During his formative years in Tupelo, Ty Garner was surrounded by the sights and sounds of construction and design. With his family’s deep roots in the industry, he felt that stepping into the field wasn’t simply a career choice but a natural evolution. Garner founded Tense Design, an innovative and boutique full-service design studio known for its approach to crafting cohesive residential environments. Every project undertaken by Tense Design reflects Garner’s commitment to creating spaces that not only feel elevated and intentional but also resonate deeply with each client.
One specific property became a personal undertaking for Garner after purchasing a house that had spent 12 years on the market. Originally constructed in the 1980s, the house stood as a beautiful example of modern architecture, with its expansive floor-to-ceiling storefront windows that flooded interiors with natural light. However, as the years passed and ownership changed hands, the home underwent a more traditional transformation, diminishing its original character. “We attempted to purchase it four separate times in a two-year period before finally reaching an agreement with the seller,” Garner notes. “Our goal was to restore the home to its original architectural roots while reimagining it through a modern lens, prioritizing function, family living, and entertaining.” Garner and his husband, Luke, along with their five-year-old son, wasted no time in breathing new life into their home. The couple embarked on a bold renovation, stripping the house down to its studs, reimaging and transforming each space to perfectly suit their family’s lifestyle.
The distinguished neighborhood of Parc Manceau, known for its rolling hills and mature, lush landscaping, provides the perfect backdrop for the home’s moody black façade. The exterior architecture of the residence conveys a distinctly modern impression, featuring oversized windows that create a strong bridge through the interiors and beyond to the flourishing backyard. To add warmth and create balance, natural wood accents, traveling from the trio of garage doors to the front entry, were incorporated to contrast with the home’s dark exterior. “Natural materials soften the structure’s modern lines, grounding the façade and lending warmth and depth,” Garner describes. “Together these elements create an exterior that feels bold, yet organic, contemporary yet timeless.”
Garner also approached landscape design with the same objective: to complement and elevate the home’s architecture rather than compete with it. He carefully installed mature plantings that created an immediate sense of longevity. An established foundation of evergreen plantings provides year-round visual continuity, complemented by thoughtfully placed color accents that elevate interest in every season. Trees and shrubs anchored the residence within its environment, resulting in a landscape that feels as timeless and inviting as the home itself. Traveling along paths to the backyard, the house unfolds onto an expansive patio beautifully designed with distinct living, dining, and lounge areas, followed by a manicured lawn that leads directly to a lake.
Every detail inside, from the placement of furnishings to the careful selection of materials and finishes, was orchestrated to ensure that each room flowed easily into the next. Garner envisioned an environment that balanced sophistication with comfort. “Entertaining was central to the vision,” he notes. “From the main bar to the fully equipped butler’s kitchen, each area was designed to support seamless hosting, allowing large groups to come together without disrupting the flow of the home.” In contrast, the primary suite was thoughtfully designed as a serene private retreat, blending luxury with practicality. Generously appointed with dual laundry rooms and a fully stocked dry bar, the space streamlines daily routines and adds a touch of luxury and convenience. The home office serves as a distinguished sanctuary, crafted to offer a space for focused work while also fostering a sense of tranquility, integrating natural light, warm textures, and a restrained color palette.
Garner carefully selected finishes throughout the home to build visual contrast and convey a narrative. “I wanted the exterior to feel dark, moody, and slightly mysterious—something I had never explored before—while the interior remained light, airy, and layered with intention,” he describes. “The goal was for the home to unfold slowly, telling a story as you move through it.” Natural pecan flooring extends throughout the residence, offering a cohesive connection to the surrounding outdoor environment. To achieve a furniture-like appearance, custom cabinets were crafted, complemented by distinctive marble choices that enhance the space with a touch of luxury. Featuring hot-rolled steel, the main fireplace introduces an industrial flair that stands out against the gentle touch of the adjacent upholstery.
As he designed each layer of the home, Garner personally selected the furnishings for each room, having many pieces custom-made to ensure they matched the right scale, proportion, and overall harmony. The furnishings are enhanced by a collection of vibrant, textured artworks from The Caron Gallery, while personal touches like a baby grand piano, a childhood guitar, and a family heirloom mandolin add genuine character. “Music has always been a meaningful part of my life, and these instruments throughout the home reflect that connection,” Garner explains. “Those items carried personal history and meaning, grounding the otherwise fully bespoke interiors with a sense of story and continuity.” Every design choice prioritizes light, nature, and flow to enhance the home and improve family life.
Preserving this home represents a significant source of pride for Garner. The outdated changes made to a once-innovative structure have been fully restored by his ability to incorporate the home’s architectural integrity and natural elements. With a dedication to creating spaces that honor both history and innovation, he has created a home that showcases his personal style and serves as a meaningful sanctuary for his family. “It felt like the house already has a story to tell,” he adds. “My role was simply to listen, refine, and bring that story back to life.”