“Chickamauga Lake is not just an ordinary lake,” explains Mary Hatcliff of her family’s favored getaway near Chattanooga. “It’s part of the only place in the U.S. declared a National Park City. Plus, it’s one of the best bass-fishing lakes in the country.” This enormous body of water was completed in 1940 by the Tennessee Valley Authority after they dammed a section of the Tennessee River, resulting in a 35,400-acre reservoir that offers endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
She and her husband, Patrick, who live full-time near Nashville, fell in love with their 1940s cottage (one of the first built on the lake) in 2020 while hunting for a weekend retreat. The couple preserved its historic charm while constructing a wing on either side of the original structure—an easy enough endeavor, given that they’ve been members of the Southern Living Custom Builder Network since the 1990s. “We added on without disturbing the original flavor of the house,” says Mary, who also handled the interior design.
The new James Hardie Artisan Siding (which they coated in Sherwin-Williams’ Dover White, SW 6385) and the durable TimberTech porch flooring complement the existing mahogany front doors on the exterior, elevating its classic character.
This same marriage of storied elements and fresh additions saturates the interiors too. “Throughout the house, I tried to keep the feel of an older home, but I really wanted a new and different look, so this is my twist on a traditional wainscot,” says Mary of the millwork and trim in the foyer, where the custom wainscot (painted Sherwin-Williams’ Comfort Gray, SW 6205) adds visual interest to the soaring 20- foot ceilings that lead to a loft and allow for sweeping lake views through Pella windows. This space reflects the Hatcliffs’ love of reading, with brass picture lights illuminating shelves filled with books, including a collection of old Reader’s Digest anthologies. “This is where I start my day with a book and a peaceful view of the lake,” she says.
If that’s her spot for morning quiet, the dining room, with its table that seats eight comfortably, anchors the home’s social hub. Antique chairs and a Currey & Company chandelier lend warmth, as does the adjacent fireplace.
In the nearby kitchen, the Hatcliffs balanced honoring the original 1940s footprint with creating an area suited for large family get-togethers. The vintage-inspired island, purchased at a local antiques auction, was repurposed with a quartzite top for charm and functionality, while storage-maximizing cabinetry (which is splashed with Sherwin-Williams’ Coastal Plain, SW 6192) maintains a historic-meets-modern aesthetic. “Our whole family gets in there and cooks,” says Mary, who has two daughters and three grandchildren. “A lot of memories have been made in that kitchen.”
Sentiment also permeates the primary bedroom, with passed-down and collected pieces underscoring the traditional design. “The oil paintings remind me of my mother and sparked my lifelong love of art,” notes Mary, who also incorporated some contemporary touches for contrast, like the leather Eames-style lounge chair. The room’s dramatic statement, Lee Jofa’s Arley wallpaper in Lagoon, echoes the natural beauty framed by the expansive windows, fostering a tranquil retreat that further grounds the cottage in the landscape.
Nowhere is the intersection of indoors and out highlighted better than on the large porch overlooking the water, where cozy furniture from Summer Classics and retractable vinyl screens flex with the seasons. “It’s one of the most popular rooms in the house,” she says, “perfect for morning coffee, evening cocktails, and fall football games.” For the Hatcliffs, it’s more than just a porch—it’s a front-row seat to lake life, a gathering spot for family, and a reminder of why they fell for Chickamauga Lake in the first place…