A Rustic Craftsman Retreat

The exterior of the Gadds’ home is warm and welcoming with its natural stone and roomy covered front patio. After entering through the home’s windowed French front doors, visitors find themselves in the foyer, which features a barrel-vaulted ceiling and warm marble-tiled floors.

To the right of the foyer is the couple’s formal dining room. This room elegantly blends an array of patterns and colors to provide a refreshed take on a traditional look. Modern sconces deliver a touch of warm light to the room, which is great for entertaining guests and reflects the Gadds’ lifestyle.

“This room has a few pieces that are special to us,” explains Mary. “Jason and his dad both make furniture, so renovating was really fun. His dad actually made our dining room table and signed its underside. The table is incredibly special and personifies our love for having family and friends over.”

The chairs at each end of the eight-place table are wing-backs covered in a whimsical landscape pattern, and six studded dining chairs fill in the remainder of the table’s place settings. Two additional side chairs sit on either side of a fireplace, and a live-edge sidepiece provides room for additional décor while still keeping the space open.

Further into the home’s semi-open floor plan are the main rooms. Beside the kitchen is a breakfast nook that the Gadds use for smaller gatherings. The dining table in this room belonged to Jason’s grandparents, and the space easily accommodates six. Four ladder back chairs provide seating options, and guests can also seat themselves at a built-in window bench. To each side, wooden built-ins with glass-front upper cabinets provide additional storage.

Just steps to the left of the breakfast nook is the Gadds’ luxurious kitchen. Exposed beams overhead support the room’s vaulted ceilings and further accentuate the rustic elements of the home.

“I really wanted that lodge feel in our kitchen,” elaborates Mary. “We just wanted a stained wood look to keep everything looking natural.”

Exotic gray-green countertops wash over the kitchen island, which also boasts an overhang with room for four barstools, providing even more space for the duo to gather with family and friends.

“I wanted something that popped for the island countertop because I knew that’s where we were going to spend the most time,” says Mary. “I planned to stay with natural colors, so our perimeter countertops are black as to not detract from the space.”

“I wanted something that popped for the island countertop because I knew that’s where we were going to spend the most time.”

– Mary Gadd

(Second) Jason and Mary Gadd with their dog, Bella

From the kitchen, it is an effortless transition to the living room, which encourages conversation and quality time.

“Our previous home was separated from the living area, so I knew that I wanted one big space,” says Mary. “I wanted it to be where, if we were cooking, we would still feel connected and be visiting with our friends. Likewise, the people in the great room still feel like they are part of the kitchen.”

With such an open space, Mary knew that she still wanted there to be some sort of centerpiece for the room. The end result was a beautiful natural stone, wood-burning fireplace that grounds the end of the corridor.

“Jason grew up with a wood-burning fireplace, so we thought that would be a nice element to have. It’s a beautiful focal point,” chimes Mary. “The mantle above it came from a tree that was on the property, and Jason finished it and stained it specifically for the space.”

In the center of the room sits a leather sectional, and two additional wing-back accent chairs invite visitors to pause and relax.

“This entire space is really where we spend the most time because we love to have people over,” says Mary. “We can have large dinners and mingle with our guests. The space accommodates a lot of our family and friends, which is what we really wanted. Family is very important to us.”

“The view from this room looks out off the brow of the mountain, and it’s what first drew us to the home.”

– Mary Gadd

On either side of the living room’s fireplace is a set of double doors leading to the Gadds’ outdoor living space. Perfect in the warmer months, this screened-in porch is washed in a neutral greenish-gray.

“The view from this room looks out off the brow of the mountain, and it’s what first drew us to the home,” recalls Mary.

With numerous arched windows that provide ample natural light and a stone fireplace, this space is a cozy area to unwind and relax. The Gadds also use this space when entertaining guests, noting they frequently watch football games on the porch when the weather is nice.

Back across the house and tucked away from the main living spaces is the couple’s master suite. The home’s vantage point takes center stage in this room with a large picture window that sits on the far wall above a sofa that once belonged to Mary’s grandmother.

“We knew this room would end up being a major selling point for the house one day, so we wanted a large master bedroom and bathroom,” says Mary.

The room, painted in an elegant dove gray, features a vaulted ceiling and cross beams that are a warm white. Stepping into the en suite reveals a change of pace. Rustic wood and deep colors are replaced with whites and chromes, giving way to a spa-like space. Still, subtle brown accents can be found among the whites and ties the room ever so slightly into the rest of the home.

Dual vanities are separated by an elevated bathtub that sits just below a window with yet another breathtaking view. A barrel vault over the tub accentuates the center of the room and draws the eye toward the faux marble that lines the floor and walk-in shower.

“This is another room where I spend a lot of time,” says Mary. “So, it was important that it was spacious and relaxing.”

Whether they are entertaining a group of friends for a University of Tennessee game or hosting family members for a game night, Jason and Mary’s home is the perfect escape. With a layout that caters to groups and scenic views to boot, this rustic retreat puts those who walk through its doors instantly at ease. CS