Sunny & Social

by Katie Faulkner
Photography by Beacon Imagery

Mary Ann dreamed of a home on the water; Ron wanted a residence in the mountains. A property in Soddy Daisy, with mountain surroundings accompanied by unbeatable lake views, was the perfect compromise. “We’ve lived here almost 10 years now, and we’ve enjoyed it immensely,” Mary Ann says. Their lake home was also a strategic move, as the couple is halfway between both children and, consequently, just a couple of hours away from all three grandchildren.
“It is more of a lake house in the traditional sense than a mountain home,” Ron laughs, saying, “Well, Mary Ann has sway! But it is a great mixture, and we’re high above the water here.” The views are, in fact, one of the most stunning features of this home. With exceptional outdoor living spaces, including two decks and a screened-in porch, the scenery and lake access are what you come for. The lush green landscape around the house frames sweeping views of the waterway. Plus, the home’s elevated lot provides some treetop views of wildlife. “We see eagles and such all the time, but one day, I was lucky enough to be home while a bald eagle sat in that tree right outside of the porch window for three hours!” Mary Ann recounts.

mountain home with lake views in chattanooga; spacious foyer with soft gray walls


 


mountain home with lake views in chattanooga; great room with sunlight and lake views


Stepping inside, the foyer is open to the second story – immediately contributing to the home’s spacious feel. A soothing soft gray tone washes the walls of all the main living spaces, while an abundance of windows provides beautiful natural sunlight.

Walking through to the open great room, the sunlight and lake views take center stage and create a relaxing atmosphere. Ron says, “We spend a lot of time in here. If you have to be inside, it’s hard to beat these views.” A green mohair sofa and green quilted armchair complement the botanical guests found throughout the room, including Mary Ann’s huge fiddle-leaf fig tree in the corner. “I’ve only had the tree for a few years, but it’s doing very well in this room,” she says.

For the Hogans, traditional furnishings have been integrated with more contemporary artwork to create their personal style. Above the fireplace, a treasured sculpture of a heron hangs. “Our son had that made for us by a local artist, and it fits the space perfectly,” Mary Ann explains. In this room, you can catch a glimpse of Mary Ann’s sunflower art collection. Many of the sunflower paintings were gifts from their son, and Mary Ann enjoys the cheerful element they add.

With access to one of the upper decks through dual patio doors and proximity to the kitchen, the great room truly is the heart of this house.

The great room is open to the eat-in breakfast nook and adjacent kitchen. The Hogans completely remodeled the kitchen when they moved in. “We replaced all of the cabinets, appliances, and countertops. We made the island bar-height rather than table-height, and Ron incorporated a lot of convenient features like soft close drawers and pull-outs for the cabinet storage,” Mary Ann says. The cherry cabinets are accented by a green-gray island and show-front cabinets, and the granite countertops pull both tones together seamlessly. A wine cooler and gas cooktop take this gourmet kitchen to the next level, while a pop-out garden window adds a bit of character. The connected eat-in area is a wonderful place to relax or dine, as it is right next to the screened-in porch, where Ron and Mary Ann say they spend a great deal of their time.

“During the day, no matter what time of year, the porch is a huge attraction,” Ron says. “It has removable windows, so during the warmer months, we pull them out and put them away to enjoy the weather. But when it cools off, we pop them back in and use space heaters.” With additional seating, many meals have been shared on this porch; a couple of bar carts make this an ideal space for more intimate entertaining as well. The porch boasts unparalleled views while also retaining privacy in the treetops.

Also on the main level is the master suite. The bedroom’s simplistic elegance creates a restful retreat with its own views of the lake and access to the upper deck. A sage green color evokes the home’s natural surroundings, and a classic tray ceiling adds an airy height to the space. Built-in bookcases and a chaise lounge in the corner make for an inviting reading nook. The fireplace is a wonderfully cozy addition for the chillier months, and above it hangs a special piece of art. “That was my parents’,” Mary Ann shares, “and we thought the sailboat theme fit in perfectly here. The marina very near to us has a lot of sailboats, and that’s what our view looks like sometimes. It’s very pretty.”

A modern master bathroom is connected to the master bedroom. Cherry cabinetry that matches the kitchen’s updated cabinets wraps around the corner of the bathroom and the spacious dual vanity. Countertops adorned with black slate create a sleek appearance, especially when coupled with the cut-glass backsplash and above-mounted modern sinks. Straight-line chrome hardware and circular vanity mirrors enhance the modern feel of the room, while a palatial walk-in shower is one of the crowning spa-like features. The darker tones are carried throughout the tile of the shower and the jetted bathtub’s surround. The jetted tub also continues the cut-glass tile from the backsplash and has a waterfall-style faucet, adding even more glamour and visual interest.The ceiling adds another striking, modern element as well. “We thought the skylight and vaulted ceiling in this room were a really nice touch when we chose this house. It makes the space feel enormous,” Mary Ann says.

mountain home with lake views in chattanooga; upper landing with large skylights and clerestory windows


Heading to the upper level, skylights and a row of clerestory windows allow for a cheery flow of sunlight. Housed on this third level are three guestrooms, which help to accommodate the Hogans’ large family and make this a family destination. The house sleeps about 12 people comfortably, but Ron says they’ve had as many as 20 people stay over.

Downstairs, the terrace level of the home is a charming recreational center. Its pine wall paneling and numerous seating areas provide a comfortable place for the grandkids to hang out. “We really enjoy having this space as an easy access point for when we come and go from the lake. Plus, it’s fine if the kids come in here wearing dripping bathing suits. This is a more casual area,” Mary Ann shares.

One sitting area boasts a cozy fireplace, while an adjacent sitting area is more suited to watching television. A billiards table is nearby, and a high top table in the center of the room is where Mary Ann says they frequently enjoy playing games with the grandkids.

Ron and Mary Ann say they thoroughly enjoy their community as well. Mary Ann belongs to a ladies’ walking group, which Ron teasingly dubs the “walkie talkies.” She’s also a member of a book club, and she and Ron both enjoy cocktail cruises on their own and their neighbors’ pontoon boats. More than anything, the couple appreciates being near their children and grandchildren. As Ron says, “We love having family here for holidays, birthdays, and whenever else we can. This has to be the best neighborhood that we have ever lived in!”


The Hogans, Ron and Mary Ann in Chattanooga


Ron and Mary Ann Hogan

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