolution of Ironware International at this website address: www.1stdibs.com.
|
25 Responses to “Glen Oak, Circa 1854: A Beautiful and Historic Home”
$220
73%
$161
$59
Loved seeing Karin’s amazing home. Oozes creativity and joy. Ironware has the most beautiful lighting and furnishings. Can’t wait to learn about the ghost! Thank you Karin for sharing your history laden,awesome home!
Have had some wonderful dinners in that beautiful old house.
Thank you for sharing this article, Karin……reminds me of good times…..and you! Kathleen
I absolutely love this article. It is fabulous to see such a beautiful, historic home so well preserved here in Nashville.
Nashville has great historic homes! Elizabeth and I both live in homes that are over 100 years old and I think Amy’s is about 70 or 80 years old! But, this house has ours beat by about 50 years! It’s gorgeous.
A Beautiful article, so personal and intimate reflecting your remarkable family history. Thank you Karin.
This is a dreamy walk through your home.
Here is the link to the story about Ironware International on 1stdibs: http://www.1stdibs.com/introspective/the_artisan/ironware_international/
Thanks, Janice! That is the same link we ended this post with as well. A fun and inspiring story to read!
I love how this historic home has a bohemian feel on the inside. Any idea where Karin got the rugs pictured in the entrance? Great post, beautiful photographs.
We can’t say enough good things about Scott Hughes, the photographer who shot Karin’s home. To see more of his work, you can follow his link on this post.
Hi Liza,
Those flat weave kilims do contribute greatly to the overall feel. All the ones photographed were found in Istanbul
Karin’s creativity and flair are on display in her wonderful house – the color, shapes, and tone are a delight to the eye and more. I am delighted to have some of that magic in my 1930′s house thanks to wonderful pieces from Ironware!
Oh, Karin – Gorgeous story. Beautiful photographs. Wonderful memories. Thank you for taking such good care of this national treasure. All the art and antiques you’ve collected from your families and travels are at home there and your Ironware pieces blend in perfectly.
I can now say I’ve been inside this historical, fascinating house! I have driven by it for years, known that Karin and her family lived there, but could only imagine what the interior was like! Thank you Karin and Elizabeth for the tour – it is above and beyond my imagination.
Love Karin’s house. I used to babysit Alex back in the day (think she’s all grown up now!), and I used to tippy-toe through the house, just soaking it all in! So glad StyleBlueprint and Karin are sharing such a beautiful aspect of this Nashvegas we call home!
My great-grandparents, Edgar and Susan Cheatham Jones, lived in this house from 1868 until 1938, and was where my grandfather and his four brothers were born. I have seen the outside of the home many times, but have never had the opportunity to see any of the inside. Thank you for this feature and the wonderful photographs. Margaret Brandon, Nashville.
Wow. Thanks for posting this. I remember visiting once when the Wards owned it and it looks just as interesting now as then, if not more so! And of course the outside is remarkable and makes me smile everytime I walk by. We live a block away and walk our dogs by your home fairly regularly.
Wonderful house and WONDERFUL OWNERS! Such style inside and out. Thank you for the post!
A feast for the eyes and food for the soul! A truly marvelous house and an enlightened home. Bravo!
What an incredible story and photos. Karen’s amazing taste and style are a perfect match for such a beautiful piece of history. Thank you for sharing!
AH-MAZE-ING!!!! Ever-changing, always something “fresh”- I never know what I’ll see when I look around in here. Thanks, Karin, for once again sharing your home! Many great memories from my Ironware days!
Karin and Robin are not only gracious in sharing Glen Oak with us online, but they have opened their treasured home to the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association Home Tour more than once–and to other worthy causes. Hats off to the Eatons for their generous spirit!
Am a Interior Deaigner Love Your lighting fixturesMY Sonjust graduated Vanderbilt So we also Love Nashville!
You know me , I love Gothic. Happily, I have use II chandeliers for clients. So well made and attractive. Love seeing the house in photos. Maybe when I come to see my best friend in Nashville, I can see it “for real “?
Lovely, well-mixed, not a slave to fashion or trendy. Great photos!!!
Your Collection is So beautiful My Son graduated Vanderbilt I was very tempted as a New York City Designer to relocate to your Beautiful City> Thought oh Starting Over!!
Patisha,
Come on down! Seriously, Nashville is truly coming into its own from restaurants, shopping, cool neighborhoods and more. It is much easier to navigate than you’d think. There is lots of information in StyleBlueprint to get you up to speed.