Photos: This Atlanta house is so inspiring the designer had to buy it

Life

Photos: This Atlanta house is so inspiring the designer had to buy it

A comfy interior design marvel is right in your back yard, and you probably didn’t even know it.

Just outside of Atlanta is a community called Serenbe, where hundreds of residents celebrate the arts and agriculture in style. Nestled in this rural paradise is the Naturally House, a one-of-a-kind project designed by Rebecca Cartwright. The 3,200 square feet of rustic inspiration is a four-bedroom, five-bathroom home with a comforting aura of natural elegance.

From the table settings to the lighting to the wood finishes, everything about this Serenbe delight lives up to its name — naturally.

For the house’s lower level, Cartwright utilized blacks and wood finishes to create a cozy lounge area the whole family can enjoy.

For Cartwright, the house’s natural themes are more than simple decoration. It’s what turned this Serenbe house into a welcoming home.

The interior designer described the kitchen as earthy, modern and casual. The calming blues of the cabinets pop against the white walls of the room, and the breakfast table dazzles with its natural wood flair.

“I enjoy the moody rec room in the basement,” she said. “Here, I repeated the wood on the ceiling and on the office ‘nook’ walls for warmth and texture. Black grasscloth wallcovering and black painted trim wrap the room. The floors are black painted concrete. A collection of black and white family photos is displayed on one wall, while architectural drawings by my father, grandfather, and great grandfather are on another. This room is where we can all lounge together on the green velvet sectional and leather swivel chairs.”

Cartwright and her husband had already purchased land nearby for a planned retirement home. But as the Naturally House began to take shape, Cartwright realized she was falling in love with the project. By the time work on the house was finished, Cartwright knew she had to have it.

“This house was the perfect backdrop for layering historical things, natural things, and provides a meaningful backdrop for how my husband and I and our extended family are living now,” Cartwright said.

The home itself is surrounded by trees, providing a serene privacy for the designer and her family.

But what started as just another project for Cartwright’s Iowa-based studio, R. Cartwright Design, so captivated the designer that, when finished, she decided to buy the house herself.

Just outside of Atlanta is a community called Serenbe, where hundreds of residents celebrate the arts and agriculture in style. Nestled in this rural paradise is the Naturally House, a one-of-a-kind project designed by Rebecca Cartwright.

“I enjoy the moody rec room in the basement,” she said. “Here, I repeated the wood on the ceiling and on the office ‘nook’ walls for warmth and texture. Black grasscloth wallcovering and black painted trim wrap the room. The floors are black painted concrete. A collection of black and white family photos is displayed on one wall, while architectural drawings by my father, grandfather, and great grandfather are on another. This room is where we can all lounge together on the green velvet sectional and leather swivel chairs.”

“I love the open kitchen, dining, and great rooms because this is where we spend most of our time,” Cartwright said. “We added white oak planks to the ceiling to unify the space, and give it a tree house look and feel. Even though it is one large room, the layers of textures and collected items make it cozy.”

The blue of the cabinets pops off of the kitchen's white backdrop.

“The Naturally House is personal,” she said. “It reflects me and my family. I have artifacts I have collected over the years that I love. I switch out the art and accessories as the spirit moves me. The vibe feels comfortable, calm, and welcoming, not ‘decorated.’ There are more grand and impressive spaces. This one has soul, and that feels good.”

Its natural elegance is intended to stand the test of time, no matter what trends rise and fall by the wayside.

The black furnishings contrast the rosé walls for a warm look.

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Credit: Ali Harper Photography

Just outside of Atlanta is a community called Serenbe, where hundreds of residents celebrate the arts and agriculture in style. Nestled in this rural paradise is the Naturally House, a one-of-a-kind project designed by Rebecca Cartwright. The 3,200 square feet of rustic inspiration is a four-bedroom, five-bathroom home with a comforting aura of natural elegance.

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