It's true… they just don't make them like they used to. In 1908, when Charles Reed Barbee had his own mansion built on the edge of Ripley, TN, he probably never considered whether that home would still be around over 100 years later. But here it stands, in all its glory, 111 years later. Chad and Rachael Lowry of Ripley, the current owners, opened the home up to us last year, right before the Ripley Carl Perkins Christmas Home Tour.  While the home is absolutely amazing, their love of the house was evident in all of the wonderful decorations that celebrated the Christmas season. They told us the history, “Through the years this home has served different owners, even functioned as a flower shop for several years, before being purchased in 2004 by Paul and Elizabeth Lague.” Chad continued, “In 2004 and for the next couple of years, they did many renovations.” Those renovations were entirely worthwhile. Today it is a truly magnificent showplace.  It is one of the last remaining mansions in Lauderdale County, TN. 

Walking through the front door, your eyes are captivated by a grand split staircase. To the left is the formal living room, which includes one of the 7 fireplaces in the home. To the right is the formal dining room (which comfortably entertains 14).  Located perfectly off of the dining room is a gourmet kitchen that makes your heart stand still if you love cooking! It includes a unique mantle hood over the 6 burner gas stove with a griddle. What you might not expect is the granite countertops, tile floors, and the walk-in pantry.  The large island is the natural gathering spot for the many guests that are entertained in this great space. The master suite is located on the main floor and features a master bath with real Italian marble imported directly from Italy, a sitting room, dual walk-in closets, everything you need to start your day! Going up the beautiful staircase to the second story, you pass a lifesize Santa, as he looks down into the foyer to see his beautifully decorated full-size sleigh. [Chad and Rachael posed beside it, but their dogs were the passengers!]  The bedrooms upstairs have antique furniture that belonged to their family, special pieces that have gained new life in their son’s rooms, and a great little deck that juts out on the backside of the home. It is truly a magnificent home!

Your tour will not be complete until you travel to the basement and see the wonderful spaces down there.  A newly remodeled sports den and man cave await, as Chad has given this area his stamp. “My boys love sports, and so do I.  They played sports in high school and it was a big part of our lives.” Wilson and Easton have a great place to come home to, and that room gives the entire family a place to enjoy some football on TV or just relax and have a great movie night.  But you can’t pass up a trip back to the kitchen, where the Lowry’s had catered a beautiful spread simply for the Annual Carl Perkins Tour of Homes in Ripley. I loved the Gingerbread house, but all the goodies were simply wonderful! Rachael was the perfect hostess, making sure we tried everything and had a cup of Christmas punch to sip on!

When the previous owners began their massive renovation in 2004, they kept the mahogany pocket doors, 6 leaded glass windows, hardwood floors, and the original Summer porch. “The glass door in front had to be replaced, it isn’t the original glass as the original was broken by the fire department when a house fire erupted.  The only way they could get in quickly was through the front glass of the door. The fire was put out and the home was saved, so it was a worthwhile sacrifice.” Chad told us and added, “In 1908, the walls were constructed to an incredible one-foot thickness, it's so true… they just don't make them like they used to.”

If you get the chance to see the home, you won’t want to pass it up! The home’s decorations are amazing, to say the least!  There are so many Christmas trees, unusual decorations, and just beautiful everything. They had help with their decorations last year, for the tour.  Their designer, Chad Conley made everything extra special and over the top. But while he added his touch, the love the family has for life and Christmas is evident everywhere you look!  “We decorate for every season,” Rachael told us. “But Halloween and Christmas are our favorite.” The couple masterfully does a ‘haunted trick or treat’ in the front of their home at Halloween, but what goes in front at Christmas really shows their heart.  

It’s just a simple Santa’s Mailbox.  But that mailbox has become something special to a lot of kids and families.  You see, when kids put letters in that box, and if they really are letters from kids who may not get a visit from Santa, somehow, the Lowrys make it happen, whether it’s because they happen to know the real Santa, or simply that they are recruited to be his helpers, things just happen.  “I remember one time a family had three boys, and they weren’t going to have a very good Christmas that year.” Chad recalled, “The boys wrote Santa a letter and put it in our box, because, well, you never know.” The boys got Christmas that year, delivered to their porch, and might not have, had the Lowry’s not let Santa know that they were in need.

Thank you to the Lowry’s, for letting us share their wonderful home and their love of Christmas.

If you would like us to feature your home at Christmas, we will be looking this year, for next year’s Cypress Christmas House.  Send us a photo that makes us go, ‘WOW!’ and we will put you into consideration for the feature.