Houzz Tours
House Tours
My Houzz: A 1920s Farmhouse Gets a Cosy and Vibrant Update
See how first-time homeowners perked up their historical home and befriended the local community
Vintage furniture in bright fabric, boldly painted walls and an eclectic art collection gave this farmhouse in Georgia a fresh update that still preserves its original architectural features. Homeowners Zack and Lauren Anne Johnson were thrilled to make the leap from a cramped rented flat to this beautiful 1920s farmhouse for their first house. ‘We were looking for a home with personality,’ says Lauren Anne.
After moving, the couple discovered that all of the home’s previous owners were known for their love of the community. ‘So many people in town have a story about someone who lived in our house, went to a party in our house or even that their great-aunt lived here when it used to be a farm,’ says Lauren Anne. To pay homage to the home’s well-known vibrant spirit, the couple now extends a weekly invitation for gatherings there.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Zack and Lauren Anne Johnson, dog Traveler and cat Suki
Location Georgia, USA
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That’s interesting The kitchen tiles are from New Mexico, and the owners were told that while the tiles were drying, coyotes walked across the stones, leaving small footprints behind.
After moving, the couple discovered that all of the home’s previous owners were known for their love of the community. ‘So many people in town have a story about someone who lived in our house, went to a party in our house or even that their great-aunt lived here when it used to be a farm,’ says Lauren Anne. To pay homage to the home’s well-known vibrant spirit, the couple now extends a weekly invitation for gatherings there.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Zack and Lauren Anne Johnson, dog Traveler and cat Suki
Location Georgia, USA
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That’s interesting The kitchen tiles are from New Mexico, and the owners were told that while the tiles were drying, coyotes walked across the stones, leaving small footprints behind.
The couple is naturally drawn to neutral colours, but they went bold for some walls. ‘For some reason with this house, everything I want to buy is colourful,’ says Lauren Anne. Beautiful French glass doors connect each room, and the hardwood floors are an original feature.
Wall paint: Deep Royal, Benjamin Moore; artwork: Kate Roebuck (left), Bowerbird (right), Hable Construction
Wall paint: Deep Royal, Benjamin Moore; artwork: Kate Roebuck (left), Bowerbird (right), Hable Construction
Lauren Anne created a feature wall of pictures from local artists around the television. ‘I love that [the living room] has a lot 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
Artwork (clockwise from top, excluding butterfly): Rinne Allen, “Colorset3” by Rinne Allen and Susan Hable, Uncovet, Kate Roebuck
Right next to the living room, the guest room is decorated in a more neutral color palette and dark brown skirting board.
A small handmade pom-pom garland from Kate Roebuck and a large antique map decorate the guest room fireplace. The bedding is vintage, passed down from Lauren Anne’s grandmother.
Pillows: Even a Sparrow; lamp: Target; dove mirror: Fluxglass
Pillows: Even a Sparrow; lamp: Target; dove mirror: Fluxglass
Dark wood skirting boards surround the hallway wall. This vintage feeding trough, a flea market find, serves as a hallway console table.
The framed mirror hangs by wire from the ceiling coving to avoid nailing it to the wall.
The framed mirror hangs by wire from the ceiling coving to avoid nailing it to the wall.
This hallway feature wall highlights cherished family photographs.
The master bedroom boasts a recent vintage Oriental rug purchase from the Athens Antique Mall.
Bedding: Pottery Barn; curtains: Restoration Hardware
Bedding: Pottery Barn; curtains: Restoration Hardware
Lauren Anne was immediately drawn to this photograph by Taj Forer and bought it right away. The image is part of a series called Threefold Sun. This particular photograph was taken in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, and titled, To Live With You Alone.
The previous owners renovated the home in 2006 but left the original hardwood floors and wood panelling in the home’s only bathroom untouched.
Glowing with natural light, the dining room connects most rooms in the home. This wood sideboard, which sits next to the kitchen table, serves as a bar.
Console: Pottery Barn
Browse more green walls
Console: Pottery Barn
Browse more green walls
A bulldog iron bottle opener, original to the home, is conveniently mounted on the kitchen door. The bulldog is the mascot of the University of Georgia - where both Zack and Lauren Anne attended.
A collection of cookbooks and a vintage Coke bottle crate used for storage sit on Ikea wall shelves. The windowsill is full of small dishes and trinkets, including a horseshoe from Wyoming, a souvenir kept by Lauren Anne after she spent time working there.
The previous owners’ kitchen renovations included adding new appliances and a butler sink - Lauren Anne’s favorite feature. The natural wood cabinets and checkered kitchen counters stay true to the home’s original farmhouse style, and a small island provides extra food preparation space.
While living near 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 probably inspired the house,’ says Lauren Anne. ‘She has a great respect for the people who work for her, the material she works with and the environment around her.’
The Johnsons prepare snacks on their compact island to host friends for their weekly gathering. They’d love to build a bespoke kitchen island one day.
The couple kept the previous homeowner’s bright green window and door frames on the outside of the property. They recently stained their back decking area a cool grey, and Lauren Anne spray painted their bistro set from T.J.Maxx neon pink.
The front decking area ceiling came painted blue, which follows a historical South Carolina tradition that a blue ceiling wards off bad spirits. Since Lauren Anne is from South Carolina, she was pleased with this detail.
What’s next? Lauren Anne and Zack hope to work on sprucing up their garden area.
Like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
Like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
Sofa: Pottery Barn
See dark blue schemes