Horse Stable Turned Cottage

By Susan Stiles Dowell
August 24, 2012
Laurey W. Glenn
For Charleston, South Carolina, Designer Missi Ervin and homeowner Sam Cato, renovating a former horse stable and carriage house in Aiken meant returning the historic cottage to its equestrian roots.
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Horse Stable Exterior

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The soft gray color of the house's weathered cedar shingles inspired the interior's neutral palette.

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Living Room

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A leather tufted ottoman and mohair on the sofas "wear like iron"—a plus considering Sam has five dogs, including Patch, the Jack Russell terrier shown here.

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Kitchen

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A rustic farm table takes the place of a central island in the kitchen, giving Sam a spot for casual meals.

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Custom Details

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

"I was tired of the look of white or stainless steel," says Sam about her choice of a gray farm sink.

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Eclectic Decor

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

An antique Welsh cupboard holds a taxidermy hen and rooster, china, art, and a collection of woven baskets.

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Collectables

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Sam loves to collect tortoiseshell boxes from domestic sources. (Importing them is illegal.)

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Stable

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The horse stalls are off the kitchen, making a daily ride part of life here.

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Dining Room

Laurey W. Glenn

The European oak floors look old but are actually new from Bois Chamois (boischamois.com). The company distresses flooring to resemble reclaimed wood.

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Guest Room

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Ninety yards of Gastón y Daniela's equestrian toile was paper-backed to hang as a wallcovering. The floors are painted Linen White by Benjamin Moore.

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Accent Pieces

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Found feathers fill Sam's late husband's silver sailing trophy.

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Master Bedroom

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A robin's egg blue in the linen curtains inspired the wall color, Silver Ash by Martin-Senour Paints.

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Street View

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Sam and Brumby walk the road past her shingle-style home. Aiken has preserved its signature dirt roads for horse-friendly traffic.

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Must Love Dogs

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Dog collectibles, including a doorknocker and tiny statues, are displayed throughout the house.

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By Susan Stiles Dowell