The 2024 Cashiers Designer Showhouse Proves that Mountain Living is Chicer Than Ever

Mountainous Moves

DESIGN-BUILD
Lisa Wester Interiors, Cow Rock Construction, Alex Smith Garden Design

Breathing new life into this rustic mountain cottage—originally built in the 1990s and featuring a dogtrot connecting to a garage apartment with a full guest suite—took a team effort and involved substantial changes inside and out. “We wanted to maintain the original charm of the property since it represented what Cashiers truly embodies with mountain living, but also bring more current, modern functionality and technology into the build,” says Lisa Wester, who served as the architectural finisher and lead specification designer for the entire project, partnering with the current homeowner, Richard Jennings, who was the remodeler. The team fully gutted the kitchen and living room, and in the retreat, there’s new cabinetry, appliances, and surfaces. The front of the home now boasts a new paver sidewalk, and along with foundation plantings in the back of the home and more plantings along the boardwalk leading to the pavilion, landscape architect Alex Smith gave the existing firepit area a visual makeover. “I was inspired by the possibility of the firepit space becoming an outdoor room,” he says about reworking the stepping stones, reconfiguring the bed lines, and planting surrounding flowering shrubs and herbaceous plantings that purposefully complement Drew English’s neighboring dahlia display. Says Smith, “We created a whimsical firewood nook in the existing wall and used a faux bois bench situated on the edge of this space for viewing the garden.”

PAVERS Hartstone

Inside Out

FRONT PORCH
Jeanie Gilmer, J. Gilmer Designs

When fashioning the front porch, Jeanie Gilmer called to the home’s serene setting in the woods. “This was an opportunity to use pieces that would usually go indoors and enjoy them outdoors,” she reveals. “It helped to make the space feel intimate and cozier.” She created a porch where one could spend all day, from savoring a beautiful Sunday brunch to napping on the sumptuous double chaise—Gilmer’s favorite piece in the space. While the color story is largely green, the designer played with patterns and fabrics on the accessories and furniture, mixing stripes with florals and animal prints, along with global touches like a Turkish-style ottoman. Original artwork also plays a lead role, such as a peaceful forest scape called Limoncello by artist Sally Boyd, juxtaposed with a contemporary piece by Lynn Sanders above the chaise.

GREEN/IVORY LEAF PILLOWS Brunschwig & Fils OUTDOOR NANDINA DOUBLE CHAISE Rowan Furniture Company MIRRORS Avidan BLACK IRON TABLES Wilson City Garden PILLOW FABRICS Schumacher RUGS Whitaker WILLIAM PHARMACY LAMP Visual Comfort & Co. ARTWORK Sally Boyd through Gregg Irby Gallery, Lynn Sanders

Going Green

FOYER, HALLWAY & POWDER ROOM
Heather Parker and Wren Caples, Heather Wren Interiors

Moss-covered walkways, vast ferns, and gardens inspired Heather Parker and Wren Caples to create the feeling of an English cottage in the hallway and foyer. The foyer’s woodland wallcovering directed the color palette, including the hallway’s green paint color, and the foyer’s coordinating hanging panels. “We used the same linen fabric for the face of the panels, then layered in pattern and color in the custom details,” says Parker. Both spaces flaunt old and new pieces, including the foyer’s custom octagonal table anchored by a green rattan pendant, and the hallway’s antique ladder-back French chair. “We love the ‘moment’ with the old English chest and the modern abstract art behind glass mixed with gorgeous handmade Charlie West lamps,” says Caples. The duo updated the powder room by enveloping it in a green hue and wrapping the sink in a custom skirt. Green vintage sconces with yellow silk shades enhance the color story, while abstract art and a rattan mirror offer an interesting mix.

Foyer PENDANT Made Goods TABLE SKIRT MAIN FABRIC Namay Samay OAK CORNER TABLE Toby West Home WALLPAPER AND WINDOW TREATMENTS Anna French PLAID RUG The Wright Touch Hall PAINT Sherwin-Williams Rosemary ENGLISH 2 OVER CHEST AND CARVED CHAIR Toby West Home WOOL RUNNER Moattar Powder Room PAINT Farrow & Ball Cooking Apple Green VANITY SKIRT Schumacher VINTAGE SCONCES Lamp Arts MIRROR Made Goods

Wild & Wondrous

Bar Jeff Parrott, J. Earl & Sons

The mountain terrain, wildlife, and sporting activities guided Jeff Parrott in crafting the home bar. “We like to create home bars that are highly functional, but that also have character,” he says of the space that mingles new and vintage pieces. Some of his favorites? “The roe deer horn mounts from the Black Forest, as we always like a bit of taxidermy, our signature cocktail glasses etched with stag heads bring form and function, and the vintage hunting dog bottle opener brings a bit of whimsy,” says Parrott. The bar guru also called to Heather Wren Interiors’ foyer and hallway—which the bar is part of—dashing walls in a mossy green. “From there, we added layers of barware pieces starting with a rattan tray to ground the space and then added glass, metals, wood, antlers, and vintage with patina,” he says, adding: “It’s no real working bar if you don’t have quality spirits. We worked with Blade and Bow Bourbon bottles, which goes with the vibe of the bar.”

STONE Walker Zanger ARTWORK AND ACCESSORIES Through J. Earl & Sons

Elevated Living

KITCHEN, LIVING ROOM & INTERIOR SPECIFICATIONS
Lisa Wester, Lisa Wester Interiors

With the exception of the heart pine floors, which were sanded and refinished, Lisa Wester completely gutted and reimagined the kitchen and living room for elevated mountain living. “Before, the spaces were choppy with a small kitchen area, broken-up dining area, and the living room,” says Wester, who replaced the previous double glass doors with a single door to increase the kitchen’s footprint. “I drew a larger island with seating for four, closed the triangle situation, and added a sideboard that gave additional storage for entertaining.” She also extended the kitchen cabinetry to the ceiling and added opulent features such as a showstopping marble hood. The star of the space? Fluted stone walls—that are actually marble tiles—infuse the kitchen with interest and intrigue. Steps away, the living room is dressed with hair-on-hide chairs, a leather sofa, and a custom zinc coffee table. “Paired with an antique handwoven rug and luxurious warm drapery, we set an elevated tone that was both warm and inviting,” says Wester. She’s particularly proud of the fireplace wall that is covered in a textured stone.

Kitchen COUNTERTOP  AND STONE WALLS Walker Zanger, fabricated by A Touch of Stone, Inc. PLUMBING PDI CABINETRY HARDWARE Baldwin Hardware APPLIANCES Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, installed by Beautiful Installations Living Room FIREPLACE AND WALL SURROUND Hartstone RUGS Paige Albright Orientals ARTWORK OVER MANTEL Through dk Gallery SOFA Christopher Collection FIRE SCREEN Acorns at Old Edwards Inn

Garden Party

Dining Room
Elizabeth Stuart, Elizabeth Stuart Design Firm

Anyone would be delighted to share a meal in the dining room inspired by Elizabeth Stuart’s summer trip to England, which left the designer craving more blooms indoors. “When we saw the hand-blocked print by Jean Monro, we knew we had to incorporate it into the room as if you were dining in the garden surrounded by a lush field,” says Stuart of the tablecloth that dresses a French oak trestle dining table. She also allowed color, texture, and even scent to lead the design. “The textures feel relaxed and approachable, the fragrance of sweet beeswax tapers and rosemary topiaries are enticing, and there’s candy in colors for your eyes, from wine to mint in every nook,” she says. Vintage Terre de Fer French dinnerware dances around the entry walls and a verdant Murano glass chandelier splashes the room in a green glow. Favored touches include etched glassware that showcases a pattern inspired by a wallpaper created by Dagobert Peche of the Wiener Werkstätte and cascading dendrobium orchids in a lime hue. “They are so whimsical even Dr. Seuss would have envied them,” she says. Another vignette worthy of praise is a geometric iron console edged by blush mohair stools meant for propping up your feet or garden hat.

TABLECLOTH Jean Monro Hollyhock Handblock fabric through Fritz Porter Trade Collective WALL PAINT Farrow & Ball Calke Green CHANDELIER Murano WICKER DINING CHAIR Elizabeth Stuart STOOLS Coley Home

Quiet Respite

STUDY
Eric Ross, Eric Ross Interiors

Solidifying the study to be a quiet place to work from home, Eric Ross stayed true to his preferred style of English-traditional, which he says, “always feels at home in the mountains.” When designing, Ross immediately played to the existing heart pine wall paneling. “The homeowner was open to painting the pine to give it an updated look, but I was so enamored with it that I decided to use it as a jumping-off point for the colors that I used in the finished design,” says Ross. He started with the window treatment fabric, which has a cognac color that enhances the existing pine, and then splashed the ceiling in a rich green. “Green is the perfect foil to the cognac color of the walls and the effect is gentlemanly and sedate,” he says. Another favored highlight are the existing Audubon duck prints, which Ross hung from the bookcases for a clear, less cluttered look.

FABRICS Lee Jofa CEILING PAINT Benjamin Moore Forest Floor CHANDELIER, CASE GOODS, AND ANTIQUES Vivianne Metzger Antiques

Warm & Welcoming

PRIMARY BEDROOM
Francie Hargrove, Francie Hargrove Interior Design

The moment that Francie Hargrove walked into the primary bedroom, she was inspired to capitalize on the warmth of the glazing on the existing walls. She kept the overall color palette soft in shades of ivory and butterscotch—yet added a punch of tangerine on the upholstered headboard and bedding. To maintain a sense of calm and elegance, she used a luxe but diverse combination of linen, cotton, embroidery, and cut velvets. “My favorite textile was the decorative embroidery tape down the leading edge of the drapery panels. The scale and color was perfect for the room,” she says. Hargrove also dotted the space with favored furnishings like an antique Italian mirror that hovers above an antique French chest, as well as a parade of original artwork from Gregg Irby Gallery and Anne Irwin Fine Art. “I enjoy introducing and selecting original art for my clients. It gives a space its personality, and in many cases, is the finishing touch.”

RUG Stanton Carpet DECORATIVE TAPE Texture WINDOW TREATMENT LINEN Kravet ANTIQUE CHEST Illuminati Antiques ANTIQUE ÉTAGÈRE Toby West Home UPHOLSTERY Lee Industries LIGHTING Arteriors

Enviable Escape

GUEST BEDROOM
Kathy Patton, Kathy Patton Designs

Retreat to the guest bedroom by Kathy Patton, and you’re immediately wowed by the scenic hand-painted wallcovering that holds court behind the bed. “This classic French wallcovering sets the sophisticated tone and color palette for the room,” says Patton, adding that it also offers a stabilizing effect in a space that has no symmetry. “The pair of bedside chests and French chenet lamps further creates this grounding of symmetry.” Floor-to-ceiling draperies celebrate the 12-foot ceilings, while the gilded canopy bed creates drama. The custom blue and ivory bedding calls to the blue sky in the wallcovering and the blues featured in the art and fabrics. “All pieces were chosen to enhance each other, while not screaming for attention,” she says. Patton also created inviting places to sit and relax, including an area with two rattan King Tubby Italian chairs paired with cowhide ottomans and a marble round drinks table. Emphasizes Patton, “Good design is all about the mix.”

ZUBER ELDORADO SCREEN, FRENCH CHENET LAMPS, AND RATTAN KING TUBBY ITALIAN CHAIRS Sherwood Antiques DRAPERIES Waterhouse Wallhangings CANOPY BED AND ROUND DRINKS TABLE Revival BEDDING Matouk

Beyond a Bunk

BUNK ROOM
Douglas Hilton, DWH Interiors

When Douglas Hilton considered the design of the bunk room, he had one goal in mind: “We wanted to take back the bunk room,” he says. “What this room shows is a guest bedroom that happens to have bunk beds in it, but can be used by adults or older children. The rest of the room can be a sitting room, home office, or TV room.” Hilton believes the architecture of the space worked in their favor, as the shed roof created height and kept the room bright. Hilton delivered a colorful aesthetic with a bright rug, bedding, and draperies—and created an eclectic feel that doesn’t follow one distinct period. “We started with the drapery fabric. Manuel Canovas is a master of color mix and can be a bit daunting to work with,” says Hilton. The designer also added antiques for warmth—like the antique secretary that anchors the room—along with contemporary art. Says Hilton, “Modern art tends to be more approachable and helps invite you in and encourages you to stay.”

FABRICS Cowtan & Tout ARTWORK Through dk Gallery RUG Moattar SECRETARY AND CHANDELIER Acorns at Old Edwards Inn BEDDING Gramercy

Stylish Spaces

LAUNDRY ROOM & STAIR HALL
Joey Butler, Joey B Collection & Design

Laundry doesn’t feel like a chore in Joey Butler’s happy laundry room. Informed by the landscapes of Cashiers, Butler swathed walls in a leaf-patterned wallcovering and added juxtaposition to the flooring with a layered Turkish vintage runner. “The laundry room is highly functional with the stacked units maximizing the small space. However, the addition of café curtains and the lush wallcovering on both the ceiling and walls allows for a stylish, personalized touch,” says Butler. The designer also created a welcoming upstairs hallway landing that’s layered with distinct elements, including elegant wallpaper mixed with skull wall art and showstoppers like an antique gold Louis Philippe mirror. “The mirror’s beaded trim adds a touch of sophistication to the space,” she says. “And the hallway becomes a transition that not only connects rooms but also introduces a touch of style, ensuring that the entire upstairs feels cohesive and thoughtfully designed.”

Laundry Room WALLCOVERINGS Thibaut LIGHTING Visual Comfort & Co. through PDI SISAL RUNNER The Wright Touch STONE DOG Ballard Designs CAFÉ CURTAINS Checks and Valances Workroom Stair Hall WALLCOVERING Thibaut Armani/Casa Versailles GOLD VINTAGE MIRROR Le Chateau ANIMAL SKULL WALL ARTWORK AND TABLE Mathews Furniture + Design PLAID WOOL RUG The Wright Touch VINTAGE BOTTLES Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts

Natural Whimsy

MUDROOM & SCREENED PORCH
Holly Watson, Acorns at Old Edwards Inn

Since the mudroom serves as a high-traffic entrance, Holly Watson mingled function with style, bedecking the space with color and playful patterns. “The homeowners are dog lovers, so I wanted to design a room that was fun and for the dogs. The wallpaper was the perfect start,” says Watson of the dog-dotted wallcovering. The designer also used a happy orange fabric for the door’s roman shade and repeated the fabric on the bench cushion. “The faux-grass rug was a fun addition,” she adds. For the screened porch, Watson kept the decor sparse so as not to restrict the views, but alluded to nature with a standout drapery fabric with a bug pattern. She also created the perfect nook with a small dining table meant for soaking up the quiet. “I wanted the space to be welcoming and like a spot where you would want to enjoy your breakfast on a cool morning on the Plateau.”

Mudroom WALLCOVERING Thibaut Buddy Screened Porch DRAPERY FABRIC Clarke & Clarke Papilio

Blue Heaven

GUEST SUITE
Melanie Couch and Nancy Dyleski, Spruce Interiors

With the color blue always leading Melanie Couch and Nancy Dyleski’s designs, the guest room respite is dripping in the soothing hue, along with a parade of fabrics starring botanical prints and motifs. “We were especially lucky to partner with Lacefield Designs to preview their new fabric collection, and the cheerful botanical print called Arcadia Bali was our star fabric,” reveals Couch. The designing duo particularly loves the custom fabric headboard that spans the entire length of the wall, and details such as scalloped edge bed linens, a kitchenette, and a seating area with a vintage sofa covered in a joyful fabric. “Hospitality and functionality were at the core of each selection,” says Dyleski. The designers also highlighted the room’s painted hardwood floors and tongue-and-groove walls with contrasting layers, like a blue basketweave wallpaper. The room is peppered with antiques to modern elements, including old English chests with brass accents, burlwood finishes, and grasscloth-covered tables.

COUNTERTOPS AND STONE CABINETRY SIDING Walker Zanger FABRICS Lacefield Designs WALLPAPER Thibaut LIGHTING Currey & Company, Visual Comfort & Co., and Regina Andrew ANTIQUES Vivianne Metzger Antiques BEDDING Sullivan & Phenix

Private Retreat

RETREAT & PORCH Sarah Kowalski, J. Banks Design Group

Aptly named “The Retreat,” Sarah Kowalski capitalized on the stand-alone porch’s outstanding views and transformed its formerly brown-stained wall with two shades of green to allow the structure’s rich architecture to sing. “We painted the ceiling between the stained beams in order to feature the beams versus take away from them,” she says. Interestingly, the entire concept for the space started with a high-impact, patterned Ping-Pong table. “I was immediately drawn to a moody floral antler pattern out of the UK that set the tone for a richly layered, mature hangout and game space, and that pays homage to its natural surroundings,” reveals Kowalski. “The drama is not only in the overall silhouette but also in the massive scale, grounding the table as the heart of the room.” Large-scale woven lighting adds further drama, while textures reign supreme in sculptural leather chairs with braided arms, a hand-knotted wool rug, a dual-colored raffia wallcovering, and twill-weave plaid drapery. Eye-catching artwork from various artists also complements the space.

FIREPLACE SURROUND Hartstone GAME TABLE Milieu WALL PAINT Sherwin-Williams Rosemary CEILING PAINT Sherwin-Williams Shade-Grown DRAPERY AND DRAPERY HARDWARE Fabricut FURNITURE AND LIGHTING Summer Classics, Palecek, Bernhardt, CFC, and Arteriors WALLPAPER Omexco Intuition HARDWARE Nest Studio WOOL LAYERED RUG Eliko Rugs by David Ariel OUTDOOR RUG Wendy Jane for Summer Classics OUTDOOR SOFA FABRIC Perennials ARTWORK Merrell Thompson, Mary Margaret Monsees, Sarah Ella Cole, and Camellia Art Gallery

Dahlia Dreams

DAHLIA GARDEN & POTTING SHED
Drew English, The English Gardener

Drew English, who’s known as the “dahlia whisperer,” created a major moment with his divine dahlia garden flaunting English and European touches at the rear of the potting shed. “I started growing dahlia tubers in pots back in June, hoping they would bloom just in time for Showhouse, and they did,” he recalls. The gardener relied on hand-forged iron stakes from England to support the dahlias, and then peppered the garden with terracotta pots filled with a mixture of brightly colored annuals and perennials that offer a nice blend of texture, size, and scale. “I always try to use old, reclaimed containers in my gardens. The age of an old clay or stone pot just can’t be replicated,” he advises. English also followed his self-proclaimed design ethos—if it’s needed, why not make it beautiful—when refashioning the former potting shed. After adding paint to the trim and porch floor to match the main home, he drenched the Dutch door in a deep green for a pop of color. “The vibe was meant to be old-school Cashiers, when gardens were residents’ main hobby,” says English, who added decorative shelving, reclaimed containers, and antique tools for both form and function.

DAHLIAS The English Gardener