Take a Peek Inside the Stunning Tennessee Barn Home of Country Superstar Ronnie Dunn
The Brooks & Dunn superstar opens the doors of his country retreat.
Barn doors. Poplar paneling. Ropes galore. Think it sounds cliché? Not so fast. Brooks & Dunn singer Ronnie Dunn's Tennessee retreat hits all the right notes.
Ronnie Dunn is not one to rush things. The country music star (he's half of Grammy-winning duo Brooks & Dunn) looked for years to find the perfect property where he could pursue the outdoor activities he loves: fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. When he came across 600 acres outside of Nashville, he knew he'd (finally!) found his spot. "It has huge bluffs and ponds, and Big Turnbull creek cuts through. It was the kind of geographic drama I'd been searching for," says Ronnie.
Raising the Barn
Ronnie and his wife, Janine, relax on their spacious porch with their Rottweiler, Anna, and miniature schnauzer, Jackson.
Exterior
Instead of building the home in one fell swoop, Ronnie let the structure—and its purpose—evolve over time. "The original idea was to build a tractor shed," explains Ronnie. "But then I got to thinking it would be nice to have a place to socialize. And cook. And spend the night. From there I just started having fun with it!" The result: a 44-foot-wide x 88-foot-long barn-inspired structure with four bedrooms, two baths, and one large open living space.
Living Room
When building "the barn," as Ronnie calls it, his first objective was to highlight the surrounding natural beauty. Though barns are traditionally without windows, Ronnie's interpretation features large ones (some are 10 feet tall), which allow the sweeping views to be an integral part of the design. The towering white wingbacks and impressive antler chair demonstrate the home's cozy-and-inviting meets rough-and-tough aesthetic. The corner table (far right) was a wedding gift from June Carter and Johnny Cash.
Kitchen
Ronnie enlisted Nashville designer Rachel Halvorson to add a layer of refinement to the rustic home. First up: the kitchen, where an abundance of moody gray cabinetry, limestone countertops, and stainless steel appliances add luxe elements to the rough-hewn space. There, Rachel also introduced a key part of her design for the house: light fixtures that up the wow factor in each room. Starting with three 16" polished nickel pendants, she designed a custom pulley framework using barnwood and steel. The final product is a sleek showpiece that can hold its own above the 13-foot-long kitchen island. To maximize function in the kitchen, one half of the island contains a series of baskets and bins; the other half has an additional work surface mounted with coasters to roll away when not in use.
Get the look:
Light fixture: 3-pendant with wood and nickel for a similar look
RELATED: Our Best Kitchen Island Ideas for Kitchens Large and Small
Home Bar
With designer Rachel Halvorson's help, Ronnie designed a 13-foot-tall limestone-backed bar.
RELATED: For more bar design inspiration, check out 20+ Home Bar Design Ideas.
Stair Nook
When it came to building materials, Ronnie opted for hardy, can-take-a-beating options in keeping with the barn aesthetic. "My goal was to make it as utilitarian as possible," he says. "I tried to choose things that felt at home in the country—nothing too delicate." Among those selections: 12-inch-wide white oak plank floors secured with vintage square-head nails and poplar paneling in varying widths hung vertically and painted a creamy white to create an airy ambience that accentuates the soaring 25-foot ceilings.
Bedroom
Throughout, Rachel maintained the laid-back, no-fuss atmosphere by keeping the palette neutral and focusing on organic textures (lots of linen and rope) and raw materials (metal, wood, and stone). In the bedroom, an antique barn door track gets a second life as a picture rail above the tufted burlap headboard.
RELATED: Our Best Farmhouse Bedroom Ideas For Your Cozy Retreat
Guest Bedroom
A novel rope bed, also designed by Rachel, anchors the guest bedroom. Accented with a blue-and-white Swiss cross blanket, a seagrass rug, and a hanging tobacco basket, the room is full-on country without feeling too theme-y. Ample ivory curtains complete the look by framing the outdoor scenery and adding just the right amount of feminine flair. A warm putty-hued ceiling (the only non-white wall or ceiling in the house) completes the cozy effect.
Get the look:
Bed: Hanging Rope Bed for a similar look
Blanket: Navy and White Swiss Cross blanket for a similar look
Upstairs Hallway
In the upstairs hallway, sliding barn doors with a traditional Z-brace frame complete the bucolic vibe. Opposite the series of five doors, is a prized ca.-1896 American flag bearing 45 stars.
Bathroom
The barn door theme continues in an unexpected spot: a shower stall! Just outside, a towel bar hangs from two ropes and large baskets keep extra towels at hand under the antique table-turned-vanity.
Get the look:
Towel bar: Rope Towel Ring for similar look
Baskets: Seagrass Storage Baskets from Pottery Barn for similar look
Tour More Music Stars' Homes!
•See Inside Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins's Party Barn
•Sheryl Crow's Amazing Nashville Property Is a Junker's Paradise
•Tour Grammy-Winning Singer-Songwriter Chris Tomlin’s Serene Cabin in Tennessee
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