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The night after she toured the lake house at The Inn at Serenbe for the first time, Jaimee Seabury couldn’t sleep. “I woke up at 3 a.m. and started the concepts for each room,” she says. As the VP of GreenRow and Williams Sonoma Home at Williams-Sonoma, Inc., she was tasked with reimagining the resort’s signature four-bedroom waterfront cottage using GreenRow’s heirloom-quality furniture and vintage-inspired designs. “I wanted [it] to be light and bright, and also for each room to have a theme that related back to the natural surroundings,” Seabury adds.
She didn’t have to look far for inspiration: the hotel is situated in Serenbe, a biophilic wellness community outside of Atlanta that’s home to over 1,500 residents and where 70 percent of the land is protected from development. Amidst the preserved forests and meadows, is a 29-room inn that provides guests access to trails, farm-to-table dining, and a local “farmacy” that vets non-toxic products. Given GreenRow makes its products with responsibly-sourced materials, including linen, cotton, wood, and recycled fibers, the brand was the perfect fit for overhauling the sustainably minded cottage.
Now decked out with botanical wallpaper and bold textiles, the retreat is intended as a place where guests can slow down, reconnect, and feel at home in nature. Mission accomplished, according to Domino photo director Andie Diemer, who recently stayed at the GreenRow Lake House. “The entire space strikes that elusive balance between elegant and comfortable,” says Diemer, noting how her suite (the one that boldly pairs lavender and plaid) was the antithesis of the modern, minimalist hotel room. Diemer left feeling inspired to make her own space a little more playful. “The sink skirts in both the bathroom and kitchen reminded me that yes, I really do want to add a skirt to my daughter’s play kitchen,” she adds.
Ahead, Seabury gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the whimsical destination.
What was the very first thing you sourced for the project?
Firstly, I kept as much vintage art and furniture that would fit. The next thing was the wallpaper for each room, we converted some vintage papers (I buy a lot at flea markets and online for photoshoots and other projects) into new wallpaper, making each room’s distinct look. The Marcie and Cherries were based on vintage papers we recreated.
Given this is a vacation rental, how did you keep guests in mind during the redesign?
There are often meetings in the house so we configured seating for the covered porch as well as the dining area [so it] could be expanded as needed. Additionally, I wanted the snug to be a room where you just hang out and lounge, it’s a quiet space covered in pink and stripes, and looks directly outside. It’s a great room for a quiet read or a cup of tea.
What element was the most difficult to figure out?
The center of the lake house was quite dark. Even though there is a lot of natural light outside, it doesn’t make it to the center of the house, so wallpapering in the light Marcie wallpaper and painting it in Teresa’s Green from Farrow & Ball really brightened up the rooms and hallways to make it cheery.
How did being on the water influence the design?
The water inspired the sailboat toile print on the sofas and curtains in the living area. This felt like a natural connection with the lake.
Do you have any secrets for successfully combining different patterns in a single room?
I try to mix patterns with similar color stories (green and yellow, red and pink with a hint of blue, all blue…)
Is plaid and floral a pattern combination you’re digging right now?
Always. GreenRow has had a tradition of mixing stripes and florals or plaids and florals, it’s part of the DNA of the brand since day one.
What’s a design tip people could easily take from the lake house and replicate in their own home?
You want rooms to feel collected. We kept a lot of the art and some of the vintage pieces so it really feels layered. You can thrift or update old pieces with things like sofa toppers or printed lamp shades on vintage lamps.
What piece of storage felt like a real game-changer for guests?
The sink curtain in the kitchen made the storage of not-so-cute things quite adorable.
Are there any products you used in the space people might be surprised to find out are from GreenRow?
I think we surprised people with the wallpaper, it’s so unique. And all the little details like the coordinated cord covers, tissue box covers, shower curtains and sink skirts—all made from GreenRow fabric waste and all signature to the brand.
GreenRow is known for its responsibly sourced materials and artisan-crafted textiles: Can you break down a few of your favorites in this space?
The wallpaper is all FSC-certified paper, printed with eco-friendly ink and made to order. The sofas are made with healthy materials, certiPUR-US-certified foam, wool, and jute. The textiles are Oekatex-certified and the patchwork quilts are Nest-certified made from upcycled fabrics.
What design decision felt like the biggest risk?
Painting the snug pink, even the ceiling! It’s a bold move but it worked.
What was the most unique or exciting material you used in this home?
Wallpaper—it was a first and it’s everywhere. Also, I love our Hattie hanging lampshades.