American Craftsman À La Mode

Feature Home

By Lindsey Clute / Photography by Garrett Henderson-Black

 

This custom build in North Chattanooga is an exquisite mélange of two sought-after styles. While a modern European-inspired design defines the façade, the interior is characterized by a graceful, old-world demeanor.

“Designing a home in the heart of North Chattanooga meant we had to keep the integrity of the craftsman-style architecture seen all over this part of town and mix it with the coveted modern European-inspired features,” shares Cassie Courtney, lead designer at featherlane design co.

Before even entering the home, this expert blend is first seen through one significant architectural facet that adds a tasteful flair and picturesque charm to the home’s craftsman frame.

“When we initially walked the lot, the first dream that came to mind was the goal of seeing the livability of a porte-cochère to extend the invaluable parking access and coverage for downtown living, while still allowing us to extend the home’s footprint in the floor plan,” Courtney explains. “We knew that we were going to see this vision come to life well with the detail-oriented approach of the builder, Amber Clark with Driftbank Builds, who could handle the important nature of this feature with excellence.”

 

Interior design: featherlane design co.

Builder: Driftbank Builds

Fireplace: Southern Trowel

Living room with marble fireplace

 

Arched entryway in the living room

 

Executing an Expert Blend

“Featherlane has always started projects (whether they are remodels or properties designed from scratch) by approaching things from the inside out,” Courtney continues. “Being able to design the floor plan and work that way, we were able to accomplish that blended European-inspired interior with a classic American twist.”

Upon entering the home, observers will note the prominent arched doorways and thresholds that act as a unifying frame for the interior spaces, drawing the eye to the careful detailing and providing a sense of classic structural elegance. Additional details are thoughtfully layered to establish a balanced, cohesive aesthetic that feels refined and welcoming.

“We brought this look together through the careful and intentional dentil molding selections in areas like the kitchen, foyer, and living room; the strategic design in the wall trim and wainscoting; the use of arches; and in particular, the great use of windows throughout the kitchen and entry area.”

To see more from featherlane design co., visit featherlanedesign.co.

 

Flooring: Tom’s Carpet & Flooring

 

 

Kitchen with olive green island

 

White custom cabinetry in a kitchen

 

 

The kitchen immediately provides a feeling of relaxation and nostalgia. From the natural lighting casting a soft glow on the space to the neutral creams and whites of the walls and woodwork, every detail contributes to an atmosphere that feels effortlessly timeless.

“The goal for this project was to see a really well-thought-out kitchen that operated with modern ease but felt like it had existed in this space for hundreds of years already,” Courtney explains.

The spacious layout, high-end appliances, and generous white custom cabinetry actualize the former intention, while the finer details – scalloped wicker barstools lining the island, a contrasting green overhang, and dramatic veining in the natural stone countertops – bring the
latter to life.

 

 

Dining room with beadboard-style wainscoting

 

Similarly, the adjoining dining room embraces a warm beige palette, where beadboard-style wainscoting in a deeper tone introduces architectural dimension and texture. A synchronized dining set reinforces the room’s understated elegance, while a glass bubble cluster chandelier lends a contemporary note to the room’s otherwise classic setting.

 

 

Carpets and Furniture of Dalton web ad

Primary bedroom with shades of gray bedding and en suite with gray cast-iron soaking tub

 

Breaking away from the home’s warm hues, the primary bedroom adopts a cooler palette, introducing shades of gray accented by carefully curated pops of color.

“Color is not something we shy away from, but we have learned to use it with both delicacy and precision, including unexpected ways with our design spec projects,” Courtney says. “We thank the client and builder, Driftbank Builds, for always allowing our creative vision to be not only supported, but embraced. We knew that a soft, warm base line would help keep the flow of the home feeling balanced, but in areas where color is often an afterthought, we turned up the volume and let some interest really guide us.”

Steps away, the en suite continues that philosophy. A freestanding cast-iron soaking tub with a stainless-steel exterior serves as the room’s centerpiece, positioned before a paneled feature wall adorned with elegant molding details. Beneath, a checkerboard floor introduces timeless visual appeal, while large-scale abstract artwork above the tub adds a modern layer of color and personality.

 

 

Laundry room and wet bar

 

Interior doors: East Chattanooga Lumber & Supply Co.

 

Between the flow of the home’s main areas, the team’s craftmanship is also evident throughout additional auxiliary spaces. Carefully executed millwork carries the design language into the guest bedrooms, while a laundry room with soapstone-finished surfaces demonstrates the same attention to detail found throughout the rest of the home.

 

“Creating something that feels like home is an incredible honor and is becoming a vital task for design build offering in our current market. We have always felt that what we create is a feeling, and it is done in the thousands of details that are put to work – from the floor plan to the grout color. You can dream all day, but without the team to see the vision become executed, you just have a dream.” – Cassie Courtney, featherlane design co.

 

HealthScope ad

Modern cream couch with ottoman in beige neutrals

 

Mid-century modern leather and wood chair

 

The living room embraces mid-century modern influences through clean lines, organic shapes, and natural wood finishes. A curved Sherpa sofa paired with coordinating chairs anchors the seating arrangement, while contemporary artwork introduces contrast within the room’s predominantly neutral palette. Dark wood furnishings and additional leather-and-wood seating further enrich the space. Engineered white oak flooring, also featured in the bedrooms, ties the interior together with warmth and continuity.

“We don’t ever want anything about our approach to feel the same,” says Courtney, “which means each time we design and build with Driftbank Builds, our projects and our selections are all one of a kind.”

That commitment to collaboration and craftsmanship is ultimately what defines the project. From its distinctive architectural features to its thoughtfully curated interiors, the home successfully balances European sophistication with timeless American craftsmanship – an enduring representation of a powerful partnership.

 

Other suppliers:

Appliances and plumbing fixtures: Ferguson
Architect: Build Sage Design
Artwork: Emalee Arroyo Art
Cabinetry: Cambium Craft
Countertops: Rocky Tops Custom Countertops
Exterior doors and windows: HomeChoice Windows, Doors & Flooring
Landscaping: The Barn Nursery

 

Chattanooga Closet Company Ad

Get Free Digital Copies of CityScope® Emailed to You!