Nestled on over 325 acres in Middle Tennessee, Southall is above all an ecologically minded working farm. Today, Southall encapsulates the evolution of traditional Southern hospitality—as a luxury resort and spa with opportunities for outdoor education, wellness activities, and an immersive culinary experience. Interiors were designed by Indidesign, who was also involved in crafting the architectural image of Southall by setting the aesthetic parameters and material palette for the key buildings. Southall boasts 62 rooms and suites, 16 cottages, a spa, three dining experiences, a flexible event center, an on-site preservation kitchen, a natural amphitheater hilltop lookout, and a boutique.

When designing the space, Indidesign never lost sight of the fact that they were fixed on a farm in Middle Tennessee. The unspoiled natural beauty of the surrounding landscape isn’t only outdoors, it’s reflected inside as well. The aesthetic of the Inn is designed with a very strong graphic impact in mind, and it relies mostly on a high-contrast juxtaposition of colors and bold elements. The project emulates the easygoingness of rural countryside with a touch of modernism, without falling into the “shabby chic” and rustic aesthetic.

A unique art program is found throughout the Southall grounds. The journey to achieve that final result, however, was a challenge during the project’s conception. An art consultant was hired for the project to source works for the guestrooms and suites but ultimately fell flat as it did not convey the inn’s story. With this falling through, Indidesign conducted an art contest and invited members within Southall to submit artwork of any kind–any medium. From there, final design selections were made by team members and ultimately adorn the walls of the rooms.

Long before the plans for the hotel were on paper, a singular guiding principle had been etched in stone: sustainability. Stone and wood dominate the structures, natural materials that are not only renewable but have proven to be excellent insulators. Metal roofs were used to direct rainwater and deflect heat, and are also built to last over half a century. The structures are oriented to harness the sun’s power and take advantage of natural light – maximizing gain and minimizing loss through the smart placement of glass. Solar panels on the roof capture and store energy for use on the property.

Ideals such as water conservation, the use of responsibly sourced (often local) renewable natural materials, and smart technology that is less impactful but more functional are at the core of the project. The design team found ways to reuse, reemploy and upcycle materials that were already on-site, and others have been harvested from structures that were already being removed from middle Tennessee. Lastly, what’s grown on the farm will be the jewel in the crown of the guest experience. The focus on the land and its ability to sustain guests is more important now than ever.