Walnut Springs Farm

An Unexpected Heirloom

Written by Jennifer Mueller Dotson / Photography by Eric Williams

One can only imagine how serendipitous it was for a celebrated seamstress to purchase the home of an heir to the Singer Sewing Machine Company. For Lori and Brian Wood, happening upon Walnut Springs Farm was one of those moments. Though not actively looking for a home at the time and despite the fact that the 1930s-era farmhouse and its miles of horse board fencing needed work, the view from every angle of its magnificent 500-plus acres was breathtaking. The home is comprised of approximately 10,000 square feet of living space and situated on a hill in the center of the farm that affords it sweeping vistas of almost the entire property. After serious contemplation, the Woods decided it was a homestead they simply couldn’t pass up.

Adding on an extensive amount of square footage was needed to accommodate their family and their penchant for genially entertaining both friends and relatives. The roughly yearlong renovation was well worth the wait. The expansion transformed an existing outdoor courtyard into a simply elegant dining room now furnished with many heirloom antiques from Brian’s grandparents including the main light fixture adorned with Lalique crystals and two stately Queen Ann-style china cabinets. As a result of the courtyard conversion, some of the interior walls are what was once the exterior brick veneer, and these have been painted to match the soft yellow hue of the added walls. Transition threshold ramps were designed in each doorway to accommodate the elevation change during renovation.

“Our boys love having these ramps and use them to their advantage as they ride their ‘rip stixs’ through the kitchen and dining room after school while I’m fixing dinner,” says Lori.

In contrast to the dining room, the statement of the study is more about comfort and lounging than decorum. Whether it is to surf the Internet, discuss their day or simply catch a catnap on Brian’s grandparent’s signature red couch, this is the room where the family tends to convene the most. Brian, an avid hunter and fisherman, maintains an impressive hunting closet located in the study. The closet tells a story of family traditions, with Witt’s boots and B.B. gun stowed away as carefully as his father’s, and brothers’ more serious artillery. The windows, exterior doors and fireplace are original to the home in this room. One of the most interesting doors, however, is the one that leads from the study to the back stairwell: a salvaged antique refrigerator door from a florist with family ties that was added to the home during renovations. The original entrance to the home is still intact and now serves as a side entrance off the study.

While couple’s three boys Clark (10), Thomas (8) and Witt (5) obviously enjoy the indoor skate ramps on the first floor, their individual bedroom suites on the second are equally appealing, as each was designed to express their unique personalities. In Thomas’ room for example, Lori enlisted the talents of interior designer Joe Richardson of Hubbuch and Co. to paint an amazing dinosaur kingdom mural that wraps around the walls. A super mom to the nth degree, Lori relishes in all the trappings that come with raising boys, lizards and turtles included.

Another room that remains well occupied on the second floor is Lori’s sewing room. Lori has been sewing since she was a young child and began heirloom sewing nearly 20 years ago. Serving much like a treetop hideaway, the walls are lined with bolts of material and endless spools of thread. With sewing patterns spread out around the floor, mannequins wearing anything from final garments to design pieces and ideas, this is clearly a professional tailor’s dwelling and retreat. While attending Auburn University, she would drive 45 minutes to Montgomery to take heirloom-sewing classes several times a week all throughout her college career. Starting with simple cross-stitch and needlepoint, she is now one of the most sought-after seamstresses for custom christening and baptismal gowns, smocked outfits, and many other heirloom creations. Brian helped her incorporate her now thriving business “Lori’s Heirloom Sewing.”

Lori’s talents aren’t limited to the sewing room. A painted harlequin pattern on the hardwood floors in the entry are her handiwork after attempts by other painters left her less than satisfied with the result. Bearing the patina of both the pitter-patter of little feet and countless stilettoed friends enjoying their gracious hospitality, it serves as a reminder that the Wood family has made this unique property their own.