Although the name appeared on property records more than a half century ago, nobody remembers why it’s called Carousel Farm.
"We didn't name it that, and the previous owners before us didn't either," Brittany Pride says. "It's been on the paperwork since the late '50s, early '60s. If you're standing on the front porch and Google it, it does say you're at Carousel Farm. It recognizes that it's an actual place."
Brittany and her husband Bart purchased the first 15 acres and two houses in 2011. Five and a half years later, they acquired the remaining 37 acres and two additional houses. The 53-acre estate sits along the Harpeth River, a legacy property they plan to pass down for generations.
The land was an Indian fishing camp at one point, and arrowheads still surface on the ridge and down by the river basin. Today, the estate is a combination of natural beauty (winding river, wide open spaces, and waterfalls) and touches the family has slowly added over time… a mahjong room among them.
The Exterior
When the Prides started property shopping, they had specific requirements: some water, multiple homes, natural barriers.
"We wanted a legacy property that we could leave to our children and so on," Brittany adds. Carousel Farm checked every box and then some.
The compound now includes four structures, with the primary residence a 5,000-square-foot home where the Prides live with their two kids.
There's also a pool house and two cottages built in 1969 that serve as guest quarters, offering plenty of space for visiting guests and in-laws. As for the terrain? It’s showstopping all its own. There's a pickleball court, a chicken coop, a treehouse tucked into the trees, a hot tub, and a screened-in porch, so whether you’re in the mood for exercise or relaxation, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for.
"The river is special to a lot of people for kayaking, fishing," Brittany notes, adding that there’s a pavilion near the banks offering a great gathering area. In fact, thousands of people once descended for an extra-special occasion: a 7,200-person baptism. "My whole family got baptized right in front of the waterfall."
The Interior
The house itself is classic Southern style with white exteriors and charming touches: greenery, colorful landscaping, a waving American flag. Blues and whites dominate the color scheme, warmed up by natural wood tones. But step inside and let the whimsy unfold into an expertly curated haven nodding to the land’s moniker and the family’s personality, like a gallery wall filled with meaningful art to greet guests.
"All of the photos are landscapes and river photography, Monteagle photos, pastels, oil paintings," Brittany says. Every piece came from somewhere local. "Everything is significant to us. All my Sewanee pieces came from Monteagle. I like to hunt, dig, and find.”
When they bought the property, carousel-themed touches were scattered throughout the main house. Brittany kept them and added more, making the theme an intentional nod to the property’s history.
Brittany, a mahjong instructor and owner of The Mahjong Miss, added a room entirely dedicated to the game. But the room isn't about kitsch—Brittany collects vintage ivory, wood, and hand-painted mahjong sets. Of course, there’s a carousel pony sprinkled in.
"It's a neat place, it's special to us, and it's always felt like home," she says. "We knew this would be a lifelong project; it would be home forever, so we can do little things as we go."
The name Carousel Farm might predate them by decades, but the Prides have made it theirs for generations to come.