Looking for design inspiration? If you’re local, or not too far away from Franklin, head on over to the O’More College of Design Show House located at 1006 West Main St., in Franklin, Tennessee. The Craftsman-style home boasts beautifully designed rooms from some of the top designers in the south, including yours truly, City Farmhouse. We designed the front porch, and the potting shed. But, I can’t take all the credit. We couldn’t have pulled it off without the help of my good friend, Erin Anderson. Erin is an expert gardener and artist and it was her brilliant idea to line the railing of the front porch with 35 white potted geraniums. David whipped up the flower boxes to hold them and the O’More staff has told me that we have been a show favorite!! Whoo Hooo – makes us proud!!
We designed the front porch of the O'More Show House as an extended living space where a family could hang out and entertain.
All you Southerners know porch sitting is an art here in the South, so I had the craftsmen at Four Oak Design in Montgomery, Alabama build a custom bed swing as the focal point of the porch. We found the perfect room-size indoor/outdoor rug in shades of gray, and tan and two slipper-style chairs in a beautiful soft, muted print to complete the look. Surrounded by plants in vintage pots, the porch is a dreamy place where a family can entertain or just hang out together.
In the potting shed we hung an early 1900s bakers cupboard to hold planting necessities. It's aged patina adds a time-worn feel to the space.
Out in the potting shed we created our canvas using a Sherwin Williams Romaine Green paint, then added vintage furnishings and accessories like an old potting bench and an early 1900s bakers cupboard to create a usable space that also has my signature Farmhouse style. The old cupboard has just the right look and is perfect for storing a collection of vintage gardening books among other planting necessities. Rounding out the room is a beautiful oil on canvas that Erin created for the space, more vintage pieces like the old bookcase turned hanging wall shelf and a repurposed art project mimicking a young girl made from 1800s corbels.
Artist Erin Anderson created a beautiful summer meadow painting to add a sophisticated flair to the gardening spot.
To add an interesting element to the window we opted for a natural branch found in the yard over a traditional curtain rod.
You can visit the Show House through May 27th from 10AM to 4PM Tuesday through Saturday, and on Sundays from noon to 4PM. For those who can’t make it during the day, the home is open late on Thursdays till 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and all of the proceeds go to the O’More College of Design, one of the top design schools in the U.S., located right here in Franklin.
Until next time… happy pickin!
