A Second Act House

When you prioritize meaningful layers and clever moves, square footage is just a number. Need proof? Come on in

- BETSY WATSON,CAROLINE SHARPNACK

WHEN Missy and John Voigt decided to trade their longtime Nashville family home for a place half its size nearby, they called on local designer Debbie Mathews LeRoy for help navigating the logistics of tackling what things to bring with them and what to leave behind. "They wanted their new house to feel like home, so whether it was a piece they'd purchased when in England or heirlooms they'd received, that's what we prioritized," says Debbie, who breathed fresh life into their beloved furnishings, ensuring each room still felt current.

Functionality was also top of mind, as the home's connected floor plan (just right for hosting guests and grandchildren) and its aging-friendly features (like the ground floor primary suite) had won the couple's affections from the beginning. Here's how Debbie squeezed decades of treasured belongings into a scaled-down footprint without sacrificing style or purpose.

MAKE ROOM FOR A CREW