On a nondescript blacktop off of Highway 280 in Coosa County, a slice of country living at its best awaits those fortunate enough to be invited. The engaging atmosphere starts on the approach to Lauren and Chuck Welden’s hunting camp and farm; on the right is a shimmering pond beckoning for a fishing line and on the left are the striking ruins of an old mill. With car windows down, visitors can hear the blissful greeting of the rushing creek that runs next to the house.

The historic property, purchased by the Weldens in the 1990s, was once the site of a Coosa County gold rush and contains the remains of the Bradford Factory textile mill. “I grew up hearing stories from my grandfather about Coosa County where he was raised—about outlaws, fishing, and how hard it was to grow cotton,” says Chuck. “It was a natural place to look.”

The Weldens started by setting up camp in a renovated older house which once served as the office for Bradford Mill. They then added a log cabin from the 1850s and a smokehouse, which both were moved to the property and reassembled. Once they knew all four of their adult children had decided to stay close by in Birmingham—and with grandchildren in the mix—the Weldens decided it was time to build a new farmhouse on the site of the old caretaker’s place, which was beyond repair. Chuck, a partner in WeldenField Development, LLC, was hands-on in the design process, working with architect Michael O’Kelley and homebuilder Will Maxey.

Before starting the project, the couple did their research by visiting noteworthy hunting camps and lodges around the state to gather ideas. They landed on the idea of an updated version of the historic Southern dogtrot. “My favorite thing about this style is that it encourages everyone to come together in the dogtrot space,” says Chuck. “The bedrooms are smaller, and we don’t have television or internet. so it fosters social interaction in the main room.” A game table in the corner makes for fun family times, and comfortable furnishings encourage relaxation. “I wanted the house to be no fuss—easy setup and breakdown,” says Lauren. “Walk in the kitchen, put away the groceries, and start enjoying!”

That enjoyment definitely begins in the kitchen as guests are greeted with concession stand-like bins holding all manner of snacks, both sweet and savory. Open shelves are loaded with fine whiskeys on one side and clear spirits on the other. “People are constantly bringing wine, bourbon, their favorite jams, and so forth, so we are always ready to entertain,” says Chuck. The house is also stocked with extra slippers, all manner of games and puzzles, fishing tackle, and plenty of hunting gear. But don’t leave anything behind. “I don’t return items. If you want it, come back and get it!” laughs Chuck.

On the grounds around the house, a large firepit awaits gatherings on cold evenings while a vegetable garden thrives in the side yard—the finishing touches to this idyllic setting that beckons relaxation, recreation, and rejuvenation.

The Classic Dogtrot: Why It (Still) Works

Originating in the 1800s, the Southern dogtrot home is distinguished by a large, open breezeway that runs through the middle of the house with two separate areas on either side, all under one roof. “The design was born out of climate conditions before electricity or air conditioning—the central open-air plan allowed cross breezes to come through the house,” says architect Michael O’Kelley. “The design still resonates today, especially for a hunting camp or second home. We updated the dogtrot to make it more of a four-season house by adding the screens and vinyl panels on either end of the space.”

RESOURCES
Architect: Michael O’Kelley, okelleyarchitecture.com Builder: Will Maxey of WeldenField Construction, weldenfield.com Interior designer: Nan Jackson, interiorsetcbynan.com Select furnishings: Seibels, seibelscottage.com Landscape including fire pit, parking pad, boot washing station: Gary Mitchell of Agricultural Services, trustAGservices.com Screens: Jonathan Wilson, Wilson Screening Solutions wilsonscreeningsolutions.com

Northeast of Oneonta, rolling hills and towering pine trees frame green meadows where whitetail does gather and graze with their fawns in the shadows near sunset. “It would make an incredible painting,” says residential designer Adam Gerndt of the 1,200-acre property that his clients chose. “They wanted to build a home that would be part commercial hunting camp, part family home.” Well-versed in designing country retreats, Adam embraced the project with his usual enthusiasm. “I love thinking about the views, site lines, and sun angles,” he says. “When I have a large property to work with, I can dream a little bit more about what a place can become.”

Here, the clients wanted to keep the property’s original hunting lodge and add two new buildings: a welcoming family home for the couple and their four college-age children and a separate, barn-inspired space for hosting groups and entertaining. They had a vision of architecture that was warm, natural, and honest with interiors that felt inviting and relaxed. 

With these requests in mind, Adam designed a four-bedroom, two-story home with a soaring living room wrapped in windows to capture those awe-inspiring vistas. For the barn, he created a classic structure with reclaimed timbers using mortise-and-tenon construction. To tie the two buildings together, the designer incorporated materials such as hand-split cedar shake roofs and red cedar board-and-batten siding. Additional rustic features include cedar posts and beams on the home’s porches and reclaimed brick pavers for the barn floors (inside and out). Local rock—a brownstone-and-moss rock mix quarried just 5 miles from the building site—was used on both structures, while the house also showcases Pennsylvania bluestone on the terraces. “The topography and views played into the forms of both designs,” Adam says. “Even though they are new, they feel like they have been here for years.”

For the barn, the owner wished for a structure reminiscent of one from his childhood. “I frequented an 1845 barn as a kid. It was something I had always wanted on my own property,” he says. Adam was happy to bring the memory to fruition while also adding updates to the classic agrarian structure. “Barns are usually used for animals, tractors, and crop storage, but this barn is geared toward gatherings with family and friends for celebrations, holidays, football watching, relaxing, and telling tall tales about hunts,” the designer says.

Dubbed the “party barn” by the homeowners, the building is dominated by a 28- x 32-foot dining hall to seat a crowd. An adjacent living area, parlor, bar, game room, and screened porch offer additional entertaining spaces. Two kitchens—one inside and one outside—accommodate caterers and grill masters, while a loft is outfitted with sleeping bunks complete with nooks for phone chargers. “On any given day, we may have guests fishing for bass on the lake or roaming the property hunting deer or quail,” says the owner. “The place fills up with hunters from late fall through the winter months, friends during football season, and family during spring and summer. We sometimes welcome nightly dining for 24 hunters, but we also hold fundraisers and corporate retreats for 80 or more guests.” Yet even with the expanse of space, the barn still feels intimate. “It’s just as comfortable for a small group of friends here for the weekend,” says the owner. And it’s that versatility that makes this property a favorite retreat no matter the occasion.

Good Hunting

Commercial hunting retreats include more than just a farmhouse and a pretty piece of land—they involve a whole operation. “It’s critical to understand the in’s and out’s of a day in the field, as well as how a farm and hunting camp function,” Adam says. Here are just a few things to consider in the planning stages:

Day-to-day operations—For a camp to run smoothly, you have to think through how the farm is managed, how the task buildings are integrated into the property, and how trucks, tractors, and other vehicles move about the farm. Adam considers several essential questions: How will the buildings relate to each other? How and where are meals prepared and served? Is there a place for guests to gather? How can you make the spaces feel connected but also ensure privacy for when the owners want some space to themselves?

Organization—When you design a hunting camp, you have to consider that you are dealing with muddy boots and more. Because there are so many comings and goings between the hunters, dogs, farm managers, and owners, the buildings need to be durable. Designing spaces for easy cleanup are just as important as creating places of beauty.

Service first—A hunting camp has to serve its guests, which means making arrangements for their daily routines such as sleeping, eating, and entertaining. Here, overnight accommodations include bunk-style sleeping quarters. Mornings are met with breakfast and coffee before the hunt. In the evenings, hunters relax in the party barn over cocktails and dinner.

Get to Know Adam Gerndt

Auburn University graduate Adam Gerndt of Adam Gerndt Design Group has practiced design in the Birmingham area and beyond for more than 15 years. From in-town renovations to new suburban homes to lake houses and country retreats, Adam has worked on a variety of projects but says he especially loves the retreats. “Being able to go out onto a property with a client to explore the land and discuss big ideas really is such a rewarding opportunity,” he says. “My family heritage is connected to farming and rural building. I’m also a hunter and fisherman, so I think there is something about these kind of projects that comes naturally to me.”

RESOURCES
House and barn exterior and interior design; landscape design: Adam Gerndt Design Group, 205.939.1113 Landscape contractor: EarthWorks Landscape Supply, earthworkslandscapesupply.com Cabinetry: Cotton Woodworks, 205.567.5469 Custom metal work: Welded Wood, 205.966.2741 Plumbing fixtures: Fixtures & Finishes, 205.323.5616 Furniture: Sourced through Defining Home, defining-home.com Countertops: Triton Stone Group, tritonstone.com Windows: Sierra Pacific, sierrapacificwindows.com Hunting camp: Five J’s Hunting Preserve, 256.590.8392