Antique Mountaintop Manor

Once Reeves came across this familiar lot, it was almost too good to be true. Not only did it hold sweet childhood memories, the lot’s elevation, along with a small pond, provided an added dose of tranquility that made purchasing the property a no-brainer. 

Upon starting work on the home, Reeves leaned on his extensive travels through western Europe and decided to try to emulate some of the structures he had seen in the small villages that dotted the French countryside. 

“You would see these homes in France that were made out of whatever materials were available,” explains Reeves. “They incorporated a lot of stone and brick work, but they didn’t necessarily have the nice smooth lines and symmetry that you see in a lot of homes today, and I liked that.”

Upon entering the Reeves home, guests can travel through the foyer to gain access to the main living spaces. Here, Reeves’s other main goal of the home – to obtain a look that is masculine yet comfortable – comes out in full force.

“I wanted to have a comfortable, friendly-feeling house,” says Reeves. “I wanted a place where people could just come in and feel the warmth. Hopefully, that’s what I’ve done here.” 

Butterscotch-stained red oak hardwoods go one step further in creating an inviting and warm space. The material is repeated in the oak cabinetry, some of which is topped with light granite countertops. The entire space is cloaked in Kensington Blue paint, but the true crowning glory is the collection of vintage mementos that are scattered about the room.

An antique copper teapot has a permanent home atop a gas range, and two tribal rugs bring in an elevated pop of color. A nearby seating area consists of two upholstered armchairs with corresponding ottomans, which are bisected by a mahogany map chest dating back to 1850 that now serves as a coffee table. Rounding out the space is a small bronze sculpture of an English Setter that Reeves has an affinity for thanks to the sporting breeds his family raised growing up.

“I also love to read, so you will find little seating areas and keeping rooms all over the home,” adds Reeves.

“I wanted the dining room to be simple, not showy, so I chose furniture that I felt was warm and inviting.”

– Jarrell Reeves

Passing through a threshold in the kitchen, visitors will find themselves in the home’s dining room. A traditional wooden table is surrounded with slat-back chairs, and a china cabinet to the left features a set of elegant place settings.

“I wanted the dining room to be simple, not showy, so I chose furniture that I felt was warm and inviting,” says Reeves. 

An antique wooden bowl rests in the center of the oval table and is filled with pinecones for a rustic mountain aesthetic. A painting along the far wall emulates a serene natural setting in a series of defined brush strokes, and just below the artwork rests a bar cart topped with pieces of cut crystal that have been passed down throughout the Reeves family.

Nearby, the great room maintains a relaxed but traditional atmosphere. Another large antique tribal rug grounds the space and adds visual interest.

“With the exception of the kitchen space, I painted the entire home in a pale gray,” says Reeves. “I enjoy collecting these tribal rugs, and the pale gray serves as a nice neutral background. It really lets the beauty of the rugs be the primary focus.”

The same stone and brick found on the home’s exterior compose the fireplace, which stretches upward to where pine planks of the vaulted tongue-and-groove ceiling begin. The trim of several windows along the back wall adds more rich wood notes to the space and invites visitors to take a glimpse of the spacious yard beyond. 

Passing through yet another small keeping room transports guests to the master suite. A spacious his-and-hers bathroom provides an airy feeling with its light-colored walls, stark white trim, and creamy quartz countertops. 

The adjacent bedroom uses textiles to play off of the blues found elsewhere in the house, and more collectible rugs appear throughout the space. Several wooden pieces strike the delicate balance between functionality and the beauty found in natural materials. An oversized dough bowl in the corner is yet another unique antique addition and is used to store a surplus of quilts and blankets. 

“With every room in this house, I have tried to combine the antique pieces that I enjoy having around and newer traditional elements with the ultimate goal being to create a comfortable and distinctly welcoming atmosphere,” says Reeves. “By mixing a variety of natural materials and putting craftsmanship and artisanship on full display, I hope I’ve created a home that won’t be dated and will be a fixture in this neighborhood for years to come.”