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This Rustic Mountain Cabin Is Filled With an Eclectic Mix of Antiques
Salvaged materials and antiques aplenty help this newly built house feel like it’s been sitting pretty for centuries.
Take heed, mountain-dwelling motorists, when Kay Stanley is behind the wheel, she will brake for antiques. “If I see a sign for an antiques store, I pull right over!” says the avid treasure hunter and Spartina 449 lifestyle brand founder. So when Kay set out to create a retreat in Highlands, North Carolina, she naturally filled it with timeworn finds—but she didn’t stop there.
Because the 1880 house that originally sat on Kay’s five acres couldn’t be saved, she wanted to pay homage to the old homestead and other historic structures in the area the best way she could—by building the property almost entirely from wood that had been salvaged from an old mill and several barns. “The goal was to bring back to life the way the property could have looked in 1880,” she says. “We wanted to embrace the feel of this quaint historic mountain town.”
The “we” in this scenario includes architect Stan Dixon, builder Craig Carver, and decorator Carole Weaks. While Stan studied the architecture of the region’s century-old log cabins and Craig searched for rustic reclaimed wood for the inside and out, Carole helped Kay find modern textiles and new upholstered furnishings that would pair perfectly with her eclectic mix of antiques. Now Kay is delighted to share the dreamy setting with guests who happily join her and her dog, Boo, on the back porch. The cocktail of choice? Old-fashioneds, of course.
A New “Old” Exterior
Built new with old wood, Kay Stanley's house was inspired by the charming Joe-Webb built log cabins prevalent in the Highlands, North Carolina area. It's situated on five lush acres overlooking Nantahala National Forest's scenic Horse Cove. Stretching the length of the rustic, reclaimed-wood house is a covered porch where Kay and her guests can often be found.
Beams with a History
To make the house feel like it’s been around since the 1800s and evolved over time, architect Stan Dixon designed the living room as if there had once been a second floor that was removed, leaving only the wood beams crossing the ceiling. Those reclaimed beams came from an 1800s Massachusetts mill and the log skins were salvaged from old barns in the Midwest, while North Carolina stone on the fireplace gives a nod to the home’s location. The palette for the new sofa, chairs, and draperies in the room was inspired by the antique rug Kay found to upholster the ottoman.
Get the Look:
Blanket: by Annie Selke
A Piece of History
Under the stairs, the handmade folk-art inspired desk was crafted by Kay's builder based on a sketch she drew, as well as a photo of a similar desk that has been in her family for more than 100 years. Above, hand-colored lithographs of Native American chief and warrior portraits are displayed.
What is it? What is it Worth: Between 1836 and 1844, McKenney & Hall published a collection of hand-colored lithographs of Native American chief and warrior portraits. The real deals range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on framing, but nice prints can be found for less.
RELATED: 20+ Haul of Fame Appraisals: What Is It? What Is It Worth?
Factory Lighting
Reclaimed wood graces the floor, ceiling, and center of the kitchen, which features a custom island crafted from antique white oak that is paired with rustic, woven-back counter stools. Below are some of Kay's stoneware and Native American baskets. The vintage touches continue with the 1950s industrial pendants that came out of an old factory.
What is it? What is it Worth? On the right you'll see a glazed stoneware water filters that were filled with charcoal for water to pass through during the Victorian period when safe drinking water was not readily available. A desirable item for English households at the time, most fall in the $300 to $600 range today, but those with elaborate decoration can top $1,000.
Reclaimed & Rustic Materials
The kitchen’s rustic cabinets were fabricated with wood reclaimed from an 1800s mill and accented with period-style cast-iron pulls. Kay installed the pot rack above the sink for easy access to cast-iron skillets and other kitchen accessories. The shelves hold antique finds such as stoneware, breadboards, and whiskey jugs.
Get the Look:
Cabinet Pulls: Colonial Iron Bin Pulls from House of Antique Hardware
RELATED: 34 Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas for the Perfect Rustic Vibe
An Antique Base
Kay designed her entire pantry around an antique butcher block. The sconce is an old gas lantern, and around it hangs intricately carved speculaas molds originally used to make the Dutch spiced Christmas cookie of the same name (similar to the German springerle). Molds from the late 1900s can be found for $25 to $50, but earlier examples from the 1800s bring values in the hundreds.
Wares on Display
The pantry's unique plate rack is a vintage piece from England, and here it displays pieces of transferware. English heritage pottery houses like Wedgwood and Spode began mass-producing transferware (so named for its process of transferring an original copper-carved pattern onto the pottery by way of paper) in the late 18th century as an economical alternative to hand-painted dinnerware. Prices range from less than $10 apiece for common patterns such as Blue Willow and up to $500 for much rarer yellow and pink styles.
Folk Art Mantel
The dining room’s carved mantel was made based on an antique version Kay happened upon and adored. “I’d never seen anything like it,” she says, “but it was too small and not up to today’s code.” The vintage oil painting resting above inspired the palette for the rest of the sun-filled space, which includes a circa-1900 Turkish rug and an antique Swedish trestle table surrounded by a collection of reupholstered chairs. The hanging lanterns might look salvaged, but they’re actually newly made. Kay kept them casual by forgoing glass inserts and leaving the sides open.
Quirky Collections
No breed was off-limits for canine lover Kay when amassing her collection of vintage dog paintings and etchings. To make the collection complete, she scouted antiques stores near and far for the hand-carved tramp art frames that encase each one. Inspired by smaller 1800s versions, Kay’s king-size tulip bed was custom-made from ‘Tiger Eye’ maple.
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Blanket: from Garnet Hill
Weathered Just Right
Vintage hand-painted game boards add a playful element to the bedroom. Before Kay rescued the antique bench, it had sat on a porch, weathering in the outdoors. “It’s a little rough,” she says. “Maybe that’s why no one else wanted it!”
RELATED: These Antiquing Tips and Tricks Will Have You Picking Like a Pro
Repurposed Charm
Builder Craig Carver crafted the powder room’s sink from an old metal trough. The sunburst sconces are by a North Carolina-based maker, McLean Lighting Works.
Seasoned Seating
A welcoming setting of antique Adirondack-style twig furniture on the covered porch fits perfectly with the reclaimed wood on the home’s exterior. The traditional hanging lantern, however, is brand-new. “We chose modern conveniences that look appropriate for a log cabin,” says Kay.
Get the Look:
Lantern: French Quarter by Bevolo
Blanket: from Garnet Hill
Meet Kay!
Kay escapes the summer heat and humidity of her home in Bluffton, South Carolina, and heads for the mountains every chance she gets. Her mini Sheepadoodle, Boo, is right there by her side, always with his eyes open for deer.
Up Your Farmhouse Fix
Like peeking inside cozy farmhouses? Check out this antique dealer's farmhouse in Washington state, this new build that embraces old country charm, and this transformation of a cookie cutter suburban home to an authentic farmhouse.
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