This Blairsville Home Offers an Interior-Scape as Impressive as the Views

By Caroline Perrott

The outdoor space features furniture from Summer Classics, a rug from Jaipur Living and the most outstanding view of the mountains. Photographed by Galina Juliana

Interior designer Traci Rhoads pulled inspiration from this home’s locale to create an interior-scape that is as dynamic and breathtaking as the views outside.

Life is a lot more quiet in the mountains, as they stand tall, protecting you from the outside world. This sentiment most likely inspired many to retreat to the mountains the past couple of years, for protection, respite and relaxation. One Atlanta couple in particular had owned a piece of property in Blairsville, right outside Blue Ridge, for quite some time. They had dreams about what it could be, and others saw the potential in the land too. Slowly, a lovely and amazing community was fostered in the area, they knew it was the right time to build. Plans were drawn, and this new construction came to life in just 14 months. Per a recommendation, they brought Atlanta interior designer Traci Rhoads to transform the home into their personalized family retreat. “The homeowners are very family oriented. They love to go hiking and spend time in nature together,” says Rhoads. “The home sits on the very tiptop of a mountain with a large lake at the base.

Art above the stairs was sourced from Pryor Fine Art. The living room features furniture by Old Biscayne Designs and decor sourced from Stanton Home Furnishings, all atop a rug by Kravet. Photographed by Galina Juliana

It’s wildly picturesque. It immediately inspired... what the interiors should be.” Built in the craftsman style due to restrictions on contemporary frames in this particular development, the home is rooted in a traditional style—but it doesn’t look like a typical mountain home. Just inside, a masterpiece of neutrals, textures and simple silhouettes reign to create contemporary yet cozy environs. “The design inspiration for the client was a crossover of modern farmhouse and Colorado mountain house, which they accomplished by adding a lot of stone,” says Rhoads. “[The clients] gave me this vision early on and then let me take it from there. I always push a little bit in some directions, challenging them to chose something more unique and different. It’s these decisions that make the project so individualized and special to them. They always end up thanking me.”

The simplicity of the dining room speaks volumes with a table by Old Biscayne Designs, chairs by Bernhardt with Perennials woven fabric and a bleached teak centerpiece sourced from B.D. Jeffries. Photographed by Galina Juliana

“I really focused on the integration of color, texture and flow of each designated area. A standout in this project is the simplicity of the design that leads to comfort and functionality.”
-TRACI RHOADS

The kitchen features walnut wood cabinetry by Wilson Cabinetry and light fixtures by Hubbardton Forge. Photographed by Galina Juliana

The six-bedroom, seven-bath home features a living room, an entry and bar, a kitchen and a dining room, as well as ample outdoor entertaining space, including a covered terrace and fire pit. “I really focused on the integration of color, texture and flow of each designated area. I think a standout in this project is the simplicity of the design that leads to comfort and functionality—because this was the ultimate goal of the home, to become the family’s go-to gathering spot,” says the designer. When you enter the home, you step into a central living room with a soaring ceiling and the main event: floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed views of where the sky meets the earth. Nature takes center stage in this room, and therefore in this home, which is what Rhoads wanted—the changing color of the leaves, the texture of the native grasses, the adaptive spirit of the white-tailed deer that call North Georgia home, all woven into the fabric of these interiors. When asked about their thoughts on Rhoads’ work, the couple shares, “The selection of furnishings captured our love of nature by mirroring the colors of our outdoor surroundings, while still keeping the color palette light and modern. [We] love how Traci used texture and organic constructions that refl ected this theme while maintaining a contemporary style in geometric furnishings, lighting and material.”

The primary bedroom showcases a lovely palette of neutrals and a calming yet elevated vibe, featuring wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries, a rug by Kravet and drapery by Amy Hunley at The Drapery Room. Photographed by Galina Juliana

Allowing both rustic and modern elements to intermingle creates the perfect balance of location and purpose. Some of the standout elements in the home are the unique light fixtures that Rhoads sourced. The living room chandelier is 6 feet in diameter by Hubbardton Forge and the dining room chandelier, also by Hubbardton Forge, is constructed of real slate panels.

The Kohler freestanding tub looks out over the mountains with a Currey & Company chandelier overhead. Photographed by Galina Juliana

The outcome of this home was exactly what the family needed—a place as peaceful, calming and inspiring as its surroundings. Rhoads was able to accomplish fresh, modern, nature-inspired living spaces and walk the delicate line between backcountry and modernity.

A small scene at the entry features art sourced from Stanton Home Furnishings, an Arteriors lamp and a console by Bennett to the Trade. Photographed by Galina Juliana