Lake-Living Looks Better Than Ever in the 2024 Burton Showhouse

Modern Classic

Kitchen
Dana Lynch, Dana Lynch Design

When designing the kitchen, Dana Lynch had a head start—her firm’s developer services division (Bspōk Precision Homes) curated the interior design program for the community. This included three distinct styles—the clean, European-inspired Belgian, the sleek Aspen, and the more traditional Vernacular. While the showhouse falls into the latter, Lynch knew she wanted to break from the mold, picturing a cool, young couple updating an inherited family home. Working closely with McKinney Builders, she chose an earthy green for the under cabinets and upgraded the vent hood and backsplash with luxe marble. To infuse personality, Lynch sourced pieces from her private collection, like colorful Murano glass decanters, a large midcentury oak lamp, and a slab of teak. A kismet discovery of vintage wood stools from a Burton home—along with an oversize photograph hung over the glass windows—complete the vision. “It’s the juxtaposition between different design styles that activates space and grabs attention,” says Lynch, who ultimately gifted the stools to the home’s new owners “knowing they needed to stay with the house.”

CABINETRY Dickerson Custom Cabinets APPLIANCES Sub-Zero, Wolf HARDWARE Baldwin Hardware COUNTERTOPS UMI Stone, fabricated by CR Home LIGHTING AND FAUCETRY PDI FLOORING The European Company

Golden Hours

Main-Level Porch,
Nancy Felton, NF Design

Establishing a welcoming entrance for the showhouse, Nancy Felton envisioned a front porch for unwinding and communing with the wilderness. And while the result is serene, the process proved challenging, given the porch’s long and narrow layout. To maximize functionality and comfort, Felton created two distinct areas—a petite breakfast nook and a second, more relaxed seating area. “In the mornings, it serves as a peaceful spot to enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the stunning views of Lake Burton. In the evenings, it becomes a cozy haven to relax, breathe in the fresh air, and appreciate the tranquility of the surroundings.” Focusing on simplicity and intentional design, she kept circulation clear and the main door unobstructed. Rather than filling the space with unnecessary elements, Felton carefully selected the right pieces to maximize both usability and aesthetic appeal. Planters filled with faux greenery offer a low-maintenance solution for homeowners splitting time between residences.

SOFA, DINING CHAIRS, SIDE TABLE, LANTERNS Ernest Gaspard STOOL Sunpan RUG Loloi WIRE SCULPTURE The Phillips Collection FAUX GREENERY New Growth Designs

Call of the Wild

Living Room and Dining Room
Buffy Ferguson, Elizabeth Ferguson Design

Taking risks is Buffy Ferguson’s favorite part about designing a showhouse. “We are known for combining classic timeless design with a modern touch, and we wanted to push the boundaries of that here,” she says of her atypical approach to cabin decor. “The interiors called for a modern sensibility, so we leaned into clean lines and layered in timeless art and oddities to give the room a warm, collected feeling.” Above the console, work by artist Mary Catherine Lowery intertwines the realms of traditional landscapes and contemporary abstractions—a perspective that “perfectly resonates with what we were hoping to capture,” says Ferguson. A waterfall burl-wood coffee table and a nubby Berber linen sofa provide texture and depth, while large-scale wing chairs in cream hide add a cool sense of drama around the Saarinen dining table. Above the masonry wood-burning fireplace, a convex mirror framed in black iron further plays with dimension.

Living Room FIREPLACE FireRock MIRROR, LEATHER CHAIR, PIANO CONSOLE, ARTWORK Holland MacRae COFFEE TABLE, SOFA, OAK BUFFET UpCountry Home Dining Room FLOORING The European Company LEATHER CHAIR UpCountry Home LION JAR Legend Of Asia FLORALS Ephemera Design Concepts

Flora & Fauna

Pantry, Mudroom, Powder Room, and Wet Bar
Michele Gratch, Michele Gratch Interiors

The mountain wildlife and lush vegetation surrounding Lake Burton guided Michele Gratch when selecting the wallpapers and artwork that flow through the mudroom, powder room, and adjacent pantry. “Of course, my first thought was to bring the outside in,” says Gratch. Considering the compact spaces had little natural light, Gratch balanced the dark green trim with brighter green hues in the wallpaper. Likewise, the pantry’s green shelves and the light rugs helped keep the warm chocolate ground from feeling too heavy. Gratch challenged herself to mix pretty pieces, like heirloom copper pots and ceramics, with practical provisions so the space looks and feels like a real, functioning pantry. “The wallpaper was a little out of my comfort zone as it is not often that I use such floral paper—I like to call it ‘granny chic’—but it paired so beautifully with the paper that I used in the mudroom, I just couldn’t resist,” she says. Gratch continued her thoughtful curation and earth tones into the wet bar that faces the kitchen and living room.

Mudroom PAINT Benjamin Moore Chimichurri WALLPAPER, BENCH CUSHION, PILLOW FABRIC Schumacher BOTANICAL ARTWORK SET Foxglove Antiques Collection RUG Azra Oriental Rugs WINDOW TREATMENTS AND PILLOW FABRICATION The Drapery Room Pantry ARTWORK ON CANVAS Alicia Hauff through Anne Irwin Fine Art COPPER BUCKET AND CERAMICS Foxglove Antiques Collection STOOL Huff Harrington Wet Bar CABINETRY Dickerson Custom Cabinets FAUCETRY PDI FLOORING The European Company COUNTERTOP Element Stone through Stone Showcase, fabricated by CR Home PAINT COLOR Sherwin Williams Roycroft Bronze Green CAFE TRAY AND BISCUIT BARREL Interiors Market

Fowl Play

Primary Bedroom, Primary Bathroom, and Laundry Room
Maggie Griffin, Maggie Griffin Design

With sweeping views overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lake Burton, the main-level bedroom suite is a destination unto itself. For this cozy retreat, Maggie Griffin embraced the home’s scenic mountain locale to create a “transformative escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.” Avoiding bold, primary colors, she focused on delicate patterns and neutral hues like soft taupes and subtle greiges. “In this beautifully crafted setting, the owners can unwind, breathe deeply, and savor the simple joys of life by the lake, making it a perfect haven for rejuvenation and cherished family moments,” says Griffin. Accents of burnt orange, pheasant feathers, and floral drapery panels form the effect of a chic hunting lodge, while quaint gingham wallpaper and fowl prints in the laundry closet are reminiscent of a cozy English cottage. The tone continues in the primary bathroom with a lush wallcovering and floral artwork.

Primary Bedroom COVERLET Peacock Alley CHESTS Le Chateau RUG Stanton PLAID CHAIR FABRIC Kravet DRAPERY PANELS Cowtan & Tout PHEASANT FEATHER LAMPS Bunny Williams ARTWORK Through Caroline Nix Gallery Primary Bathroom CABINETRY Dickerson Custom Cabinets FAUCETRY PDI COUNTERTOP Elemental Stone through Stone Showcase, fabricated by CR Home WALLPAPER Kravet CAFE CURTAINS Schumacher ARTWORK Through Caroline Nix Gallery TOWELS Weezie Laundry WALLPAPER Thibaut SHADE FABRIC Schumacher ARTWORK Lulie Wallace

Into the Woods

Second-Level Bedroom and Bath
Beverly Baribault, Beverly Baribault Design Group

A spirited sense of adventure carries into the upstairs bedroom, where Beverly Baribault and her lead designer, Stacey Pelfrey, imagined a female college student might reside during summer breaks. Giving this fictional character a name (Beatrice), persona, and even photo memories drove the design direction in a way that was both artsy and connected to nature. A twin bed maximizes the square footage in the compact space, packing a punch with layered bold prints and textures. “We pull inspiration from our collection of fabrics and finishes until something clicks,” says Baribault. The biggest and most fun challenge was the custom, oversize headboard, which anchors the bed and side tables. “We focus on crafting designs that are not only visually stunning but also practical and livable,” adds Pelfrey. Connected via a hallway, the bathroom echoes the bedroom’s color palette and stationary roman shade. Clean lines on the mirror and fixtures supply an edge.

Bedroom WALLPAPER Mind the Gap CEILING WALLPAPER Lee Jofa FABRICS Kravet, Donghia, Brunschwig & Fils, Lee Jofa RUG Kravet COVERLET Traditions Linens LAMPS Visual Comfort & Co. DRINK TABLE Revelation COWHIDES Saddlemans UPHOLSTERY Custom Creations ROMAN SHADES TRIM Thibaut Bathroom CABINETRY Dickerson Custom Cabinets FAUCETRY PDI COUNTERTOP Elemental Stone through Stone Showcase, fabricated by CR Home ROMAN SHADES FABRIC Kravet, upholstered by Custom Creations HOOK Black Forest Décor ARTWORK Through dk Gallery

Cabin Fever

Bunkroom, Bedroom, and Flex Space
Kate Duffy and Christy Scott Spearman, Duffy Scott Interiors

Designing the third level, Kate Duffy and Christy Scott Spearman envisioned “a separate apartment that would give the people staying there a quiet place to retreat and rest from a boisterous family reunion.” In the bedroom, a stunning sepia mural wallpaper, a Persian rug, and an 18th-century Italian hutch deliver just that. For the bunkroom, Duffy and Scott Spearman recalled their own kids’ excitement to have a secret space that is not only for sleeping but also for reading and daydreaming. Instead of a headboard, a playful bolster pillow sits at the ready for epic pillow fights. With a graphic twist, the braided wool rug nods to traditional cabin decor. As for the grown-ups’ secret space, a hallway speakeasy beckons, with grasscloth wallcovering and an art gallery giving a “perfectly imperfect” quality. Beyond, a chaise lounge surrounded by found treasures incites curiosity.

Bunkroom BRAIDED RUG Patterson Flynn DRAPERY PANELS AND BOLSTER PILLOW Schumacher COVERLETS Peacock Alley Flex Space CHAISE LOUNGE Robuck ARTWORK Through dk Gallery and Muse & Co. Fine Art RUG Patterson Flynn SWIVEL CHAIR AND ACCESSORIES Duffy Scott Home FLORALS Ephemera Design Concepts Hallway WALLCOVERING Innovations ARTWORK Through dk Gallery ACCESSORIES Duffy Scott Home RUG Jubin Rugs Bedroom WALLCOVERING AND DRAPERY Thibaut NIGHTSTAND, FLOOR LAMP, BENCH UpCountry Home RUG Jubin Rugs BED, TABLE LAMP, LIGHT FIXTURE, ACCESSORIES Duffy Scott Home BEDDING Peacock Alley FOOTED CABINET Robuck ARTWORK Through dk Gallery and Muse & Co. Fine Art FLORALS Ephemera Design Concepts

Bucking Tradition

Nursery,
Stephanie Weaver Shurling, Weaver Shurling Interiors, Inc.

After spending many summers at Lake Burton, Stephanie Weaver Shurling intimately understands the slow and gentle rhythms of life at the lake. “It is so peaceful in the mornings, and you will see the deer and their babies feeding, rabbits hopping around, and occasionally a fox sprint across the road,” she says. Naturally, the woodland animals were at the top of her mind when she started planning the nursery. “I felt that this room, which is small and quirky, would be a perfect place to incorporate them and use nature’s colors to make this a fun and not-your-typical lake house bedroom.” She began with a playful wallpaper patterned with sage green bucks, then added touches of whimsy through the lighting and art, including handmade shadow boxes with gold forest creatures and works by Jennifer Keim of JKeim Studio and fellow showhouse designer Paula May of H&M Designs.

WALLPAPER Thibaut CEILING LIGHTING Crate & Barrel WOOL RUG Myers Carpet CRIB Babyletto CHEST AND CIGAR TABLE Worlds Away BED SKIRT, PILLOWS, CORNICE, CHAIR, AND OTTOMAN FABRIC Thibaut SWIVEL CHAIR Faulkner Upholstery ARTWORK JKeim Studio, Paula May FLORALS Ephemera Design Concepts

Pretty Perch

Second-Level Porch,
Kristy Holcomb and Paula May, H&M Designs

For the second outdoor living space, a green area rug planted the seed of inspiration for the rooftop porch. Then, Kristy Holcomb and Paula May built from the bottom up, bringing in all-weather and waterproof accessories such as antlers, owls, leaf-print pillows, and pots of greenery. To create a peaceful respite for the outdoor lover, the finishing touch was a black concrete fountain, enhancing the water sounds of the lake. “The porch is as close to the beautiful nature surrounding the home as you can get without walking out the front door,” they said. Given the gorgeous view and their experiences as full-time lake residents, the pair felt inclined to deliver a design as beautiful and majestic as the mountains. With many pieces sourced from favorite local shops in the town of Madison, Georgia, they staged the ideal spot for morning coffee, happy hour cocktails, or stargazing after sunset.

OUTDOOR RUG, FURNITURE, ARTWORK, LAMPS Stanton Home Furnishings FOUNTAIN In High Cotton TALL PLANTERS Zeb Grant Design ANTLER BOWL Scott Antique Markets DECORATIVE METAL IN PLANTERS Bend The Trend

Winning Shot

Terrace-Level Living Room,
Jordan Victoria, Atelier Jordan

Below the main floor, the terrace level includes a two-car garage, bedroom, bath, and living room. For the latter, a custom billiard table (stained black on white oak) and lighting serve as sculptural and atmospheric centerpieces—a choice that “reflects the growing trend of integrating functional art into interiors,” says designer Jordan Victoria. “Game tables and entertainment-driven furnishings are becoming more design-forward, blending luxury with leisure.” Bold moves don’t stop there: A vibrant, statement art piece anchors one wall and makes a lasting impression. Imagining the basement as a moody, speakeasy-style lounge, Victoria thoughtfully mixed sensory materials like bouclé, leather, and velvet, bringing a big-city ambience to the rural mountain retreat. “Homeowners are seeking personalized, transportive spaces that evoke a sense of escapism and hospitality,” she says.

CUSTOM BILLIARD TABLE Milieu FURNITURE Bradley, Go Home, CB2 ARTWORK Leftbank Art

Bird’s Eye View

Design-Build
Pace Lynch Corporation, Lew Oliver, Inc., McKinney Builders, P. Allen Smith Fine Gardens and Landscapes

Perched above Lake Burton with sweeping vistas of the North Georgia mountains and the Chattahoochee National Forest, the inaugural Burton Showhouse—aka the “Crow’s Nest”—sits at the highest point in the new 82-acre Burton development from visionary Bill Lynch of Pace Lynch Corporation in collaboration with town planner and designer Lew Oliver and McKinney Builders. At four stories and 4,000 square feet, the home’s expansive porches, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a rooftop terrace welcome in the great outdoors. This contemporary take on Gothic vernacular draws inspiration from 19th-century American landscape architect and horticulturist Andrew Jackson Downing. “The architecture was stunning and creative while also being timeless, with materiality that will make it even more beautiful in 100 years—our goal for the entire community,” says Lynch. Planned for aging in place and ample entertaining, the primary living space is situated on the main floor, with additional bedrooms and flex spaces on the upper levels. Overall, Lynch describes this showhouse as a fresher take on lake and mountain living that is relevant to what homeowners are looking for today. While nature abounds outside, the home abounds in creature comforts, from Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances to gigabit fiber internet to geothermal HVAC. The landscape and garden, designed by P. Allen Smith, is lush with native plants, and connects the residence to the larger Burton neighborhood: a walkable hamlet with direct access to a waterfall and 5-mile trail network leading to the Appalachian Trail.

WINDOWS AND DOORS Pella Lifestyle Series EXTERIOR PAINT Benjamin Moore Soot SIDING James Hardie Artisan Collection