Established in 1833, the Shute-Turner House has witnessed nearly two centuries of Nashville history. Image: Amanda Pirtle for Showcase Photography
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At just less than an acre, the land surrounding the Shute-Turner House has decades of stories to tell. Located near The Hermitage mansion, Andrew Jackson originally owned the land, which covered more than 250 acres. Eventually, the property was sold to General Shute and became his family home. In fact, legend has it the General’s prized horse is still buried in the front yard. And what a front yard it is, with a circle drive, 10 majestic magnolia trees of three different varieties, and even the old limestone carriage stones onto which guests stepped down from their horse and buggies. A smokehouse at the back of the property offers a glimpse of timeworn tradition, and an interior courtyard offers a secluded outdoor oasis for the five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bath stunner. Current owner Therese Winnington, who also happens to be a real estate agent and designer, recalls how she stumbled upon the property. “We went into the neighborhood to look at another property that sits on the lake,” she says. “We started looking more in the neighborhood, and I thought this house was really interesting. It’s massive, it has history, it’s unique, but nobody was biting on it, so we went in and toured it. I walk into a house, and it speaks to me — [this one] felt warm and inviting and family-friendly. All of the things that we were looking for.”
Though the house gave off the right vibes, Therese and her husband quickly discovered why it had been sitting on the market for a while — it was in dire need of renovation. “The kitchen and all the bathrooms had to be updated,” she says, “but we thought it was really cool. Where else are you going to find a house built in 1833 that has a fireplace in nearly every room? It was one of those no-brainers.” And so began the labor-intensive project to transition the Shute-Turner House into its next chapter.
The original structure may have been roughly 3,000 square feet, significant in that day and time to be sure, but the newest iteration measures 8,400 square feet. Over time, an entire wing was added on, and at some point in the 1980s, the property was bestowed with running water — a huge step up from its former days of possessing a cistern and an outhouse. The home was formerly on the historic register, but they rescinded the official designation around 2002 when it became apparent that the former owner was using historically inaccurate materials. After that, the home was essentially stuck in the ‘90s until Therese’s purchase.
The front entryway displays the original solid-wood double doors and the home’s main staircase, which is also original to the house. The rich wall color, Evergreen from Porter’s Paints, is a bold first impression. “I wanted a very dark color because I was reading something in a magazine that said when you use a darker color in an entry hall, it gives it this feeling of grandeur,” says Therese. “So, I went with super dark green. As you come in, to your right, there’s a bear head — that actually came off of an old carnival ride.” Image: Zach Harrison Photography
Located downstairs, on the back left-hand side of the house, the estate kitchen is open and bright with vaulted ceilings. A beautiful Wolf stove is one of many highlights. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
Divided into two sections, the kitchen boasts one area with appliances, an extended island, and an area with a breakfast nook and fireplace. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
Proof that inspiration often comes from unlikely places, the breakfast nook was inspired by a vibrant red candlestick Therese found at TJ Maxx. “That room started because of the red candlestick,” she says. “I bought it, and I’m like, ‘Let’s work the room around the candlesticks because I have no clue where else to put them!’” Glossy red chairs by Hooker Furniture add another colorful accent to the space. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
“For the ceiling, I ordered all of these intricate laser-cut wood panel pieces,” Therese says. “The problem was that we got them from Russia during COVID, and it took forever to get them. When we did, they didn’t execute the way I thought they would. Instead, I had one of my contractors come in and do a creative wood design. We painted it with a Ralph Lauren high-gloss gold paint, and then we took wood trim and made a geometric design.” Image: Zach Harrison Photography
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These days, the house is sitting pretty with modern amenities that merge with nostalgic elements to create an elegant space that wows. In large part, the upgrades can be attributed to Therese and her husband, who infused a unique style with their own quirky flair. “I design every house like I’ll live there for the rest of my life,” says Therese. “It’s funky and fun, and it’s definitely a unique spin on [our] personalities. Most of our houses have a little bit of country and a little bit of rock ’n’ roll.” This renovation was extensive, as they gutted not only the kitchen but all five-and-a-half bathrooms. They did away with plastic bathtubs and Formica countertops, finished out the smokehouse, installed a wood-burning fireplace, and even created a side patio with an outdoor fireplace. All the while, they retained the home’s authenticity, preserving standout elements such as fireplaces and mantels and offering function to otherwise obsolete home features. “From the kitchen into the dining room, there’s a pass-through that we turned into a wet bar,” says Therese. “It would have been where the chefs put the food through for the diners in the dining room. You just don’t see that in houses anymore. You take what doesn’t function now, but you don’t get rid of it — you repurpose it. There are limestone [carriage stones] in the front yard. When people came up to the property back in the day, they stepped down onto them from their horse and buggy. Now, they’re cool [pedestals] to put plants on.”
Each room in the Shute-Turner House is distinctive. From a Florida room that offers a fond nod to interior-design-great Bunny Williams to the “Cowboy and Indian Bedroom” and “Beetlejuice Hallway,” Therese has created themed spaces that add up to one memorable home with surprises around every corner. The art collection alone is unforgettable, with provocative, whimsical pieces that run the gamut from street artists and inexpensive Etsy purchases to sought-after prison artwork and kitschy items found at consignment shops. One thing is clear: While the Shute-Turner House may appear traditional from the outside, the interior tells a different tale.
Once a men’s parlor, this sitting room is oozing with masculine flair and offbeat curios, including a stuffed goat above the fireplace and Timothy Oulton Union Jack drapery. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
With a pop of color from the royal blue fireplace, this sitting room, formerly the women’s parlor, is chock full of vibrant street art and interesting curiosities such as a book of local maps from 1986. “The female parlor has a shorter fireplace than the male’s parlor,” Therese says, ” and there are a bunch of black divots on the floor near the fireplace, where somebody dropped the coal.” Image: Zach Harrison Photography
Straight out of a David Lynch film, black-and-white-striped walls offer an optical illusion in this space that Therese fondly refers to as the “Beetlejuice Hallway.” Image: Zach Harrison Photography
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Dried moss covers the ceiling in this Secret Garden-themed hallway. Handmade by Therese and originally used in her wedding as tent décor, the hall chandeliers are twig bundles twisted into a metal wire framework. Thistle wallpaper from Timorous Beasties lends a sophisticated whimsy, and velvet drapery from Ballard Designs adds a pop of emerald. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
Old Indian rugs and a variety of artwork make for an interesting bedroom. The Victorian-era bed from Eastlake is a standout. “We found that at a consignment shop,” Therese tells us. “I guess nobody else wanted it because it’s a weird size, but Eastlake was very popular back in the day. It’s not a bed you’re going to sleep in unless you’re a child, though, because my feet touch the bottom! It works perfectly in that room because it’s ornate and funky and different and old school, so it works with the old-house vibe.” Image: Zach Harrison Photography
“When my parents visit, I wanted to have a sanctuary for my mom where she can relax,” says Therese. Before the renovation, the room possessed a plastic alcove tub and shower. In its place, Therese added a six-foot, claw-foot tub she found at Preservation Station. The result is an oasis with a feminine touch that her mom can thoroughly enjoy. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
“When my husband was a bachelor, he had a room in his house where he collected all of these cheap portrait paintings from Etsy,” says Therese. “He calls [the collection] Family Tree.” Though her husband has since sold many of the pieces (he used to own more than 200 portraits), they keep some to display in the upstairs hallway and use them to prompt fun dinner party conversation. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
The downstairs full bath is a tropical paradise with a remake of the banana leaf wallpaper from the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Right off of the family room, it’s a funky space that melds contemporary nuances such as herringbone-style black subway tile with older features such as the home’s original vanity. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
With an intricate latticework wall, the Florida Room is a bright and airy space that’s perfect for dining or lounging. “The room is my tribute to [interior designer] Bunny Williams and her Palm Beach-type style,” says Therese. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
“I wanted something super traditional,” Therese says of the master bedroom décor. “We went with a basic grasscloth wallcovering from Wallpaper and Designer Home Consignments. It’s a very traditional French bed with matching end tables because I wanted something that felt hotel-esque, comfortable, and clean — not as funky as the rest of the house.” Image: Zach Harrison Photography
With the original hardwood flooring, sinks sourced from Etsy, French grid shower doors, and faux Tibetan tiger rugs to accentuate it all, the master bath is striking. The exposed brick wall was masterfully done by a local brick mason and offers an added layer of depth. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
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Finishing out the smokehouse, Therese and her crew re-tiled the floor, sealed the walls, and added a wood-burning fireplace. Eye-catching, the free-standing stove is a huge midcentury modern piece that Therese and her husband acquired from none other than Grumpy’s Bail Bonds owner Leah Hulan, who was selling it during her own renovation. It’s a gorgeous addition to the Shute-Turner smokehouse space, offering a bright focal point amid the rustic wood beams and old brick. It draws the eye up to the 22-foot ceilings, where meat and fish once hung to cure. It may look like the perfect fit now, but Therese admits the installation required a creative approach. “We had to get our crew to go up to Kentucky to disassemble the whole fireplace, and then we had to figure out how to reassemble it in our space with the pitch and height of the roof in the smokehouse,” she says. “Retrofitting stuff in an old house is tough; you can’t just buy it off the shelf and think it’ll work!” Thankfully, her crew was up for the challenge.
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Therese was surprised to discover that the smokehouse sat largely unused for many years. “It was unused by the previous owner, and I was like, ‘Why would you not make use of it? It’s such a cool space!’” says Therese. She re-tiled the concrete floor, added old industrial light fixtures to match the aesthetic, and whitewashed the ceiling. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
A long ledge that runs along the smokehouse wall displays artifacts that Therese and her crew uncovered on the property during the renovation process. Image: Zach Harrison Photography
Built around a central courtyard, Therese says the house is like a fortress. A fountain that the previous owners installed adds to the oasis feel, and large-scale windows surrounding the courtyard allow for a view from nearly every room in the house. Image: Amanda Pirtle for Showcase Photography
An intriguing contemporary interior with an old soul, the Shute-Turner House is like nothing else that exists in Nashville. And though Therese has already sold the historic home to a thoroughly enamored buyer, she’s beginning her next project, which she describes as “reminiscent of a Parisian apartment.” If she infuses even half as much passion and design-savvy into it as she has with the Shute-Turner House, we have no doubt Music City is in for a treat!
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