After Lauren Medwed went through a divorce a few years ago, she moved into the luxury high-rise Icon in the Gulch. She knew right away who she wanted to hire to make the space a joy to come home to—one of her patients, designer Evan Millárd.
“So she’s my dentist,” he laughs. “She really wanted a place that was bright and happy, and also a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, and chic.” Millárd, a designer known for crafting spaces that feel personal, layers pieces that are a mix of history, artistry and soul. “I believe the most beautiful interiors are the ones that reflect the people who live in them, not just trends or aesthetics.”
And for Medwed, that meant a space that is both feminine and fearless—a chic, modern retreat with just enough edge to keep things interesting.
“I wanted it to be like a really cool bachelorette pad, dramatic and fun and girly. Like Sex in the City, but Nashville,” Medwed says.
Set against the backdrop of downtown, the space is a celebration of light, layering and contrasts. Amber glass tables and brass accents add warmth and a touch of 1970s edge, while a cascading crystal chandelier dramatically refracts the light.
“When I’m designing in a high rise that has a lot of floor-to-ceiling windows and glass, I really have to pay attention to light sources and how it might bounce around and reflect off of finishes and surfaces,” Millárd says.
A sculptural, white, channel-tufted sectional grounds the main room, and it is surrounded by glamorous and unexpected pairings: velvets in jewel tones, a mustard knit throw and pillows in shades of deep plum and forest green. The color palette is rich yet playful, inspired by Medwed’s love of bumblebees—think golden honey, vivid florals and soft blush undertones.
“This was my first time incorporating such vibrant colors,” he says. “When Lauren said that she wanted her place to feel glam and a little bit rock ’n’ roll, I knew that it would be a step out of my comfort zone. And I really embraced the challenge to create a home that my client loves, but is also a reflection
of my design style.”
Medwed loves the juxtaposition between light and bright and dark and moody that Millárd achieved. “When you walk in, it’s really bright and welcoming. But then when you go into my bedroom, it’s dark and dramatic, and I like the shift.”
MAKING A STATEMENT WITH ART
Medwed always admired art in college and always had a creative side, but she wanted to have security in her career. So she chose dentistry. “I have a true appreciation for artists and what they do,” she says. “I just know it’s a really hard lifestyle, and so any time I have the money to put toward art, I always do.”
The piece they started with is in the entryway — an all-white, sculptural original that’s based on Chanel flowers. Then everything fell into place around it.
“The pictures don’t do it justice,” Medwed says. “When you see it in real life, it makes it feel like you’re walking into a little mini art gallery. It’s just so intricate. I can’t explain it, but it just gives you, like, a good feeling when you come home to that.”
An oversized contemporary work from artist Maeci Ujvari featuring a hand-drawn pink heart adds just the right note of irreverent whimsy, a push and pull between softness and strength.
“She came and painted on the actual wall,” she says. “I wasn’t sure what kind of vibe it would be, or if it was going to be too much. But I absolutely love it. It’s my favorite thing.”
Within the painting there is a phrase that says “Happy girls are the prettiest,” and Medwed says it is a nice little reminder every day.
“I think that art is for everyone,” she adds. “And art can be found at so many different price points that it really gives everyone the opportunity to have a piece in their home. And every home should have at least one original piece.”
“Going in, I was like, ‘I trust you Evan, to do whatever you do because it always comes out great.’ And by the end of it, I was like, ‘Do I actually live here?’ I love coming home to this place that was literally a cinder block, with plain and boring white walls, and he just made it something I could have never imagined.” NI
