Annual Homes & Design Issue 2018
An incredible renovation by builder Art Johnson of Mountain City Construction took this 1930s rancher from norm to top form. “The goal was to transform the home into a French country craftsman style,” says Johnson. This style is evidenced most in the interiors, where the floor plan was opened up and attention to detail helped elevate the design.
To take the original home to an open concept, Johnson took out a wall that divided the main living spaces. Now, these main rooms populate one large area. A living room, dining room, open kitchen, and additional nearby sitting area are all within sight under the bold vaulted ceiling. “In order to maintain structural support, we went with the large cypress beam running down the length of the space. It replaced a structural wall and now supports the whole area to allow clean sightlines,” says Johnson. “We were really pleased with how the support beam, along with the angled beams, turned out. They pull the whole space together and are a special feature.” The result is a light-filled, rustic, French-styled voluminous space, perfect for entertaining and everyday living.
See more from Art Johnson of Mountain City Construction at mtncityconstruction.com.
Open to the rest of the living space, this corner kitchen features some of the best views. From the vantage point of the curved granite countertop, one can look out to the living room’s stacked mountain stone fireplace, the dining room’s view of a nearby golf course, the backyard’s plush landscape and beautiful pool area, and much more. Driftwood-stained knotty alder cabinets and wire-meshed cabinet doors pull in the rustic look, while the wide-framed panels on the cabinetry doors lend a hint of craftsman style. Pale granite countertops, a dark oak floor, and large arched windows help tie in French styling.
This room’s stainless, state-of-the-art appliances, including a gas cooktop and wine chiller, are all part of the home’s luxurious entertaining abilities. The uniquely designed curved bar top lends additional seating to the open living spaces, especially the adjacent dining room. A cut-glass tile backsplash adds a pop of subtle blues and greens which can be found throughout the rest of the home.
Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry
Cabinetry design: Jackie Howard, Scarlett’s Cabinetry
Countertops and tile: The Tile Store
The dining room is classically rustic French style in décor, crowned by a wood-beaded chandelier. The light wood and linen furniture pair perfectly with the custom weather stain on the ceiling’s cypress beams. Views of a golf course across the street afford lush green vistas through the dining room’s windows and patio doors. Flanked in floor-length linen draperies, these doors afford a wide flow of natural sunlight to emphasize the primitively pale finish on the furniture. A geometric buffet topped by abstract art brings in more understated tones of blue and green.
Trim, windows, and interior doors: East Chattanooga Lumber
& Supply Co.
In the master suite, colors reverse roles with the blues and greens taking more of a lead over neutrals. A custom-upholstered linen bed is piled high with plush blankets and purple velvet pillows. Weathered-look wooden night stands carry the same flaxen shades as the bedding and carpet. Light blue walls set the scene for serene slumbers.
In the connecting bathroom, blues again take center stage. Peaceful blue walls, sleek-lined cabinetry, shining chrome hardware, and blue and gray aster-patterned signature tiling all contribute to this room’s relaxing and cheerful ambiance.
Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry
Cabinetry and tile design: Jackie Howard, Scarlett’s Cabinetry and Jessica Hurst, The Tile Store
This home certainly isn’t lacking in outdoor living and entertaining options. A sun porch off the house features another beautiful stacked stone fireplace framed by stacked stone columns. Stained wood columns and trim accentuate the rustic flair of these features as well as the mountain stone used for the flooring. The pale bead board wrapped around the low wall helps lighten the space, while curved and windowed walls add architectural interest. With a sound system, comfortable furniture, and views of the backyard and pool, this room is a favorite place to spend time. “This space turned out so well. The stone really shines in this room, and the cypress was a perfect fit. It doesn’t contract or expand with the temperature, and it takes stain nicely. This is definitely one of my favorite features of this house,” says Johnson.
To the back of the home, a kidney-shaped pool is surrounded by a stone paver patio, and stacked mountain stone boulders form an aesthetically pleasing retaining wall and stairs.
Provincial finishes, natural elements, and specialty woodwork make this renovated home a show-stopping treasure.
Other suppliers: Stone decking of pool: Best Buy Stone
