Leiper’s Fork retreat

29 Oct Leiper’s Fork retreat

   It’s become a familiar refrain if you live around Nashville. Where did you move from? Recent numbers indicate one hundred people move to Music City each day!  Many  come for music, southern culture, their children are in college here,  the weather, etc.  And for a family from Montana, they found the perfect place to hang their hats, out in Leiper’s Fork. 

    When you consider her husband Trace Ritter is a musician (guitar player, songwriter and performer) and she’s a model/actress/clothing & accessory designer, it makes perfect sense!  As a matter of fact, Dawn Ann Ritter describes her boutiques in Red Lodge, Montana and Leiper’s Fork as cowgirl style. Her new store here is called Moo Country. The one in Red Lodge that she shares with another designer is known as Paris & Moo.  She describes the vibe as the West meets glamour which is obvious in the lovely photo below.

Photo credit; Heather Durham

 Like their decision to move from Los Angeles to Red Lodge, Montana, their plan to relocate to the Nashville area happened quickly. When they came to house hunt, Dawn Ann says they literally had one week to find a new home and a place for her shop. By a stroke of luck, they found both. But what’s funny is the house they settled on wasn’t even for sale. It had belonged to their real estate agent in the past but they were able to convince the homeowners to sell to them. Seems like it was meant to be. They haven’t sold their ranch yet so many of their rugs and other pieces of furniture are still in the other house. Dawn Ann says she’s still unpacking and has plans for changing things up in this place, but was kind enough to have me over to shoot a few rooms and share her style.

 While this home is more of an upscale farmhouse style,  far different from their Red Lodge ranch, their animal print fabrics,  hides,  horns and other rustic pieces still work.  She plans to add white furniture to the den later. Dawn Ann is also a lover of hearts which you see throughout the home. One example of that is a very large piece by well known Laguna Beach artist,  Roark Gourley. Dawn says she’s been collecting art since her New York modeling days.

      ♥

    I’m a huge fan of cozy breakfast nooks like the one this family of three has between the kitchen and laundry room. I love the drapes and her choice of furniture and fabrics in this area. It’s very warm yet classic. And the painted wood ceilings throughout add charm as well.

  In the dining room you’ll see more of her western style with the cowboy art along with the hide rug and other touches, a nod to her native Montana. Dawn Ann left home to pursue modeling and acting, but clearly is still a cowgirl at heart.

The western feel is never too far away in this home.  Dawn Ann has stayed true to her roots.

     However, it’s all pink and girly in her ten year old daughter’s bedroom,  fit for a princess. From the sparkly chandeleir to the drapes and her bedding, it’s magical.

      Maybe just a tiny bit of western style in her choice of stuffed animals.

Dawn Ann and her husband’s master suite is a lovely retreat, full of light with a dramatic stained wooden ceiling and a custom bed that is so plush.

    I’m so glad to have met Dawn Ann and Trace as they continue to settle into their new home, bringing a bit of the West and Montana to our area. If you like glamorous western style, check out Moo Country, her boutique in Leiper’s Fork, or if you’re in Red Lodge, Montana, swing by and say hello!

      Thanks so much to Dawn Ann for sharing her home retreat with me. She’s a very busy woman but also very kind and engaging. You can follow her on Instagram @moocountry.  As an actress, she’s known as Dawn Ann Billings.  Trace was a key member in Chalk Farm on Columbia Records; was on DreamWorks with artist Kina, produces music and has a new rock band known as Rock United.  See his band perform November 1st at The Pub across from the Thompson Hotel in the Gulch.