Home Tour: Countryside-Inspired Estate in Fort Mill, South Carolina
Refined, country living in Fort Mill, South Carolina. This Southern Living featured home is now for sale.
Last week I toured a countryside estate just about 30 minutes from me in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The property sits on over 6 acres and is affectionally named Briar Farm after the original owners 13 year old black lab.
Briar Farm is in a small town outside of Charlotte and has recently become home to my parents and sister as well. So when I had the opportunity to tour this one-of-a-kind English farmhouse style home, I couldn't pass it up. The builder and architect touched the home with layers upon layers -- going over the top with details from the wide mortar between the stones to the cedar shake roof.
Inside, the home felt open and large with a generous amount of natural light. The kitchen had a paneled refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher and the range served as a focal point adjacent to a large bay of windows looking out to the pea gravel driveway and property. One thing that stood out to my inside was the use of tongue and groove panels on the walls which is perfect for high traffic areas since it doesn't dent when sports equipment, luggage and other things accidentally knock it. The side entrance mudroom is designed like something out of a Garden & Gun magazine and the homeowners love for vintage Land Rovers and a classic lifestyle is evident throughout the property. It's one of those "pinch me" properties that fully embodies a lifestyle that feels refined, luxurious and yet simple.
I hope you enjoy my home tour with New Old Custom Homes in Fort Mill, South Carolina. For more on the home, head over to Instagram here. And if you're in the market for a livable country estate close to shops and restaurants, Briar Farm is now for sale.
The exterior paint color is Sherwin Williams Oyster White.
Thanks for coming along with me to Briar Farm -- I hope you could feel the rustic warmth of the home with all of its architectural details and easy living. I was so honored to have the opportunity to tour it.
In case you missed it, the exterior paint color is Oyster White by Sherwin Williams. I get asked about paint colors all the time and while they aren't always available, I put together a blog post on non-white paint colors that add charm and character. It's all from homes that I've toured over the years -- and so good.
Roof Types and Materials That Elevate Your Home’s Curb Appeal
A roof does so much more than keep the rain out—it’s often the first thing that catches your eye, the detail that sets the tone for the entire home.
A roof does so much more than keep the rain out—it’s often the first thing that catches your eye, the detail that sets the tone for the entire home. Over the years, I’ve noticed certain roofs that make a front facade truly sing, whether through texture, color, or just the way they complement the architecture. Here are some thoughts on slate, cedar and metal roofs!
The Charm of Cedar Shakes
Cedar feels softer, more organic. There’s something about its warm tones and how it weathers over time that makes a home feel lived-in and loved. It adds a natural, approachable beauty that suits traditional, coastal, and cottage-style homes alike.
The Quiet Statement of Metal
Metal roofs have quietly become a favorite of mine. Lightweight, durable, and long-lasting, they’re a practical choice that can also make a design statement. I especially love using metal for additions or standalone structures like garages—it pairs beautifully with the main home while standing up to the elements with minimal maintenance.
The Durability of Clay
Clay tiles bring a completely different kind of character. Their warm, earthy colors and sculptural forms make a home feel distinctive. Clay is durable and long-lasting, and it’s a nice way to introduce color and an unexpected design element.
Faux and composite shingles have become increasingly common, offering the appearance of slate or cedar without the same weight or cost. For some homes, they may make sense—but they also raise an interesting question about how closely materials can mimic the real thing and whether it's a good alternative to asphalt roof shingles. What do you think? Hear what others are saying and share your own thoughts here.
At the end of the day, the right roof is about more than materials—it’s about character, proportion, and how it makes a house feel like home. The roofs that have caught my eye over the years aren’t just practical; they make a statement, invite a second look, and tie everything together.
Home Tour: See inside designer Kate Figler's personality-packed Nashville home
Interior designer Kate Figler graciously welcomed us into her 1945 Nashville home — designed by beloved architect Edwin Keeble — for a picture-perfect tour. If you think the outside is charming, just wait until you explore the interiors.TKTKT
This home tour is presented by Tuckernuck, a brand both Kate and I adore — and now even more because they offer the same quality and style for the home! You can shop our exact looks and Kate's fabulous fall tablescape directly in this post.
Interior designer Kate Figler graciously welcomed us into her 1945 Nashville home — designed by beloved architect Edwin Keeble — for a picture-perfect tour. If you think the outside is charming, just wait until you explore the interiors.
The house color is Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois OC-13 and the shutters are a true black like Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10. The roof existed before Kate made the home her own, but its similar to GAF’s Charcoal color for its asphalt shingle lines.
"I love its classic Cape style exterior as well as the charm of its interior architectural details like the curved entry staircase and the low archway leading into our powder bath," Kate says of her stylish home.
Let's step inside that iconic entryway, painted in Benjamin Moore Tissue Pink 1163. The powder room was like a secret hideaway dressed in Scalamandre Raphael Green wallpaper.
Original charm is abundant, and Kate’s designer eye is showcased in every room. From the original curved staircase to the Dutch door in the dining room, it’s easy to get lost in this enchanting and large family home.
This family den is painted in Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue HC-156.
I really admire Kate's ability to work with a lot of color, texture and pattern while keeping the space feeling timeless and edited. This living space for example, features a durable textured rug, a deep cozy sectional and fun botanical prints. "The color palette throughout our home also feels very joyful and like a true expression of our family. Every room is bright, comfortable and approachable — all our furniture is meant to be cuddled up on and lived in," Kate says.
One of my favorite rooms in the house is the dining room. Can you imagine the dinner parties? Swoon.
The walls are covered a beautiful purple wallpaper by House of Harris. I love how the Tuckernuck fall home finds pull in some of those plums, purples and browns. The florals are grounded with tortoise tumblers and rattan placemats. The chairs keep the room comfortable.
The kitchen has the most gorgeous wall of windows, making the space feel bright and open. The runner really ties in the color you see throughout the rest of the home. The kitchen walls and cabinets are painted in one of our all-time favorite, classic paint colors: Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17.
These pantry doors come with the most precious story. The previous homeowners marked their kids' heights on the original pantry and asked to keep them. Kate had these new doors made and went with a purple fabric to tie in the happy hue from the rest of her house.
Kate's layering skills are on full displace in the bedrooms. The canopy over the bed totally transforms the room.
Each corner of Kate's home is so well thought out. There's a careful balance between comfort and style that makes it an ideal Garden & Grace home tour.
To maximize utility for their family home, Kate recently added a walkway, drop zone and a garage with guest quarters above. I love this solution for older homes that sometimes lack the storage family's today crave. While this space is still in-progress, I just couldn't help but show it! Imagine the new exterior of the walkway with boxwoods and hydrangeas. Landscaping went in shortly after my tour!
For more on this home, visit Instagram and the longer version home tour on YouTube coming Thursday, 10/17. Hope you enjoyed this home as much as I did! Special thank you to Kate Figler for opening her home and Tuckernuck for sponsoring it.
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& for the table
Home Tour: This North Carolina Home is Abundant with Timeless Beauty
It’s hard to believe we’re settling into the last few months of the year. And as the leaves begin to fall, it’s actually the perfect time to start thinking about your 2025 garden. Here's what the pros from our Garden & Grace directory suggest.
This summer we took you on a tour of Kate Morrison's storied Concord, North Carolina garden. She's the owner of Eastover Collection, where she designs custom planters, garden accents and window boxes. Lucky for us, her timeless taste is just as present inside her home as it is throughout her garden designs.
Let us show you around her thoughtful, classic home.
Moving through Kate's home, you feel a sense of ease and delight. I think that has a lot to do with the gentle blue and green color pallet and the emphases on floral textiles and botanicals throughout.
The foyer welcomes you with Benjamin Moore's Woodlawn Blue. Farrow and Ball Chappell Green, used in the small hallway leading to the guest room, is a beautiful blend of blue and green.
She balances the soft colors and patterns with strong moldings, clean lines and detailed millwork. No room shows this balance better than the kitchen. It's incredibly charming, and I love the use of Sherwin Williams' Downy on the cabinets and Calacatta Borghini Extra countertops. These elements bring so much warmth to this inviting space. Instead of canned lights, the kitchen is accented with these beautiful flush mount lights for a more elevated look.
One of my favorite rooms in the house is the scullery. I love the utility of a workspace, sequestered from your entertaining spaces. Kate's is filled with ample storage and style. The cabinets are painted in Mizzle, a soft gray-green by Farrow and Ball.
In our first tour with Kate this summer, she told us she always wants her guests to feel relaxed and happy. That's apparent in each room of her home. The artwork, paneling and rolled-arm silhouettes make this living space feel sophisticated, while the conversational setup and soft layers feel inviting.
Kate's garden is one of our favorite spaces to date, and her planters and obelisks are part of what makes it so special.
Craving more inspiration? See our previous home tour with a Charlotte artist who's not afraid of color and personality-packed rooms.
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Curb Appeal: Discover the Architectural Beauty of Nashville
These striking homes are just a handful of the many charming homes that grace the winding streets of Nashville and its surrounding areas.
I was recently in Nashville for an opportunity to shoot a home tour that I can't wait to share with you. When I travel, I have a habit of strolling through the city's most established neighborhoods. The treasures I find often stop me in my tracks and I can't help but take a photo. Nashville was no exception to this tradition—I was totally charmed by its traditional Southern architecture, with homes old and new.
With their rolling estates, long gravel driveways and mature landscaping, these character-filled Nashville homes made the most gracious first impressions. Take a stroll with me.
The leaves starting to change color frame this traditional painted brick home perfectly.
I love how the double staircase entry mirrors the shape of the circular driveway.
Every time I look at this photo I appreciate something different, from the stone facade to the shingled roof to that enviable front door.
Have you ever seen a garage with so much character? The arched garage doors, climbing ivy and cupola perched right on top? Swoon.
Even the street signs in Nashville are charming. I love the horse detail here.
I love the scale, light blue front door and porte-cochère here.
A true storybook cottage, I just love the green peeping through.
What other cities do you want to stroll through with us? We've done Charlotte, North Carolina and Birmingham, Alabama so far. Tell us in an email.
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10 Classic Front Door Colors
Picking the perfect paint color for your front door is a tough choice—here are 10 designer-loved options.
Find the perfect shade of paint for your front door is a tough choice, but you can't go wrong with a black front door on a traditional white exterior, Interior designer Morgan Britt Howard tells Garden & Grace.
"However, lately I have been drawn to a tone on tone look," Morgan says. Start with a taupe like Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter for the exterior, and use Clary Sage by Sherwin Williams for a pop of tonal color.
If you're looking for more inspiration, here are eight other front door paint colors that are sure to give your curb appeal a boost.
Everything about this Isle of Hope estate we featured on the blog earlier this summer is a dream. But if there's one thing to copy in your own home, the front door is it. The front door (Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Grey) has a jewel-like hue to it, beautifully dressed in bespoke brass knobs by Wilmette Hardware.
The 2019 Southern Living Showhouse still inspires us five years later. The design team went with Sherwin-Williams' Blustery Sky for the antique front door—a preview of the old-meets-new charm to come.
Remember when Morgan told us you can't go wrong with a black front door? This home by Chauncy Boothby Interiors is all the proof you need. She used Farrow & Ball Pitch Black—a truly timeless choice.
Another tonal pairing, Cover Me in Ivy captured this Atlanta home with Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee Revere Pewter on the shutters and front door for a traditional look.
This deep, midnight blue (Farrow and Ball Hague Blue 30) is so sophisticated. I love how it reads nearly black in this lighting.
Farrow and Ball Vardo is a whimsical choice for bringing your front door to life—just as Kristina Phillips did here.
This sweet front door is painted in Benjamin Moore's Sugarcane. I love how it breaks up the white but still plays like a neutral here.
You may have seen this one on Garden & Grace before—we just can't get enough. The brick is painted in Benjamin Moore Natural Cream, the perfect backdrop for the Tarrytown Green front door.
The perfect way to accessorize your front door is with a tailored boxwood wreath and statement door knocker. Shop our favorite picks below!
Walk With Us Through Beautiful Charlotte North Carolina
These new builds and renovated homes are just a handful of the many charming homes that grace the winding streets of Birmingham and its surrounding areas.
I was lucky enough to grow up in Charlotte, and while plenty has changed, the tree-lined streets, lush lawns and beautiful examples of classic, Southern architecture continue to make this place feel like home.
Charlotte's oldest neighborhoods are now filled with a mix of original and new builds. I always appreciate when homeowners find ways to maintain their home's original architectural charm.
The patina on this stately brick home makes it feel grounded and elegant all at once.
The facade of this home has been recently refreshed, and we love how timeless the finishes are.
You may have seen this classic Charlotte adobe on the Garden & Grace Instagram a time or two. It always stops me in my tracks. I love the winding sidewalk up the front door.
This painted brick beauty was featured in our August Home Edit—and for good reason. The gentle arch of greenery over one window and slight asymmetry is so charming.
You'll find quite a bit of painted brick in Charlotte—which we love—so there's something refreshing about seeing it exposed here. The Juliet balcony and deep navy front door dress it up just right.
No surprise—I'm totally charmed by the use of green here.
Have you ever seen a sweeter storybook home? The twin clay chimney pots are delightful.
I love a lime wash, especially paired with such classic shutter paint colors.
I love how the glass front door brings a slightly modern touch to this classic brick home. The limestone surround and gas lantern give it a traditional frame.
Looking for more Southern architecture? Stroll through Birmingham, Alabama with us.