White Bluff
Curated sourcing & styling support for a new-build residence
Nashville, TN
2025
This project was a fast-turn styling effort for a new-build primary residence in White Bluff, Tennessee. The home was nearing completion and required finishing touches, specifically, a full round of objects to fill display cases throughout. The ask came in on a Tuesday; by Thursday, we were driving 13 hours from St. Paul to Nashville with a car full of curated finds.
With antique stores closing at 5 p.m. and only one day to source, the success of the project relied on deep knowledge of local vendors, aesthetic instinct, and the ability to make fast, decisive calls.
Design Direction
Working with limited information: “masculine, native appreciation, passion for music”, we constructed a mental model of the client and let instinct do the rest. We curated a palette of objects that reflected place, personality, and contrast: western and southern regional finds, indigenous art, adventure items like binoculars, handmade ceramics, and sculptural pieces with a range of tones and textures.
The goal was to create groupings that felt layered, lived-in, and texturally balanced, playful in some moments, quiet in others.
Sourcing
We sourced across a concentrated network of antique stores and secondhand dealers in the Twin Cities, prioritizing object character, variation in form, and regional relevance. The first round of buys was made under tight constraints and limited context, but after arriving on-site and seeing the space, we were able to make a second, more targeted shopping run in Nashville. That final round achieved a high sell-through rate, validating the adjusted approach and our ability to translate real-time observation into action.
Scope of Work
Our team was responsible for end-to-end sourcing and on-site styling support. Key responsibilities included:
Curated objects from antique stores, vintage dealers, and secondhand shops
Managed inventory selection under extreme time constraints with limited client direction
Supported transport and setup across multiple rooms and surfaces
Collaborated closely with the lead stylist, offering both hands-on help and conceptual input
Observed and learned from an experienced styling process in real-time
Adjusted sourcing strategy based on in-home observations—returning to shop more intentionally and securing a high sell-through rate on second-round pieces
The result: a successful installation that met the lead stylist’s sales goal and helped bring the home’s final details to life.
Key Takeaways
White Bluff offered a focused, hands-on look at real-time styling support, responsive sourcing, and the quieter mechanics that help bring a space to completion.
Buy boldly (within reason): A strong piece will find its place—even if not in the current project
Observe, adjust, return: After a first pass, being in the home allowed us to buy more intentionally with stronger results
Balance doesn’t mean symmetry: Variation in material, shape, and tone matters more than visual matching
Think in clusters: Larger groupings add rhythm and scale when styled thoughtfully
Use natural restraint: Let texture and form carry variation—color doesn’t need to do all the work
Bathrooms matter: Even small spaces can create strong emotional and visual impact
Bring transferable skills: Research instincts, empathy, client engagement, and creative support all translated seamlessly
Learn the business side: Understanding pricing, POS systems, sales goals, and inventory tracking are key to styling at scale
