Estate guesthouse lives large with ultra-smart design choices
By: Carolyn Kemmett
Photo by Ryan Theede
It’s always nice to have a dedicated space for visiting family and friends, although a ragtag guest room is what most of us can muster — either furnished with household leftovers or merged with a home-office space.
One couple in the Fairview area went in the opposite direction and created a dedicated one-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse with plentiful outdoor spaces to shelter their frequent visitors comfortably, and, it turns out, fabulously.
Photo by Ryan Theede
“This guest house is amazing,” declares Tim Alexander, president of Asheville-based HomeSource Builders and HomeSource Design Center. “We were fortunate to collaborate with the clients as the general contractor for this unique project — it’s about 600 square feet, but it lives really large and is tricked out. It has so many cool bells and whistles.”
Alexander explains that the main residence and guesthouse are located on a picturesque 10-acre parcel. The guest quarters sit atop a one-car garage, and smart-design features, including cantilevers and strategically placed steel beams, allow the building’s footprint to take up much less real estate than a traditional build. Because of this smaller foundation and tighter footprint, he says, the home’s impact on the land remains minimal.
Photo by Ryan Theede
Since HomeSource specializes in custom projects, part of the process is going through four or five drafts of a proposal before arriving at the final version. But the owners were really involved, knowing exactly what they wanted. “The wife has an exceptional eye for design — she didn’t use an interior designer,” shares Alexander, “but anyone would assume she did.”
One of the couple’s main goals was to bring the outside in, and the home’s open decks and screened porches do just that. Rather than reading as transitional spaces, they become one with the indoor areas, which also feel treehouse-like and serene.
Beyond the benefit of natural light, that airy vibe in the interior is courtesy of such well-considered design features as high vaulted ceilings, recessed shelving, an ultra-contemporary pass-through fireplace — doing double duty for both the living area and the bedroom — and white walls complemented by a warm, yet un-stifling, wood accent wall.
“The house also has large exterior doors that really act as frames to the view you see when you’re inside,” notes Alexander. Another constructional “must” was an elevator to convey groceries, suitcases, and any guests who cannot (or would rather not) use the stairs.
Photo by Ryan Theede
“I wanted an elevated treehouse,” says the homeowner. “The pun is obvious, but the goal was to have an inspiring, peaceful place for people to create their own retreat while they are there.” Architectural designer David Merrifield of Holden Design Shop drew the plans, and the homeowner personalized the guesthouse, appointing local artwork, pottery vessels of her own making, and vintage pieces of decor to uphold “the history and quirkiness of the area.”
In the sophisticated, intentionally oversized kitchen — the work of HomeSource Design Center Kitchen & Bath Designer Bonnie Hester — luxe materials and finishes rule. Wood-stain cabinetry and shelves are made of alder with a rattan-stain finish, set off by dark maple cabinetry with a graphite finish (all from StarMark). The space is equipped with elegant quartz countertops (“Soprano” by Viatera) and Zen-like open shelving, an ample island that offers seating and storage, and a hot-beverage nook which houses a wine refrigerator — all helping keep the countertops clutter-free. (The immaculate matte ceramic backsplash tile in “Shoji White” was sourced from Horizon Tile & Stone.)
Photo by Ryan Theede
The bedroom is a restful oasis defined by the homeowner with neutral tones, cozy textiles, and natural materials like warm wooden bedside tables and a wicker pendant fixture accented with mocha-hued oversized beads. Sliding doors open onto a balcony with a hammock for lounging.
Adjacent to the bedroom is a lovely en suite fit for leisurely soaks and contemplative looks at a stunning tree-studded view. The homeowner, who wanted to infuse the bathroom with a spa-like calm, chose a generous double vanity, strategically placed skylights, and a curbless shower; she also imparted a recessed nook filled with polished stones.
“The heated floors in the bathroom are part of welcoming you to the open shower, [where there are] three shower heads and a view of the treetops and mountains as well,” she says.
Photo by Ryan Theede
Exterior materials are a combination of cement and fiberboard siding, a metal roof, some stone and stucco applications, and composite decking. “All will be durable, and will free the owners from maintenance headaches,” says Alexander.
In the case of this project, “less really turned out to be a lot more,” he concludes.
HomeSource Builders and HomeSource Design Center, 172 Charlotte St., Asheville, 828-252-1022, homesourcebuilders.com.
Resources
Builder: HomeSource Builders (Asheville)
Architectural Designer: David Holden Merrifield (Holden Design Shop, Asheville)
Construction Coordinator: Heidi Tauriainen (HomeSource)
Project Manager: Joe Lattanzio (HomeSource)
Kitchen & Bath Designer: Bonnie Hester (HomeSource)
Backsplash Tile: Horizon Tile & Stone Gallery (Fletcher)