A SLICE OF STYLE

By Sundi Rose • Photos by R. Caligaris

A mix of creative architecture, distinctive artwork and serene countryside puts this River Road home in a class by itself.

Transforming a former cattle farm from an 18-acre pasture into the handsome and graceful home it is today was a labor of love for Rachel and Will Peek. They purchased the land in 1998, but did not move in until the summer of 2001. Built by Brooks Yancey and designed by architect Jack Jenkins, the Peeks are proud to reside just two miles away from Will’s childhood home on Old River Road. A mix of country French and English cottage, the four-bedroom home is surrounded by acres of lush green grass and pasture, once used to accommodate grazing cattle.

As a favorite way to unwind and spend weekend hours, Will enjoys working on the field and grounds. Three years ago they planted eight acres of Bermuda grass, thus creating the Peeks’ very own “Field of Dreams.” Life-long residents of Columbus, Will works for his family business, Peek Pavement Marking and Rachel has a linen business, Bonne Nuit. With help from some of the area’s premier interior shops, Rachel was able to decorate the home mostly on her own. Each room reflects a particular sense of style that is unique to her and her family. All three Peek children, Guy, Jack and Lillie never stray too far from the family home because spending time as a family is one of the Peeks’ favorite pastimes. svm

The mahogany antique table echoes the sweep of the curving staircase by A&D Metalworks in the entry hall. Rachael uses paintings from her mother Helen Olnick and local artist Gloria Mani and antiques as focal points. She loves to add warmth and texture — like the brick flooring stained in black and the oriental area rug — against a neutral color on the wall. The use of calming backgrounds, accessories, and colorful original art makes for room that are classic, clean-lined and invitingly casual.

The Heritz original rug from Shiraz Gallery adds stately elegance to the dining room and provides a dignified anchor to the EJ Victor table from Manderson’s. With so much to live up to in this room, Rachael felt compelled to design the silk Schumacher drapes herself and asked Frank Martin to sew them.

Alexander Electric provided just the right amount of light to showcase the kitchen’s many beautiful features. The mix of the faux finish by Sue Boushka on the cabinets with the light appliances from Daniel Appliance and the rich flooring from Tommy Wilkinson make this space a sensory delight. Beautiful granite from Innovative Marble.

Giving a new insight to cozy living, this family room is a testament to the perfect marriage of stylish and well-designed interiors. Rachel and Frank Martin teamed again to make the drapes for this room fit ideally with the pecky Cyprus paneling and fun club chairs upholstered by Charles Stewart. Adding character to a room already rife with personality are the antique plates, a gift from her grandmother. Enjoying music from the surround sound from Custom Radio is just another perk in this family favorite.

Lillie’s bedroom features four poster beds from Rachael’s room when she was a little girl. The linens came from Bonne Nuit, a company that Rachael and cousin Claudia Garrard own. The carpeting is from Floor Studio and includes dots in a yellow background. The fabric on the drapes is by Thibaut designer fabrics and it was purchased at Valley Fabrics. The dragonflies, ladybugs and butterflies on the drapes match the green and white checked dust ruffle.

Sewn by Sherry Meeks, the beige and white silk drapes serve as compliment to the toile on the bed and sofa. To equalize such a pretty pattern, the carpet is a diamond texture from Flooring and More and the matching crystal lamps are from Scott’s in Atlanta. In a nod to fine art, there is a Bruno Zupan print framed over the bed.

Tucked into a rolling hill amid native grasses and towering cedar trees the Peeks’ home is a mix of Country French and English Cottage design. Builder Brooks Yancey gave a sense of welcoming and an unassuming feel to the house, with a real agrarian feel inside and out. The front entrance features a rose trellis, and although vines have not yet enveloped the structure, it still serves as an elegant focal point.

Designed by landscape architect Pete Page, this epicurean lawn was further designed and maintained by Missy Upchurch and provides vast spaces for the Peeks to enjoy their outdoors all year long. The color and scale complement the surrounding landscape, and adds a distinguished touch of permanence.

Previously used as a nursery when the children were smaller, Will reclaimed this study as a place to display his collection of antique maps and his trophy catch from a hunting trip in Alaska. With chairs and ottoman by Arden Cheney and sofa by Balsam Home, this room has a masculine feel that is the perfect treat for any father of three.