Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
My Houzz: Cozy Alabama Lake Retreat
Antiques, travel treasures and rich colors warm up an interior designer's summer home on Alabama's Lake Guntersville
Lauren is a home tour contributor for Houzz and travel enthusiast that utilizes her creative perspective within the mediums of blogging, photography, and interior styling. She is published in Workspace Design Magazine and The Auburn Circle.
Lauren is a home tour contributor for Houzz and travel enthusiast that... More »
An expansive connected boat deck, cozy screened-in porch and warm Southern style combine in this lakeside vacation home in Guntersville, Alabama. Interior designer Beverly Farrington and her late husband wanted a low-key retreat close to the water's edge and open to the beautiful outdoor environment.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Beverly Farrington
Location: Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Alabama
Size: 1,600 square feet; two bedrooms; two baths
That's interesting: A dining table on the boathouse patio is made of two antique doors from the Civil War period.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Beverly Farrington
Location: Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Alabama
Size: 1,600 square feet; two bedrooms; two baths
That's interesting: A dining table on the boathouse patio is made of two antique doors from the Civil War period.
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Farrington decided to build a bridge from the main house to the upper deck of the newly renovated boathouse for easy access. "Because we are on a hill, we really had no large space to flow to," she says. Renovating the boathouse was a big challenge, complicated by a huge storm during construction that forced the team to start over. |
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Although it was laborious, the completed project has become an invaluable feature of Farrington's home, allowing for easy entertaining and an amazing 360-degree view of the lake. Farrington often can be found on the deck, greeting friends passing by on their boats. |
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This view from the deck looks back at the house. To the right sits a screened-in porch, and to the far left lies the master bedroom. The first floor of the home remains unfinished and currently serves as storage space.
Custom chevron-stripe pillows from Farrington's studio accent the outdoor furniture. "Being a designer can be a blessing and a curse when designing your own project," she says. "But it is always great to have other input and someone else to bounce your ideas off of."
Custom chevron-stripe pillows from Farrington's studio accent the outdoor furniture. "Being a designer can be a blessing and a curse when designing your own project," she says. "But it is always great to have other input and someone else to bounce your ideas off of."
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Farrington wanted the home's design to highlight views of the lake, so she incorporated tall French doors with high transom windows throughout the main living rooms. "This also allows for great ventilation, and opening the doors is an easy way to bridge the expansive outdoor space with the compact interior space," she says. Most of the pieces in the cottage are antiques that Farrington has collected through the years. The boat enclosed in glass behind the sofa came from one of her antiques-buying trips to France. She found many of the other furnishings at one of her favorite antiques markets in Atlanta, Scott Antique Market. Sofa: Pearson Furniture; lamps: Currey & Company |
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A large fireplace with two chimneys anchors the main rooms. Farrington greets guests in the cooler months with a warm, welcoming fire. |
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The great room opens to this picturesque screened-in patio. Striking Fortunata pottery adorns the facade. The pieces are reminiscent of those crafted in Deruta, Italy. Farrington is a travel enthusiast and makes it a point to venture to Europe every other summer. |
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Farrington chose timeless antique pine for all the built-in interior shelving. A collection of geodes from her travels accents the open shelves.
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
On the other side in the great room, this built-in minibar makes a convenient station to mix up cocktails and encourages conversation at parties.
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Farrington wanted the kitchen to exude the rustic, small-town charm of Lake Guntersville. "Guntersville is our retreat," she says. "The people are warm and friendly. It has cute shops and eateries, and the mayor and his wife are some of my best friends." Antler lighting fixture: Accents of the South |
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Farrington loves to host small, intimate dinners on the patio, saving just enough time for a sunset boat cruise. She collected the copper cookware that hangs around the kitchen during her travels to France, Turkey and Egypt. |
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The master bedroom color palette blends masculine and feminine tones. A contemporary painting by Ellen Langford above the bed layers nicely into this traditional setting. Farrington used gingham fabric from Brunschwig & Fils for the valances and benches. The botanical pattern on the desk chair is from Clarence House. |
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The buttercream wall color in the guest bedroom complements the natural sunlight that flows into the space. Farrington designed the custom draperies. |
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
A wall partition separates the kitchen and guest bedroom from the great room. This series of paintings from Erwin Fitzhugh, a native of Fairhope, Alabama, is among Farrington's most cherished collections.
|
by Lauren Mikus
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Farrington's husband, Jack, passed away in 2006. This picture highlights a happy memory of the couple during a long day of water skiing with close friends. Farrington is in the center, and her late husband is at the far left. Houzz call: Do you have a lakeside summer home or another striking structure? Share it with us! |
Comments
smoore Wonderful!
11 months ago · Like
midmodfan The new deck on the boathouse is superb! I'd spend the whole day there ...
11 months ago · Like
olldbobbi Wow! What views! I'll bet that's exciting in a really good storm, if you're brave enough to stick it out!
11 months ago · Like
· 
1
1
mitchb62 Your home looks very comfortable and inviting. It seems like a place that is filled with beautiful memories and future happiness.
11 months ago · Like
karareid8 Love it! Beautiful and comfortable. The boat house addition is stunning!
11 months ago · Like
robinpich we boated on Lake Guntersville for about 6 yrs until moving to Panama City Florida in March of this yr. I know EXACTLY where this boat house/house is and it's AWESOME!!!! I love being able to see inside the house since I've admired the boat house/outside for awhile :-) Thanks for sharing!
11 months ago · Like
Shades of Light Guntersville home: Bucket list!
11 months ago · Like
· 1
1
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Delightful, welcoming home
11 months ago · Like
kennedytarheel Everything about this home is beautiful! EVERYTHING!
7 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on July 7, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
