By Anna Robertson Ham
Driving through downtown Franklin, you may have stopped to look at the new Harpeth Hotel and Harpeth Square, which sit at the end of historic Main Street at the corner of East Main Street and 1st Avenue North. The boutique hotel and luxury apartment homes boast sophistication and beauty for both the traveler and the local alike. The interiors of the residential, condo-grade apartments offer high-end, resort-style amenities for the discerning home owner looking for something new and different. Recently, we were invited inside the home of one of the lucky new home-owners living at Harpeth Square.
Pam Chandler’s choice to move to Harpeth Square was easy. The location is within walking distance of downtown Franklin’s Main Street, with shopping and dining right out the back door. Harpeth Square offers private garage parking, and a completely secure building with private entry for residents. Among the many amenities and facilities included for residents are a private “clubroom” area with kitchen and library, private courtyard with fireplace, fire pit, water fountain, lounge areas, seating areas and gym with state of art equipment.
All resident’s common areas are professionally decorated, again providing the feeling of high-end luxury. Optional services include food from the 1799 Kitchen & Cocktails (the Harpeth Hotels’ restaurant), dry cleaning pickup and delivery, and maid service.
“All of these things were on my check list to have and helped to make the decision to sell my large home and move to Harpeth Square relatively easy,” says Pam.
“It is architecturally designed to maintain the feel of downtown Franklin, yet you get the newness and state of the art elements as well,” explains Pam. “I personally like the fact that it is built with concrete, especially since I am on the fourth floor and we live in a tornado world here.”
Pam says she enjoyed the building process of her new home, working with the modern and sophisticated development and contractors on the build-out. Their process allowed her to design and lay out her own particular features and what she wanted in her new home. “My home has high end finishes and it wasimportant to me to start with an upscale base to work with,” she says.
“My new home is a complete change from the design in my previous custom designed and decorated home. Starting with going from 5,000 square feet to approximately 1,500 square feet! My previous home, in the Henley development in Franklin, is only three miles from my new home at Harpeth Square. But their differences make it seem like a world away! It was very much a culture shock to move from a suburban neighborhood to a more urban, albeit still small-town, environment. And it has been an adjustment. But I am glad not to have any yard upkeep! I am enjoying not having that responsibility that comes with a larger home and full yard. But I haven’t had to give up the luxury living that I had become accustomed to through the years,” she says.
“My favorite rooms in the new apartment, are the kitchen and the terrace. The kitchen is laid out for easy function and the counters are granite and appliances stainless steel. The kitchen offers a stunning breakfast bar opening to the dining room and living room. The open convenience is wonderful for entertaining. It’s almost like everybody gets to hang out in the kitchen! Lots of counter space, allowing for cooking prep, and a bar with space for three stools adds more comfort for those that want to share the space,” Pam says.
“My terrace is expansive and has room for a full living space including couch, chair and ottoman, two end tables, cart and large colorful floor urn... I enjoy the feel of an indoor space but with an outdoor view of the courtyard. It’s a great space to enjoy drinks with friends. I love sitting out on the terrace and listening to the rain too,” she says.
When it comes to the style of Pam’s home, she says she has a mixture of both modern and antiques. “I enjoy having antiques but its’ not the style I totally want my home to represent. So I mixed both elements into my furniture as well as my décor. My favorite piece of antique furniture is a large drop down piece with desk and slots as well as double door storage from 1845,” she says.
“This time, I personally decorated my home. I selected colors, furniture and the décor. It was my desire to have a lighter, open space and to use accessories, furniture and décor to bring in the color to each space. I also enjoyed selecting 90% new furniture, rugs and décor from what I had at my previous home. I chose to install complete build out closets and laundry room to help provide an efficient and functional use,” she says.
“I have collected some interesting pieces over the years and have incorporated them and their stories into my home. One of my favorites are two watercolor paintings of Pirate’s Alley in New Orleans. On the back of the paintings is a handwritten
note that says ‘Charlie and me in New Orleans 1955.’ I purchased them from an estate sale for just a few dollars! Both paintings were glued to a piece of board and I had them framed and remembered to keep and paste the note to the back of them. I so wonder where the people were from and the story of their lives,” says Pam.
“I am also in love with my new piece of artwork, specially commissioned for my new home by Kelly Harwood, who owns Gallery 202. It is breathtaking and is the center piece of my design concept.”
Pam was fortunate enough to have had the privilege of being the first person to move into Harpeth Square on January 16, 2020. “I was also the second person to sign making the commitment for relocating into the development over three years ago and when this beautiful place was nothing more than land. That was the beginning of making my dream come true. My goal and decision was based on my desire to down size and still have the life style that I wanted. I achieved it and I am enjoying no maintenance and responsibility and the ability to spend my time doing all the things I enjoy,” she says.
Pam shares her beautiful home with her four- legged baby, Darby, who also loves living at Harpeth Square and taking walks in downtown Franklin.
