The circa 1800s house named “Come Away” sits at the heart of a 2,900 acre property in Norwood, Georgia, that is thriving with new trees, stocked ponds, and wildlife since being recently restored and repurposed from a commercial hunting and conference center to a family home. “From the moment we first drove up to Come Away, even with the quite literal cobwebs and disrepair, we knew it was something special,” says Jenifer Mills, part of the Atlanta-based HFC Interiors design tea who worked on the project, along with Amberly White and Sarah Craig.
The team spent two years on the thoughtful renovation, with the goal of keeping the structure’s architectural integrity intact. Inside, the star of the house is the wood, specifically rooms full of now-gleaming heart pine on walls and floors. “The heart pine is all original, and it was very important to the client that we didn’t paint it,” says Amberly. “We’re proud of the way the home feels, not too dark, even with the deep mahogany tone throughout.” The original wood was cleaned but didn’t require further treatment—a testament to its attributes as a durable building material.
To complement the rustic backdrop, the design team furnished the house with warm antiques and traditional rugs and fabrics, with the goals of “sophisticated Southern comfort” and honoring the past. Common areas such as the living room and dining room are designed to accommodate large gatherings with plenty of seating. The dining room—seen from the front door—was designed as if it had looked that way forever, with conversation pieces all around, and an ideal set-up for dinner parties. The keeping room off the kitchen, with its leather sofa and big fireplace, serves a more informal function. “The keeping room is full of comfort,” says Amberly. “It’s a place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine by the fire. We love how people can gather in this space, while others cook in the kitchen, all while having conversation and enjoying each other’s company.”
In keeping with the authentic restoration, the kitchen remains in its original footprint but was updated with new cabinetry and layout to make the most of the space. To create a warn mix of finishes, the designers chose a soft gray-green for the cabinets with lighting and hardware spanning a spectrum of antique brass, copper, and bronze tones. Smart storage and planning make the most of the space, with counter stools that can swivel and be part of the keeping room.
Bedrooms have their own star power. The primary bedroom has the cozy factor of heart pine wrapping the room, but the designers chose a botanical fabric for window treatments in blue and taupe to lighten the space—which is also accomplished in a contemporary painting. “The abstract landscape art gives a soft visual break from the heart pine, and a slight juxtaposition to the dark room that feels just right,” says Amberly. A guest bedroom in an added cottage has been dubbed the Honeymoon Suite for its inviting interiors: natural light dances across the four-poster bed, with a mix of furnishings that the designers call English countryside-meets-Georgia farm. The house also features back-to-back bedrooms with twin beds and an understated elegance with textural wall coverings and a relaxing brown-taupe palette.
With the transformation complete, the owners’ big, blended family from Augusta relishes the renovated house and property as a personal retreat. The family recently hosted a son’s wedding, and they’ve welcomed guests throughout the year to enjoy outdoor activities. “Come Away has not only been restored but has also taken on a new life,” says Jenifer. “The husband wanted it to be a place for friends and family to relax, unwind, and recharge, and he also did extensive work on the grounds. It’s now truly rekindling the beautiful relationship between the dwelling and the land.”
