This was a bold speculative investment, some voiced “she’s crazy”, others secretly thinking “she may be on to something". Patiently sifting through a year+ of property listings, Eve pounced on this property speculating on area growth just down the interstate from Nashville. Envisioning renovating this property to be a destination where people could come for a sense of upscale space, wellness retreats, family gatherings, weddings, corporate & music-writing retreats - even movies filmed, commercials & advertising being booked here regularly. So, the plan worked and after 3+ years, Eve sold the property for a record breaking price and an estimable return on investment. Turns out she wasn’t crazy after all.

A surprising residential loft project in the bustling Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York.

Here the Client was known to host the best NYC parties and wanted a place to “wow” his friends. Eve first worked in tandem with his Realtor to find the apartment to buy, with this goal in mind. Then given the “do what you do Eve!” go ahead to be creative, she gutted it, then put it back together keeping it surprising - the sit around bar is actually a hidden kitchen! Sleek but warm. Functional yet minimalistic and in his words “sexy”. In truth, he was looking for a wife and knew he needed a new “pad”. This was a very fun HoWG mission. He’s now “happily ever after”…

The full gut-renovation of this traditional historic downtown Wilmington home, somehow became a restoration into the whimsy mix of the Paris Modern French apartment. With the original high ceilings, we created the coved arches that mingled and connected with the gorgeous curve of the solid marble fireplace,  shipped in from France. The deliberate mix of lighting elements both from France and Sweden, architectural faucets from Waterworks & the glass bistro shelving in the kitchen - with the black and white modern furniture connecting with antique pieces throughout; a combined quest for that fun and sophisticated sense of style one might enjoy and appreciate while in a sophisticated city abroad. The house “spoke” and we followed. It was a fun project to see come together and the new owners, being the well traveled couple that they are, were thrilled to go with it too.

This Grand Historic Dame on the prettiest street in Columbia Tennessee, West 6th Street, was a must-do for us. Ohhh that staircase…!

Wow. We walked in and saw the sweeping staircase and knew it was a HoWG project to be sure! So, a 2 year gut renovation ensued and we “put it all” into this lovely gem of a historic house. With the high ceilings, both downstairs and upstairs, we were able to add and create new sophisticated in-town spaces both in the old treasured ways and new required ways for modern living. A kitchen where there was once a bedroom, gave us space to carve out a special butler’s pantry and coffee bar in the breakfast nook (that was originally the back porch). A bourbon bar in the dining room, formal rooms downstairs + a den space, bedrooms all with marble bathrooms and heated marble floors everywhere including in the kitchen - this historic lady was an important restoration nod to the elegant past of a historic area in a thriving historic town, just outside of Nashville.

This sweet farm house in the emerging Historic Arts District in Columbia, Tennessee, was a fun project that came out of a need for a fresh new residence for an "Empty Nest" client who was downsizing home needs to a smaller, “in-town” residence.

Though this is a true “farm house” built in the late 1800’s we were able to see the space lend itself to actually become different altogether, more along the "Cali-Cool” vibe way, so we opened up and tore down walls, immediately. This gut-renovation included even the fireplace, which we replaced with a long, concrete look. Fun was had re-imagining a kitchen into what was originally the dining room and combining this space with an existing outdoor porch; turning it into a sit-in breakfast nook, made this a fun and light space for happy gatherings. The 12’ ceilings downstairs + removing the low ceilings upstairs for the rafty-loft look… add lots and lots of white paint ( including over the dark wood floors), helped to make this old farm house a new fresh and light space. Then adding loads of modern light linen furnishings to surprise when entering, gave it the modern, fresh reflections of that California vibe that is always so fun.

Nestled in the heart of Magnolia Springs, Alabama, this historic Oak Street gem was designed to embrace the hearts of this sweet community that sits on the quaint Magnolia River.

This was a respectful restoration of a home that was original the Magnolia Inn, a boarding house and resting place for the visiting Northerners who were establishing their summer residences in the South. With walls and ceilings built from wood from the land, it was a sensitive choice between the wood and use of paint to lighten up the rooms. We found a balance, the ever-present need to bring the new to the old, and the old to the new. This home feels like home AND history, the second you enter. And oh, the dear friendships made here during this process…this very special community.

A Fairhope, Alabama rambler made good. And decidedly different. No sea-shells and sea-foam green paint here. Lily Pulitzer might not approve, but we don’t tend to ask for permission anyway.

Not our “usual” but always up for a challenge and a change - we adored renovating this contemporary gem of a single level home on Olive Street, in the best little bay-side town in America. We cantilevered ceilings, updated surfaces for the dramatic vs the expected and are thrilled with the end result. Always good to spread your design wings and in here, we did. Happy to add a very happy rambler, going to the best couple we could hope for and in the sweetest of Fairhope neighborhoods.

A gorgeous Debbie Cooper designed, historic Antebellum home on Jeans Way in Columbia, Tennessee - just outside of Nashville.

Historic homes speak to you. They have a full language all their own, and Debbie is truly a House Whisperer. She listens, hears, feels and pours soul wrenching details into every home she renovates and designs. And wow, how the houses just beam with her special brand of dark paint selections and gorgeous Scottish vibes, when she’s done. They speak. She listens. It’s a perfect partnership…Masterpieces all.

A fun, Spanish Hacienda style project in the Bel Meade neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. Who doesn’t love a project that lets you mingle with white stucco, Talavera tiles… giant tree roots. Then add a giant shearling sofa and wild Sea Island horses, cattle skulls on the walls. We’re always game for the above!

Even in Country Music and very traditional area of Nashville’s Bel Meade, there’s always someone craving a different “look”. It’s the job of a simpatico Designer to embrace and create the vision the client wants no matter what or where. This was a fun ‘dream house’ project to create for the client. Eve/HoWG found the location. HoWG planned the renovation and even the Landscape Design, by request from the client. Welcome to “Hacienda Dunn” in Nashville, no less!

Hospitality & Commercial Projects; from fancy wine and coffee bars, to full restaurants. Add a Grammy winning group filming their documentary, commercial print campaigns. Then there’s a big supper-club theatre, to luxury cars and spas in cabins - our creative design brain works with same tenants of success: creative vision, warmth, communal gathering spaces with demographic appeal for successful financial investment goals. It’s always about People.

A few of our hospitality projects: Jones Coffee & Wine Lounge (Roslyn, WA) . Manhattan Steakhouse (Kirkand, WA). The Trattoria (Seattle WA), Elia in the Woods Spa (Columbia TN). Palenque Coffee House (Ripon, WI), Caffe Primo (Weho, CA) Lucerne Hotel (NYC), Tony Maroni’s (Seattle/LA), Pine Lake Grill (Issaquah WA), Sweet Janes (NYC). Alderwood Cadillac Dealership (Alderwood, WA). The Showbox Theater (Seattle. WA). Lifetime Movie Channel. CMT. SHAPE Magazine.

Airbnb’s, STR’s “done right” is a huge business arena and when done well, makes you a ton of money. It’s a competitive decorating market that requires your space to show as functional yet gorgeous. To be playfully, regionally unique above all others.

Some samples of HoWG’s premium Airbnb properties in Manhattan, NYC & Nashville. Whimsical, practical, luxe, thoughtful spaces meeting the needs for the ROI goals set by clients. Having these spaces thoughtfully & professionally decorated means your STR is booked often and at the most premium area nightly rates.

Real Estate Developers & Business Investors are getting big into the Short Term Rental arena. We’ve conceptualized and created multi-unit concepts for area Developers and even did a Long Term Executive Hotel in trendy East Nashville.

Above is a sample of a high-end 4 unit short term rental project in West Nashville. HoWG came up with the idea to make each unit distinctly different, to have their story “own” look. The London. The Jane. The Plaid. The Tapestry.

The second project is Shelby Ave Executives Hotel in East Nashville; an apartment building we renovated & converted to an executive long term stay residence, keeping that distinctive Nashville flair even the “Suits” want!