A Rustic Craftsman Cottage with Modern Touches

An empty nester enlists the help of a top designer to give his home sophisticated yet charming cottage style that works when he’s living solo, or hosting his family.

A rustic Craftsman cottage with modern touches. That’s what Jack Hodge, the father of three grown daughters, sought for his 1989 Gainesville, Georgia, home. The empty nester enlisted Maggie Griffin, founder and lead designer of Maggie Griffin Design, along with contractor Jon Canada of Canada Builders, to give the residence a cozy vibe that follows you from room to room. The priority aligned perfectly with Maggie’s design philosophy, which is to “create homes that nurture you from the inside out.” By the time she was finished, the home was stylishly refreshed and completely livable. The resulting spaces are expansive for when Jack’s daughters are home, but intimate and cozy for when he has the place to himself. “I wanted to create a home where Jack can feel inspired,” Maggie says. Through beautiful textiles, exquisite color schemes and thoughtful furniture arrangements, the rustic Craftsman cottage embodies a sophisticated spirit that’s apparent from the moment you cross the threshold and stays with you as you venture out into the world.

welcoming entryway to rustic Craftsman cottage with modern touches in Georgia — Rustic Retreat. The home’s entryway is like a calling card to the rest of the residence. Maggie made sure it was welcoming and warm with outdoor spool chairs and plenty of pretty lanterns.

Proportional Design in the Rustic Craftsman Cottage

The main living room beckons right by the entry of the home, inviting you to come and enjoy its stunning proportions and views. Exposed pine beams and large windows pay homage to the natural setting surrounding the home—it’s situated by a small pond and livestock fields with dense woods just behind the residence. A few years ago, Tami Ramsay of Cloth & Kind oversaw a large overhaul of the home, including implementing great fabrics, fun patterns and pretty wall coverings. With those aspects already in place, Maggie sought to refresh the spaces and work within the existing design choices. “In here, we brought in new drapes, a few new pillows, lamps and rearranged the art,” she says. “Since this is the main living room, our goal was to achieve the perfect balance between coziness for when it’s just Jack and spaciousness for when the whole family is home.” Scale was an important consideration for the grand ceilings. Maggie used deep sofas and elegant shades of coral and green to complement the stars of the room: the reclaimed pine beams and stained ceiling.

living room with high wooden ceiling, brick fireplace surround and cozy seating — Soothing Shades. Various shades of oatmeal and natural tones combine in the main living room, along with a few pops of green and coral. “Our goal was to create a comfortable yet elegant space, and the color scheme helps facilitate that,” Maggie says.

A Quaint Cottage Nook

The breakfast nook is part of the eat-in kitchen and is open to the main living room. It provides a casual spot for morning coffee and informal meals. Maggie added draperies to the windows, a custom iron and wood etagere and a layered rug. “The room is a great blend of modern and rustic with interesting patterns, layered textiles and a happy shade of green on the cabinets,” she says. The nook is integrated with the other nearby spaces. A coffered ceiling mimics the pine beams and tongue-and-groove in the living room and the table is situated near the kitchen island, which offers more seating. “This home is a wonderful place to entertain family and friends,” Maggie says. “It was essential to the homeowner that he have plenty of space to fit everyone, be it larger holiday gatherings or simple family dinners.”

covered seating area with fireplace in rustic Craftsman cottage in Georgia — Outdoor Ease. Jack’s home has amazing outdoor entertaining areas. This particular porch is next to the kitchen, near the breezeway from the garage. “Working with Jack’s sofas, we added a few indoor and outdoor pillows from Schumacher, a custom succulent arrangement and lamps from inside,” Maggie says. Guests and family alike can enjoy the fireplace in comfort and style, which Maggie says is “a wonderful feature to have during the fall.”

cushioned porch swing in rustic Georgia setting

Mastery of the Bath

A newly-renovated master bathroom is full of natural light, which imparts an energizing feeling while Jack gets ready for the day. The back wall features a vanity area and is the perfect place to put on shoes in the morning while also allowing extra light into the bathroom. “We chose a hardy, porcelain tile that looks like textured wood for both its durability and matching aesthetic to the home,” Maggie says. “In addition, we went with shiplap to add a little dimension and warmth to the space.” Form and function are found in a dark wood cabinet that sits opposite the dual sinks. “The cabinet is both a beautiful piece of furniture and offers convenient storage with easy-to-open drawers, divided spaces and plenty of room for shirts, sweaters and seasonal clothing,” she says. In order to add color and a treat for bare feet, a rug from Scott’s Antique Market runs down the center of the space. “I was immediately drawn to the rug’s bold colors, rustic feel and dramatic black border,” Maggie says. A painting by Fran Hazel for Caroline Nix Gallery hangs above the cabinet and artfully adds another dash of color to the master bathroom.

With just the right touches, the rustic Craftsman cottage with modern touches is beautifully suited for both the happy bustle of family and the restful peace of empty nesting.