Home Tour: Riverside Cottage

Front of the House

A young family's riverside home in Savannah merges relaxed outdoor living with traditional Low Country elegance.

This home on the banks of the Skidaway River, a branch of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, was built in the 1820s as the caretaker's cottage of an antebellum plantation. A decade ago, the McGaugheys bought the house, and they recently restored the exterior to its original appearance.

The Porch

Vintage rocking chairs on the porch, paired with a stone-topped iron table from decorator Sim Harvey's Savannah shop, Arcanum.

The Front Porch

The porch is decked out with a mix of classic and contemporary touches, including a slatted swing (a must on any Southern veranda), a concrete-and-steel coffee table, and zinc planters.

Porch Details

A mirror framed with reclaimed wood, a faux-bois urn, and a demilune console table create a rustic tableau on the front porch.

The Side Porch

The side porch, enclosed by screens to keep out bugs, is one of the most frequently used spaces in the house.

Garden Cuttings

Freshly cut camellia blossoms from the McGaugheys' garden.

The Dining Room

A round mahogany table in the dining room offers an intimate spot for meals. The painted plaster walls have a honey hue, and the silk-and-linen slipcovers give the dining chairs a pared-down profile. The iron-and-crystal chandelier is a Niermann Weeks design.

Dining Room Detail

In the dining room, a faux-plaster paint finish gives the walls a well-worn patina.

The Living Room

The living room reflects the McGaugheys' taste for mixing traditional and contemporary styles. The original wainscoting was treated with several coats of paint for a lustrous finish. The sectional sofa, which is upholstered in Belgian linen, combines a modern silhouette with the antique touch of a brass nail-head trim.

The Bedroom

Stella lounges in the master bedroom, where a ceiling fan with mahogany blades and tongue-and-groove wood paneling convey a cottage feel. Plantation shutters create privacy but let the breeze flow through.

The View

The family's dock on the Skidaway River, where Sam's vintage motorboat is moored, is a plum spot for crabbing and trout fishing.