Contemporary Stone Villa / Dana Oberson Architects

The increasing popularity of second homes has led many Nashville residents to seek serene retreats outside the bustling city. One couple discovered Overton Retreat, an exclusive gated community in McMinnville, Tennessee, situated on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, near a lake and forest. This upscale mountaintop community on Long Mountain is less than two hours from Nashville, offering proximity to the Caney Fork River and Fall Creek Falls. This particular home, designed by Interior Anthology, exemplifies a fusion of rustic cabin charm and modern sophistication. The craftsman-style residence spans over 7,000 square feet, featuring five bedrooms and six bathrooms. Its interior design prominently embraces the biophilic trend, evident in details like woven rhododendron handrails and a grand stone fireplace. The home's soaring ceilings and natural aesthetic draw inspiration from Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful Inn. Jennefer Guthrie, owner of Interior Anthology, explained that the design consistently maintained its initial rustic mountain home concept, with some elements evolving during the process. An interior elevator with a hidden access door highlights the home's blend of remote tranquility with advanced amenities, underscoring its thoughtfully curated features and subtle design details. Guthrie dedicated years to sourcing decor, art, and accessories, often finding unique pieces during trips to Asheville with the intention of incorporating them into the mountain house. Her involvement extended to selecting everything from the exterior stone to the doorknobs, demonstrating extensive procurement for the project. In the kitchen, custom stools with a branch and twig motif complement a curved island, designed to enhance elbow room for guests. A unique artistic backsplash, custom-made by a pottery collective in Philadelphia, serves as a prominent focal point upon entering the home, creatively addressing the lack of space for traditional wall art. The dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows, maximizing natural light, and smaller rectangular windows that pay homage to the craftsman style. A custom chandelier, recreated by an artisan after the client discovered a vintage piece, boasts wire and crystal globes. The owner's bedroom, the largest in the home, provides ample space and a sunset view. Its en-suite bathroom includes a curved shower and birch tree-adorned wallpaper, designed to evoke the feeling of being immersed in nature. The grand entryway features an overhead catwalk leading to an expansive great room dominated by a Tennessee fieldstone fireplace. Notable details include columns with bark inlay and rhododendron railings, both sourced from Asheville, NC. The fireplace mantel is a reclaimed wood piece from Littlebranch Farm, and the local stone for the fireplace was sourced from a nearby quarry. An art piece by Emily Leonard above the fireplace adds warmth and depth. The great room is further enhanced by a striking, six-by-six-foot handmade light fixture from Wish Designs. The catwalk, adorned with rhododendron branch railings from Mountain Laurel Handrail, connects different sections of the upstairs. Reclaimed barn wood creates an inset on the hickory floor leading to the great room. The front entry features an ornate antique bench, personally acquired by Guthrie and now a prominent design element. Thoughtfully curated collections, such as a hall table with a mirror and twig sconces, create engaging vignettes throughout the house. Guest accommodations include a serene “Couple’s Suite” with moody blue walls, a birch bed from La Lune Collection, and a sophisticated chandelier from Troy Lighting. A Navajo-inspired rug by Ralph Lauren adds texture, while an original oil painting by Jason A. Saunders provides a touch of color. Upstairs amenities also include a wine and snack bar, an exercise area, and a billiard room for entertainment. The home also boasts approximately 2,200 square feet of decking, encompassing a sunporch and a master suite deck, offering impressive views. Other guest rooms include a bunk room with custom-made bunks from La Lune Collection and a faux antler light fixture. Its adjacent bathroom features whimsical stag wallpaper from Kravet and a mirror from Pottery Barn Kids. An office space, deemed essential by the semi-retired client, provides a handsome and productive oasis. The powder room is considered one of the most unique spaces, featuring a tree trunk vanity base from Littlebranch Farms, handmade birch panels from Arden Creek, and custom floor tiles from Karen Amies of MacMillan Amies Studio, which incorporate acorns and other natural motifs. A screened-in porch with a fireplace and a custom porch swing from La Lune Collection offers a cozy spot to enjoy the views year-round, even after reupholstering the original furniture. This custom-designed home provides a luxurious, nature-inspired retreat, meticulously crafted for comfort and aesthetic appeal. #ElevatedRusticDesign #OvertonRetreat #CustomHome #InteriorDesign #BiophilicDesign #LuxuryHomes #TennesseeArchitecture #MountainHome #SecondHome

Architect Damon Hills and his partner John Boschen transformed a derelict 1920s California bungalow in Northcote, purchased in 2013, into a modern, light-filled residence they now call the Light Box Home. The original property, a deceased estate, was in an unlivable condition due to neglect and significant odor issues, featuring an asbestos-ridden lean-to and an outdoor toilet. Despite its state, Hills recognized the potential of the house, situated in the desirable Sumner Estate near Merri Creek, an area known for its California bungalows. He appreciated the utilitarian design of bungalows and sought to preserve the home's classic facade while undertaking a comprehensive renovation. The renovation began with exterior modifications, replacing the pressed-metal roof with a corrugated-iron one, which was consistent with the original architectural style. Although constrained by heritage overlay regulations that prevented the addition of bay windows to the facade, the front two rooms, which now serve as the main and guest bedrooms, were retained. A key focus of the redesign was to enhance natural light, as the original house was notably dark. Hills addressed this by incorporating new windows on the sides of the front bedrooms and installing skylights throughout many rooms to maximize light penetration. The rotting blackbutt flooring in the wide hallway was replaced with new blackbutt, and a new bathroom was added behind the guest bedroom. This bathroom features a marble vanity, a luxurious tub, smaller wall tiles, and a herringbone floor pattern, with an innovative wet room design that places the bath beyond the shower to optimize space. The asbestos lean-to was demolished, making way for a new section of the house that includes a third guest bedroom (or study) and a powder room. This new area functions as a transitional space leading to a thoroughly modern living extension at the rear. The design accounted for the property's slope, utilizing it to create a slightly elevated new living section. This elevation allowed for the inclusion of clerestory windows around the top of the kitchen and dining areas, effectively filtering more light into the main living space. The modern kitchen is equipped with Miele appliances, a butler’s pantry, a concealed fridge, three ovens (standard, steam, and microwave combi), and a warming drawer. A notable design element is the oversized island bench with a bespoke linear light fixture above it, which provides illumination and defines the space. The lounge area features a fireplace and a discreetly integrated television that blends into a black background when off. Glass doors open to a north-facing wooden deck, while floor-to-ceiling windows at the back maximize morning light from the easterly aspect. The architect strategically placed larger windows on the northerly and easterly sides for optimal light, with smaller windows on the south and west. The home is fitted with hydronic floor heating and a single split-system air conditioner, relying on excellent insulation for climate control. Hills emphasized the personal challenge of designing his own home compared to client projects, noting the intense scrutiny of every detail. He described the home as a luxurious and spacious sanctuary, a place he looks forward to returning to, even from travel. The postscript details Hills’ observations on visitors' comments, highlighting the unexpected sense of space and the barn doors in the powder room and laundry. His favorite spot is an Arana armchair by Jardan in the living room, facing the fireplace, from which he can view the entire space. His favorite item is "The Mythical Galloping Faun" painting by Jodie Zomer, noting its constant movement and new discoveries upon each viewing. The Arana armchair is also his most sentimental piece, having moved with them through four houses. He expressed a dream of living in a New York City brownstone and described his entertaining style as simple dinners with friends, often concluding with a lemon tart from Babka in Fitzroy. For Hills, home signifies a place of relaxation and unwinding, a special and luxurious space that brings comfort and joy. #HomeRenovation #CaliforniaBungalow #LightBoxHome #ModernArchitecture #InteriorDesign #NorthcoteRealEstate #DamonHills #SustainableDesign #LuxuryHome

Torrison Stone & Garden, a landscape construction company based in Durham, is introducing a home design trend focused on natural stone veneers for the winter season. These veneers offer a contemporary yet classic aesthetic for various areas within a home. Tyler Gerry, owner of Torrison Stone & Garden, highlights that natural stone veneers are straightforward to install and significantly enhance a home's value, potentially increasing it by 150% upon resale. The installation process can be completed in as little as one day, making it feasible to implement before the holiday period. Homeowners have access to a wide array of stone styles, shapes, and patterns, including ashlar, mosaic, square, and rectangle, available in various colors to complement existing decor. The company maintains a local stone yard with a substantial inventory of popular, locally sourced materials, which helps prevent delays in project completion. Materials such as bluestone, travertine, and pavers are readily available, contributing to an efficient workflow. For homes with electric or gas fireplace inserts, natural stone veneers can be used to create a striking architectural feature around them. Additionally, these veneers can be applied to stone columns, bathrooms, and accent walls to refresh the space without requiring extensive renovations. Gerry notes that natural stone imparts a warm and inviting atmosphere, dispelling the misconception of it being cold or dungeon-like, and instead adding texture and dimension to a room. Torrison Stone & Garden facilitates the design process by offering a computerized system that generates 3D renderings of proposed project upgrades, helping homeowners visualize their design concepts. Beyond interior applications, natural stone veneers are also recommended for exterior use due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. They can be applied to step risers, home foundations, siding, and pool scapes, effectively boosting a home's curb appeal. The company's Landscape Architect is available to create customized plans that align with various budgets. Common outdoor applications for natural stone veneers include patios, walls, walkways, outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, fireplaces, fire pits, steps, and pool scapes. In addition to its business operations, Torrison Stone & Garden is involved in community service. The company was recognized with the Blue-Ribbon Business Award in Durham for its philanthropic contributions, including offering free yard clean-ups to local veterans in the spring and fall. They also regularly participate in the annual Relay for Life event in Durham. Established in 2000, Torrison Stone & Garden specializes in stone and landscape design, installation, and maintenance, serving homeowners across Connecticut. Their showrooms in Durham, CT, provide extensive indoor and outdoor displays for design inspiration, including virtual tours of fire rooms, tap rooms, and a 10,000 sq ft outdoor showroom. #NaturalStoneVeneers #HomeDesignTrends #TorrisonStoneAndGarden #InteriorDesign #ExteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #FireplaceUpgrade #LandscapeArchitecture #CommunityInvolvement