We are absolutely thrilled that Country Living Magazine featured the Storybook Cottage yesterday -- that's the one that we decorated for Shelter + Roost, remember? We are so excited!!

Escape the Everyday in This Quaint Tennessee Cottage

We're swooning over this home's storybook style. Pin it now, and plan your vacay later
Featured in Country Living, April 2015

We love a family vacation as much as the next person, but there's something about this adorable rental home in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee, that says "girls' weekend." Sure, your kids would have a grand ol' time making s'mores around the fire pit, but isn't it your turn to roast some marshmallows in peace?

And your husband might enjoy a quiet retreat in the rural village outside Nashville, but we're guessing he suffers from Super Cute Blindness (a technical term), and the home's true appeal would be lost on him.

Seriously, the appropriately named Storybook Cottage, decorated by City Farmhouse, is like our favorite Pinterest board come to life. The decor, grounded in whitewashed pallets, weathered wooden furniture, and flea-market style accents, is a cozy (but not cluttered) cross between Scandinavian and rustic sensibilities.

Plus, there's a delightful surprise at every turn: Reclaimed doors-turned-mirrors frame the bedroom, a steely gray kitchen blends perfectly with chrome and stainless pieces, and we bow down to the DIYer that pained the checkerboard poplar flooring. It's totally time to take the book club on the road, ladies.

Take a look inside by clicking through to the Country Living article here!

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After weeks of waiting for the snow to melt along the winding gravel path to the little cabin tucked away in the woods, we were finally able to get it decorated for Shelter + Roost! And we couldn't be happier with the results. 

Shelter + Roost

While I love everything we did in each room, my favorite is the sleeping loft with the wall constructed of 1700 books!! It turned out just as I had imagined. With the French chandeliers and period French sofa (recovered decades ago in suede), it has the feel of discovering an attic in the countryside of France. It took about 15 hours to wedge each book in place. The entire wall is held together by wedging the books tightly beside each other, turning some with bindings out while others were just too special to tuck the brown, aged pages in - so many are turned with pages facing outward. I think this is my favorite design feature ever!

How amazing is this? A literature lover's dream!  

A major pick for the cabin: this period French sofa, recovered decades ago in suede

I have to say, I really love the master bedroom too. I wanted to combine a little industrial with a little elegance (hence the chandelier with an elegant form but made from chain), and a little cool trendiness too. At first, I was worried to go with the checked fabric on the bottom of the curtains, but I went with my gut, instead of my fears, and I'm thrilled with the results! Annie McCreary of My Swallow's Nest made them for me. She's my "go to girl" for all things curtains and slipcovers - such a talented seamstress!!!

Instagram photo by Annie McCreary of My Swallow's Nest

Instagram photo by Annie McCreary of My Swallow's Nest

I've included a couple of shots of the living room and kitchen area. Keep in mind none of these are professional images--just something I shot at midnight as we finished--I was too excited not to. I'll be sure to post the professional pics as soon as they are available. 

Shelter + Roost features five distinctive vacation rental properties in Franklin and Leiper's Fork, each offering something a little different (remember the Storybook Cottage we decorated last year?!).

For more information about renting this place, go to www.shelterandroost.com.

'Til next time.... happy picking! xx