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This 1,000-Square-Foot Cabin Is the Epitome Of Southern Comfort
Just wait until you see the screened porch!
Here’s how Georgia designer James Farmer helped his friends get their sporting cabin cozied up for company.
Maximize Light
"I love a table lamp in a kitchen," says James. "It's so practical yet unexpected." A large galvanized pendant also brings down-home charm.
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Pendant Light: Galvanized pendant light from Houzz, for similar
Go Big Wherever You Can
"Tall ceilings, bold plant arrangements, and large light fixtures have even more impact in a small home. Play with scale to find what feels right," says designer James Farmer.
Play to Your Strengths
To enhance the 17-foot-high ceilings in the den, James raised the mantel, added decorative oomph with a large tobacco basket, and arranged paneling on the diagonal to "point" upward.
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Tobacco Basket: Tobacco basket, by Silvercloud Trading Co., for similar
Match Tones
For a cohesive (read: less choppy) look in the bathroom, the gray-green vanity mimics the lower portion of the room's board-and-batten walls. "Z-back" detailing adds rustic interest.
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Vanity Paint: Prairie Grass by Sherwin-Williams
Try Two Rooms in One
The back porch serves as an extra den, where guests (this home has hosted up to 50 at a time!) can take in 90-acre views from a custom swing, and a dining room, where guests can take in the requisite Georgia fare: biscuits, bacon, and BBQ. (The sign came from Angel's Antique and Flea Mall in Opelika, Alabama.)
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Porch Swing: Wood Porch Swing, for similar
Small Space Design Tips
Designer James Farmer, author of A Place to Call Home, gives more of his best tips for small spaces.
1. Layer Patterns
"I like to use several different patterns in a small room, like this porch, to make it feel cozy. One rule of thumb: You can pair just about anything with a stripe."
2. Try "Relaxed" Symmetry
"On a mantel or side tables, total symmetry can feel too formal. In a casual space, try a little something extra on one side."
3. Lighten Dark Rooms
"The porch is naturally darker, so I brought in a few pops of light blue to brighten it while linking it to the colors inside the cabin.
4. Don't Shy Away From Custom
"A bespoke piece that maximizes space is well worth it, and you can find affordable artisans online. The porch swing also functions as a bed."
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