About Lynn Taylor

Residential Designer and Consultant

Lynn Taylor, Nashville, TN - Residential Designer

Lynn Taylor, Residential Designer and Consultant

Lynn Taylor is a residential designer with more than 40 years of experience in the design and construction industry and nearly three decades leading her own firm, Taylor Made Plans. Her interest in building began early, while working alongside her father on construction sites, an experience that shaped a practical understanding of how homes are designed and built, which still guides her work today.

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Lynn specializes in residential design for additions &renovations, new homes, and DADU, such as garage apartments and tiny houses. Her work is known for balancing thoughtful design with practical construction knowledge, helping to translate zoning regulations, best building practices, and design decisions into clear, detailed construction plans that protect homeowners’ investment.

An award-winning residential designer, Lynn has received national and local recognition for compatible infill housing and contextual new construction that strengthens existing neighborhoods. In addition to her design work, she has delivered more than fifty speaking engagements educating homeowners, builders, and preservation advocates about residential design and construction.

Lynn is a member of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), a national nonprofit that offers continuing education and resources for professional building designers.

The Foundation Behind My Work

How it all began

Taylor Made Plans, Principal Residential Designer & Consultant

Founded in January 2000, Lynn Taylor leads a residential design company for homeowners, builders, and developers, providing strategic consulting and design work on additions & renovations, new house plans, Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs), stock plans, and architectural standards development.

  • Guided homeowners through pre-construction planning by clarifying scope, zoning constraints, budget priorities, and long-term maintenance considerations before construction begins. Translates complex design and building decisions into practical options, helping clients avoid costly mistakes, change orders, and functional regrets. Develops detailed, buildable construction drawings that support accurate bids, protect the homeowner’s investment, and create homes that perform well for years to come.
  • Translated 26 years of homeowner feedback from additions and renovations into stronger new-home designs by addressing common pain points, spatial regrets, and functional failures seen in existing housing stock.
  • Served as an early-phase planning and feasibility partner for developers, helping align site constraints, zoning requirements, budgets, and product mix before design dollars are overspent.
  • Strategic Value Engineering: Expertly balanced construction budgets with design intent and affordable energy efficiency to deliver premium residential design without cost overruns.
  • Designed 17+ custom homes and 250+ stock and repeat-use house plans, many of which have been purchased and built in the south-eastern region, demonstrating scalability, market demand, and repeat value.
  • Developed architectural standards and exterior product selections that support cohesive neighborhoods while allowing flexibility across phased builds.
  • Known for designing high-curb-appeal homes that maximize lot utility, support density goals, and perform well within municipal review processes.
  • Built collaborative working relationships with builders, developers, and municipal staff through transparent communication, problem-solving, and credibility earned over decades.

Selected Awards & Recognition 

Lynn is an award-winning Residential Designer whose work has been honored at national and local levels. She is known for creating compatible infill and contextual new construction that respects the character of existing neighborhoods.

Great American Home Award. National Trust for Historic Preservation & Old House Journal – Infill Housing Design


National recognition for new infill construction that adds value to established neighborhoods.

12 Awards from the Metropolitan Historic Commission

Demonstrates mastery of navigating complex zoning, preservation, and design guidelines to secure approvals.

Compatible New Construction Awards

Honored by the City of Wilmington, NC, and Knox Heritage, TN, for designs that strengthen streetscapes and neighborhood value.

Oxygen Entrepreneurship Award (National Winner)

Selected as 1 of 3 winners from 16,000 entries for developing a scalable residential stock-plan business model.

For a complete, detailed list of awards, visit the page here: https://taylormadeplans.com/awards/

2019 Preservation Award – New Infill – Metropolitan Historic Commission – Custom modern home and modern garage apartment or DADU located in Nashville.
2019 Preservation Award – New Infill – Metropolitan Historic Commission – Custom modern home and modern garage apartment or DADU located in Nashville.


The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville, Davidson County
Modern New Home with a Complimentary Garage Apartment

Public Speaking & Thought Leadership

For more than twenty years, Lynn has shared her experience with homeowners, builders, and preservation advocates through more than fifty speaking engagements. 

She enjoys helping people understand residential design and construction because clear, practical guidance can make a real difference in their projects and their confidence. 

Whether she is speaking to municipal boards, national conferences, or small community workshops, Lynn focuses on explaining zoning, preservation standards, and building practices in ways that feel simple and usable. 

Lynn Taylor's presentations given in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 2013 Sessions ‘Designing Sensitive Additions to Historic Homes’ and ‘How Appropriate Infill Enhances Historic Neighborhoods (designated or not!)’

(2) Presentations given in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2013
Sessions ‘Designing Sensitive Additions to Historic Homes’ and ‘How Appropriate Infill Enhances Historic Neighborhoods (designated or not!)’

Lynn Taylor presenting: How to Interview and Hire a General Contractor at the USN evening classes.

One of several evening class presentations given at the University School of Nashville (USN) over the years.

50+ Speaking Engagements (2001–Present)

Subject Matter Expert in infill development in historic neighborhoods, DADUs, Affordable Energy-Efficient, Hiring the RIGHT Contractor, designing sensitive additions to historic homes, including other topics.

  • Invited by historic municipal boards and agencies (including Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Kentucky) to educate homeowners on balancing historic design standards with the modern-day needs for their homes.
  • Developed and led 20+ years of workshops focused on Designing Sensitive Additions to Historic Homes and understanding the DADU’s regulations.
  • Featured speaker at national conferences, including the National Preservation Conference and Traditional Building Conference.
  • Founder of two East Nashville Library Speakers Series (2005 & 2009) for homeowners’ education initiatives, demonstrating community engagement and public-facing leadership. 
  • Lynn is a member of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD). She is also a former member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, and Historic Nashville.

For more information on speaking info, visit the page here: https://taylormadeplans.com/speaking/

Press & Media

For more than two decades, Lynn Taylor and Taylor Made Plans have appeared in local, regional, and national media for their work in residential design and sensitive historic infill. 

Coverage has highlighted Lynn’s award-winning projects and her leadership as a business owner in the design and construction community. These features reflect a long history of thoughtful design, practical construction insight, and a steady commitment to creating well-planned homes that strengthen neighborhoods.

Selected Media Highlights

National Design Recognition

  • Featured in Old House Journal, June 2006, for award-winning infill housing design.
  • Recipient of the Great American Home Award in the infill category. Recognized for blending historic neighborhood character with modern livability.

Local & Regional Media Coverage

  • Multiple features in The Tennessean highlighting residential design work and neighborhood revitalization.
  • Coverage in Nashville City Paper profiling design projects and business growth.

Entrepreneurial Recognition

  • National Winner of the OXYGEN Network’s “Oh! Get the Money” business competition. Selected as 1 of 3 winners from 16,000 entries for developing a scalable residential stock-plan business model.

Rather than focusing solely on aesthetics, media coverage has repeatedly emphasized Lynn’s ability to bridge the gap between design vision and buildable reality—helping homeowners, builders, and developers move from concept to construction with clarity and confidence. That consistency in message over time reflects more than publicity; it demonstrates a steady record of leadership, credibility, and community impact within residential design.

For a complete list of articles and media coverage, visit the page here: https://taylormadeplans.com/press/

Old-House Journal Piece

Old-House Journal,
Featured on Lynn’s personal Home and Designs in East Nashville

Civic & Community Involvement

Lynn has donated time and resources to Magdalene House and Thistle Farms, thereby providing women with opportunities to learn job skills and improve their lives. She was the Project Construction Drawing Coordinator in 2007 for the 4,200+ square-foot Magdalene house build. Thistle Farms residential housing program was the highlight of my community involvement and helping the women.

In 2009, Lynn designed a new 1,258-square-foot house design for Magdalene and brought together the design and construction team to build an EarthCraft house for the women. On this very special venture, she served as Project Designer, Manager, and Construction Administrator.

In the past, she was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, and Historic Nashville.

  • Served in appointed and elected leadership roles focused on housing, historic preservation, and residential construction standards.
  • Board member, Historic Nashville, Inc., and Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association, contributing to community and preservation advocacy.
  • Chair and organizing lead for major public-facing events, including Historic Nashville’s first Old House Fair and APTA antiques appraisal fairs.
  • Served multiple terms on Metropolitan Government Boards of Plumbing Examiners and Appeals and Gas and Mechanical Examiners and Appeals, supporting regulatory review, appeals processes, and public safety.

Dates of community service:

  • 1999-2000 – Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association – Board Member
  • 2002-2003 – Historic Nashville, Inc. Board member
  • 2003, May – Historic Nashville’s first Old House Fair, Nashville, TN; Chair, Speaker, and Exhibitor
  • 2004, April – Girl Scout program – An Income of Her Own
  • 2004 and 2005 – The Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA) Antiques Appraisal Fair Chairmen
  • 2008 to 2011 – served two terms on the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Board of Plumbing Examiners and Appeals.
  • 2009-2010 – National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Nashville Chapter, Board of Directors, Public Relations/Communication
  • 2012 – Green Homes Tour: Organizing Committee
  • 2004 to 2012 – serving on The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, The Board of Plumbing Examiners, and Appeals (2 terms)
  • 2014 to 2020 – serving on The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, The Board of Gas and Mechanical Examiners, and Appeal

Beyond the Work

Creativity has always been part of Lynn’s life. As a child, she was constantly drawing, building, and making things by hand. That early artistic curiosity never faded; it simply evolved alongside her professional work.

In her free time, Lynn enjoys creating art, especially sculptural pieces made from concrete and hypertufa lightweight mixes. She experiments with abstract forms and designs handcrafted planters that reflect her love of texture, structure, and organic shapes. Gardening and growing flowers are other passions, particularly succulents and tending her plant collection.

She also enjoys painting, often gravitating toward flowers, because the process feels calming and restorative. 

When she wants to recharge outdoors, Lynn takes long walks near Shelby Park, which is one of her favorite places in Nashville, where nature, movement, and quiet reflection help renew her creative spirit.

Lynn creates hypertufa planters for her succulents.

Lynn creates lightweight concrete pieces using a hyfutula mixer, alongside the flowers she lovingly grows in her front yard for the yellow finches.

Hypertufa vase by Lynn Taylor.
Lynn loves growing zinnias in her front yard for the yellow finches.