Set along Wheeler Lake in Rogersville, Alabama, this three-bedroom cottage feels less like a departure and more like a return to the familiar. When the home became available next door to a lifelong friend, it felt meant to be, even if it required a thoughtful refresh.
The project began with the nursery, guided by the urgency of a baby on the way. Soft blues and muted greens set a calming base, layered with playful patterned textiles and wallpaper that added warmth and character while establishing the design direction for the home. It was about a color palette that echoes summer on the water.
(Photographer: Katie D’Arienzo; Stylist: Kathleen Varner)
From there, the vision extended throughout the cottage, creating a cohesive thread from room to room. Every space was designed with intention—prioritizing connection and flow, with a refined palette and balanced symmetry that enhance both elegance and everyday livability.
(Photographer: Victoria Pewitt; Stylist: Kathleen Varner)
With a modest footprint comes limited storage, so the third bedroom was reimagined as a dedicated closet space. Removable closet organizers keep the room adaptable, offering essential storage now while leaving the door open to convert it back into a bedroom whenever priorities shift.
(Photographer: Victoria Pewitt; Stylist: Kathleen Varner)
For this family, the perfect home was never about grandeur. It was the feeling.
About Pillar & Peacock
Adrianne Bugg & Brandeis Short are the creative forces behind Pillar & Peacock Interior Design, a full-service design firm dedicated to synthesizing beauty and function. They focus on seamlessly merging style, personality, and storytelling into every space, ensuring each home tells the owner’s story and showcases what they love. Their projects span nationwide and beyond, reflecting their commitment to delivering exceptional design services wherever the location.
With over 35 years of design experience, Adrianne and Brandeis’ partnership is a blend of business acumen and design expertise. With a degree in interior design, Brandeis is known for her keen aesthetic sense and experience in residential, hotel, and commercial design. Having both a background in interior design and finance, Adrianne brings a precise and process-driven attitude that ensures not only seamless roll-outs, but thoughtful designs that stand the test of time.
Together, they create intuitive, beautiful spaces that simply work—not just today, but always.
