When Jennifer and Dave Dawson spotted a circa-1800s farmhouse on 50 lush acres in the alpine vacationland of Cashiers, North Carolina, it felt like a proverbial breath of fresh air—plus a dream getaway for their two adventurous boys, James and Jack. But, at 1,200 square feet, the house was a matchbox, with only one full bathroom and a powder room so teensy they’d taken to calling it the “chamber pot.”
So the couple—the aesthetic masterminds and owners of Charleston, SC–based Urban Electric Co.—set about maximizing every square inch, while preserving the storied bones they fell in love with. To make the compact home feel bigger, they painted most walls and ceilings white, putting the focus on the verdant grounds lush with hydrangeas, peonies, and ferns beyond the windows.
They didn’t let the tight quarters cramp their style either. Designer Kate Towill of Basic Projects assisted them in adding mixed-and-matched finds to create collected, but not cluttered, layers throughout. Despite the petite footprint, it turns out a modest mountain cottage filled with well-loved wares provides ample breathing— and living—room. “We feel like we have everything,” says Dave.
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