PREMIER LIVING

Tranquil Treasure Off the Beaten Path

THE ELLER HOME

BY LINDSAY CLUTE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHILIP SLOWIAK

As a builder, Mark Eller has spent over two decades learning what makes a house feel like a home. When it came time to build a residence of his own, he had the opportunity to pair that experience with his personal tastes and preferences to design his own slice of paradise.

A luxury home with a landscaped yard and a modern sports car parked in the driveway.

A large, upscale house with a stone facade surrounded by a well-maintained lawn, with a gated driveway leading to multiple garage doors. Lush trees line the backdrop.

The goal was to create my forever dream home,” says Mark. “Since I’m looking at retiring fairly soon, I wanted a resort atmosphere to live in – a peaceful setting.”

Originally, Mark planned to develop the 16-acre property into a subdivision, so he moved onto the lot in a camper while preparing to build his home on another nearby lake lot. Surrounded by wildlife, natural beauty, and ample privacy, he soon realized the secluded setting was exactly what he had been looking for and quickly changed course.

“I just fell in love with this property,” he shares, “so I developed it, put my gate in, put a five-acre lake in, and built my dream home.”

The home’s traditional exterior feels both grand and inviting, with authentic mixed stone, white siding, and a multi-gabled roof. Its natural materials and classic forms settle comfortably into the wooded surroundings, allowing the architecture to feel connected to the landscape.

The rest of the property takes an equally thoughtful approach to life outdoors, extending the home’s traditional character into the surrounding grounds with spaces designed to embrace the setting. From the picturesque lake in the backyard to the home’s many outdoor living areas, including an outdoor fire pit, kitchen, and several lounge areas, the design makes it easy to transition between relaxing and entertaining.

“It was definitely designed for outdoor living and gatherings,” Mark says. “It’s all about the memories, friends, and fellowship for me.”

From football games and birthday parties to evenings spent around the fire, many memories have already made their way into the home’s story, with the expansive grounds providing plenty of room for both celebration and quiet moments.

A modern patio area with seating, umbrellas, and a fire pit, surrounded by a landscaped yard and a two-story home.

“I love just being able to relax, gather, and enjoy some downtime – especially around the fire pit. You can sit out there and watch the deer. It’s very peaceful and relaxing.” – Mark Eller

A spacious porch with a wooden ceiling, featuring outdoor seating and a view of a green landscape and trees.

A large, modern house with a spacious outdoor patio area, surrounded by greenery.

Inside, the home takes on a more intimate expression of its traditional style, with a minimalist palette and classic Southern appeal. The main level features an open-concept layout, where an inviting living room highlights a seamless blend of modern farmhouse aesthetics and classic architectural elements to maximize light and vertical scale. Soaring cathedral ceilings produce an airy atmosphere, rich wood tones contrast elegantly against the crisp white walls, and an arched window frame draws the eye to a barrel-vaulted ceiling over the outdoor terrace.

A modern living room featuring a stone fireplace with a mounted television, a coffee table with flowers, and a shelf with decorative items, all set in a bright and airy space with large windows.

A well-decorated home office featuring a brown desk, elegant lamps, and large windows with plantation shutters, surrounded by a light green wall and wooden flooring.

A spacious living room with a white sofa, decorative pillows, an ottoman, and large windows allowing natural light. The decor includes wooden elements and modern furniture, creating an inviting ambiance.

A modern kitchen featuring grey cabinetry, white countertops, and natural wood flooring. The space includes a large island with seating, decorative light fixtures, and large windows with plantation shutters allowing natural light to fill the room. A dining area is visible in the background.

That balance of practicality and polish carries into the kitchen, a warm, cohesive space, that pairs generous tan cabinetry with a spacious island lined with coordinated bar stools. Two matching lantern pendant lights hover overhead, while floating shelves above the sink create visual balance.

As an avid cook, baker, and griller, Mark spared no expense on the quality of appliances and finishes, creating a kitchen that is as well-equipped for everyday cooking as it is for entertaining.

A modern kitchen featuring light gray cabinets, white countertops, and open shelves with decorative items. A sink is positioned below a sleek black faucet, and large windows provide natural light.

A modern dining area featuring a round table with four upholstered chairs, a chandelier overhead, and large windows with shutters. The floor is wooden, and there’s a circular area rug underneath the table.

Steps away, the dining room mirrors the style of the kitchen, making the two spaces natural partners for home-cooked meals with loved ones. The room features a round pedestal table complete with a set of tufted upholstered chairs and a round, patterned area rug. Sizable windows with plantation shutters surround the space and bring in natural light, while an overhead candle-style chandelier adds a rustic touch.

A man in a light blazer and pink shirt stands next to a seated black and brindle dog on a porch. The setting includes outdoor furniture and greenery in the background.

Interior of a contemporary living room featuring a stone fireplace, a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, a modern kitchen area, and a staircase.

Downstairs, an accommodating array of rooms takes the home’s classic sensibility in a more relaxed direction. Complete with a den, kitchenette, several guest suites, and access to the covered outdoor patio, it’s a comfortable extension of the home’s gathering spaces and a favorite place for Mark to welcome friends or settle in with his dog, Angel, when he isn’t hosting a crowd.

Although the house was built for outdoor living and entertaining, Mark made sure there was room for solitude as well. The bright, spacious primary suite utilizes soft neutrals, layered textures, and light-toned wood furniture to create a calm counterpoint to the home’s more social spaces.

If there’s one quality that Mark keeps coming back to, its longevity, a concept that comes to him naturally as a builder.

“I love the idea of designing something and then walking away with a product that’ll be here long after I’m gone,” he adds.

From the neutral palette that can change with the seasons to natural materials that will stand the test of time, every detail was selected to create a home that Mark can continue living, gathering, and making memories in for years to come.

A cozy and elegantly furnished bedroom featuring a large bed with decorative pillows, a light-colored dresser, a stylish armchair, and large windows with white shutters that provide a view of the outdoors. The room has a neutral color palette and a ceiling fan. A modern bathroom featuring a freestanding white bathtub, dual vanities with gray cabinetry, and large windows with shutters allowing natural light to enter. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and there is a decorative stool in the corner.