Grace on a Grade

Mountaintop remodel makes room for living and leisure

When a couple began renting a mountainside home north of downtown Asheville to escape the summer heat of a more southerly city, it was the view that stopped them in their tracks. From the decks, the city stretched out below like a sea of lights, framed by the soft rise of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“It’s the best nighttime view in Asheville,” says the lady of the home. “It looks like Los Angeles.”

After two summers in the house, they knew they couldn’t let it go. So, when the owners decided to sell, the couple seized the opportunity. But as much as they loved the home, they knew it needed a few practical upgrades, starting with more functional storage.

“There was no garage,” she explains. “We were keeping our trash cans and bicycles in the living room. We knew we had to fix that.”

The couple enlisted HomeSource Real Estate + Construction, led by builder Tim Alexander, to reimagine the home in collaboration with architect Mark Masters of Mark Masters Architecture, interior designer Christy Dunlap of HomeSource Design Center, and Traci Kearns, founder and principal designer with Alchemy Design Studio.

The first order of business was creating a proper garage — one that could house the husband’s vintage 1965 Corvette, their bicycles, and all the essentials of mountain living. But because the property sits on a steep slope, even a seemingly simple addition became a structural puzzle. 

“By far the biggest challenge was the steep topography,” says Masters. “Along with the setback limits, it forced us to carefully plan every foot and inch to maximize the footprint while still meeting our clients’ needs.”

The incline was so extreme that the team had to abandon machinery altogether and bring in a crew to hand-dig the foundation footers — a “very labor-intensive” process, notes Alexander.

“After framing, a very serious scaffolding system had to be erected in order to complete the siding, painting, and guttering,” he adds. “Upon completion, a geotechnical engineering firm had to be engaged to design the final slopes.”

With the structural hurdles behind them, the team moved from problem-solving to possibility. The finished addition nearly doubled the home’s footprint, creating new living space below the garage for a pair of guest bedrooms, a gym, a laundry room, and a family room. “Our clients love to entertain and accommodate family and guests from out of town, and this new suite allows them to do so,” Masters notes.

The team also reimagined some of the existing spaces. In the kitchen, Dunlap introduced a mix of warm cappuccino-stained oak and black-painted maple cabinetry, a pairing that struck just the right balance between modern and timeless. The new palette continues into the adjoining morning kitchen and wine bar, seamlessly tying the addition to the original structure.

“Once the homeowner saw how beautiful the kitchen turned out, she wanted those adjoining spaces to match,” Dunlap recalls. “It makes the transition between the existing house and the new space feel completely natural.”

Outside, two decks extend outward from the hillside, expanding the home’s living space into the landscape and framing long-range mountain views. The upper level features a pizza oven, grill, and fire table, while the lower deck offers a hot tub and lounge area — an inviting setting for lingering with friends. 

“When people stay with us, they have such a good time — morning coffee on the deck, sitting by the fire table at night, getting in the jacuzzi together,” the homeowner says. “I was running out of time to build my dream house. Now I’ve got it, and a view I’ll never get tired of.”

Everyday Elegance

In the main living area, comfort meets practicality with a white performance-fabric sofa from Arhaus — chosen as much for its clean look as its stain-resistant durability. “I tested it with grape jelly before we bought it,” the homeowner says with a laugh. Designed to withstand visits from energetic grandkids, the space layers warmth and texture with an all-wool custom rug sourced by Traci Kearns of Alchemy Design Studio and a solid-wood coffee table from Ethnicraft.

Refined Top Notes

The reimagined kitchen pairs cappuccino-stained oak frames with black-painted maple doors from StarMark Cabinetry, all sourced through HomeSource Design Center. The look feels both modern and timeless, grounded by Purestone quartz countertops in “Satin Spar” — also supplied by HomeSource Design Center — and brightened by a sculptural pendant light sourced by Traci Kearns of Alchemy Design Studio. “The homeowners wanted a kitchen that reflected their style,” says Christy Dunlap of HomeSource Design Center. “The mix of warm oak and sleek black paint gave them that balance of contrast and sophistication.”

Room for More

Located within the newly added guest suite, this bedroom provides a serene retreat for family and friends. Interior consultant Traci Kearns of Alchemy Design Studio sourced the bed from Four Hands and the light fixture from Visual Comfort, while HomeSource Design Center supplied the luxury vinyl plank flooring. “We wanted space for our family to visit,” the homeowner explains, noting her adult children and grandchildren live in the Piedmont. 

Bear in the Balance

Calm and contemporary, the new guest bath continues the home’s modern aesthetic in a palette of layered grays. A floating vanity from Fresca Bath anchors the space, complemented by a Wayfair mirror, porcelain tile from HomeSource Design Center, and sleek fixtures from Ferguson. At right, a small painting of a mountain black bear with a toilet-paper roll on his head softens the scheme with a touch of whimsy.

Room for a View

The back deck overlooks downtown Asheville and the surrounding mountains, a view the homeowners never tire of. Four Hands chairs encircle a sleek fire table, creating a comfortable spot for early-morning conversation. “We always have our coffee out on the deck,” the homeowner says.

Above and Beyond

Perched on a steep mountainside, the new addition continues the home’s clean, modern lines while staying respectful to its surroundings. A mix of tigerwood nickel-gap siding and smooth Hardie panels ties the exterior to the original structure, adding subtle shifts in tone and texture. To ground the architecture in the landscape, TTK Design softened the slope with layered greenery.

Resources:

Architect: Mark Masters, Mark Masters Architecture (Asheville)

Builder: Tim Alexander, HomeSource Real Estate + Construction (Asheville)

Cabinetry/Finishes: Christy Dunlap, HomeSource Design Center (Asheville)

Countertops, and Flooring: Christy Dunlap, HomeSource Design Center

Interior Designer (Lighting and Furniture): Traci Kearns, Alchemy Design Studio (Asheville)

Doors and Windows: Carter Lumber (Arden)

Plumbing Fixtures: Ferguson (Asheville) 

Landscaping: TTK Design (Asheville)

Custom Banquette Table: Making Whole (Asheville) 

Custom Dining Room Table: Kerr Woodworking (Asheville)

Banquette Upholstery: Crossroads Upholstery (Asheville)