By Anna Robertson Ham
There are treasures everywhere in Sumner County... One of these treasures is the Thistletop Inn, located in Goodlettsville. This beautiful, rustic ranch property is owned by Mary Jane and Fred Peace and was built by Master Builder Braxton Dixon, who is well-known for his unique, custom designs, along with using re-purposed materials and architectural salvage. He has built houses for Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette, Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Trisha Yearwood, Fred Foster and others. “It is amazing how much information is attached to each historical artifact from his salvage adventures, and how that spirit of design translates to preservation and the feeling of home,” says Fred Peace. “His legacy of over fifty homes in middle Tennessee is the recent subject of a Garden & Gun article by Nic Brown, as well as a soon-to-be released coffee table book for Rizzoli International Publications by Richard Olsen. Thistletop Inn was also recently named by Reader’s Digest as the Most Charming Bed & Breakfast in Tennessee.”
The property, which was first used as an equestrian estate with an eight-stall barn, features some of the most custom and unique details. “Thistletop was named after a thistle in the etched glass window wall in the west wing room from a convent in Kentucky,” explains Fred. “The house has an assortment of unusual features, such as doors from the first stagecoach stop between Nashville and Louisville, a spiral staircase from the Baldwin Theater on Dauphine Street in New Orleans, doors from an 1870’s Louisville Hotel, stone walls from Old Hickory Lake, cut limestone from the same quarry as the state capital (used for the central fireplace), matching stained glass windows from Scotland, eleven-foot-tall French doors and fireplace stone from a 200-year-old farmhouse.”
Mary Jane and Fred found the perfect home with Thistletop and display their eclectic art and antiques throughout the house. “We have a collection of pieces that range from primitive pine to marble- topped Eastlake. A rare forty-eight drawer apothecary chest, a petticoat table from Civil War-era middle Georgia and framed art
fit comfortably with well-chosen furniture pieces. Hopefully, the art echoes the house,” says Fred. “Our favorite room is the round room adjacent the kitchen, like the famous round room in the Cash house where artists would showcase their newest songs. But the most time is spent in the sunny kitchen. Remembering my Mom, who made a needle-point that said, ‘No matter where I serve my guests, they seem to like my kitchen best.’”
“Initially, we used the home as base for our small art and framing company. The Highland House, which is a free-standing apartment with a full kitchen, was the perfect studio for our work. The Avalon House was the carriage house apartment above the barn. Like many others, we found 2008 to be unkind to small business. What resonated with us, about the place, had to be shared and the only path we could settle on was to relaunch our family business as innkeepers of a bed and breakfast,” Fred explains.
“Fast forward to Lionsgate Studios choosing Thistletop Inn as location to shoot a television pilot for what would have been a multi-generational saga of Nashville music royalty. Produced by Jenji Kohan, known for producing shows like Weeds and Orange Is the New Black. Next, the CMT television series Nashville found Thistletop as the perfect home to represent one of its characters. Several writers and songwriters have found Thistletop to be their perfect canvas,” says Fred. “The act of transforming house-to-movie-set gave us a deeper perspective of unique, creative features and subtle nuances that equate to set the stage for transformative experiences as well as retreats. More than that, our time at Thistletop is more than a lifestyle job... It has been an adventure and a discovery of life-long friends and returning guests.”
Thistletop’s bustling energy has transformed into something even more special for guests and friends as lately it has been the monthly location for intimate house concerts in the Spiral Room, which is located on the lower level with a large spiral staircase from a London train yard, a bar, pool table and incredible four-sided fire place.
You can feel the love and appreciation for the property from both Mary Jane and Fred. “You will find rolling hills and pastoral views outside... And an elegant-eclectic vibe inside,” says Fred. “There are several, entirely different, quiet places to relax and be at peace. We want our guests to enjoy moments of solace as well as laughter. We want their time here at Thistletop to be remembered for comfort and hospitality.”
Mary Jane and Fred have put so much into the house to make it not only their home, but a home to others when they stay. A stranger may arrive at Thistletop Inn, but they leave as friends to the Peace’s.
Thistleop Inn
1284 Hitt Lane Goodlettsville, TN
thistletopinn.com
