DENE AND HUBERT MCCULLOUGH'S HOME in Northwoods Cove is a capsule of time and traditions. Their exquisite taste in antiques and art seems in evidence everywhere. The McCulloughs moved from their large home of 30 years, Boxwood, to Northwoods around three years ago. When they decorated their previous home, the couple selected Mark Garrett, a renowned interior designer from Franklin to assist them in creating a complete look. One of the benefits of using the talented Mr. Garrett, according to Dene McCullough was that the accessories for all the room were effectively interchangeable—and the same held true for upholstered furniture and color palette.
Talented local designer Sonia Haynes is responsible for coordinating all the paint colors and accessories in the Northwoods home (she also helped with the Boxwood house), as well as maintaining Garrett’s creative interchangeable elements. She has worked with the McCulloughs for many years, and her touches are noticed throughout the home. Her selection of soft coral, pear green and cream as a coordinating paint palette is soothing as well as inspirational. These colors can handle red, brown, yellow and vibrant greens as accent colors and bring the European rugs into the space.
The same kind of attention to detail can be seen through out the rest of the elegant home. After entering through the marbled foyer, the dining room takes center stage, showcasing a painting of Mrs. McCullough completed in 1976, placed over a traditional European sideboard. An English walnut secretary is flanked by Asian green vases set on pedestals.
One of many of the couple’s original Sterling Strauser paintings is proudly displayed, and Mr. McCullough commented that their love of Strauser has become a better investment that the stock market these days. Walking into the great room, their love of European antiques takes full form. An English breakfront displaying an elephant collection set in one corner is magnificently handcrafted, and with its burled walnut inlay and massive size, it’s an antique to be treasured. A painting by local artist Ann Street hangs over the fireplace. It captures the youthful essence of the McCullough children in 1983—Street, a Nashville portraitist, has also painted several of the governors’ portraits now displayed in our state capital.
The great room—a truly grand space with wonderful tall ceilings—has a fireplace framed with matching mirrors to insure continuity. Small tea carts border the window that brings the beautiful English garden inside. Very cleverly, one tea cart is used as a side table, and Asian accents bring a sense of worldly charm into the room. Designer Haynes has worked her magic with paint and palette in here.
A Turkish rug that rests in the foyer is a prize possession, Hubert McCullough stated, because he carried it everywhere when they purchased it on a visit abroad. The kitchen, in its all white presence, ties the formal space into an adjacent sitting room where the McCulloughs like to enjoy casual living. Their love of antiques is apparent here, with an English gentleman’s chest or bureau housing a TV and a linen press made in nearby Gallatin circa 1850 used for conventional storage.
One of the most interesting pieces is the kitchen table: Referred to as a “rent table,” it’s round and features drawers on the perimeter. It can be turned in any direction, historically so that the landowner could sit in his chair and when tenants came to pay rent, he turned to each tenant’s drawer, unlocked it and placed their money in it.
Upon entering the master bedroom, the lovely rice bed—custom made in North Carolina—cannot go unnoticed. Its beautifully carved posts reflect back to an era of true craftsmen. Dene McCullough points out that an authentic rice bed has rice reeds carved on the posts going in different directions. One goes north to south, while the other points east to west. It’s difficult to spot, but once commented on, you find it makes perfect sense. A true Scottish highboy, imposingly tall, sits in the corner, with its many drawers; its importance long ago is obvious to the viewer.
A calming light blue on the walls of the master bath puts one in a state of tranquility. Placing framed mirrors on top of full height plate mirrors tones down the reflective nature and adds depth, elegance and structure to an open area.
The McCullough home has history, art and classic craftsmanship in every room. It’s like stepping back in time and enjoying museum quality antiques in their appropriate settings.