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In 2012, Benjamin Vandiver opened his eponymous full-service design and lifestyle brand; in just three years, he's completed more than 40 projects spread between Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles. So it comes as no surprise that Twelve Twelve asked Vandivera perfect representation of the new Nashville brimming with creative energyto stage, design, and furnish one of its premiere model condos.
'I imagined this space belonging to a well-traveled gentleman that came to Nashville for fun weekends,” Vandiver says. 'Nothing too fussy and a room to bring items from travels around the world. He liked iconic pieces but didn't want a museum.”
Functionality and aesthetic were equally important to the designer, and the condo's bare-bones layout lent him the vision he needed to really get creative.
'The inspiration for the space was the space, I suppose. The glass, the views, the simplicityit was really the catalyst for anything I actually did in the space,” he says. 'With that in mind, I wanted to keep the space breathing and functionalif it made its way in, it had to pass the ‘what will it serve' test.”
The clean lines, natural light, and use of bright neutral colors throughout give the condo a touch of minimalistic charm. 'I wouldn't say that there was a Scandinavian influence, but there was definitely a mid-century layer,” Vandiver says, adding that this element was brought in after he found the perfect pair of chairs to sit as a centerpiece in the living area. 'I really started a large portion of the design from the pair of Arthur Umanoff chairs in the living room. Beginning a room around a found piece, rather than ordered, usually lends itself to a more livable space, I've discovered.”
Though the condo is utilized as a model, Vandiver selected every piece of furniture with thought and intentiona necessary approach given the intimate size of the unit. 'Functionality drove all planning in this space. If it didn't serve a purposeand a good oneit wasn't coming in,” Vandiver says.
When designing a small space, the interior designer says it's all about proportions.
'Just because a space is small doesn't mean all of the furniture should be. Keep things proportional to the room,” he advises. 'Heights and proportions mattered to me, and keeping most items low allowed the view be the star.”
Because of the ceiling-to-floor windows that flank the condo, the view from the space changes throughout the day. It's also Vandiver's favorite feature of the condo. 'I intentionally painted the column in the corner black so it wouldn't compete with the views at night,” he adds.
Sarah Rowland Photos by Andrea Berhends.