Forever Farm
Country Living|October 2016

Tucked inside the East Alabama hamlet of Fitzgerald (population: 88) lies Beechwood Farm, a freshly built homestead that looks and feels as storied as the 18th-century farm where homeowner Debra Koehler spent childhood summers. Now Debra, husband Todd Turner, and her kids, Jack and Lauren, can fish (catfish! bass!), frolic (among 600 acres), and feast (at a 14-seater farmhouse table) in a place where time stands as still as the waters that surround it.

Jessica Otte
Forever Farm

TIMELESS TACTIC

Embrace Authentic Architecture

Debra and Todd worked with architect Keith Summer our (summerour.net) to design a “dogtrot” home—a typically elevated, breezeway-split style that was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Designer Melanie Millner helped achieve historical accuracy in every detail of the 2,500-square-foot space, from the reclaimed oak floors to the porcelain doorknobs. The house sleeps 14, although it has hosted as many as 25 family members and friends for fishing weekends, holidays, and Debra and Todd’s wedding.

TIMELESS TACTIC

Opt for Mismatched Furniture

It’s unlikely you’ll find an out-of-the-box matching set of anything in a 100- year-old home. Debra chose the wingback chair and spindle chair (both recent purchases from Lee Industries; leeindustries .com) to give the living room an assembled-overtime vibe.

This story is from the October 2016 edition of Country Living.

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This story is from the October 2016 edition of Country Living.

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