Home designs can be unique, original, and very varied—yet it is still rare to happen upon a property that is perhaps unremarkable in structure, yet has still been turned into “a living work of art” by a visionary owner who viewed its simplicity as an opportunity for true transformation.
Such a home is rare, yet one such dwelling as recently appeared on the market in Tennessee: a quaint three-bedroom abode that might once have been passed over, were it not for its incredible mosaic exterior that is covered from ceiling to floor in tiny rainbow tiles.
That artistry is the work of the current owner, who not only turned her Bell Buckle, TN, home into a riot of color with her mosaic work, she also made it its very own work of art. Now, that unique piece can be yours for the very reasonable price of $489,000.
While not the cheapest house on the market in Bell Buckle, it sits well under the area’s median list price of $519,900—and, when compared with the multimillion-dollar works being auctioned off at places like Sotheby’s, it seems a small price to pay for a home that is as much an art piece as it is a residence.
“The owner put a little bit of everything she loved into it and she just gave it really good personality,” says listing agent Mandi Oakes with Fridrich & Clark Realty. “Someone said that she illustrated the house, so that’s a cool way of saying it.”
The main house has two bedrooms and is part living space and part workspace with a studio in half of the building. While most of the decorations are on the outside, there are touches of color and pattern found throughout the dwelling.
Even the staircase has given a stunning nature-inspired design.
“Inside, she did the baseboards and the door arches mostly; some are colorful and some are white and plain,” Oakes says.
Many of the living spaces seem a bit simple compared with the outside, but one room stands out. The primary bathroom is decorated to look like a royal throne, toilet and all.
Further adding to the intriguing nature of the home’s mosaic pattern is the material that was used to create it; far from relying on ready-made tiles or glass, the seller recycled old material from plates, cups, glasses, and other household items.
The result is a kind of mesmerizing puzzle that offers up a new clue each time you look at it.
“It’s just quite cool to look at. You’re always discovering something new when you’re there,” Oakes adds. “I walked in one day and by one wall there is a little flower vase and she actually left the vase intact and put a flower in it. It holds water.”
Mosaiced stairs lead from the main level to a bonus room and bathroom above. The seller has rented out that space as well as a tiny house that sits next to the main home.
“I think it could be a really cool Airbnb if you wanted to rent it out. It has different rental options that you could break it up and rent out a bunch of different places,” Oakes explains. “I think [buyers could] lean into the funky and make a cool environment for people to come and stay in.”
The structures are on an unrestricted five acres only a mile from downtown Bell Buckle, which is just outside of Franklin and Nashville.
“It is a little cute, quintessential old downtown. They have one of the oldest cafes there. They have an old general store,” she says. “It’s in a beautiful part of the country and the downtown is so cute.”
Oakes acknowledges the home isn’t for everyone, and if someone really wants to, they can take down the exterior mosaics since they are actually on separate boards and not directly on the house.
“It’s unusual, which doesn’t make the easiest place to sell, but we’re just hoping the right person finds it.”
Oakes says the house sparks imagination.
“When you walk in it’s very inspiring. If you’re at all creative, it makes you want to create so I really appreciate that aspect of it. I feel like you can’t be unhappy. It cheers you up when you walk in.”
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