A Respected Design Team Crafts the Ultimate Lake Burton Family Retreat

Spitzmiller & Norris, Megan Hamilton Interiors, Charles Moore Builders, and Field Landscape Architecture prove that exceptional craftsmanship can turn even the most challenging site into an enduring lakeside home

Written by Kate Strickland Photographed by Emily Followill Styled by Holly Bryan and Erin Haraway

August 2026

Stone house with white siding, green windows, and a wooden door under a covered porch.

The home has an established feel with vernacular craftsman detailing, hewn wood timbers, and live-edge siding.

Living room with vaulted wood beam ceiling, stone fireplace, and neutral upholstered furniture.

A painting by Megan Lightell through Anne Irwin Fine Art complements a Smithworks Iron fire screen and a François & Co. fireplace mantel in the living room.

Hallway with wood staircase, paneled walls, beamed ceiling, and pendant lights.

The welcoming foyer is lined with treasures from Heather Cook Antiques and a rug from Parviz Rug.

Living room with vaulted beamed ceiling, stone fireplace, and large windows overlooking water.

The doors to the covered porch beyond the living room frequently remain open, allowing for the drapery—fabricated by The Drapery Room—to flow softly.

Covered porch with stone fireplace, wood-burning stove, wicker chairs, and rustic dining table.

On the spacious covered porch, lanterns from Fourteenth Colony Lighting add ambience as the sun sets. Retractable screens allow for unobstructed lake views while lounging fireside.

Living room with exposed wooden beams, built-in shelves, and a sofa by a window.

e A table from Kevin Scanlon Antiques is a charming resting place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee.

White kitchen with black and brass range hood, island, and farmhouse sink.

A collaboration with cabinetry company Otis & Co., the kitchen abounds with charm. A dark hood from Patrick Loperfido pairs well with the marble-and-wood island. Pendant lights are Jamb through Ainsworth-Noah.

Even the upstairs landing boasts a lush view. “It was a super challenging site, and Bob [Norris] did incredible in orienting the house so that every room has a lake view,” says interior designer Megan Hamilton.

Bedroom with vaulted wood-beamed ceiling, white bedding, and large window overlooking trees and

In the primary bedroom, a Visual Comfort & Co. chandelier holds court over a plush bed dressed in Gramercy bedding. Rug fabrication is by The Wright Touch.

Bedroom with shiplap walls, wooden dresser, armchair, and large window overlooking a lake

A chair from Holland MacRae offers an up front and unobscured view of Lake Burton.

Office with wood desk, leather chair, built-in bookshelves, and pendant light.

Conveniently located off of the primary bedroom, the stylish study makes working from the lake house a breeze. A lamp from Foxgloves Antiques Collective sits atop a desk sourced from Round Top, Texas.

Cream bathroom with freestanding tub, wood stool, and double vanity with brass fixtures.

In the primary bath, a tub from Renaissance Tile & Bath pairs well with hardware from Architectural Accents, while Caroline Irving Textiles shades add a pop of color.

Bedroom with a window seat, upholstered chair, and bed with a green throw.

A bench from The Nicholson Gallery creates a charming vignette in a guest room.

Bedroom with two beds, neutral linens, woven wall art, and a light wood cabinet.

Above a guest bed, a decorative wall hanging from MooMoo Designs adds an artistic touch to a guest room. The bedding is from Gramercy

Kitchen with wood cabinetry, marble island, and two pendant lights.

The lower-level wet bar features a moody countertop with stone from Marmi, surrounded by barstools from Lee Industries.

Hallway with double doors opening to a lake view, wood beams, and built-in storage.

In the lower-level mudroom, cabinetry by Otis & Co. is painted in Sherwin Williams Honed Soapstone.

Bunk room with natural wood built-ins, patterned curtains, and star pendant lights.

A grandchildren’s paradise, the bunkroom houses 10 beds and an abundance of whimsy thanks to a star-dotted Travis & Company fabric.

Stone mansion with multiple balconies overlooking a lake, surrounded by lush green trees.

Landscaping by Brian Field helps the new build feel established.

Covered deck with Adirondack chairs overlooking a lake and wooded hills

An antique table from Scott Antiques Markets and chairs from Phillips Scott take lake days up a notch.

Light tan boathouse with two doors and a balcony overlooking a lake, with trees in the background.

A stately two-story boathouse looks across the lake beyond.

Positioned on a steep grade coupled with easement restrictions and no roadside facade, the structural aspects of an over 9,000-square-foot Lake Burton home did not come easy—good things rarely do.

Fortunately, architect Robert Norris of esteemed Atlanta-based firm Spitzmiller & Norris was ripe for the challenge. Joining him, interior designer Megan Hamilton of Megan Hamilton Interiors, builder Charles Moore of Charles Moore Builders, and landscape architect Brian Field of Field Landscape Architecture were recruited by the especially savvy homeowner, whose concrete company poured the home’s 23-foot-tall roadside retaining wall to combat the complicated lot.

“In working up at Lake Burton for the past 40 years, it was important to honor the origins of the lake and create a home that felt established and not overpowering for the property,” says Norris, who emphasizes the stellar craftsmanship of the home thanks to its heavy interior doors, hewn beams, trusses, natural stone, and wood walls. Built to last and endure the elements, each floor system is made of solid concrete.

Inside, the exceptional architectural elements are complemented by warm and welcoming furnishings. “The details in this home are incredible,” says Hamilton. “It’s very easy to design around a Bob Norris house.” The spacious foyer with paneled walls and rows of wood beams overhead leads directly to the living room where soaring ceilings and strategic skylights allow for natural rays to pour in. A cozy reading alcove offers extra seating for big groups or is just the spot to curl up with a good book on a rainy afternoon. Connected to the kitchen and dining room, the open floor plan ensures a lake view no matter where guests perch. “It’s very open, but everything is so well proportioned,” says Hamilton. “It feels not vast, but cozy and livable.”

An oversize metal window in the kitchen, which doubles as a walk-up bar, looks out to the spacious screened porch beyond. Outside, a large fireplace beckons guests to linger alongside lake views. “I wanted to keep all the spaces less fussy because I didn’t want the homeowners to sit down and look around at too many design elements when they could be looking outside,” says Hamilton. “The whole idea of being up there is to be outdoors.”

The primary bedroom resides on the main floor and is a serene respite after a day of boating with grandchildren. The neutral color palette promotes a sense of ease and allows nature’s beauty to take center stage. Downstairs is the perfect cousin hangout, complete with a full-size kitchen, living room, game room, and bunkroom with 10 built-in beds. “The clients’ one request was that every room be livable and comfortable,” says Hamilton. “They wanted somewhere that their grandkids could hang out in and that everybody felt welcomed.”

Due to the seamless collaboration of the adept team, the home feels nestled into the site, not overpowering the land it resides on. Reflects Norris, “Some of the most difficult projects end up being some of the best.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Megan Hamilton, Megan Hamilton Interiors, (404) 316-5079; instagram.com/meganduffyhamilton ARCHITECT Robert Norris, Spitzmiller & Norris, (404) 812-0224; spitzmillerandnorris.com BUILDER Charles Moore, Charles Moore Builders, (706) 490-2098 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Brian Field, Field Landscape Architecture, (706) 461-6631; fieldla.com

Brian Field, Charles Moore, Charles Moore Builders, Field Landscape Architecture, Megan Hamilton, Megan Hamilton Interiors, Robert Norris, Spitzmiller & Norris