A Nashville Tudor's Revival: Music and Film Icons Restore a Century-Old Home
Callie Khouri and T Bone Burnett spent two years restoring a century-old Tudor-style home in Nashville. The house retains its original Zuber wallpaper and includes a Grammy-winning recording studio. The couple's dachshunds, Ike and Mamie, are part of the home's story.
The home's restoration preserved several irreplaceable period features, including hand-blocked Zuber wallpaper that had hung since construction and original leaded windows whose coats of arms are echoed in the carved mantel. Designer Roger Higgins paired these English bones with William Morris wall coverings in the library, while reclaimed glazed brick from Atlanta anchors the fireplace. The couple's professional achievements are woven throughout—their Oscars stand sentry on the library mantelpiece, and Burnett's Grammy-winning recording studio operates within the residence.
Khouri's connection to the property spanned decades before purchase, beginning with childhood drives past the Tudor facade in the 1970s. The acquisition came only after she returned to Nashville to produce the television series bearing the city's name, following two years of hotel living. The couple's dachshunds, Ike and Mamie, named for the Eisenhowers, now occupy the George Smith sofa alongside furnishings carried from their former Santa Monica home.
This restoration story could resonate with readers interested in historic preservation, demonstrating that century-old homes can accommodate modern creative careers without sacrificing architectural integrity. It may inspire homeowners facing similar renovation challenges to prioritize original materials over replacement, while also highlighting Nashville's cultural cachet as a destination where entertainment industry figures invest in lasting roots. The piece could reinforce appreciation for craftsmanship and patience in an era of quick renovations.