This Gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain Home is Simply The Best

Astonishing views paired with a marvelously, comfortable contemporary interior make this Blue Ridge Mountain home a dream for all-season living. The stylish yet unfussy interiors are perfect against the backdrop of mountains and valleys and the home’s design melds the two in very understated ways.

Located on Reynolds Mountain, just 10 minutes outside of beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, this five-bedroom home offers everything you need and just about anything you might want. Designed by Retro + Fit Design in and constructed by Living Stone Design + Build, the house is nearly 5,000 square feet of luxurious living space made even grander with stunning outdoor spaces: an unbelievable infinity-edge swimming pool, expansive decks and glass doors that open up to erase the boundaries between the two.

The Reynolds Mountain area is highly sought after not just for its views, but for its proximity to Asheville, which is always voted as a great place to live. Part of the Appalachian Mountains and, the Blue Ridge Mountains are also known as the Great Smoky Mountains, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They’re called the Blue Ridge mountains because the plants and trees in the area release vapor that scatters blue light in the sky, giving rise to the name that was originally coined by the Cherokee tribe of Native Americans who lived in the region.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

A beautiful roofline and a modern, yet natural look characterize the exterior of the home, which was designed for a recently retired woman who wanted to be able to host her adult children and grandchildren. The facade uses mixed materials that include locally sourced fieldstone, vertical cedar siding, metal and a siding called Nichiha, which is on the far right. This type of siding is made from fiber cement that looks like wood and is incredibly versatile. The overall look is very clean and best of all, very easy to maintain. The centerpiece of the facade is entryway, with its gorgeous, custom-made mahogany-and-glass front door than offers a little peek at what’s to come inside.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

Created by IDology Interiors & Design, the decor has a soothing and natural color palette that was inspired by the mountains the sky, which are the dominant feature of the space, thanks to the expanse of tall glass doors. The furniture, accessories and general look are a sophisticated mix of contemporary and classic elements that are found throughout the entire home.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

While some people might not consider a multi-level home with so many stairs a great option for older adults, this house incorporates many elements of universal design that are targeted for aging in place. One such feature that is common in a forever home is an elevator and this spectacular home has one linking all three levels. In addition, Retro + Fit Design included numerous sustainable components in this home, such as photovoltaic panels on the roof, an insulated concrete form foundation, and a tight building envelope that includes open-cell foam insulation.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

The great room is divided into separate, highly functional spaces that all take advantage of the views that the wall of ten-foot-tall glass pocketing doors and floating stairs offer up. Clean lines and architectural detailing create a room that’s open and airy but still has plenty of visual interest. The use of natural wood echoes the landscape and gives the interior extra warmth. We love this bar area, which has a built-in wine refrigerator and an art-accented display space for red wines. It’s very functional and central to the space but is somewhat still tucked away.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

This is a great view of how the inside and outside can flow together thanks to the sliding glass doors by Kolbe, which are 16 feet wide. They slide into a pocket in the wall for a total fusion with the outdoors. The cantilevered deck, as well as the one underneath it on the lower level, is supported by a steel beam frame. The decks were designed this way to maximize the views and minimize the impact on the landscape.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

Equipped with high-quality appliances the kitchen has everything a gourmet cook needs. Set back away from the view and closed in from three sides, the kitchen is still very bright and airy, not only because it is open to the rest of the great room but also because large windows near the ceiling bring in additional natural light. The wood cabinetry and slight but warm pendant lights add warmth and coziness to the kitchen area. The countertops are quartzite and the large island is great for food prep as well as grabbing a casual bite.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

Throughout the home, the builders used a durable engineered white oak for the flooring, which has a medium neutral tone and goes well with everything. The floating stairs help maintain the open, spacious look as does the glass under the wooden railing. Also, the great room — as well as most other spaces — includes recessed lighting, which means fewer lamps and distracting light sources are needed.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

Another feature of the home that is critical for universal design is a main-level bedroom. This spacious master bedroom suite sits on the other side of the living room, making it accessible and convenient. The suite encompasses a bathroom and walk-in closet as expected, but also a private home office for the homeowner. Just as in the great room, the big glass doors open out onto the cantilevered deck that faces the mountains. The bedroom design is oriented in a way that bed faces the view.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

The sleek bathroom has plenty of space and is flooded with natural light. A standalone tub is located in a bay of windows and the roomy shower is a walk-in style with no barrier and a wide glass door. The floating vanity features a unique double sink with wall-mounted fixtures.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

The lower level of the home includes a living space that is designed for casual entertaining. It features a bar, table and chairs for games, puzzles or just chatting and a fireplace area for whiling away a cool evening or afternoon. The decor is family-friendly and casual. It also incorporates more natural elements like the hide rugs and leather chairs, accented with a pop of color from the pillows.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

Just outside a lower level bedroom, a little patio space with a serene fountain is spacious as well as private.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

This might be the outdoor entertaining space, but we would guess that the residents and guests will spend most of their time here. This covered porch includes an outdoor kitchen and dining room, as well as a living area and a bar facing the infinity-edge swimming pool. Best of all, bugs will never be a problem thanks to the integrated screens that pull down at each opening, transforming the whole area into a fully screened porch. Oh yes, there’s also a gorgeous modern fireplace at the center of the porch, which also acts as a divider. And, if you ever get tired of the view (or want to watch a can’t-miss game) there’s always the big screen TV on the living area side of the fireplace divider.

Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool
Blue Ridge Mountains Residence by Retro Fit Design in collaboration with Living Stone Design swimming pool

The exterior design of the home, the way it is situated on the property and the creative use of retaining walls, accentuate privacy for the homeowner. This is visible when overlooking the outdoor areas and the infinity-edge pool, which is overlooking downtown Asheville. The pool space also includes a  spa and a fire feature. Overall, there isn’t one space in the house that doesn’t make you say “wow!”