Escape To A Classic Mountain Home In North Carolina

Mountain houses are made for relaxation and fun—and, for Atlanta architect Bill Ingram and Birmingham designer Alison Gorrie, a few elements of surprise. Having designed multiple residences together over the span of twenty-plus years, the pair have established a close rapport fostered by their shared sensibilities. When the two collaborated once again—this time on the design of a couple’s new mountain home situated along a golf course in Cashiers, North Carolina—they agreed that it should break the mold. “The owners weren’t after a typical mountain aesthetic,” Ingram says, “and we didn’t want anything watered down or contrived.”

In keeping with the neighborhood guidelines, Ingram incorporated the recommended dark-toned palette and rustic materials, like rough-sawn cedar and stone, while adding his own twist on the design. The community-standard bark siding, for example, was scaled smaller than usual for a subtle deviation from tradition. Admired for the classical refinement of his work, Ingram also added some elegant touches to elevate the structure’s presence, such as triple-hung windows and a charming semi-octagonal entry. “The house looks historic and rooted, like it came from a different era,” the architect explains, describing his own interpretation of an early-19th-century American vernacular. “I never do a copy of an exact style.”

Surprises await visitors, starting with the abode’s airy and refreshingly white interior—the exterior’s polar opposite. “I love that you see this dark, storied house, and then you walk inside and it’s calming like a spa,” Ingram enthuses. Echoing that serenity, most rooms received a light touch of color from Gorrie so as not to distract from the home’s other unexpected feature: a magnificent straight-on vista of towering Rock Mountain. “The view was always intended to be the focal point,” the designer explains. “I wanted everything to be light and the furniture to have clean lines so that the focus would remain on the scenery.”

This is especially true in the double-height great room, where neutral walls, whitewashed beams and lightly stained oak floors play supporting roles to the picturesque landscape. By introducing a two-story glass expanse at one end of the room, and mezzanine walkways flanking the upper level, Ingram created an unimpeded sight line from the front door to the mountain, which he says was an objective from the start. “The only thing the husband said to me before I began my design was, ‘I want to see that mountain when I walk inside.’ ”

For a dash of interior seasoning, Gorrie sprinkled in rich hues. A thread of black runs throughout the residence, courtesy of the homeowners’ modern art collection as well as the contemporary elements that outfit most rooms. In the kitchen, for instance, sleek counter stools, a black-and-white rug, and gray-toned countertops and hood punctuate the space’s lighter features, including the limed oak island and tongue-and-groove walls. The dining room is detailed a bit differently, however, with armchairs upholstered in blue corduroy for a casualness that maintains the house’s laid-back atmosphere. “I wanted a coherent, modern look, and no fussiness,” the designer explains. “I just wanted it to be comfortable.”

That easy-going nature extends to the two covered porches. One, located alongside a golf cart path, is intended for casual entertaining, although the casement windows Ingram added along a side wall elevate the space ever-so-slightly. The other, positioned adjacent to the primary suite, serves as a screened sitting room for the homeowners to enjoy peaceful respite.

Given the mutual admiration and successful creative partnership between Ingram and Gorrie, it seems unlikely that this house will be their last venture together. “I feel like I’ve grown up with Bill, and he’s taught me so much,” the designer muses. “We work so well together.”