Vintage furniture in vivid fabric, boldly painted walls and an eclectic art collection gave this Georgia farmhouse a fresh update that still preserves its original information. Homeowners Zack and Lauren Anne Johnson were thrilled to make the leap from a 600-square-foot rental to this amazing 1920s farmhouse for their first house. “We were looking for a home with character,” says Lauren Anne.
After moving, the couple found that all of the house’s previous owners were famous for their love of the community. “So many people in town have a story about someone who lived in our home, went to a celebration in our home or that their great-aunt dwelt here when it was a farm,” says Lauren Anne. To pay homage to the house’s fabled vibrant soul, the few today extends a weekly invitation for parties there.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Zack and Lauren Anne Johnson, dog Traveler and kitty Suki
Location: Athens, Georgia
Size: 1,400 square feet, two bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That is intriguing: The kitchen tile is from New Mexico, and the owners were advised that although the tile was drying, coyotes walked round the stones, leaving small footprints behind.
Corynne Pless
Lauren Anne recently painted the brick fireplace white and refurbished two garage sale armchairs by painting the wood a trendy brown and covering the cushions at a solid red fabric.
Sofa: Pottery Barn
The best way to paint a brick fireplace
Corynne Pless
The couple is obviously drawn to neutral colours, but they went bold for a few walls. “For some reason with the home, everything I wish to buy is colorful,” says Lauren Anne. Beautiful French glass doors connect each area, and the hardwood floors are original to the home.
Wall paint: Deep Royal, Benjamin Moore; artwork: Kate Roebuck (left), Bowerbird (right), Hable Construction
Corynne Pless
Lauren Anne created a gallery wall of artwork from local artists around the television. “I adore that [the living area ] has a great deal of artwork from my friends,” she says. The framed split butterfly painting is by Bowerbird.
Artwork (clockwise from top, excluding butterfly): Rinne Allen,”Colorset3″ by Rinne Allen and Susan Hable, Uncovet, Kate Roebuck
Corynne Pless
Right near the living room, the guest room is outfitted in a neutral colour palette and dark brown trim.
Corynne Pless
A tiny handmade pom-pom garland from Kate Roebuck plus a large antique map decorate the guest room fireplace. The bed is heirloom, handed down from Lauren Anne’s grandmother.
Pillows: Even a Sparrow; lamp: Goal; dove mirror: Fluxglass
Corynne Pless
Dark wood trim encircles the foyer wall. This classic feeding trough, a flea market find, functions as an entryway games desk.
The framed mirror hangs by cable from the rail molding to avoid nailing it to the wall.
Corynne Pless
This foyer gallery wall highlights precious family photographs.
Corynne Pless
The master bedroom boasts a recent classic Oriental rug buy from the Athens Antique Mall.
Bedding: Pottery Barn; curtains: Restoration Hardware
Corynne Pless
Lauren Anne was immediately drawn to the photograph by Taj Forer on 20×200 and purchased it straight away. The image is part of a series called”Threefold Sun. “This specific photograph was taken in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, and titled,”To Live With You Alone.”
Corynne Pless
The previous owners renovated the home in 2006 but abandoned the original hardwood flooring and molding at the house’s only toilet untouched.
Corynne Pless
Glowing with natural lighting, the dining area joins most rooms in the home. This wood console, which sits alongside the kitchen table, serves as a pub.
Console: Pottery Barn
Corynne Pless
A bulldog iron bottle opener, original to the home, is Welcome to the kitchen door. The bulldog is the mascot of the University of Georgia — alma mater of both Zack and Lauren Anne.
Corynne Pless
A group of a classic Coke bottle cage employed for storage sit on Ikea wall shelves. The windowsill is full of small dishes and trinkets, including a horseshoe from Wyoming, a souvenir maintained by Lauren Anne after she spent time working there.
Corynne Pless
The previous owners’ kitchen renovations included adding new appliances plus a farmhouse sink — Lauren Anne’s favorite feature. The natural wood cabinets and checkered countertops remain true to the house’s unique farmhouse design, and a small island offers extra prep space.
Corynne Pless
While living close to the studio of local artist R. Wood, the couple fell in love with her work. Their cabinets are filled with her ceramics, including this latte mug. “I think R. Wood’s colours have likely inspired the home,” says Lauren Anne. “She’s a great respect for the men and women working for her, the material she works with the environment around her.”
Corynne Pless
The Johnsons prepare bites on their compact island to sponsor buddies for their weekly gathering. They would really like to construct a custom kitchen island one day.
Corynne Pless
The couple maintained the previous homeowner’s glowing green trim on the exterior. They recently stained their back deck a cool grey, and Lauren Anne spray their bistro collection from T.J.Maxx neon pink.
Corynne Pless
The front porch ceiling came painted blue, which follows a historical South Carolina tradition a blue porch ceiling wards off bad spirits. Because Lauren Anne is from South Carolina, she had been delighted with this aspect.
Corynne Pless
What’s next? Lauren Anne and Zack hope to work on sprucing up their own landscape.
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