Story by Megan Venable | Photography by Ben Finch, Finch Photo
Jordan and her husband Cullen made their way to East Tennessee at an unlikely time during the pandemic. As the Founder and CEO of Barefaced skincare, Jordan’s career affords her the flexibility to live in different parts of the country, and after living in bigger cities from Atlanta to Charleston, the Harper family love living in Knoxville in their Sequoyah Hills home.
They arrived in town sight unseen for Cullen to serve in his medical residency. Their time in Charleston cemented in them the desire to put their kids in the car as little as possible, instead opting to explore their surroundings on foot or via golf cart. “We are very intentional about the time we have,” Jordan says. “The walkability of the neighborhood is important to us.”
They found their home for sale by owner and worked with Emily Harper, owner of eHarper Designs, to create their living space. The budding family took on the enormous task of living in the house while it was undergoing renovations and was stripped down to a blank slate for Emily to craft a functioning home for the family. “We lived in the house with four kids and no kitchen,” Jordan laughs. “We ate off a hot plate from a meal service and a sous vide. The first time we ever had a driveway was two weeks ago!” Her favorite space is a nook in her kitchen designed by Emily, and the “hidden gem” closet in the bathroom.
The front door of the Harper home says it all. There is a plaque prominently featured imploring guests to not knock or ring the doorbell. “Dogs will bark, babies will cry, things will get ugly.” The Harpers ask for a phone call or a text letting them know someone or something is waiting outside. The plaque is hard-earned and well deserved. With four kids under the age of four, the family works hard to protect the tranquility they enjoy within the confines of their home.
Having the home be a space for peace is essential for the Harpers. “Home is where you spend so much of your time, it’s important that it be cozy and calm,” Jordan says. The Harpers third pregnancy was a set of twins, despite multiple births not being embedded in their DNA. “Kids make you be more present,” she insists. “I say no to so many things, and I am really into protecting my energy. I love lying in my kids’ rooms and just looking around.” When the whole family is home, the Harpers insist that it’s time to say, “don’t work now” and be present together.