It's hard to get over certain homes, and for me Southern Living's October feature of George Krauth's 1920s Tennessee home is one of them. In addition to the beautiful craftsman architecture, Krauth's thoughtful incorporation of heirlooms and antiques makes for a home that is as interesting and personal as it is comfortable and cool. Not to mention the scads of creative ideas worth emulating!

Family heirlooms and unique antique finds are some of our most treasured possessions, but they can also be some of the hardest to incorporate into our personal aesthetic and our contemporary homes. So we took heart when we came across Mr. Krauth's fine-tuned collections and creative uses of old and unexpected things. Here are a few of our favorites...
• 1. Krauth used antique maps of the Chesapeake bay to enliven the bed nook. The mustard yellow is a perfect contrast to the deep gray walls.
• 2. Krauth framed a blueprint of his great-great-great uncle's Louisville home and paired it with other vintage and inherited pieces for a vignette that's rich in history and visual interest.
• 3. Krauth had a local printer make a photo enlargement of an envelope from a letter that his great-grandmother wrote to her uncle, the man whom he is named after. The large scale gives the family keepsake a contemporary edge.
• 4. Krauth used corks as cabinet knobs. I love the look, but wonder how they hold up with frequent use. I'd worry that they would be too easily stripped. Nonetheless, I'm digging the look. You?

To see more of Mr. Krauth's beautiful home, check out the full article in Southern Living, here.

(Images: Tria Giovan via Southern Living)

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