From state parks, nature centers, and a botanical garden to visual arts centers and historic monuments, Gainesville, GA, has scenery in spades. Not to be confused with the town in Florida of the same name, this Gainesville is a significantly less-populated area that boasts that wonderfully charming Southern small-town feel. It even earned the moniker “Hospitality Capital of the World” when it hosted the 1996 Olympic rowing and kayaking events. Situated by Lake Lanier at the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, Gainesville offers a heavily wooded area with outdoor adventure, water recreation galore, and homes worth putting on your radar.
One such home on the Gainesville outskirts is an impeccable example of the area’s diverse architectural style. Designed by interior designer Maggie Griffin, the nearly 4,000-square-foot home is nestled on 20 acres of peaceful rolling land in Hall County. Overlooking a pond surrounded by tall pines, it’s a tribute to Gainesville’s meld of Southern charm and outdoor influence.
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Welcome to Gainesville, GA!
Colorful and layered with a hint of masculinity, this stunning residence is built on a quiet piece of land. The aesthetic boasts cozy exterior spaces, a stone fireplace, and a carefully curated art collection that the homeowner procured himself. Maggie and her design team joined the project during the second phase of the home’s renovation, bringing beauty and thoughtful details to the as-yet-untouched areas such as the bedrooms, master bath, and living room. More importantly, they helped create seamless transitions from one room to the next through a style that one might fondly refer to as “woodsy chic.”
“It’s elevated but still a bachelor pad,” jokes Maggie. “I was contacted by the homeowner several years ago. He’s a father of three adult daughters and wanted them to have space to stay and bring their friends — something a little more pulled together. The home is decidedly rustic and woodsy but with high-end finishes. It makes use of several patios, outdoor spaces, and porches. Our most recent time working together was for the master bathroom renovation.” Additionally, the client gave Maggie the room to “do her thing,” stepping back and letting the magic happen.
The result was nothing short of spectacular. Working on and off with the project for about two years, the Maggie Griffin Design team created a nature-inspired aesthetic that merges older vintage pieces with modern art and fabrics. To achieve the right look, Maggie also employed a color scheme that includes greens, blues, and earth tones galore — just the right shades to honor the Gainesville landscape. “The exterior is very natural with lots of trees and overhang that give shade to the house tucked into the woods,” Maggie tells us. The interior certainly picks up on this element, offering various materials such as wood ceiling beams, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and plenty of space that capitalizes on the timbered view.
Gorgeous vaulted and beamed ceilings draw attention to the rustic living room fireplace.
An open floor plan allows for easy access from one room to the next, seamlessly connecting the kitchen, dining room, and living room. “The foyer is open to the second-level landing,” says Maggie. “The home office is on the right, leading to the dining room. The living room is sunken into the middle of the home, with the porches, breakfast area, and kitchen off of that. The master suite is tucked on the far left, so it’s pretty private. The upstairs has two rooms with two baths.”
“The wood tones keep it all cozy,” says Maggie of the home’s palette. “The dining room packs a punch with the tone-on-tone decor, but the black and white chairs keep things fun! The rugs in the house are all antique, and I feel they really ground everything.” Indeed, the spacious open floor plan combined with cozy details makes for the perfect juxtaposition — the ideal spot for everyday living and entertaining guests. “On those perfect spring evenings and cool fall mornings, the doors can all be opened, creating the loveliest flow through the entertaining areas,” Maggie explains. “The homeowner loves to entertain and always has great gatherings at the house.”
A close-up of the dining room offers a glimpse of classic style, made cozier with an area rug and fabric-covered end chairs from Anthropologie.
Greenery adds warmth and depth to the dining space.
With a nod to French country, the kitchen features an island with ample space for dinner prep and a beamed ceiling that picks up the living room aesthetic. (Check out the sweet pup relaxing beneath the island!)
The dining room boasts beautifully upholstered chairs, a sturdy table, and mood lighting. A grasscloth wallcovering from Thibaut adds texture and depth.
This bedroom is delightful, with its carefully thought-out design that picks up the exterior greenery.
The master bath wows with its extended counter space and built-in desk space. “We kept the renovation of the master bath in the same design of the home with rustic touches but high-end finishes,” Maggie tells us. The rug, from Looms and Lighting, is particularly eye-catching and offsets tile from Gainesville Flooring.
Perhaps one of the most eye-catching features of the home is its exterior vignettes — intimate spaces for sunset-viewing, watching leaves fall to the forest floor, and sipping a glass of wine as the autumn chill rolls in. Comfortable chairs flank the front entryway, a built-in porch banquette offers a spot to curl up with a good book, and a swing lends itself to an afternoon nap in the sunshine. A covered deck with a fireplace provides a dedicated space for outdoor living, complete with a stone fireplace, plush couches, and a view of the wooded expanse.
An open porch makes seasonal gatherings a must! Comfy couches from RH add to the chic and cozy space.
A comfortable enclave with fabric-covered built-in benches is the ideal spot for a glass of wine.
The wooded 20-acre expanse offers a beautiful backdrop for morning coffee on the front porch swing.
All images courtesy of Brian Bieder.
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