N ATLANTA FAMILY REIMAGINED THE IDEA OF A GETAWAY, designing a retreat built to house multiple generations without compromise. This home celebrates the rugged beauty of the North Carolina mountains, framing sweeping views and creating spaces where the family can come together, reconnect and fully immerse themselves in the natural landscape. Built around the honest, expansive character of Western North Carolina’s iconic barn structures, the home they envisioned was brought to architect David Grace and his team at A Classical Studio. Together, they created something extraordinary: a 6,000-square-foot mountain retreat in Cashiers, North Carolina, that honors the region’s heritage and embraces modern family living.

A Classical Studio, a boutique architectural firm located in Roswell, Georgia, founded over two decades ago, has built its reputation on creating homes designed to endure for generations. Rather than chasing trends, the firm uses classical architecture as a foundation, adapting timeless principles to reflect specific geographic locations and local vernacular. For this project, that grammar would be written in the language of rural barns and stables, agrarian structures that have dotted the North Carolina landscape for generations.

Bringing the vision to life required a seamless collaboration of experts. Betty Burgess of Betty Burgess Design lent her considerable talents to the interiors. “Betty and her team were amazing,” Grace says. “We needed an A team for this house; everyone involved had to be flexible problem solvers.” Landscape architect David Floyd with Site Solutions played a key role in shaping the exterior environment, thoughtfully integrating the home with its natural surroundings.

Builder JW Underwood Construction brought the patience and inquisitive mindset that Grace values so highly. “John’s team asked all the right questions, which we love,” he notes. Structural engineers Koblasz and Kennison were instrumental in preserving the barn aesthetic while meeting the demands of innovative engineering solutions. At the helm of the project, Samantha Wilson, principal architect at A Classical Studio, guided the project from concept to reality—coordinating disciplines, carefully curating each space, drafting and shaping the client’s vision into reality.

The property presents itself with a striking simplicity. The main house rises like a substantial hay barn, flanked by a smaller structure—a garage and guest quarters—styled as converted stables. But this apparent simplicity masks tremendous structural complexity. Grace wanted to maintain the barn’s essential character—its sense of openness and uninterrupted volume—without the intermittent supports that typically define residential construction.

The homeowners aimed to make the breathtaking view a central part of the home’s experience, seamlessly blending the natural landscape with the interior. The design preserved the post-and-beam aesthetic, emphasizing open space and a sense of connection to the outdoors. Modern structural solutions were cleverly integrated, remaining largely invisible to preserve the purity of the design while enhancing the building’s functionality and stability. The result is a home that not only frames the surrounding beauty but also allows it to flow effortlessly into everyday life, creating a harmonious balance between form, function and nature.

Walking through the front entrance, visitors encounter steel and glass doors with large operable barn doors that immediately signal this is no ordinary barn. The doors open into a cavernous volume that draws the eye straight through the home to its defining feature: a massive wall of steel-framed glazing on the back that frames the panorama beyond.

The team’s vision comes to life in the main living room, where the interplay between rustic structure and refined modernism creates a striking visual tension that captures the essence of the home’s philosophy. The soaring ceiling reveals exposed timber beams whose weathered texture contrasts elegantly with the crisp, smooth white surfaces. A sculptural floating staircase further embodies this balance—its wooden treads seem to hover effortlessly within the two-story space. The open-riser design preserves uninterrupted sight lines, and glass railings provide safety without adding visual bulk. Executing this floating appearance was no small feat, requiring exceptional skill and engineering precision.

Though enveloped in a warm palette of traditional materials, the furnishings introduce a distinctly modern sensibility: a pair of curvaceous cream armchairs with organic silhouettes, a deep-toned sofa exuding understated luxury, and a monumental stone-slab coffee table that grounds the seating area with a bold presence.

Hidden within the paneling of the living room, a concealed entry for the owner’s suite uses a jib door with no visible hinges, with art hung to further disguise its function. The homeowners wanted to be able to close and lock this door so houseguests wouldn’t perceive it as part of the accessible areas, and the solution achieves this with elegant discretion.

The dining room, defined by sleek, modern furnishings, serves as the social heart of the home. A round dining table surrounded by patterned upholstered chairs creates an inviting setting for conversation, while an oversize sculptural pendant light in soft white fabric casts a warm, ambient glow. The space is anchored by a striking tequila bar, where crisp white cabinetry frames a circular backlit display—a luminous ring that showcases the spirits collection with the drama and precision of a museum exhibit.

At the opposite end of the home, the living room and fireplace are complemented by a spacious kitchen clad in charred vertical siding that discreetly conceals the appliances. The dark wood provides a striking contrast to the light-filled space, adding depth and visual warmth. A floating shelf above the sink allows natural light to filter through while maintaining an open view to the outdoors.

Floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows and doors flood the room with natural light and frame views of the covered porch beyond. The room’s true magic reveals itself when these glass doors pocket completely into the walls, erasing the boundary between inside and out. Gray linen drapery softens the expansive glazing when needed, while rich hardwood floors in varied tones ground the interior. Every element has been carefully calibrated to honor the barn’s architectural bones and create an environment that feels thoroughly sophisticated and contemporary.

While the home offers abundant open communal areas, the private spaces have been thoughtfully designed as sanctuaries for rest and reflection. Upstairs, the architecture reveals a more playful side. The library, lined with floor-to-ceiling whitewashed wood shelving, conceals a delightful surprise: What appears to be another section of built-in bookcase—complete with curated volumes and decorative objects—actually hides a secret door. Seamlessly integrated with concealed hinges, it swings open to reveal a private hallway beyond, illuminated by a polished brass flush-mount fixture that lends a touch of quiet sophistication.

Beyond this hidden passage lies a secluded mother-in-law suite, discreetly positioned apart from the primary living areas. This concealed entrance allows the suite to feel both connected and independent, offering privacy and comfort while remaining just steps away from the heart of the home.

The true surprise awaits on the terrace level of the main house—a sophisticated entertainment and wellness retreat designed to reflect the family’s love of togetherness and dedication to well-being. The wellness area features a tranquil massage room, an indoor sauna and a serene yoga studio, and the adjoining entertainment spaces include a cozy lounge, a moody wine-tasting room and an integrated golf simulator for year-round recreation.

An accordion door seamlessly opens the interior to the terrace, expanding the recreation area into an inviting outdoor living space. Beyond, a flagstone patio furnished with classic wood Adirondack chairs and a dining table becomes a natural extension of the living room. The outdoor area perfectly captures the home’s blend of luxury and rustic charm—the rectangular hot tub, set flush with the terrace, doubles as an elegant water feature, merging relaxation with refined design.

Addressing one of the practical challenges of hosting large groups, Grace designed a bunk room connected to a camp-style bathroom with multiple sinks and wet rooms, each with a toilet and shower, so everyone has room to get ready without competing.

The home’s layout is thoughtfully designed to support the rhythms of multigenerational living. A separate structure—styled to evoke a renovated stable—expands the property’s ability to host family and friends in comfort. The main level features a welcoming living area complete with a compact kitchenette, while the upper floor offers a series of flexible sleeping quarters tailored for guests of all ages.

One standout room features custom-designed bunk beds that echo the home’s architectural language. As Grace explains: “There’s a portal window set into a vaulted wall that overlooks the living room. We used that same portal shape to carve out the structure of the bunk beds, allowing the form to flow naturally back into the design.”

Throughout the home, specialized craftsmanship adds layers of surprise. Light-washed wood paneling wraps the walls, and exposed timber beams overhead reinforce the barn aesthetic even as steel and glass doors below frame views of the landscaped grounds. The stonemasons, whom Grace praises enthusiastically, incorporated a hidden heart into the stonework at the family’s request. “They love each other, and they love their family so much,” he shares. “Once you see it, you can’t not see it.” In this subtle detail, their deep affection for family is mirrored in the care and passion they bring to their craft, where love and design intertwine seamlessly.

Building during the pandemic presented formidable challenges. “There were labor shortages, and it was nearly impossible to maintain costs,” Grace recalls. “We had some problems getting materials when we needed them, but thankfully, John Underwood and his team were on it, and the homeowners were patient.” The use of local materials helped with both authenticity and supply chain reliability, as the team experienced fewer delays than projects requiring long-range or overseas shipping.

The technical challenges extended beyond logistics. Maintaining the insulative properties of such an open structure required creative solutions. The lack of interior walls meant fewer opportunities for traditional insulation approaches. The team addressed this by double-studding the walls and increasing insulation throughout, ensuring the home maintains comfortable temperatures despite its barn-like volumes. “The home works wonderfully,” Grace says. “The systems were designed and implemented in a way to maintain comfort in what could have been a big, drafty barn.”

The homeowners’ active participation and positive attitude proved crucial. “They were really fun clients,” Grace adds. “They knew what they liked, and they weren’t afraid to be bold and go for it. They always looked at problems as opportunities. It was so refreshing.” This willingness to embrace challenges rather than retreat from them kept the design vision intact throughout the construction process.

“It was a really an enjoyable process. We started with a concept that didn’t get watered down by anyone. When we came up against an obstacle, we worked through it. The client had an eye for quality and craftsmanship,” Grace says. These qualities made the project particularly rewarding for everyone involved.

The result validates A Classical Studio’s philosophy of creating homes designed to endure, not just physically but emotionally. This home expresses the family that lives in it, creating a sense of legacy that will resonate with future generations.

“In the end, the house turned out phenomenal; the homeowners love the home, and the builder and interior designer were very proud of this project. People who visit are blown away,” Grace says. Standing in that great room, looking through walls of glass to the peaks beyond, it’s easy to understand why. The home achieves something rare: It feels both grand and intimate, both rooted in tradition and thoroughly contemporary, both private and welcoming. Most importantly, it’s a place where four generations can come together comfortably, creating memories that will last as long as the structure itself. *

Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.

The home’s layout is thoughtfully designed to support the rhythms of multigenerational living. A separate structure—styled to evoke a renovated stable—expands the property’s ability to host family and friends in comfort.