Cozy Retreats and Southern Hospitality: Inside the Tennessee Tiny Farmhouse
Meet Kristin Peddicord, the owner of the charming Tennessee Tiny Farmhouse, where cozy living and true Southern hospitality come together. In this Q&A, she shares the story behind her idyllic retreat, the inspiration behind its warm decor, and how it provides guests with a peaceful escape in the heart of Tennessee.
Can you share the story of how your vision came to be? What inspired you to venture into the hospitality business and design/build a tiny farmhouse?
Hospitality and making people feel at home has always been a passion of mine. When we bought this land 8 years ago, people said, “What are you going to grow on it? What farm animals will you get?” All I felt in my heart was that I wanted this to be a place for people to find rest. I didn’t know what that looked like at the time, but I started dreaming about our land being a rest stop for people. A place for peace and relaxation. A place for people to disconnect from the world and connect with those closest to them.
What is your favorite feature or detail of the tiny farmhouse, and how do you believe it enhances the overall guest experience?
It’s a tie between the front porch and the king-size bed. Nothing says farmhouse like a good front porch with a porch swing and rocking chairs. Guests love going out in the mornings and watching the deer. I’m equally just as thrilled that we got to fit a king-size bed in a tiny home… with room to spare! When I polled my friends and family, they all said that they like a king-sized option when they travel, so I’m really happy we can offer that for guests.
As your vacation rental is located on your farm, how does the rural setting contribute to the overall guest experience? What advantages and challenges come with operating a hospitality business on your rural property?
The best advantage is that we live just a few fields over, but hidden in a tree line so our guests are still very secluded. I love that we are truly family-owned and operated. I clean the home myself and take great pride in caring for everything. Many vacation rentals have management companies that do all of the communicating, etc… but I love being my guests’ main point of contact. Lots of guests have become friends. The only challenge I can think of that city folk might not like is all the sounds of the country. You’ll hear animals when you’re out here, that’s for sure. And because there are no big city lights around us, it gets really dark at night. But I find that as an advantage because the stars are stunning!
Can you share a memorable experience or interaction with a guest that stands out in your mind?
I’d have to say our guests that came on Christmas day. It was two sisters who had recently lost their mom. Their goal was to make new memories together in new places. They chose our home for Christmas, and I was honored. When they left she said that her mom would have absolutely loved it. It reminded me of why I’m doing this! You never know what someone has been through when they walk through those doors. Why not make it the most peaceful and relaxing experience that I possibly can? That’s my goal for every guest.
Southern hospitality is known for its warmth and charm. How do you infuse these qualities into the experience you offer?
To me, nothing says Southern hospitality like making someone feel at home. I think to myself, “What would I want to come home to after a long day of travel?” – So I make fresh muffins for every guest. That way, they have something to snack on the next morning. In the fridge, they’ll find farm-fresh eggs from our hens (if they’re in the laying mood) as well as a large glass bottle of spring water. There’s also a tray full of snacks with several of them being made in Tennessee. When you’re in a new area, you aren’t familiar with all the best places to eat, shop, hike, etc… so I leave a book full of information on all of our local favorites. This is important to me because I love it when our guests can shop locally and support our amazing business owners who live here. Not sure about you, but I always forget something when I travel so I provide a little “in case you forgot” basket full of things people might have forgotten. From toothpaste to a mini sewing kit, I tried to think of everything someone might need. Loving guests well and treating them the way I would want to be treated is what Southern hospitality means to me.
How do you balance running a successful rental while caring for a farm and being a wife and mother?
I believe there is no such thing as true balance. When you pour into one thing, the other thing will lack a little. This is why I make sure that my family always comes first. My husband helps immensely, and we are definitely a team… “teamwork makes the dream work,” we always say. Our parents live close, and my mom and mother-in-law are always helping us. They love their grand-babies so much and are always willing to come over and be with them. This means a lot to us, and we are forever grateful for them. I’ve had friends offer to help in whatever way they can, from cleaning to watching the kids so I can get things done. Basically, you need to find your people who love you well, and be sure to love them well in return!
Walk us through a day of a vacation rental owner.
Well, I’m the marketing team, PR, advertising, customer service, etc… haha! So you’ll usually find me cleaning or creating some form of content for social media and our newsletter. I also love helping other hosts with hospitality, so I create guides for them as well. When a guest checks out, it’s time to go over and clean. I do most of the laundry at my house, so I load up my car with fresh linens and towels and drive through our fields to get there. As soon as I walk in, I check all the drawers, closets, etc.… to ensure a guest hasn’t left anything behind. I gather up all the bedding and dirty towels and replace them with clean everything. I won’t bore you with the details, but I have a written cleaning routine that I go through that helps me deep clean the entire house. I typically work on content while I’m there, too, so that would include making videos, etc… If it’s a same-day flip, then I’m usually sweating by the end of it all because the house needs to be ready by 3:00! I’m so meticulous that I’m usually not leaving until 2:59, haha!
What is one thing you don’t like about the hospitality business?
This is a hard one because I truly love it all. If I had to be picky, I would say that when guests are staying, I feel like I have to be on call 24/7. This isn’t your normal 9-5 job. If a guest calls at midnight, if the power goes out, or if there is any issue… it’s on me. I totally understand that because I choose to be the point of contact versus having a management company. I want to communicate with my guests so it’s definitely a catch-22. That can be hard on this mama who wants to keep my family first. But that’s part of the job, and thankfully I have a great handyman (aka my husband)!
What would you do differently if you could return to the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey?
I’d stop caring about what people think. I’ve been an entrepreneur for 14 years, and I still have to remind myself of this today. Sometimes I let negative people get to me, but that’s just part of it when you own your own business. I have to remember: This is my calling, not theirs. Nobody has your exact vision, so don’t let naysayers sway you from your dreams. There will always be miserable people who want to see you do bad, but you have to focus on the ones who want to see you do what you were called to do!
What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the vacation rental business?
It’s hard work, and you need thick skin, but you can do it! Little details and hospitality go a long way. Don’t get caught up in the trends, do the thing that represents you and who you are. YOU are what makes your home unique… not the latest trend. Some hosts are in this for the monetary side of things, and other hosts are focused on true hospitality and loving every guest. Both of these things matter, but when you focus on hosting to the best of your ability, everything else will fall into place.
Tennessee is known for its diverse landscapes and attractions. What local activities and attractions do you recommend to guests looking to explore the area?
There are some awesome trails and parks around our area, as well as lake activities. There are some hidden gems that I love to share with guests. Our little town has so many amazing small businesses – boutiques, cafes, bakeries, antique shops, farmers markets, restaurants, I could go on and on. I have a guidebook that I send to every guest with all of my favorite places. Our home is within walking distance of Watts Bar Lake. There are 771 miles of shoreline, and 738 of those shoreline miles are located in our county alone. Oh, and you can’t mention Tennessee without mentioning Queen Dolly. Dollywood is always a favorite of ours and our guests!
Wanting to visit the Tennessee Tiny FarmHouse? Learn more here.
All family photos were taken by Brittany Connor.
