Tour a Unique Nashville Home With Playful Patterns

One of the drawbacks of purchasing a new-construction home is that it can lack personality. Amber and Barry Zito saw that as an opportunity. “This place was a total blank slate,” says Amber of the 6,000-square-foot Nashville house. The couple (she’s a spiritual director; he’s a music producer and songwriter) bought the home in 2022 and tapped local designer McLean Barbieri to execute their vision. “I wanted to include as much color and print as possible,” says Amber. They accomplished the mission with funky rugs, statement drapery and bold wallpaper (17 different ones!). They also kept their four boys — Mars, 10, Mercer, 7, Rome, 4 and Rockwell, 4 months (not pictured) — in mind when making decisions, like choosing kid-friendly furniture and layouts that leave space for impromptu wrestling matches. “Things are a little wild around here,” says Amber. “That’s part of the fun!”

Amber chose rainforest-print fabric from Pindler for the drapery, and McLean suggested using multiple patterns and hues for the Lee Industries sectional. “It’s a mom’s dream because if one cushion gets stained, you don’t have to reupholster the whole thing,” Amber says.

Amber sketched a version of the art above the fireplace, and artist Tess Davies painted it; each color represents a family member’s birthstone.

The kitchen just needed some finishing touches. They added Visual Comfort & Co. pendants, CB2 stools and a brick-inspired backsplash. The kids take over the spacious island most days with art projects and remote-control cars.

Amber dreamed up the idea for a stripe that spanned the length of the hallway, and McLean executed it using Raspberry Blush by Benjamin Moore. She brought in a few more colors with a vintage Moroccan rug and oversized artwork by Nashville artist Mick Beisel. "Hallways are such a fun place to try bold stripes and color-blocking, so we did both!" Amber says.

“This room is for adulting!” says Amber, who loves hosting dinner parties. McLean continued the hallway's stripe motif here with an Osborne & Little wallpaper, a custom rug and Jim Thompson curtains. The table is from CB2, and the chandelier is from Visual Comfort & Co. “It reminds me of a glass of bubbly,” says Amber.

Amber and Barry both love purple, so the color was an obvious choice to incorporate here. Amber chose a lush wallpaper (Bird of Paradise by Osborne & Little) and played up the lavender tones with a custom bed (the headboard is vintage). A Worlds Away nightstand, Fabricut curtains and a Made Goods bench round out the look. "I wanted our bedroom to feel like a hotel," says Amber. "It’s the most neutral room in the house — a great place to unwind."

Textured vinyl wallpaper by Arte elevated the builder-grade bathroom, and it serves a purpose too: “It’s much easier to wipe down than paint!” says McLean. She added a leaf-shaped sconce from Visual Comfort & Co. and a mirror from Made Goods. Amber hung the family photos. “I have a ton all over the house,” she says. “I’m very sentimental.”

This room will likely change as the boys get older, so no one was precious about it. Playfulness was the theme, executed with a fun patterned Pierre Frey wallpaper, vintage chest and Crate & Barrel pendant. The artwork is also vintage.