A Carolina Discovery

Southern Living, Feb 2007 by Vanhooser, Cassandra M

Relax at a country inn that showcases amazing folk art.

Admit it. You don't expect to find the wildly imaginative work of self-taught artists decorating a place such as Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, North Carolina. But when you consider that the inn's mascot and logo is a black-and-white Belted Galloway beef cow, it all starts to make sense.

"Incorporating folk art in the decor is like mixing antiques with new furniture," says owner R.B. Fitch. "It works."

Building a Village

Because folk art springs from the hearts, minds, and traditions of the artists, their work seems to reflect Fearrington's rural roots.

Long before the land here harbored a world-class inn, it was a family farm. When the property came up for sale in 1974, R.B. and his late wife, Jenny, bought it and set out to build a village.

The Fearrington family's farmhouse now serves as an exquisite fine-dining restaurant. A treasure-filled home-and-garden accessories shop occupies the old milk barn. The corncrib found new life as a garden shop, while the granary was transformed into a restaurant, bar, and folk art gallery. More than 1,200 houses cover the rambling acreage.

Fun in February

This month, Fearrington is perfect for a romantic getaway, while the boutiques and restaurants in the village offer a wonderful day trip for those nearby. It's also the month for the popular folk art show, one of the best in the Southeast, held February 17-18.

Sam "the Dot Man" McMillan ranks among the show's most popular artists. "It's happy art," says the Winston-Salem native.

"It's affordable too," adds Atlanta's Paul Flack. "The artists are funky and approachable. Everybody who comes here is going to feel a little better when they leave." -CASSANDRA M. VANHOOSER