Darryl and Annie McCreary are a couple that does a lot of living in 24-hours. Both are small-business owners––Darryl is a fine craftsman and contractor, and Annie is a seamstress and designer. They have three teenage boys: Aidan, Liam, and Finn, and a gaggle of pets. A few years ago, Darryl and Annie decided to build a house on the family property in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee. They knew they wanted something classically rustic that would stand the test of time and fit the needs of their family now and later, and agreed that a cabin fit the bill.
The McCreary’s had a difficult time finding just the right floor plan so Darryl picked up a pencil and started sketching. “In minutes he drew-up exactly what we wanted,” Annie recalls..
Annie cites the 12-foot-deep wraparound porches as her favorite feature of the cabin. Darryl constructed the swinging bed using barnwood from a local mill, while Annie made it cozy with throws and pillows. Metal plumbing pipes hold drop-cloth drapes.
Pillows , throws and rugs quickly change the style of the porch whenever the mood strikes.
A testament to Darryl and Annie’s talents, the cabin features his and her handiwork inside and out along with some clever twists. Annie’s sewing skills are put to practical use throughout the house in laundry-friendly curtains and slipcovers over chairs and feather-stuffed sofas (an Annie-fave). She explains, “Everything in my home has to be teenage boy and animal proof.”
An accent wall painted a deep gray designates a dining area in the open space while providing a dramatic showcase for assorted family heirlooms.. A four-poster bed turned table by Darryl accommodates the length of the wall nicely, while the silver chairs visually connect with the corrugated-metal backsplash of the adjacent wall. Thick Persian rugs, mud-cloth pillows, and furry throws add to the rustic-meet-refined vibe.
Annie says: “I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED OLD THINGS— OLD MUSIC, MOVIES, CARS, CLOTHES.
I DON’T KNOW WHY. JUST AN OLD SOUL, I GUESS.”
Annie adores exotic patterns, rustic elements, and a fusion of textural accents, which range from farmhouse to funky; solid walls and slipcovers keep things grounded and give the eye a place to rest. “I believe that a neutral background is always best,” she notes. “Then, you can have fun with fabric and accessories.” A macramé window hangings invite sunlight indoors.
Annie likes to fill her home with meaningful objects that tell a story, and this custom subway scroll from TransitDesignShop. com is a perfect example. Framed with wood salvaged from the family’s old barn, the canvas lists special dates in the McCrearys’ lives. The bold graphic feel is carried through with the grain-sack shade of the slender candlestick lamp and even the keys of Darryl’s grandmother’s piano. Collected apothecary bottles make handy holders for backyard clippings. A small stack of books is used to add balance.
An old lard bucket makes a charming vessel for flowers.
Silhouette portraitures, a popular way to capture profiles before photography was common, fill the gallery wall with family history and sentiment. The horizontal mirror acts as a focal point while adding light and movement to the dark wall.
Darryl stumbled across a pair of vintage brass candleholders while renovating an old
house and brought them home to Annie.
With three teenage boys, Annie keeps the kitchen easy to navigate and unfussy. “We use mason jars as drinking glasses because they’re inexpensive, so it’s OK if they break,” she says. The kitchen sink was another of Darryl’s finds. He pulled it from an old farmhouse basement and then mounted it to vintage stair balusters; Annie made the skirt from French grain sacks.
Drop-cloth draperies suspended from plumbing pipes hang high above each window, giving the impression of additional height in the master bedroom. A vintage steamer trunk complements the rustic headboard. Antique Drexel Heritage Provincial Suite pieces from Darryl’s grandmother make elegant nightstands.
In typical McCreary fashion, Darryl made the headboard and Annie made the bedspread and pillows; other pieces add deep primary hues to the mix.
The pedestal bathtub was a Craigslist score.
Darryl wired an old birdcage for the bathroom light fixture.
FOLLOW ANNIE’S TIPS TO CREATE A HOME THAT IS UNIQUELY YOU BY FILLING IT WITH THINGS THAT SPEAK TO YOUR SENSIBILITIES.
You can find Annie on line MySwallowsNest.com for slipcovers and on IG @myswallosnest; @anniemccrearyrealtor;
And Darryl at McCreary Cottage Company: 5610 Tee Lolly Lane, Franklin, TN 37064
TIPS
•COVER UP- Annie says she can’t pass up a good feather- stuffed sofa to save her life, and maybe
you shouldn’t either! Look for pieces with good bones—at yard sales, thrift shops and flea markets—and then freshen with slipcovers you purchase or make yourself, or find a seamstress.
•GO BOLD- Look beyond typical textiles and seek the exotic! Annie gravitates toward Kanthas, lightweight quilts prized for their dazzling colors and intricate stitching. Look for them in shops specializing in handmade goods from around the globe.
•HOLD EVERYTHING- Vases don’t need to be tall crystal or glass; look around for old buckets and bottles and jars. Trim flowers to fit for unique arrangements filled with charm.
•COLOR SCHEME- Define areas for special purposes using color like Annie does in the living room with
the dark accent wall. Imagine an area in the kitchen for paying bills and a study zone in a bedroom, among other ideas.
•GATHER TOGETHER-Home is where you want to be the most comfortable, so feather your nest with things that make you happy and cozy. Think: soft pillow covers, thick rugs, layers of quilts, and furry throws.
HAPPY HOME DECORATING! ❤️
PHOTOS: MARL LOHMAN- PRODUCING AND STYLING: FIFI