Finishing Details on the Miller Residence

It has been a wonderful experience building a home at the same time as our good friends, the Millers.
They are about 8 months ahead of us in the construction process, so that has so beneficial for us to watch and learn!   Sunday afternoon, we visited Jill and Barry's home to check on the progress.  They are at the fun stage- paint, ceilings, cabinets, etc.  Another 6 weeks and the home should be ready to move in!

The architect- Travis at Mountain Works in  Cashiers- did an awesome job siting the home on the property.  The property is tucked down in the meadow, so as you drive down a curved hilly road, the house emerges in your view- perching  on the bluff.

 



 A mixture of grey shingles, stacked stone and copper create a structure that looks like it has been there for years.

 

 

You enter the front door through a stone enclosure that is so quaint- feeling like you are in

an ancient dwelling in Ireland.

 The entrance to the stone porch is capped with a limestone eyebrow feature.  Getting the color of the new granite to look old and blend in with the stone has been an adventure of trial and error!

 

 Looking up at the little window from inside the porch.

 

 

The porch has two open windows at each end with massive stone sills.  Again, they need to be painted to match the stone.

 

 

After trying many different stains on the raw granite to achieve the correct color, an old fashioned recipe from master stone masons worked.  Mix soot, dirt, and water and paint on the stone.  Let dry and rub off and repeat!  Voila- you achieve the color on the sample on the top!  Success!

 

Walking to the back of the home, prepare to be impressed.   Massive stone columns support the

upper decks and look like they have been formed with stones gathered from the lower fields and been there for centuries.

 

Standing back from the home, you get the vision of scale and grace,

 that only a home of this caliber could provide.

 

Iron railings will eventually be installed on the deck above the columns,

giving them a "crown" on top.

 

 Entering the living room, a feeling of space is achieved with the 20 foot ceilings.

 

 

 

The ceilings are detailed with beautiful beams and a planked wood that will be stained a light gray.

 

Jill has purchased a massive round  antique brass chandelier that will hang between the beams.

 

The stacked stone fireplace in the living room stands over 14 feet tall and will be framed with a limestone surround around the firebox.  

Entering the kitchen, dining and keeping room space, the stone fireplace sets the tone.  Again, it has yet to be bathed with it's dirt and soot bath, but it's coming!

 



 

Another of these stunning fireplaces is in the master bedroom.

 

Thick honed marble tiles with antique edges are starting to be installed in the bath in the versaille pattern and will eventually run up the wall by the window.   A soaking tub will sit in front of the window with a crystal chandelier above.

 

Detail of the fireplace and ceiling on the screen porch off the keeping room.

 

Column detail on the screen porch.

 

 

I am loving this home.  Tucked down in a meadow with an old stone fence, the gardening

opportunities are endless.  An old camellia tree is already blooming from the old homestead that used to sit on the land.

 

 

 

Watching the finishing touches on this home will be inspiring. 

 I can't wait for the floors and cabinets to get installed!  

 

Updates will be coming!