A Lesson in Timelessness

Biltmore Forest residence is a master class in combined elements

By: M. Teddie Loring

Custom-made entry doors by Screaming Hot Iron are a bold local statement for this semi-traditional Biltmore Forest home.
Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

“When you walk inside some homes, you get the feeling of the designer — but when you step inside this house, you know right away that it’s hers,” says Tim Wright, president of Wright Family Custom Homes. 

That’s a compliment for Joyce Funk, who, while technically licensed in Florida, has never made interior design a profession. She wasn’t a hired designer for this major project in Biltmore Forest — in fact, she’s the homeowner. 

Joyce has discharged her flair all over the spaces she’s shared over the years with her husband, Dick Funk. The couple — he’s mostly retired; she’s a former high-school home-economics teacher — have two grown sons, one of whom lives in the Caribbean, and one grandson. 

Joyce confirms, “I’ve made the selections for every house we’ve built or renovated.” She adds: “Design has always been my secret passion.”

The secret’s out in the case of this grand custom estate that Wright’s company built adjacent to the golf green in Biltmore Forest. The Funk house, clocking in at 12,000 square feet if outdoor rooms and decking are included, is a showpiece presenting the skills of all stakeholders. (The residential designer for the project was Christopher Phelps, who has offices in Asheville and Charlotte.)

But despite what Wright calls the home’s “big, traditional, frame massing” and certain rugged elements, this project doesn’t take vernacular cues from the local mountains nor from the Sunshine State. 

Instead, the lesson plan was more complex. Joyce explains, “I wanted this house to look like an old stone-and-cedar-shake house you would see along the coast in New England — but one that [had undergone] a contemporary renovation.”

The curb appeal hits just so, thanks to gracious “Coyote Gray” split-face ledgestone (from Steep Creek Stoneworks) set against cream-toned shake. The charming gabled roof is low-pitched, softened by cupola-like embellishments and subtle arches. 

Among the interior modern elements, loads of light and sleek black-framed windows are at the front of the class. An imposing set of iron entry doors were made by Screaming Hot Iron, leading to a formal entryway courtesy of a tiled-floor installation (Crossville Studios).

But stone insets high on the interior walls also sound a rustic note. It’s all part of a very conscious theme: Joyce says she wanted the subtly placed stone to appear left behind from a previous era.

 Wright remarks, “While the overall feel of the home is traditional, it will really stand as a timeless architectural piece.” 

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

Far and Near

Arched entryways, French art, and an elegant fireplace surround suggest a European ambience in the formal living room. Couches and gray-green chairs are from favorite Biltmore Forest-area furniture store Yesterday’s Tree, while the sleek console is from newer furnishings emporium Atelier Maison & Co., also of Asheville. White wingback chair is Bernhardt, from Hickory. Additional furnishings are from Bennett Galleries and Company in Knoxville.

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

Morning Mood 

“I used lots of windows in this area so it would feel like it was part of the outside,” says homeowner Joyce Funk, who has designed all the interiors of her family’s homes. Adjacent the kitchen, the eating nook also leads to the “true” outdoor room via black-iron French doors. Table and artwork from Bennett Galleries in Knoxville. Hardwood flooring throughout the home is from Gennett Lumber Company.

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

Gracious Eating

Stephanie Chapman with Advance Cabinetry designed the cabinetry throughout the Funk home. In the kitchen, she appointed beaded-inset maple Mouser Custom Cabinetry painted in clean, creamy “Alpine.” The complementary knotty-alder cabinets to the left are Mouser’s “Bedrock.” Countertops are from Viktor’s Marble & Granite and appliances are from Ferguson. Subway tile from Crossville Studios. Homeowner Joyce Funk notes the 30”-column refrigerator panel matched to the scheme.

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

The custom wine room was installed by Jacob Bearden Fine Carpentry of Asheville. This expansive house in Biltmore Forest is a blend of vintages, from New England to traditional, with touches of modern throughout the scheme. 

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

Stone and Bone

A wintry neutral rug sets up the landscape for the formal dining room, with furniture and art from Bennett Galleries  & Co. in Knoxville, a favorite retailer of homeowner Joyce Funk, who appointed all the interiors. The accent wall, with local rock from Steep Creek Stoneworks, provides intimacy in this setting; the scheme is repeated throughout the home’s public spaces. 

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

Gathering Point

In the Funk residence, built by Wright Family Custom Homes with residential designer Christopher Phelps, the family room with TV is distinct from the formal living room. Here, a leather couch from Bennett Galleries in Knoxville keeps company with a series of white chairs from Yesterday’s Tree. The wall of black-framed windows against white provides contemporary contrast, while the stone-clad wall (Steep Creek Stoneworks) keeps rustic a key part of the conversation.

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

Bisson and Bearden in the House

If there’s an interiors art star in Asheville, it has to be Mariella Bisson, represented by Momentum Gallery. Bisson’s distinctive, mixed-media oil-on-linen landscapes start as paper collage. Interior trim by Jacob Bearden Fine Carpentry is evident in the handsome coffered ceiling. Cabinetry is from Advance; designer Stephanie Chapman selected a beaded-inset installation from the Mouser Custom Cabinetry line, stained Russett for a timeless, refined air.

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

A double-cascade waterfall marks a tranquil spot. Hardscapes Unlimited and Snow Creek Landscaping were among the local vendors who worked on the property. Rock is from Steep Creek Stoneworks. Builder is Tim Wright, Wright Custom Family Homes. Residential designer is Christopher Phelps, who maintains offices in Asheville and in Charlotte.

Photo by Ryan Theede Photography

Reflections of Modern

Black-framed windows not only bring in the light, they impart a contemporary edge to this handsome hybrid home in Biltmore Forest. “Coyote gray” ledgestone via Steep Creek Stoneworks and cedar-shake siding the color of Atlantic storm froth give it a rustic vernacular that might be at home anywhere on the rugged Eastern seaboard. Sweeping driveway with mosaic roundabout is by Hardscapes Unlimited.

Resources

Residential Designer: Christopher Phelps (Asheville and Charlotte)

Builder: Wright Family Custom Homes (Asheville)

Custom Woodwork: Jacob Bearden Fine Carpentry (Asheville)

Cabinetry: Advance Cabinetry (Fletcher)

Countertops: Viktor’s Granite & Marble (Arden)

Flooring: Gennett Lumber Company Hardwood Flooring (Fletcher)

Tile: Crossville Studios (Fletcher)

Local Furniture: Yesterday’s Tree (Asheville) and Atelier Maison & Co. (Asheville)

Stonework: Steep Creek Stoneworks (Brevard)

Front Door and Interior Railings: Custom made by Screaming Hot Iron (Fletcher) 

Windows: Jennings Builders Supply (Fletcher)

Hardscaping: Hardscapes Unlimited (Asheville)

Landscaping: Snow Creek Landscaping (Arden)

Closets: More Space Place (Asheville)

Appliances: Ferguson (Asheville)

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