Peter Frampton, the iconic rock musician with a remarkable 60-year touring career, has called Nashville home since 2011. However, the neighborhood he initially settled into in downtown Nashville gradually transformed into a bustling bachelorette party hotspot. While Frampton is no stranger to lively environments, the escalating noise levels, especially intensified by double-decker buses from Thursday to Sunday, prompted him to seek a more tranquil living situation. Initially contemplating a move to a quieter apartment, a significant change of heart occurred thanks to a new companion: Bigsby, his service dog.
Bigsby, who has been by Frampton’s side for several years, provides crucial support as the musician navigates life with inclusion body myositis (IBM). “I had decided to move, but in the interim I got Bigsby and I realized that living in an apartment wasn’t going to be the best thing,” Frampton explained. This realization was further solidified during a visit to the home of his friend and interior designer, Robin Rains. Rains’ property, nestled in a serene, pastoral area of Nashville, offered a glimpse of the peaceful lifestyle Frampton desired. Witnessing Bigsby joyfully running free in Rains’ yard cemented his decision. “Robin has land and Bigsby was just beside himself. I saw him running free and thought, Oh my god, I’ve got to move. I needed a backyard, I wanted my privacy.”
Having previously collaborated with Robin Rains’ eponymous design studio, Frampton entrusted her once again to help him find and personalize his new home. “Peter very much has his card deck of people he works with, and he goes back to them,” Rains noted, highlighting the established trust between them.
In his quest for a suitable residence, Peter Frampton successfully located a newly constructed house in close proximity to Rains’ property. This new location offered the tranquility he was seeking and provided ample space for Bigsby. Furthermore, the house was sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate visits from his growing family, which recently welcomed a second grandchild in December. However, to truly make it his own, the house required customization to reflect Frampton’s specific needs and aesthetic preferences. Rains, assisted by her in-house designer Jenna Miller, embraced the challenge of transforming the generic spec house into a unique and personalized sanctuary. “Any time you work with a spec house, you’re really trying to make the space unique and memorable,” Rains explained.
Rains initiated the transformation by stripping back elements of the existing interior architecture. “We eliminated things we deemed unnecessary to get to a cleaner aesthetic,” she stated, referring to the removal of existing trim and lighting fixtures. To establish a European farmhouse ambiance, wood planks and Venetian plaster were applied to ceilings and walls. The entryway and various closet doors were also replaced to further solidify the desired aesthetic.
Crucially, Rains also focused on modifying the house to accommodate Frampton’s IBM. Stairs pose a significant challenge due to the condition’s impact around his knees. “Stairs are my worst enemy,” Frampton admitted. To address this, a custom elevator was installed, providing easy access to the upper levels of the home. This retrofitted lift leads to an upstairs gym, where Frampton diligently exercises six days a week – a practice clinically proven to slow the progression of IBM. “Bigsby snoozes while I exercise,” Frampton shared, highlighting the constant companionship of his service dog. The remaining rooms on the second floor have been transformed into a comfortable two-bedroom guest apartment, complete with an office. These guest quarters are largely furnished with pieces from Frampton’s previous condo, creating a sense of familiarity and continuity.
Peter Frampton’s move to his new Nashville home marks a significant and positive change, providing a peaceful and customized environment perfectly suited to his lifestyle and health needs, all thanks in part to the insightful companionship of his service dog, Bigsby.
