A family of five blends comfort and style in this charming cottage that easily mixes cherished heirloom furnishings with fun, new finds.
Homeowners Will and Kathryn McCraney knew they loved their 1921 Mississippi cottage before they even moved in. “When we were still in graduate school, I walked by the house and told the people who lived there, ‘If you ever sell your house call me,’” Kathryn says. “They called two days later!” The McCraneys have since created an inviting home with charming curb appeal that is carried throughout the cottage’s interior.
Layered in a crisp palette of white, the McCraney home offers a family-friendly environment by pulling in cherished heirlooms and handmade pieces that add loads of warmth and a personal touch. “I think if you love your house you can put your personality into it, and my personality is a little bit old and a little bit new,” Kathryn says.
Decorator Lynn Myers encouraged Kathryn to add the vibrant lime green banquette to her sleek, white kitchen. Without that encouragement, Kathryn says she probably would have gone for an all-white space, but with a family of five and lots of pets, the McCraneys needed the high-traffic area to be both functional and forgiving of everyday messes. The breakfast nook is accented with acrylic chairs and framed bird prints that were a Christmas gift from her husband, Will.
The McCraneys’ cottage effortlessly blends new, modern pieces with family antiques. And that transitional style mirrors the essence of their home. When a decorator helped them renovate nearly 15 years ago, it was important for them to stay true to the character of the cottage while adding some contemporary amenities. “The best help you can get is someone who doesn’t tell you to buy everything new and just start over,” Kathryn says. “Some things certainly need to be retired, but I think a good decorator will help you incorporate what you already have, rather than tell you everything needs to be new.”
Southern Style
Blending cherished heirlooms with new-found elements is an essential aspect of Southern style.
In the master bedroom, Kathryn opted for an accent wall of wallpaper. “I feel like you get a lot of bang for your buck to do the wallpaper versus a piece of artwork,” she says of her bedroom’s focal point. “I love the cleanness of the white and the gold.” The en suite master bath is drenched in creamy whites that use the room’s natural light to create a tranquil setting that feels larger than it is.
Get inspired with out Southern Cottage Special Issue!
