My Houzz: Vibrant Coziness for a 1920s Georgia Farmhouse
See how first-time homeowners perked up their history-laden home and befriended a community
Vintage furniture in bright fabric, boldly painted walls and an eclectic art collection gave this Georgia farmhouse a fresh update that still preserves its original details. Homeowners Zack and Lauren Anne Johnson were thrilled to make the leap from a 600-square-foot rental 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 fabled 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: Athens, Georgia
Size: 1,400 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That’s interesting: The kitchen tile is from New Mexico, and the owners were told that while the tile was 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 fabled 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: Athens, Georgia
Size: 1,400 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That’s interesting: The kitchen tile is from New Mexico, and the owners were told that while the tile was drying, coyotes walked across the stones, leaving small footprints behind.
The couple is naturally drawn to neutral colors, but they went bold for some walls. “For some reason with this house, everything I want to buy is colorful,” says Lauren Anne. Beautiful French glass doors connect each room, and the hardwood floors are original to the home.
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 gallery wall of art 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 outfitted in a more neutral color palette and dark brown trim.
A small handmade pom-pom garland from Kate Roebuck and a large antique map decorate the guest room fireplace. The bedding is heirloom, 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 trim surrounds the foyer wall. This vintage feeding trough, a flea market find, serves as an entryway console table.
The framed mirror hangs by wire from the rail molding to avoid nailing it to the wall.
The framed mirror hangs by wire from the rail molding to avoid nailing it to the wall.
This foyer gallery 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
The previous owners renovated the home in 2006 but left the original hardwood floors and molding in the home's only bathroom untouched.
Glowing with natural light, the dining room connects most rooms in the home. This wood console, which sits next to the kitchen table, serves as a bar.
Console: Pottery Barn
Console: Pottery Barn
A bulldog iron bottle opener, original to the home, is conveniently affixed to the kitchen door. The bulldog is the mascot of the University of Georgia — alma mater of both Zack and Lauren Anne.
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 farmhouse sink — Lauren Anne’s favorite feature. The natural wood cabinets and checkered countertops stay true to the home's original farmhouse style, and a small island provides extra prep 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 colors 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 custom kitchen island one day.
The couple kept the previous homeowner's bright green trim on the exterior. They recently stained their back deck a cool gray, and Lauren Anne spray painted their bistro set from T.J.Maxx neon pink.
The front porch ceiling came painted blue, which follows a historical South Carolina tradition that a blue porch 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 landscape.
Share your colorful home with us!
Share your colorful home with us!
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