Designing a Dream

Interview by Lindsay Hunter

Images by Reed Brown, courtesy of Julie Davis and American Stalls

For American Stalls, every project begins with a vision. In Tennessee, that vision came from Julie Davis—an interior designer, lifelong equestrian, and avid fox hunter. After decades of boarding horses, Julie and her family purchased land and set out to create their dream barn. With American Stalls as her partner, the result is a space that captures the rustic charm of Tennessee countryside while elevating it with refined craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

The Client’s Dream

Julie’s love of horses runs deep. “Lessons began on a tiny Shetland pony when I was five years old. Many fun years were spent on a darling Welsh pony named Silver Heels, that my pony club DC let me borrow,” she recalls. Over the years she competed in three-day eventing, jumpers, and fox hunting, but the dream of one day having her own barn never faded.

“As a build phase residential interior designer, it was not hard for me to start dreaming and drawing the barn that I would like to have. It was a very fun project,” Julie says. Her vision was clear: a simple, inviting barn with charm, character, and a dual purpose—as functional for horses as it was for hosting friends.

American Stalls’ Approach

From the first sketches, American Stalls recognized Julie’s rare combination of passion and precision. “Julie’s vision immediately stood out for its clarity and balance. She wanted a barn that felt at home, but also carried the elegance of her design background,” the team notes.

To honor that vision, American Stalls supplied European stall fronts made from heavy-gauge steel, with concealed welds and powder-coated finishes that combined durability with beauty. “The board-and-batten exterior paired with large sliding doors kept the barn grounded in tradition. Inside, the European-style stall fronts and stained finishes elevated the space, striking the balance between rustic and elegance.”

Photo by Patricia Drach

Collaboration in Action

Working with a client who is also a designer presented unique opportunities. “Working with Julie was truly collaborative. As a designer, she understood proportions, finishes, and flow, which made communication smooth and inspiring,” says American Stalls.

Julie admits the challenge of designing for herself: “The hardest thing for a designer to do is to design their own home or project! I literally kept acting like I was doing this for a client so that I would make decisions like I would for a client and not cheap it out for myself!”

Her non-negotiables were clear: “I knew for sure I wanted two things for the barn: one was the European stall fronts from American Stalls, and the second was for the main center aisle to be brick. I really wanted that look, so I stuck to my guns and did it.”

Even logistical challenges, like transporting and installing custom stall fronts in the Tennessee countryside, were met with coordination and care between American Stalls and Julie’s local craftsmen.

More Than a Stable

The finished barn is more than a place to house horses—it’s a lifestyle space. Expanded 12-foot sliding doors, stained interiors, and custom lighting give it warmth and elegance. For Julie, the space has become a hub for community: “The final result is perfect for us and the horses. It functions great as a horse barn and most of all, it allows for some amazing barn dinner parties! We love to host hunt teas and throw a dinner party in the barn for friends all throughout the year.”

For American Stalls, this project reflects a broader movement. “What stands out most is how seamlessly the barn blends utility with hospitality. While the stalls are safe and built for horses, the barn doubles as a gathering space, complete with a kitchen, chandeliers, and thoughtful design touches. It’s a barn where horses and people feel at home.”

Looking out her window to see her horses grazing at home for the first time, Julie says she cried tears of joy. “I will never forget looking out the window and for the first time ever, seeing my horses on my property right there! I cried tears of joy in disbelief that this dream had come true.”

For American Stalls, her story is exactly what they strive for: creating barns that are not only functional but also transformative for the lives of their clients. “This farm reflects a growing trend of barns that are more than stables; they are lifestyle spaces. In Tennessee and across the country, equestrians are creating barns that combine daily functionality with beauty, making them places to gather, celebrate, and live the equestrian life fully.”

Together, Julie Davis and American Stalls built more than a barn—they built a place where heritage, design, and equestrian lifestyle come together under one roof.

Interested in building your own dream barn? Connect with our team to explore fully custom stall fronts, barn doors, windows, and equestrian flooring built for your lifestyle.

(855) 957-5571

Sales@Americanstalls.com

www.Americanstalls.com