Home & Garden

Inside Braxton Dixon’s World

A legacy of enduring architectural treasures
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Two of the six houses on Dixon's hillside property.

Two of the six houses on Dixon’s hillside property.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Braxton Dixon on the porch of his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Braxton Dixon on the porch of his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

A staircase in the main house, made of antebellum poplar.

A staircase in the main house, made of antebellum poplar.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

A salvaged bathtub––sent to Dixon by his World War II buddies in Italy––sits on cut Tennessee limestone.

A salvaged bathtub—sent to Dixon by his World War II buddies in Italy—sits on cut Tennessee limestone.

The eclectic, catty-corner entrance to Dixon's home, draped with Boston ivy.

Strong Bones

The eclectic, catty-corner entrance to Dixon’s home, draped with Boston ivy.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

The kitchen of this Dixon house, in Tennessee, is covered in Portuguese cork.

Wood Work

The kitchen of this Dixon house, in Tennessee, is covered in Portuguese cork.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

A self-supporting staircase includes a brass casket handle for a railing.

A self-supporting staircase includes a brass casket handle for a railing.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Dixon on the porch of an 1809 tollhouse, torn down and relocated to his property for use as a guest cabin.

Dixon on the porch of an 1809 tollhouse, torn down and relocated to his property for use as a guest cabin.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Dixon and his wife, Maryanna.

Dixon and his wife, Maryanna.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Dixon incorporates many architectural antiques into his projects, including this walnut door circa 1800s.

Dixon incorporates many architectural antiques into his projects, including this walnut door circa 1800s.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Original hinges on a walnut door circa 1800s.

Original hinges on a walnut door circa 1800s.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Dixon’s long, open floor plan kitchen leads into a bedroom infused with natural light.

Dixon’s long, open floor plan kitchen leads into a bedroom infused with natural light.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Once used for making candy, this copper kettle now functions as a sink.

Once used for making candy, this copper kettle now functions as a sink.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Dixon’s collection of antique tools are the only ones he’ll use.

Dixon’s collection of antique tools are the only ones he’ll use.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Located in Dixon’s barn, this is where he stores brackets for future use. The wheel was once used in a grits mill.

Located in Dixon’s barn, this is where he stores brackets for future use. The wheel was once used in a grits mill.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Dixon’s barn.

Dixon’s barn.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

A beautifully designed exterior.

A beautifully designed exterior.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Unsurprisingly, Dixon chops his own firewood, stacked here outside the main house.

Unsurprisingly, Dixon chops his own firewood, stacked here outside the main house.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

This Dixon house was modeled after Sally Field’s head wear in The Flying Nun.

This Dixon house was modeled after Sally Field’s head wear in The Flying Nun.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Debbie Church resides in this Dixon home built of chestnut.

Debbie Church resides in this Dixon home built of chestnut.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Another of Dixon’s unique designs.

Another of Dixon’s unique designs.

Photo: Hollis Bennett

Inside Debbie Church’s home, Dixon created the hanging coffee table from a solid piece of wood.

Inside Debbie Church’s home, Dixon created the hanging coffee table from a solid piece of wood.

Photo: Hollis Bennett