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.”