Mountain Modern

Builder: Dexter White, Dexter W. White Construction

Architect: Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects, PLLC

With sweeping views of a bend in the Tennessee River and a luxurious mixture of natural stone and wood finishes used throughout, this home feels like a modern mountain fortress overlooking Chattanooga. Jaw-dropping views abound throughout the main living spaces. From the living room, kitchen, and dining room, oversized picture windows frame valley vistas that incorporate the flowing river.

The abundant glow of natural sunlight highlights characteristics in the unique floors running throughout the main level. Made of reclaimed barnwood, which lends a rustic texture and picks up a variety of shades in the staining process, this specialty flooring ties the whole home together. The varied widths and lengths create an old-world aesthetic which perfectly balances modern lines throughout the home.

By Katie Faulkner | Photography by Morgan Nowland

Exotic Entryway

Home builder Dexter White of Dexter W. White Construction says, “The homeowners were very involved in the design and construction of this home. They knew exactly what they wanted, and we worked together to make their vision come to life. For the front door, they tracked down a company that produced amazing pivot doors, and we had them build this impressive front door.” The thick mahogany door swings open on a pivot hinge which allows clean lines to create a modern impression without obstructing the views through to the opposite side of the house. This modern and luxurious feature sets the stage for elements to be repeated throughout the rest of the home.

See more from Dexter W. White Construction at dexterwhiteconstruction.com.

Walking into the main living spaces, the great room and bar area are open to each other. In the great room, an enormous focal wall nicely balances the warmed-toned and intriguingly textured bar across from it. The stacked slate wall brings in richer, more dramatic shades, as well as a rough finish. Neatly tucked into this focal wall is a seven-foot-long, cool-glass fireplace with blue firestones. Hot and cool shades intermingle from the fireplace’s glow.

In the sophisticated furniture arrangement, sumptuous knife-edge leather seating and a poplar tree burl occasional table lend a sense of polished masculinity. Meanwhile, mirror-image sofas and a distressed Kashan-style rug balance these features with a softer appearance. White says, “One of my favorite things about this home is how seamlessly the modern style mixes with the rustic.”

Stacked slate walls and columns, tile backsplashes, and tile floors: The Tile Store

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“We had to build the frame from steel first, and then painstakingly wrapped the quartzite around it all with mitered edges to create the waterfall effect.”

– Dexter White, Dexter W. White Construction

Endlessly unique in design, this bar area showcases essential elements of the home’s overall theme by combining mountainous rustic materials and modern features. LED backlit fiber optic shelving floats atop a pecky cypress focal wall, framed by stacked fieldstone columns. A commissioned stainless steel marlin in flame-glazed copper shades crowns the bar area. The custom cabinetry below continues in the pecky cypress, while bluestone quartzite counters add a touch of drama with emphatic veining.

A striking waterfall island was custom wrapped in the bluestone quartzite to create an endless edge. “That island was a special piece. We had to build the frame from steel first, and then painstakingly wrapped the quartzite around it all with mitered edges to create that effect,” White explains.

Furniture: Mary Norris, Mary Norris Interiors

In the kitchen, honey-hued knotty alder wood cabinetry creates a warm, soothing ambiance. Soaked in sunlight, the nacarado quartzite countertops continue the warm appearance with subtle touches of iron oxide veining. This takes on a rust tone that nestles into the gray-brown backdrop.

Complete with stainless appliances and custom built-ins, the kitchen’s luxurious features elevate the room to a gourmet cooking space. At the end of the island counter, a custom commissioned table strikes a rustic chord. An enormous red wood tree burl has been planed and prepared with a live edge to serve as a bar-height table. The base of the table was custom fabricated from a local steel worker to resemble a tree trunk and roots. Stain-grade, rustic-finished trim and a custom stone backsplash continue the nature-infused feel.

Appliances: Ferguson

Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Cabinetry design: Jackie Howard, Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Tile: The Tile Store

Windows and doors: East Chattanooga Lumber & Supply Co.

Kitchen Photos by Emily Long

Beyond the great room, toward one end of the home, is the master suite. This room is simplistic and serene. The walls and ceiling are wrapped in wide-plank cypress wood which warms the room, while cool gray tones balance that effect. Clean straight lines maintain the modern shapes of the home, while large windows frame the Chattanooga valley view.

Interior designer: Mary Norris, Mary Norris Interiors

Two unique features of the master suite are the dual bathrooms. One, a dark gray with porcelain floors, a glass-encased shower, backlit mirrors, and sleek veneer-wrapped vanities, serves as the main master bathroom. From this room, the homeowners can access their main level outdoor living space, which includes a hot tub.

Walking through to the master closet, a second bedroom and bathroom, which also serve as a guest suite, boast lighter colors and a large freestanding soaking bathtub.

Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Cabinetry design: Jackie Howard, Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Tile: The Tile Store

Plumbing fixtures: Ferguson

Walking downstairs from the main level, two more guest bedrooms and bathrooms can be found, as well as another large living area with two separate entertaining areas. The lower level of the home really dials up the modern aesthetic with cool grays and stainless steel. A wet bar boasts sleek gray cabinetry, light gray quartz countertops, and stainless appliances, including a full-size wine refrigerator. Dark gray subway tile with white grout pops from the backsplash, while modish spring light pendants, acrylic barstools, and stainless steel cable railing on the stairs reinforce the modern aesthetic.

Right beside the kitchen, a more casual living area offers additional seating and a place to relax and watch television. From the downstairs you can walk straight out to the lower outdoor living area, which steps down to the pool.

Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Cabinetry design: Jackie Howard, Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Tile: The Tile Store

Two outdoor living spaces on the back of the house offer amazing amenities including a hot tub, four-foot gas fireplace, built-in pecky cypress television cabinet, swinging daybed, an outdoor kitchen, and multiple seating areas. The top level outdoor area hosts a mixture of ipe wooden outdoor furniture and living room furniture meant to continue the comforting feel of the home’s interiors. The lower level features more lounge furniture and a more private sitting area. Both outdoor living spaces overlook the tranquil salt water pool.

A spiral staircase on one end and travertine marble-tiled stairs on the other end walk down to the spacious terrace level. The pool, complete with a sun shelf, offers seating and umbrella stands. The surrounding patio is composed of hand-selected travertine marble tiles, while the support wall of the lower-level outdoor living space is wrapped in gray porcelain tiles.

Pool: Master Pools by Artistic Pools, Inc.

Other Suppliers:

Closets and bathroom mirror installation: Therm-Con, LLC

Driveway: Increte Systems

Fireplace: Southern Hearth & Patio, Inc.

Flooring: Praters Hardwood Flooring

Hot tub: Tri-State Pools

Landscaping and irrigation: Grass & More Outdoor Services, Inc.

Lighting and floor plan design: Interior Environments

Master suite painting: Grant Wood

Pecky cypress cabinetry, waterfall island, redwood burl table: Dillon Custom Cabinets & Furniture

Tile and stacked slate installation: HC Corporation

Wooden trim and interior doors: Windsor Pine

Wrought iron tree table stand: Beaty Fabricating & Ornamental Iron