Partly to mark the 10th anniversary of her namesake firm, Nashville designer Debbie Mathews has debuted a showroom and atelier in Belle Meade, outfitting its 4,600 square feet with chic antiques, lighting, artwork and accessories—plus a wallpaper bar brimming with designer lines. Boasting three decades in antique sourcing, Mathews curates an expert mix of French, English and Italian heirlooms—with a smattering of German and Swedish finds for good measure—amid an elegant scheme of gilt and green. Luxe gets the dish.
What spurred your interest in antiques? I was fortunate enough to learn from my maternal grandmother and my best friend’s mother, both of whom taught me valuable lessons like how to examine a piece and how to negotiate. After attending countless auctions, estate sales and shows, I opened my first antique booth in my late 20s.
Tell us about the inventory. I’m a Francophile at heart, so I gravitate toward Louis XVI-, Empire- and Directoire-style pieces in rich walnut or chipped, painted finishes. The clean lines of those eras are timeless and can complement any interior style. I also appreciate midcentury—think Maison Jansen gueridon side tables and Murano-glass chandeliers.
And art? We carry regional talents like Carey Haynes, Charlotte Terrell and Melody Trivisone, often pairing their works with midcentury pieces from Paris. We recently began framing antique botanicals and etchings with custom-colored marbleized paper, and are loving the results.
Any other news to share? This month, we launch our new online retail store! I love that our customers no longer need to be local to Nashville to shop our inventory. My goal is to become a go-to resource for folks across the Southeast—and beyond.
