Jessica Stambaugh
Photo: Emily Dorio
I met Jessica Stambaugh in 2019 when, on the advice of a mutual NYC friend, she reached out and asked me to coffee. I had no idea what to expect: I only knew that she was an interior designer who was relatively new to town and that at the time she was also doing some scouting for shelter magazines. I had a good feeling about her.
My gut was right. My first impression was that she was smart, knew a lot about media (something that’s rare around here but that I love in a new friend), and had fabulous taste. It’s too bad that neither of us can recall who our connection was, because I’d like to write them a thank-you note.
Since our initial coffee, Jessica and I have become friends. Our first confabs, held during lockdown, doubled as home tours: I showed her mine, then she showed me hers — a divine log cabin on a tree-filled lot in Inglewood. On the surface, our interior styles are different — I lean toward maximalism, while she’s more traditional — but as a Venn diagram, there’s a lot of overlap. We both get into the high-low thing, have a mutual affinity for antiques, and love discovering and then incorporating the work of local makers into our homes.
Jessica goes a step further and enlists members of the design communities in Nashville and beyond to produce furniture and home accessories. Soho House Nashville members can see lamps or her design in the guest rooms; on the same block, you can find the same lights for sale at The Lot Showroom and on her website, which also features information about her thriving business.
— Libby
What’s your name? Jessica Stambaugh
Where were you born? Springfield, Massachusetts
How long have you lived in Nashville? Since Fall 2017
Which Nashville neighborhood do you live in? East Nashville
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? A fashion designer or dermatologist.
What do you do now? Interior designer
Tell us some things that are rocking your world at the moment.
To wear: Proenza Schouler’s lug sole sneakers (1). Everyday comfort footwear with a little bit of fashion-utility style. And my Wave quilted jacket by Bode (2). People always comment on the multicolored antique marble buttons! It’s an understated conversation starter. I also love my Marni market tote (3). Colorful, fun, durable for all seasons, and goes from beach to plane to supermarket and beyond. It’s also a great prop for photo shoots! Finally, handwoven huipiles from La Flor Xochistlahuaca (4). I found them on Instagram.
To eat: Tableside prime rib (plus a dirty martini) at The Continental (5).
At home: So many! Decorative screens! I’m coveting a panoramic screen (6) to mount behind my bed. or having one locally made to layer behind my bed. I’m also pining for Raoul Textiles linen (7) to reupholster a sofa or make curtains. It’s a family business, with textiles hand-printed in Santa Barbara. I toured their studio and factory this past summer. They create with a lot of integrity and the patterns are beautiful.
To listen: The podcast This Jungian Life (8). Fascinating topics and dream analysis. It inspires me to explore the subconscious for inspiration.
Favorite spot in Nashville: Hola Yoga (9). Wonderful teachers, beautiful space, lots of restorative classes, and great vibes to relax and recharge. Khrys, the owner and a teacher, has a passion for creating an inclusive community.
What phrase best describes your personal style?Joyfully eclectic. Exploring a mix of styles in dress and decorating is truly a source of play, inspiration and happiness in my life! It’s my personal reminder to not take life too seriously. Like Dorothy Draper said, Decorating is fun! (10).
What’s the best style advice you’ve ever received or a fashion rule you live by? High-low. A very fabulous interior designer visiting our class advised that if you have $10,000 to spend on a room, take $9,000 and buy something truly special and pair it with something simple and inexpensive. I often think about that approach of juxtaposing varying quality for creating interesting style both at home and in fashion. A good high-low mix can be a very chic study in contrast.
What’s your favorite piece in your closet? My Jess ring (11), from Etsy. It’s casual, powerful, and there’s nothing precious about it, which I love. It mixes well with all sorts of vintage rings.
What’s your favorite space in your home? I’m loving my powder room, perhaps because it’s the only room in my house that’s “done.” Also, the wallpaper (12) from Antoinette Poisson is one of my all-time favorite small-scale prints!
What’s your favorite road trip you’ve ever taken? The high road from Santa Fe to Taos (13). Beautiful vistas, historic sacred stop-offs, and craftspeople and galleries to visit along the way. And Puerto Escondido, driving up the Costa Chica, to visit craftspeople making traditional pottery and textiles in the region.
What’s the road trip you want to take next? From Nashville to Water Valley, Mississippi (14). An artist friend just moved down and started working on a house and studio there. I’d like to explore more Southern communities with an emerging creative scene.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given? Handmade ceramics from various makers. They are my favorite gift to give to friends and clients.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? A free tour of Morocco in 2015, to visit markets and artisans, sponsored by the Moroccan Ministry of Handicraft.
WILD CARD!
If you had to give your log cabin a name, what would it be? I’ve been calling it the Log House, since I learned that a cabin with hewn logs (meaning cut to be straight and not round) is technically considered a log house and not a cabin. I love the idea of it as a house.