Wooded Mountain Hideaway

McVey’s home strikes a balance between classic and contemporary, featuring an exterior with a timber-framed gable roof rooted in craftsman charm and an interior defined by modern minimalism. “I’ve always loved the craftsman style for the outside,” she explains. “Inside, I looked at a lot of Scandinavian and modern designs. Not the shiny kind of modern, but clean lines and simplicity. The community calls it ‘mountain modern,’ and that fits perfectly.”

 

 

Within the kitchen, that very design comes to life through a moody and elegant palette. “I would have to say the kitchen has my favorite features,” McVey shares. “The island and backsplash are all quartz in Laza Gold – with just a touch of gold veining that ties everything together. I used champagne bronze finishes throughout. I love how they bring warmth.”

 

 

After years of dreaming and planning, McVey finally had the chance to create her dream home that blended serenity with practicality. “With this home, I honestly picked everything I’ve always wanted,” she says. “I love the ‘stage look’ of a home, and I love kind of blending the inside and outside.”

 

 

As construction progressed, her long-envisioned plans began to take shape. “The first time I saw the framing, I thought, ‘Wow, it actually has a structure,’” she recalls. “But when I started seeing the finishes inside – the tile, the baths – that’s when I saw my vision come together.”

 

When it came to the interior, McVey dove headfirst into inspiration boards, gathering and experimenting with various ideas. “I didn’t know what colors I wanted, so I painted wood samples and tested everything,” she says.

 

 

Her careful curation paid off. The finished home embraces a soothing mix of earthy neutrals, soft wood tones, and an effortless flow between rooms. One such example of these thoughtful design decisions is the primary suite, where bright and airy elements reign, brass touches embellish, and dark, dramatic accents add contrast.

 

“I very much like ‘pretty,’ and I’ve never had a garage, a walk-in pantry, or an office, so those were things that I wanted to incorporate. And now I can accommodate family and everything else – it’s everything that I could’ve imagined. It’s perfect to me.” – Leslye McVey

 

 

“I did all the art around here on my walls,” McVey shares. “I just pick something and I do it.” Though she doesn’t consider herself an artist, she decided to take a creative leap for the sake of her home’s décor. What began as a simple way to fill blank walls quickly turned into a playful exploration of color and texture. “I use a mixture of materials, mostly acrylics and stuff like that. I wanted to keep it modern themed. And it was just fun for me. I’d look at things and think, ‘Oh, I think I can do that. Let me give it a whirl and see what I can do,’” she says.

 

Bursting with cypress, junipers, and other low-maintenance evergreens, her backyard is the setting of her favorite pastime. “I definitely wanted a wooded lot because I love the feeling of being surrounded by trees. And my happy place is being outside doing landscaping, so I love being and playing out in the dirt.”

With the outdoors being one of McVey’s favorite aspects, having cozy spots with views of the greenery and wildlife beyond was essential. “My living room is my favorite space,” she says. “I love sitting on the couch and looking out the back.”

 

 

Complete with a cohesive furniture set and a firepit, the relaxing back patio is another stunning space McVey uses to enjoy her surroundings. Embraced by foliage and fresh mountain air, she’s able to find peace in the simple moments life has to offer.

 

 

Suppliers:

Appliances, lighting, and plumbing fixtures: Ferguson

Architect: Goodman Creations

Brick: Acme Brick

Builder and closets:  MDC Homes

Cabinetry and tile: Crest Home Solutions

Countertops: Rolling Stone Granite Tennessee

Custom painting: Castro Brothers LLC

Exterior doors: East Chattanooga Lumber & Supply Co.

Exterior hardscapes: Valencia Concrete

Fireplace: America’s Hearth & Patio Warehouse

Floors: Crest Home Solutions

Interior doors and trim: Interior Trim & Supply, Inc.

Windows: Andersen Windows & Doors; East Chattanooga Lumber and Supply Co.