Melissa Hines and Cameron Thomas love cozy bungalow, life in Midtown

Tag : moss microfiber

"It's what initially attracted us to the house," said Melissa.
That, and the abundance of bamboo that surrounds the home. "I lovehow it creates a natural fence and offers some privacy," she said.
Drawn to the exterior of the circa-1912 bungalow, it was theinterior, however, that swung Melissa's vote to buy.
"I knew as soon as I walked through it, it was exactly what Iwanted," she said.
The couple fell in love with the large windows, original trim andhardwood floors throughout.
"It feels so open and light and airy," said Melissa.
The couple purchased the 1,300-square-foot home for $144,900 lastyear. Located in the Parkland subdivision near Central and McLean,the home features two bedrooms and one bath, plus a studio/officespace.
House-hunting wasn't easy at first. Cameron wanted a condominium,and Melissa wanted a house with a yard. Childhood memories of hoursof yardwork concerned Cameron.
A part-time art history student at the University of Memphis and apart-time server at Texas de Brazil, Cameron, 26, has little freetime for outdoor work and "was worried he would become a yard slaveagain," said Melissa. "But I wanted a yard for dogs," she added.
Melissa, 24, a third-year medical student at the University ofTennessee Health Science Center, began researching propertiesonline in her spare time.
"We wanted to be in Midtown to be near our schools and have easyaccess to Downtown," she said.
The couple acted as free agents while they searched for a home. Acomparison of house and condo prices swayed Cameron toward buying ahouse. "I feel like you get a lot more bang for your buck," hesaid.
When they found their dream home, Melissa sought out fellow churchmember and Realtor Cathy Ivey, of Enterprise Realtors.
"I think their family had counseled them on getting an agent, andwhen they approached me, I simply explained to them how importantit is to have a buyer's agent -- someone who is representing thebuyer's interests," said Ivey.
The house was owned by a Hurricane Katrina victim who was eager toget back to New Orleans. The house didn't sit on the market toolong.
"You could tell the owner had taken pride in her home. Everythingjust looked fresh," said Melissa.
Eager to put their own stamp on the house, Melissa and Cameron hadthe outside of the house painted a deep pistachio color.
"Our friends call it the 'mojito house,' " said Cameron.
The couple also removed an old awning from the porch and replacedthe semi-rotted front door.
Inside, the home exudes an inviting and serene atmosphere. Theliving room features the original brick fireplace, with darkwoodwork framing the mantel. Opposite the fireplace is a wallfilled with photos and mementos of the couple's beach wedding ayear ago.
"My mom's decorating idea -- and, I think it works," said Melissa.
Inspired by their beach wedding, the couple decorated the house insubtle, calming tones of sand and pale blue and green. Fabrics aresoft and textural, including the oversized sofa that's upholsteredin a taupe microfiber. A large glass coffee table provides extrareflecting light from the windows.
In the dining room, a glass table takes center stage and provides asophisticated scene. Silk panels with newly installed scrolled ironrods and tie backs frame the windows of the adjoining rooms. Apainting of vibrant colors and bold, fluid strokes by Cameron hangsin the room.
The kitchen was another selling point for the couple. Exposedshelving and blue amoeba tiled counters add another layer of charmto moss-colored cabinetry and cream-tiled flooring. Melissa'sgreat-great-grandmother's walnut bread bowl hangs on the wall.
At the front of the house, the master bedroom is adjacent to theliving room. Melissa's mother crafted the headboard, designed witha blue-grey tone on silky fabric. The rug, bedspread and walls arealso done in ethereal tones of soft grays, browns and taupe.
The bathroom has the original two-inch white square floor tile andfour-inch soft yellow wall tiles. "We are hoping to renovate thebathroom soon," said Melissa, but she added: "It's not so bad forhow old the house is. It could be a lot worse."
The guest bedroom is another candidate for a makeover. "My sisterspends the night here quite often and is begging us to paint overthe pale pink walls."
Next to the guest bedroom is an extra room that Melissa says "wasprobably used as a nursery or office." Currently, it is a studiofor Cameron. A handful of Cameron's originals hang throughout thehouse and add extra personality to their home.
Just beyond the kitchen door is the highly desired backyard whereKyros and Aurora play. The couple adopted the retired greyhoundrunners a couple of months after they moved in.
"We walk the dogs to Otherlands a lot," Melissa said. "And ourneighbors are great -- it's a very diverse street. There's anothernewlywed couple we hang out with, and an older couple that bringsus plants all the time and children playing in the yards. Andeverybody seems to look out for each other."