Summer is the perfect time to explore our bountiful region. Quick staycations, family in to visit, or couples looking to reconnect can find countless options, and we found one for the top of your list. Whether you’re watching a summer thunderstorm or fireflies dancing in the expansive meadow, Kellie and Kenny’s farm stay off Cole’s Ferry is a picturesque place to stay. With a firepit on the balcony overlooking the lake and field where deer gather and frolic, as well as a cozy covered porch swing, it doesn’t matter what unpredictable weather comes your way—no matter the reason for your visit.
As someone who has stayed at more than 25 Airbnb properties in the past two years, I can attest that this barndominium was furnished with comfort in mind. It’s no wonder this listing has nearly 60 perfect five-star reviews. Instead of skimping on decor, Kellie has chosen pieces you’d want in your own home—oversized sofas, a king-sized memory foam bed, plush throw blankets, and thoughtful extras throughout.
But this wasn’t always the plan. Kellie and Kenny bought their 18-acre property in 2016 after spotting it on Zillow. Back then, they lived in a 1934 home in downtown Lebanon and didn’t know they were both secretly browsing for land. While on a flight to Austin, the truth came out—and as soon as they returned, they toured this plot backing up to Old Hickory Lake. “We honestly didn’t look at any other land,” Kellie says. “It just felt like home the moment we drove down the long, winding driveway.”
They sold their house in town and started building a barn to live in temporarily. With no kids yet and no strict timeline for building their future home, the barn offered a simple, serene space—and the couple did much of the labor themselves, memories captured in a photo memory coffee table book, moving in March 2017. Their daughter Madison was born the following year, and with the help of Stewart Knowles Construction, by December 2019 they were moving into their newly built home.
At first, the barn was reserved for family visits, but that changed in July 2021 when Kellie listed it on Airbnb. It booked instantly and hasn’t slowed down since. The majority of guests are couples looking for peace and quiet, some traveling from as far away as California. There have also been music videos filmed here by country stars Dylan Scott and Noah Thompson, along with stays by travel nurses and even locals seeking a staycation.
Their story is rooted in Lebanon, where Kellie was born and raised. She played collegiate golf at Samford University before earning her nurse practitioner degree from Vanderbilt. Kenny moved from Louisiana to Lebanon as a child, eventually playing football at Cumberland University. The couple met one summer while Kellie was home from college and married in 2013. Now parents to three young children (ages 2, 5, and 6), they still find time to travel, play golf and tennis, and enjoy life on the lake.
Their professional lives evolved in tandem with their personal journey. Kenny left his job as a teacher and coach to earn his real estate license in 2017. Kellie followed after a brief return to nursing post-motherhood. By 2023, she had earned her broker’s license, and together they founded Sallis Realty Group, based in the historic Lebanon Square. Alongside their growing team, they’ve renovated several downtown buildings and invested in real estate projects ranging from flips to long- and short-term rentals.
Their Airbnb portfolio now includes five properties: a renovated beach house on Florida’s 30A, a Center Hill Lake home, a Lebanon Lake House, a riverfront condo in downtown Nashville, and of course—the original barn. Their approach? Buy where they love to spend time and find properties that need work to build equity from the start.
But for Kellie, it’s never just about the investment. “Hosting allows me to blend my two passions: travel and beautiful homes,” she says. “I love helping guests plan the details of their trip—where to eat, what to do. I always told Kenny my dream was to be a travel agent and a realtor. In a way, I get to do both.”
Guests celebrating special occasions often arrive to find a bottle of wine or s’mores kits waiting. Families with children are greeted with bubbles and goldfish crackers. These small touches speak to Kellie’s heart for hospitality and her joy in creating spaces where others can slow down and reconnect.
Whether you're planning a last-minute escape or searching for a serene space to reconnect with nature, the Sallis family's farm stay offers more than just a place to sleep—it’s a little slice of Tennessee peace, thoughtfully prepared and waiting to welcome you.