Story and photography by Liz Lyons
Nestled in the lush neighborhood of Sequoyah Hills in West Knoxville, this grand 5,000-square-foot mansion bears the mark of some of the finest local designers and craftsmen that the area is proud of.
The magic began when Stacy Jacobi renovated and crafted the design for the 2023 Showhouse. Then, she handpicked local designers to bring the rooms to life, using unique furniture and art pieces. This accomplished team includes personalities such as Natalie Braden Thomas of Braden’s Lifestyle Home Staging, Caroline Levenson of Caroline Levenson Design, Natalie Clayman of Natalie Clayman Interior Design, Brooke Phillips of Brooke Phillips Designs, Chris McKenry of Closets by McKenry and notable construction by Michael Peters Home and Brian Floyd Construction.
Knoxville community members and guests had the opportunity to gather inspiration for home decoration and also stand in support of a prominent cause during the 4th annual Stacy
Jacobi Home Showhouse. “The goal of the showhouse is to renovate old homes, while keeping as much of their original features as possible,” said Jacobi, the brain behind Stacy Jacobi Homes and a Realtor with Keller Williams Signature Real Estate. “Knoxville has a rich architectural history, and we want to preserve that history for generations to come.”
Jacobi strove to refurbish the 1929 Mediterranean house, paying homage to its traditional features such as the plaster walls, marble fireplace, various interior and exterior doors and the characteristic tiled roof. Modern touches were added to the kitchen and bathrooms, and a primary bedroom was introduced on the first floor, complete with a bathroom, closet and laundry room. The guest house also received a stylish upgrade featuring a redone bathroom and a cozy kitchenette.
Beyond offering house tours to visitors and potential buyers, Jacobi’s showhouse comes with a noble objective - to raise monetary assistance for a selected local charity. The 2023 event proudly donated all ticket proceeds, totalling $22,000, to the Adoption Center of the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee (CCETN).
Emphasizing her love for the community and her constant pursuit to contribute, Jacobi shares, “I am always looking for ways to do my part and give back. This year we are elated to announce that the event is supporting the Adoption Center of CCETN. Our family carries a special understanding of the adoption process and how it can make such a positive impact in the lives of children, so it’s an honor to be able to contribute to such an important mission.”
Past editions of the Stacy Jacobi Home Showhouse have been successful in assisting charities like the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, the Lakeshore Park Conservancy and the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.