A Rustic Craftsman Retreat

Celebrating the Scenery

Along the home’s front exterior, light Hardie board is accentuated with stone of the same color. Gables in various sizes sport wooden beams, which provide a taste of the rustic elements to come and build on the existing wood posts framing the front porch. The back of the home, however, faces a lake, and the exterior is dotted with as many large picture windows as possible for unencumbered views. Blue-stained ponderosa pine posts and beams support the primary gable and match those found on the front of the home. “Before we ever started building, work had already been done on staining the existing dock, and we really wanted it to tie in with the home,” explains Ambrosetti. “We had found a wood we liked the looks of, and we used some existing stain we had. It turned out perfectly.”

To see more from Ambrosetti Construction, LLC, visit ambrosetticonstruction.com.

Also facing the water is the home’s dining room, which offers an added dose of sophistication with its linear two-tiered crystal chandelier. A rich wooden dining table is surrounded with six round-back farmhouse-style chairs, while two tufted wingback parsons chairs sit at the heads. Gray window treatments and a simple gray area rug provide a neutral base on which the room is built. This allows the pristine view to really shine while still working to create a chic and comfortable space. 

The adjacent space is a cook’s dream. A leathered quartzite island contributes to the rustic atmosphere and pays homage to the home’s natural surroundings. Four upholstered barstools are nestled under the island’s overhang, which also hides a convenient storage solution. “The main goal for cabinetry in the entire home was for it to work for living, storing, and cooking just as the family does it,” says Becky Worley of Classic Cabinetry. “We especially love the rustic alder and character-distressed finishes in the kitchen that blend and work so well with the updated black stainless appliances. Adding a Galley workstation to make sure that everything in the kitchen works just as the chef wants was like icing on the cake!” A pot-filler faucet is another culinary favorite, and two wall ovens, a gourmet range, and a split refrigerator and freezer round out the space. 

Cabinetry: Classic Cabinetry  |  Cabinetry design: Becky Worley, Classic Cabinetry

Open to the kitchen and dining area is the great room. Here, the neutrals seen throughout the other main living spaces are accentuated with pops of plum. These can be found in the textiles dotting two mirrored cream-colored sofas and a nearby chaise, as well as in two armchairs that swivel for easy access to the kitchen. “The colors used throughout the house are important,” says Ambrosetti. “They maintain a classic look and add color but are not too masculine or feminine.” Around the corner, however, the femininity is kicked up a notch in the office space. The same color scheme is utilized but this time is paired with floral curtains and a beaded chandelier. Custom millwork spans the entire back wall and adds another visual element in this softly curated space. 

A hallway that runs alongside the kitchen provides access to a laundry room that dishes out a bold take on utility-focused space. A fun circular print dominates the room not only through the wallpaper, but also with matching fabric that runs down the front of a wood-topped workspace. Two framed landscape photos hang along the back wall and incorporate the vibrant lilac color that runs throughout the space. 

On the opposite side of the main floor is a soft and chic master suite. The bedroom includes three large picture windows, again to capitalize on the stunning views. A wall comprised entirely of glossy waved tile mimics the water just outside and is a unique addition. A linear fireplace sits just below a flat-screen TV, and the lineup of browns and beiges with muted pink accents makes this room exceptionally cozy. The nearby en-suite features a show-stopping copper tub with a matte black finish, and the shower maintains a faint rustic feel with its use of wood-looking tile. Marble countertops cloak the vanity, which features two towers split by the addition of a large framed mirror and two sleek sconces.

Interior doors and trim:
Interior Trim & Supply, Inc.

Tile: Louisville Tile

A screened-in porch off of the dining room is a great addition and allows for year-round entertaining. A stone fireplace surround rises to meet the wood-plank ceiling and matches the stone seen on the home’s exterior, as well as in the great room fireplace. “We wanted to build a home where nothing was outrageous and everything blended and flowed together,” says Ambrosetti. “We used quality materials that are energy-efficient, look great, and are easy to maintain to build a home that could fit in on a lake or in the mountains or anywhere else you wanted to put it.”

Other Suppliers:

Appliances and lighting fixtures: Ferguson 

Barstools and office desk: Stamper’s Furniture

Brick: Brick Commanders, LLC

Chaise, porch chairs, and sofas:
Huck & Peck Home Furnishings

Countertops: Rocky Tops

Fireplaces: Hearthside Hearth & Home

Flooring: Ooltewah Flooring Gallery

Ironwork: Proctor Fabrication

Living room accent chairs: E.F. Brannon

Plumbing fixtures: Kenny Pipe & Supply, Inc.

Stone: Acme Block & Brick, Inc.