by Megan Venable | Photography by Ben Finch, Finch Photo

There's something unique about the home of Diana, Ed and their son Lyon. Something I’ve never experienced in my time writing homes features for VIP Knoxville. A major reason
homeowners decline our offer to cover their home is a notable theme throughout the space:
whole sections of it aren’t “done.”

The Pastos invited us over to tour, and the resulting photos are of what is “done.” The couple was eager to tell us about the plans they have for the rest of the house as we went along. For instance, one of the quirkier aspects of the house Diana and Ed gleefully shared with us is a staircase they had installed for a future third floor – so right now, the stairs lead nowhere.

Through their work with Tennessee Cabinet Company, the Pastos came to the house originally to measure kitchen cabinets. The current owner was looking to flip the house quickly, and Diana, who says she traditionally doesn’t fall in love with homes at first sight… fell in love with the house at first sight. Ed and Diana asked to see the whole space and made an offer before it ever went on the market, determined to do the renovations to the home themselves. 

A flurry of activity began: they started renovations in September of 2020. Soon the walls were painted and lined with paint and wall paper from Diana’s Farrow and Ball store. After cancelling their wedding due to the pandemic, the Pastos discovered they were pregnant with Lyon and quickly planned a wedding at the house in July of 2021. It was originally slated to be a small affair of 100 people. Luckily, McCabe Rentals felt otherwise and showed up with extra chairs, and every seat was filled. Their “Meet Us Under the Magnolias” wedding was held with dancing on their patio and their vows in the backyard gardens. “This place is pretty magical in the summertime,” Diana says.

Art features prominently in every room in their home, with special focus on wall hangings. “People think of me as just jewelry,” Diana (of Diana Warner Studio) says. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts each in drawing and painting, her interest in creating art for her home is reflected in many of the pieces in the rooms. Ed’s grandfather is artist Tarmo Pasto, and many of his works are proudly displayed throughout the house. Other works by local artists include Jonathan Howe, Kathie Odom and Susan Baskerville.

Beautiful pieces of glasswork are also distinguished pieces of décor in various forms. Diana boasts a 35-piece place setting collection of the delicate pink Lenox Jewel pattern. Brightly strewn about shelves along the walls are pieces by Joel Philip Myers from the Blenko Glass collaborations. “If it’s in our house, it has a story and it has meaning,” the Pastos concur.

“This is our forever home until we finish it,” Diana says. “We’ve done a lot in the last three or four years, and hope the house will be done in another three to five years.” The couple both agree that with their Tennessee Home Group work where they have projects going all over town, their own personal home renovations come last. They admit that while another few years to work on the house is ideal, it may be up to 10 years before they can call it “done."