NFocus – Behind the Scenes: Kathy Anderson

AUTHOR Wesley H. Gallagher | PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Meigs

Kathy Anderson has spent the last 30 years designing some of Nashville’s most famous venues and the homes of some of Nashville’s most famous residents.

After receiving her degree from UCLA and beginning a career in architecture, Kathy ventured out to start her own interior design firm, Anderson Design Studio, in 1988.

Kathy has a self-described warm contemporary style; she’s not traditional, but her work isn’t cold like some contemporary design. Her style varies greatly from project to project because she loves making each space a representation of her client’s personality. She enjoys working in both residential and commercial atmospheres because her residential work makes her commercial work warmer and more interesting, and her commercial work brings professionalism and organization to her residences.

Her most prominent projects include RCA Studio A and the Grand Ole Opry, and recently, she’s had her hand in many of the new honky-tonks downtown (which is also where she works and now lives). She’s launching a home furnishings line with the Scandinavian brand Eightmood, which will soon be available in her downtown showroom.We chatted with the designer about interior design trends and her favorite places in Nashville.

Name: Kathy Anderson

Profession/Title: Principal Interior Designer

Hometown: Glasgow, Kentucky

Zip code: 37201

Years in Nashville: 40

Number of accessories in your new line: 35-40

Who is your current design crush? 

Kelly Wearstler — I love her new lighting.

What is your favorite building in Nashville? 

The Southern Turf building on Fourth Avenue

What interior design trend do you wish would go away? 

Reclaimed wood

What’s one design trend we’ll be seeing more of soon? 

Use of more color, such as pale pink.

White walls or color? Wallpaper or paint? 

A crisp white space feels good. I would always prefer wallcovering, even if it’s neutral, but there are so many great patterns now.

When you have out-of-town guests visiting, where do you love taking them? 

To Lower Broadway to feel the energy and hear great music

What’s your favorite honky-tonk or downtown bar? 

AJ’s Good Time Bar, [where there are] always talented musicians and the rooftop is fun. Also the 21c Museum Hotel.

What is your favorite coffee shop? 

Frothy Monkey on Fifth Avenue

What is currently in heavy rotation on your iTunes or car stereo? 

Moon Taxi

What was your biggest fashion faux pas? 

Wearing cute heels and then ending up at a job site climbing five sets of stairs!

What is the trait you admire most in others? 

Positivity

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Well I’ve never wanted to grow up, but I first wanted to do social work.

Other than your family and God, who is the person/people you’d love to have as a guest at a dinner party? 

Bruce Springsteen and the whole E Street Band, and I’d like for Clarence Clemons to be alive and be there too!

What is one luxury you can’t live without?

Concert tickets! The music experiences we have here in Nashville just blow my mind!

Read full article from NFocus here!