A North Carolina Mountain Home Crafted for Comfort, Style, and Family Gatherings

Their search led them to available lots throughout the North Carolina mountains—everything from a quarter acre to 80 acres, from Sugar Mountain to Blowing Rock and back. Finally, after months of searching, the Wilders landed on a heavily wooded lot in a private gated neighborhood. “Most people love the mountain views, but we love to be surrounded by trees,” she says. “It was secluded and exactly what we were looking for.”

Having worked with Amanda Swaringen of Carolina Design Associates on their previous home in Charlotte, the couple—who waited four years to build on the lot—knew they wanted the designer to head up the interiors of their mountain house. “Amanda has such attention to detail,” says the homeowner “You just give her an idea of what you want, and the creative process takes over. One of the things I love most is watching what Amanda does best: designing.”

The task for Swaringen was simple: design a cozy, welcoming but elevated interior. A high priority was a home comfortable for everyday living but also one that could seamlessly accommodate frequent guests and especially their own grown children—“and someday, grandchildren!” adds the homeowner. Working in tandem with architect Bradley Dowdy, the team drew up plans for a timeless mountain home rooted in traditional rustic-inspired architecture but modernized with clean lines and finishes inside. “I always wanted barnwood siding, so when we saw Artisanal Restaurant in Banner Elk, which is wrapped inside and out in barnwood, I knew I had to find out who built it,” says the homeowner, who then connected with restaurant’s builder, Boone Construction Company, to do the same with their home.

No stranger to working on projects from soup to nuts, Swaringen collaborated with the homeowners on every selection, from finishes to fabrics to rugs and artwork, oftentimes pushing the couple outside their traditional comfort zones. “Their previous home definitely skewed more traditional,” says Swaringen. “I really wanted to push the envelope with some choices so that they could see that it didn’t have to be your typical mountain-looking home.” Rugs and artwork bridged the gap, with Swaringen looking to custom-designed rugs from Charlotte-based Couture Knots as well as commissioned artwork, both of which toe the line between traditional and modern. In the foyer, a contemporary steel-framed front door with plenty of windows sheds natural light on one of the custom rugs, which doubles as piece of art throughout the home.

Opposite the dramatic two-story double-sided fireplace in the family room hangs an oversized commissioned piece by artist Raoul Morren. “At 8 feet wide by 10 feet tall, it’s impressive in person and adds amazing texture and color to the space,” says Swaringen. In the kitchen, striking emerald soapstone features on the countertops and lines the inside of a niche framing the range and custom barnwood surround. “The soapstone is gorgeous and makes a statement, while the neutral Zellige backsplash around the perimeter balances the space perfectly,” says Swaringen.

Having lived in the home for just over a year now, the Wilders are more than thrilled with the result and how it functions seamlessly for everyday living and entertaining regularly. “I knew what I wanted and liked, but it took Amanda to pull it together,” says the homeowner. “It just looks so beautiful. It’s the perfect escape for us.”