Once upon a time....

there was a little cinder block cottage that sat on our family farm. Currently, we are a working cattle farm but at one time we were farming poultry, cattle, timber, corn for liquor, a grist mill and a sawmill. Farming was not automated at that time so it took many hands to keep it running from day to day.  The cottage was originally built as a home for a family that was hired help at Green Hill Farm.  It did not have indoor plumbing and only four electrical receptacles.  There was an outhouse for a bathroom, a wooden cookstove, and a well for drawing water. In 1970 automation started arriving and hired help was not as necessary.  Not to mention I was 5 by this time and was quickly put to work on the farm. The cottage sat empty for decades.  It was the playhouse for the Ferguson grandchildren then a storage building for farm equipment finally ending as a cow parlor.  After the newest Ferguson farmhouse was built on Shutterbug Lane, I started reclaiming the cottage.  It was a collective agreement from nearly everyone in my life that the cottage was considered beyond repair and should be “burned down”. Luckily I didn’t listen. I do design for hire and I love it when a job is really difficult. I love a challenge. So I began a massive cleaning project to do the unthinkable. A lot of love later the Chandelier Cottage was completed on December 22, 2018 and had it’s first Airbnb renters on December 30, 2018.

There are a lot of imperfections in the cottage but I like to think that like life, real beauty and character lies in the imperfections. Very little is “new” in the cottage. Matchy match is just not me and honestly it feels boring so that’s something you probably won’t find on my blog. There are many textures in the cottage and I like to think it’s rustically elegant. Comfortable yet refined. Everything in the cottage is an imperfect collection of things that I had that were meaningful to me and a few interesting vintage pieces that I picked up along the way. Below each picture I have linked where some items were purchased.

Take a walk with me below and enjoy the pictures. I think you’ll enjoy the stroll.

Lisa

Before…. That is teapot standing in the door. She has become the official mascot of the farm. She is still pretty huffy that she can no longer stay in the cottage.

Work table from Culpeppers Otto Salvage in Otto, NC.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LA PHOTOGRAPHY. TV stand from Carol’s Back Porch in Dillard, GA. Trunk from Restore in Clarkesville, GA. Teapot from black bear antiques in Clayton, GA. Folding table is from Vintage Envy, Gainesville, ga.

LIVING ROOM LAMP FROM Queen of hearts, Buford, GA.. SOFA FROM COTTON MILL INTERIORS.. Boxes from Julie @Vintqage Bam at Queen of Hearts. Work Table from Culpeppers Otto Depot, Otto, NC. Folding military table from Vintage Envy, gainesville, ga.

PAINTING BY LOCAL ARTIST, MACK ANDERSON. Folding table from Vintage Envy in Gainesville, GA. Custom made shower rod. antique pie safe purchased over 25 years ago.

IRON GATES FROM CULPEPPER’S OTTO SALVAGE and mounted to the wall with pipe fittings.. BEDSIDE TABLES FROM THE QUEEN OF HEARTS. PAINTINGS BY LOCAL ARTIST, MACK ANDERSON

Follow along with us on Instagram @greenhillsfarm42, #thebarnredcottage. When you’re ready for an escape or adventure come stay with us. You’ll be glad you did. Here’s the link to our listing on Airbnb. If you want to see more here is the link to the fast version of before and after video.