This Family Built Their Dream Farmhouse on Georgia's Vernon River

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

For some families—especially those with two boys and an adventurous, outdoorsy bent—squeezing into a two-bedroom house with a cramped kitchen (and a single bath!) is an experience to be endured for the briefest possible period. But for accessories designer Winslett Watson; her husband, Justin; and their two sons, Whit and Haddon, the nine years they spent in a fishing cottage (a 1930s number on a gorgeous waterfront parcel on the south side of Savannah) were the perfect testing ground to learn what they wanted in a forever home.
“Our time there taught us a lot of lessons—in organization, for one,” Winslett jokes. “We also found that we don’t want to live in a giant house, hibernating in our own separate spaces. We love being together.”
So when the Watsons were ready to draft the plans for their dream home, finding the sweet spot between spreading out and staying close was key. The family enlisted a like-minded husband-and-wife architect team, Nathan and Liane Brock of Wiregrass Studio, to conceive a functional and reasonably sized home that prioritized togetherness and a sense of place over sprawling suites and spare rooms.

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Finally Home

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

“In terms of space, our plan was all about quality over quantity,” says Liane, who guided the Watsons toward their 2,600-square-foot home. “We’d trim a few square feet in one spot to buy a window that would make the whole room feel larger, and we shifted the resources from underutilized areas to the big wraparound porch that’s enjoyed every day.”

The result is an airy, open space with elements borrowed from farmhouse styles and Lowcountry architecture alike—and it’s packed with plenty of smart storage solutions to boot. See how this tight-knit family found their perfect home fit.

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Open for Visitors

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

While the exterior borrows from farmhouse traditions, homeowner Winslett Watson’s vision for the low-slung silhouette of the brick-lined porch drew from the design of the May River Chapel in nearby Bluffton, South Carolina. There are two brick steps all the way around. “We wanted our home to feel accessible,” she says.

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Focus on the Main Attraction

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

“We keep the outdoors a focal point even when we’re inside,” says Winslett. When you walk into the house, you can see straight through to the river.

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Aim High

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

To give the living and dining area an expansive feeling, the Brocks opened up the space with a vaulted ceiling and dormer windows. V-groove paneling reinforces the upward emphasis. “Lighting is like the jewelry of the house,” Winslett says, and she accessorized hers with a trove of Circa lighting, scored at a deep discount at the brand’s annual warehouse sale in Savannah.

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Fill the Space

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

A grid of poster-size prints (hung above the fireplace and the built-in television cabinet) emphasize the walls’ height. “I love the scale of those prints,” Winslett says.

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Live Beyond the Walls

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

Justin’s job as owner of the local Mosquito Authority means that the windows and doors stay open all the time, particularly in the kitchen. “We wanted it to be easily accessible to the porch for serving food and drinks,” says Winslett. She created a pass-through station with an L-shaped bank of Marvin casement windows and soapstone countertops indoors and out.

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The Scenic Route

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

Looking to highlight a view? These dark window grilles visually “disappear” to show off the Vernon River better.

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Raise the Bar

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

The family’s full-service approach to entertaining extends beyond the kitchen. “Our friends know that right when they come over, we’ll offer them a glass of wine or a cocktail,” says Winslett, who had a pocket window installed between her wet bar and the wide-open living room for easy access. To heighten the space’s visibility, it’s painted a deep blue, Naval (SW 6244) by Sherwin-Williams, and the framed textiles are experiments from her own line of clothing and home goods, Lettees.

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Level Up

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

The Watsons offset their wraparound wall of windows and doors with a bank of built-ins to handle the family’s storage needs. The cleverly designed shelves display their extensive book collection along with sentimental keepsakes. A rolling library ladder delivers accessibility, some whimsy, and a sense of motion.

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Stage a Studio Space

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

Initially, the area above the kitchen was meant to house a mechanical closet, but Winslett gave it a more fulfilling purpose—as a small place (8 by 16 feet) where she can paint. “Since you have to climb the library ladder to get up here, I don’t have a lot of visitors,” she says happily.

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Relish the Outdoors

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

“This is truly our ‘den,’ ” Winslett says. “We live here, especially around the fireplace.” She outfitted the area with inviting pieces: bamboo and rattan furniture (inherited from her great-aunt and reupholstered with outdoor fabric) and an indestructible table (snagged for $10 at a thrift sale). Justin and his uncle made the heart-pine mantel over the tabby-and-brick fireplace.

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Set for Company

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

The large round table on the porch and multiple bar stools along the outdoor counter are perfect for accommodating extra-large groups for the Watsons' monthly supper club, fall football parties and oyster roasts, and holiday feasts. “Only in extreme cases of heat or cold, windy weather do we move the party indoors,” Winslett says.

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Settle In For Sweet Dreams

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

A Pottery Barn canopy bed is the center of gravity for the intentionally scaled-down master bedroom; it’s flanked by a pair of mismatched side tables Winslett has creatively repurposed in a handful of homes since her grad school days at SCAD. She taps into the rich local creative community for much of the artwork that hangs in her home, including the colorful landscape by painter Bellamy Murphy above her bed. Naps take place on a custom-built daybed on the screened sleeping porch.

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Save Space for a Retreat

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

“I love my bathroom,” Winslett says. “After sharing a bathroom with three boys for nine years, it is my retreat.” To create a spa-like feel that still reads as warm and personal, Winslett opted for a free-standing cast-iron tub and traded her plantation shutters for a hand-carved antique privacy screen from India.

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Allow Room to Grow

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

Winslett designed the boys’ beds—space-saving superstars with built-in reading lights and pullout trundles.

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This Family Built Their Dream Farmhouse on Georgia's Vernon River

1 of 15

Finally Home

1 of 15

2 of 15

Open for Visitors

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3 of 15

Focus on the Main Attraction

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4 of 15

Aim High

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5 of 15

Fill the Space

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Live Beyond the Walls

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The Scenic Route

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8 of 15

Raise the Bar

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Level Up

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Stage a Studio Space

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11 of 15

Relish the Outdoors

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Set for Company

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Settle In For Sweet Dreams

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Save Space for a Retreat

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Allow Room to Grow

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