Creating a Meaningful Home: Duke Manor Farm

If it means swapping rooms and furniture out that will provide more practical use for the family, re-purposing old to make new again or creating special spots in your home that will gift you memories…. I say just do it.

15 years ago my husband and I decided to take a leap of faith and put our perfectly amazing home on the market and buy some property in North East Georgia and build a farm. Overnight, I traded in my corporate suits for some jeans and tee’s and the fancy sports car for a a big ole tractor….which we now call Bubba. Yes, everything has a name around here. My friends and family thought we were nuts giving up our quaint little subdivision, our offices were basically down the road and a grocery store that we could walk to. But we had a dream, and more importantly we had a vision of creating a space and a lifestyle that had meaning and would create life long memories for us, our family and our friends.

Fast forward 15 years later and Duke Manor Farm is now surrounded by 3 very active kids, dogs, cats, chickens, donkeys, fish and a slew of wildlife. Our lifestyle on the farm is now the catalysis for my decorating decisions in our home and around the property. Gone are the days where I want perfection in every room, perfectly fluffed pillows and walls that have no imperfections.

a view from the back of the house

These days, it’s more like a scuff on the floor adds character, a hole in a pillow isn’t the end of the world, a scratch on the table top doesn’t mean we won’t enjoy a good meal together and a chicken greeting you on our front porch isn’t totally out of the question.

We are a very active family and spend a lot of time outside and when we designed and built our home a lot of emphasis was placed on our outdoor spaces. It’s not to say that we don’t love hanging together in our family room . Which by the way use to be a screened in porch but made more sense to be the family room after a few years of living here.

or in the den….which use to be a playroom which has evolved over the years to know what finally feels right for the space…and the occupants who take it over with books, devices and the tv.

or sitting around our breakfast table that use to be the family room because we didn’t want to give up the big farmhouse table and it was close to the kitchen.

But our favorite spot as a family and with friends, is probably sitting right here on our front porch laughing, talking and creating memories.

Besides, it’s where everyone, including the chickens are welcomed!<

If you would like to see more of my real life funny farm, I would love for you to stop by Duke Manor Farm anytime and to see more of my home tour click here.

How fabulous is Laura’s story?  I adore that Laura & her husband followed their dream, turned their lives upside down, and are now LIVING the way THEY want + how they desire!  Hands down, Laura has a great sense of style, but her home is comfortable and filled with what is most meaningful to her family.

With Fall just around the corner, I thought I would share a favorite seasonal setting and that has to be Laura’s Southern Fall Porch.  I love the warm hues & charming seasonal touches.