home with nature

Southern Living, Oct 2004 by Martin, Robert

Join us as we visit this woodland retreat just in time for a spectacular fall.

every once in a while, we discover a house that appears to have naturally emerged from its surroundings, capturing all the breathtaking beauty and rustic appeal of a region. Bill and Virginia Spencer's mountain house is such a place. Nestled at the end of a meandering drive in the rolling North Carolina hills, this retreat is particularly lovely during the crisp days of fall, when the changing leaves encompass it with a brilliant, colorful backdrop.

Perfectly Placed

Such an ideal blending of house and land didn't just happen. The Spencers oriented their Cashiers getaway on its site so that as many rooms as possible could capture the breathtaking views of Whiteside Mountain.

The house consists of two sections joined by a central, two-story entry hall. While one side contains the main gathering spaces and master bedroom, the other consists of bedrooms for family and guests.

Grafted With Sticks and Stones

Celebrating its forested location, the house is decked out in a variety of wood siding, from board-and-batten to rough-hewn shiplap and cedar shakes. The exterior is also bathed in a green-tinted stain, which further links the home with the woods. Other colors, such as the acorn brown eaves and the gray exposed cedar framework of the garage and entry stoop, blend with the outdoor palette.

Instead of using conventional trim, Virginia and Bill chose to frame the outside window and door surrounds with split logs. "We worked with Mark Wray at Millcreek Post and Beam on the engineering of this house," states Bill, "and it was his suggestion to use logs."

Inspiring Interiors

The main gathering area contains the kitchen, dining, and living spaces, along with a built-in wet bar. Flanking the handsome stone fireplace in the living room are two storage units. Built by woodworker Dean Black in matching pine, one serves as the entertainment center, while the other consists of open shelves with base cabinets. "For the floors," Bill says, "we broke rank by choosing walnut. I found the wood at a flooring manufacturer in Franklin, Tennessee, so we jumped at the chance to use it."

Interior designer Jane Hodges was instrumental in selecting much of the furniture. Atlanta-based interior designer Toby West also worked with the Spencers. Some of Toby's more notable finds include a hand-carved deer head, which hangs over the fireplace, and matching stag heads above the bar that are German antiques.

Kitchen Comforts

Even the kitchen is not too far removed from the outdoors. Echoing the stain on the exteriors, the cabinets are painted a similar forest green. Two windows above the sink allow Virginia to keep an eye on her side garden. An ample island and side counter provide additional serving space. Another feature is an open cupboard, which stores and displays the couple's favorite dishware.

Deck Delights

Despite the great views from inside, you eventually want to venture outdoors. Enhanced with railings containing mountain laurel branches as balusters, the Spencers' deck beckons.

Chairs, rockers, and benches, constructed by woodworker Phil Faircloth, are ideal for watching the changing seasons. "In the creation of this house, Virginia and I used as many local materials and crafts-people as we could," Bill says. "I think, above all, that's what makes this place so special."

Pages 112-115: Builder was Art Sounia, Arthur Sounia, LLC, Cashiers, North Carolina, (828) 226-7783; timber and framing engineered by Mark Wray, Millcreek Post & Beam; interior design by Jane Hodges, ASID, Side Street Interiors, Birmingham, (205) 871 -0220 and Toby West Interiors, Atlanta, (404) 233-7425; landscaping by Natural Landscapes and Woodcraft, John Warren, Cashiers, (828) 743-9343; woodwork (mantel, bar, and cabinets flanking fireplace) by B lack wood Galleries, Dean Black, Springville, Alabama, (205) 467-7197; outdoor furniture by Phil Faircloth.