09 Dec Behind the pines
In the bend of the Harpeth River west of Nashville sits the stunning home of Jeff and Renee Johnson. The towering pine trees welcome you and give you the impression you’re about to see something pretty special.
And you do.
But before we go inside, I need to show you the gorgeous setting the couple set their sights on.
Of course it didn’t look this way when they found it. The Johnsons purchased 54 acres. The lake wasn’t here. But the magestic loblolly pines were. They needed to clear alot of the brush from the property along with a small house. Then they took their time developing plans for the house that would come out of the ground much later.
They created the lodge style home with the help of an architect who really understood what they wanted. Terry Bates worked with them 4 years to achieve this. The home was built so that you see the water from most of the living space.
It is grand yet welcoming with a large custom swing on the front porch.
And then you get in the home, and the warmth of the gorgeous wood floors, antiques and beams creates an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a lodge retreat, which you have.
Terry Bates even helped Renee select paint colors, faucets and other features, but Renee picked out the gorgeous rugs, from Persian Rug Gallery, and most of the antiques, many from Winchester Antique Mall in Franklin as well as from stores in Atlanta. She loves the hunt.
Designer Candace Felts also helped Renee find some of the furniture.
The cool iron and wood coffee table, along with almost all of the home lighting comes from Artifacts in Nashville.But before I go any further, I have to point out what may be the most incredible thing about the home. The floors and beams.
The reclaimed heart pine floors and beams are exquisite. And get this. Jeff, who started the hardwood flooring company, JeffCo. Flooring and Supply Inc. in Nashville, actually laid the floors himself. He also hand beveled each and every board and distressed them.
They also used solid timbers for the stairs.
The game room is where they hang out the most. A centerpiece of the room is the pool table where Jeff spends hours when he’s not working somewhere on the property.
Jeff bushhogs the property but the landscaping around the lake and the house was done by Hewitt Garden and Design Center in Franklin. They continue to maintain the plant material and beds which are lovely and add so much to the overall look.
And when the weather is warm, there’s another great spot to hang out.
The screened in porch is fantastic. Of course it has a beautiful fireplace, the fifth wood burning one in the house.
And there’s a cool old oyster shucking table.
When the house was first under construction, and drywall was going in, Renee noticed they were losing the view of the lake from the kitchen, so down came the walls under the cabinets, and in went glass, and voila!
What a great idea. She had seen windows under kitchen cabinets in a magazine and suggested it. Thank goodness. Now they won’t miss a thing. When I was there, Jeff was putting a permanent floating dock in the lake. He must always have a project. I might get lazy if I lived here with so many spots to sit and gaze at the gorgeous surroundings.
I have known Jeff and Renee for several years now and always wanted to see their home. It’s truly a peaceful retreat that feels so far from city life but it’s really not.
Thanks to the Johnsons for opening their home and sharing this gracious and outstanding house behind the loblolly pines.
Sources: J. Terry Bates & Associates (Architect), Hewitt Garden & Design Center, Candace Felts Design, LLC, Persian Rug Gallery, Artifacts, Winchester Antique Mall.
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