Rustic is a gesture of respect to the past, but it doesn’t necessarily mean old-fashioned anymore. That paradox lives large in this brilliantly designed Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club home in Cashiers. The cabinetry by Keystone Kitchen & Bath is done entirely in rough-sawn, reclaimed oak; the hue is light, almost stone-hued, with a lively grain. It stretches from the prep area down the length of the room, appearing in a generous grid of built-in shelves for art, books, and collectibles that also shapes the parameters of a phone/laptop desk.
Kitchen designer Paul Bradham of Keystone notes the concrete pillars between the base cabinets supporting the marble countertops, lending strength as well as material interest. Another unusual feature are the floating shelves intersecting two recessed windows. “These were a first that took lots of planning,” says Paul. (The rustic beams lining the ceiling parallel the horizontal shelves in look and feel.)
Swaths of white plaster further lighten the space, imparting almost a vintage desert feel — the spread of white antlers above the sink enhances the O’Keeffe-esque scheme — while further serving the modern-mountain design. The plaster’s aesthetic brings peace and organic flow, most notable in the subtle oven hood that Paul describes as “blending seamlessly” into the adjoining walls. Next to the custom Parsons table that hides a microwave and warming drawer is a stunning white marble island, a material that also covers the countertops.
There’s a sense of fun here that belies all the top-shelf textiles. Wooden barrel-back bar stools lend a kind of raffish Old West feel, and one of the happi-est touches is a pair of chunky, no-frills, oversized pendant lamps, sourced by interior designer Betty Burgess and painted gray. Call it swanky lodge or upscale saloon — these bold accessories make the fine space come alive with a call to the wild.
RESOURCES
Architect Stan Dixon
Builder Mark Carruth Homes
Kitchen Designer Paul Bradham, Keystone Kitchen & Bath
Interior Designer Betty Burgess