Since launching his firm, Benjamin Vandiver Interiors + Lifestyle, in 2012, this Nashville, Tennessee, decorator has been winning fans with a style that smartly pivots between modern and traditional. “Things snowballed quickly,” says Vandiver, who grew up in Kentucky and is largely self-taught. He got his big break after meeting singer-songwriter Jessie Baylin, who hired him to transform the Nashville house she shared with her husband, Nathan Followill, the drummer for the band Kings of Leon. Vandiver updated the midcentury dwelling, enriching its interiors with wood paneling, bold wall coverings, and a compelling array of sculptural furnishings. The project became his calling card, helping him snag other high-profile local clients, such as actresses Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere. “This city is truly a small town,” says Vandiver, noting that design legend Albert Hadley (a personal hero) also got his start there. “People really want to see you succeed.” But make no mistake: With projects under way in New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico, Vandiver is more than just a Nashville sensation.
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For more information go to benjaminvandiverom.
