Photography Chelsie Lopez
Inspiration can come from anywhere, and for the Nye family, the impetus to build their family dream home came from their pre-teen daughter. “I got really bored during COVID, so I became obsessed with home design shows,” explains Palmer Nye, who was just 11 at the time. “I was bored of my room too, so I spent the summer browsing Zillow and visiting open houses.”
After discovering a nearby lot for sale in Excelsior, Palmer convinced her parents to check it out. Soon the family was meeting with Todd Simning of ADŌR Bespoke Homes and Jennifer Horstman of Lenox House Design to turn Palmer’s ideas and inspiration into the Nye’s new home.
“We wanted simple elegance—modern, but without it being too cold,” explains Tammy Zywotko Nye, homeowner and Palmer’s mother, adding that Palmer attended meetings with the design-build team throughout the whole process. Inside, black window frames encasing plentiful glass are balanced by natural stone details and warmed with exposed wood ceiling beams, alongside white oak cabinetry and flooring.
The home’s main living areas are awash in soft earth tones, complemented by layers of thoughtful textures ranging from glimmering opalescent tile surrounding the great room fireplace to the delicate, bubble-laden dining room chandelier. In the kitchen, dual islands topped with mercury gray quartzite provide both a gathering space for the family and an ample work space for Tammy, who is an avid cook and baker.
The color-drenched primary bath, painted a striking deep charcoal, is one of the home’s most memorable areas. “It’s a bit bold to do a really dark color in a master bath, so we made sure to overlap it in plenty of light,” explains Horstman, who sought to balance the design drama of this space with its utility—ensuring the area wasn’t too dark to apply make up.
Palmer’s bedroom is youthful yet sophisticated, featuring an accent wall of floor-to-ceiling tambour paneling and a cozy loft area (complete with a comfy oversized chair and picturesque views of the backyard, fit for lounging). This is, rightfully so, her favorite space in the house—along with a secret room tucked above the garage that’s ideal for sleepovers.
What’s more? An existing building on the property was refaced to match the main house, then converted into a fully-heated sport court. “With Todd, Jen, and their teams the whole process was fabulous—not stressful at all,” Tammy says. Palmer, the brains behind the operation whose vision began with a loft in her bedroom and a cool shower, now has a place where she can also practice soccer year-round and so much more: a stunning home she and her family get to enjoy together for decades to come.
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