A Shaker Cottage right out of a Fairy tale!
A modest cottage sheathed in cedar shakes, nestled in a meadow of wildflowers and surrounded by dense woodlands; it is truly a fairy tale-like setting. Snow White’s woodland cottage, or even Little Red’s Gramma’s cottage come to mind. Add a carriage house (a vintage Cadillac would never be housed in a garage!) and this fairy tale comes to life as a Stone Mountain, Georgia custom built Shaker cottage.
Inside, the owners chose to emulate the design style of the Shakers who were masters of creating simple but design rich living environments using a very limited palette of materials.
The ceiling of the wide open great room, dining area and kitchen mimic the contours of the cottage’s roof line, exposing the painted roof deck and rafters. The wide planked pine floors and off white walls and trim complete the backdrop for a home filled with Shaker inspired furnishings. Freestanding, natural cherry furniture, woven seating and colorful rugs float in this voluminous but personal space.
The library features an extensive collection of books housed in several freestanding hutches instead of built-in shelving, a characteristic that melds perfectly with the simple lifestyle of the Shakers. A beautiful rug, comfortable seating, artwork and several remote controls also indicate that this room is well used by all!
The Kitchen is Furnished!
The Shaker theme is not even compromised in the kitchen that is furnished with an assortment of kitchen workstations that hide most of the trappings of a modern kitchen. Just as in a Shaker kitchen, the purpose of each piece is to be extremely functional and discretely beautiful. The 29” deep, cherry topped Sink workstation includes an integrated dishwasher and a ceramic apron front sink. Flanking either side of the sink workstation are infill storage pieces and cherry plate racks.
The off-white painted Working Pantry features a marble countertop and is designed as a baking center. The waffle iron, toaster, juicer and the Kitchen Aide mixer are all stored behind bi-fold doors when they are not being used, preserving the simplicity of the pre-industrial Shaker look. The Liebherr (yep, its German, could it be Shaker?) refrigerator hides out in a natural cherry Armoire to the right of the Working Pantry.
The freestanding range features a gas cooktop, a marble countertop and hides an electric oven and exhaust fan and a bunch of spice jars too. The oven does not operate unless the flipper doors that hide it are opened and stored in their pockets. This U.L Listed safety feature is unique to the industry.
Look again! Look at all the personal design touches that furnished kitchens allow. Look at the paintings on the walls and the display opportunities on top of each workstation. Look at all the windows and the natural lighting!
There’s even floor space for the family pets’ feeding station! In a standard kitchen of this size with built-in cabinetry, it is simply impossible to have this much personality.
With most of the conveniences of modern living cleverly tucked away, this Georgia couple found a way to create a home that is truer to a simpler lifestyle. So as they ease into this new lifestyle, and since the end of every fairy tale always insinuates a promising future, they will, of course, live ‘Happily Ever After’!
