PREMIER LIVING

Capstone on the Crest

THE DECKER HOME

BY LINDSEY CLUTE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP SLOWIAK

For much of their lives, Bill and Debbie Decker have been on the move. Originally from the suburbs of Detroit, the couple spent years traveling the world and living in several states, as well as Spain and Italy, before eventually settling in Fredericksburg, Virginia. But as retirement approached, they began looking for their next adventure and the perfect place to call home.

A modern two-story house with a mix of white siding and stone facade, featuring large windows, a front porch, and surrounded by trees and landscaping. An American flag is displayed in front of the house.

A smiling couple standing together at a doorway with textured glass panels.

Debbie & Bill Decker

They found that balance in a mountaintop community in Jasper, where the surrounding natural beauty immediately drew them in. “We were always attracted to the mountains and lakes,” Debbie shares. “We immediately fell in love with this community and the area, as Chattanooga offers both.” After purchasing a bluff lot in 2020, the Deckers set out to create a home worthy of its stunning environment.

Sitting at the mountain’s brow, the home’s modern farmhouse façade showcases stunning architectural expertise, setting the tone for the quality of the rest of the home. Gabled rooflines, timber brackets, and crisp white wainscoting complement one another, while natural stone accents add tactile dimension.

The modern farmhouse aesthetic continues into the home’s interior, which introduces an open, welcoming foyer with sliding barn doors and a live-edge wood table. The adjacent dining room utilizes a dusty blue palette and a matching, intricately carved dining set and hutch to exude Southern hospitality.

A dining room featuring a large wooden table surrounded by elegant chairs, a china cabinet with displayed dishes, and blue walls with decorative accents.

Although the Deckers had fallen in love with the home’s floor plan years earlier after a model home walkthrough, they knew it needed to be adapted for its new surroundings to make the most of the mountain views. One of the main adjustments made was in the heart of the home – the “triangle,” as the Deckers call their favorite space – which is made up of the living room, kitchen, and covered deck. This central area features expansive windows and sliding glass doors to extend the living space outdoors.

A hallway with a wooden console table, a colorful lamp, a painting on the wall, and double doors leading outside.

A spacious living room with gray sofas, a stone fireplace, wooden beams, and large windows offering a view of the outdoors.

“The key to the whole design was to ensure no matter where we were in the house, we would enjoy the beautiful scenery around us,” Bill explains.

To further achieve this, the living room also features a modified cathedral ceiling which opens the space and draws the eye to the view of the mountains beyond.

Additional elements include plush seating, a grandfather clock cohesive with the rest of the furnishings, and neutral tones to allow the external greenery to pop, while a custom stone fireplace flanked by floating shelves provides an interior focal point.

The kitchen continues the home’s welcoming feel, creating a space where cooking, gathering, and enjoying mountain scenery can happen in tandem.

A modern kitchen with a large island, featuring a sink and a gray base. The room has wooden beams, pendant lights, and large windows offering a view of the outdoors. There is a dining area and a living space with a gray couch in the background.

A modern kitchen featuring a large island with seating, white cabinetry, a gray hood above the stove, and large windows with a view.

A modern kitchen with blue cabinets, a wine rack, and a wine cooler under a countertop, featuring a quote on a marble surface.

“We loved working with the many vendors throughout Chattanooga. There were so many options and their assistance in the process alleviated the pressure and made it much more enjoyable.” – Debbie Decker

Though the Deckers shared an overall vision for the home, the couple each had a space they wanted to prioritize. While Bill’s was a basement with a spacious theater, game room, and exercise room, for Debbie, that meant creating an expansive, open kitchen with a generous island for gatherings and ample counter space. The finished product demonstrates just that, accompanied by crisp white cabinets, exposed wooden beams, and clean lines.

A supplemental scullery features the same artistry, but with dusty blue accents that mimic the dining room’s hues.

A modern bedroom featuring a large bed with a tufted headboard, light blue walls, and large windows that open to a view of greenery.

For a couple that envisioned this home as a place to slow down and enjoy their surroundings, the primary suite with an en suite bathroom offers a fitting retreat from the activity of the main living spaces. A second set of sliding glass doors and a patio offer a final glimpse at the couple’s adoration for the panoramic backdrop in their backyard. The room is swathed in muted colors to punctuate the natural beauty outside, and luxurious linens and drapes create a polished appearance.

“This has been a dream we have had for many years,” Bill says, “a place where we could retire and enjoy the peace and beauty surrounding us.”

Although they just moved in, Bill and Debbie are excited for new memories and milestones to be shared in the home. From anticipating their favorite holiday, Christmas, to exploring the nearby parks, trails, and waterfalls, the couple feels fortunate to be surrounded by the best of the best.

“We were lucky to not only have a beautiful property, but also wonderful neighbors,” Debbie concludes. “We are truly blessed to live in this community.”

A modern bathroom featuring a freestanding white bathtub, dual sinks with dark wood cabinetry, two mirrors, and a large window with shades allowing natural light.