WHILE MANY LUXURY RESIDENCES CLAIM TO BE ONE OF A KIND,

this newly constructed lakefront estate at Reynolds Lake Oconee has the credentials to back up the title. Awarded this year as the National Association of Home Builders’ “Best One-of-a-Kind Home” in competition with 1,200 other residential projects, this well-appointed 20,000-plus-square-foot estate with guesthouse was designed to accommodate a couple’s active family that includes three adult sons and three dogs.

The team members that designed and built the home are known for their high-end residences—designer Black Sheep Interiors, builder Southern Luxury Homes and architect Harrison Design. “This project is a good representation of our capabilities,” says Summer Wood, principal designer and owner of Black Sheep Interiors. “Our goal is always to provide a turnkey experience by conceptualizing, refining and executing a highly personalized living environment for our clients.”

The design powerhouse includes six designers and support staff serving residential and commercial clients nationwide. Black Sheep Interiors, led by Wood on this home’s design, worked closely with the homeowners on every aspect of the home’s interior architecture, exterior detailing finishes and furnishings. The designers also stocked pantry shelves, cabinets, bathrooms and living spaces with every necessity for a truly turnkey experience. “We welcomed the homeowners with Champagne during our signature final reveal,” says Wood. “Every detail had already been thoughtfully considered so they could immediately begin enjoying their home.”

Wood’s design philosophy centers around a pivotal question she asks that is intentionally reflective of each homeowner: How do they truly live, and how should their spaces be designed to respond to their lifestyle? “The more we understand our clients, the more intentional and successful the design becomes,” she explains.

This active home required a timeless transitional aesthetic with contemporary influences and select classic elements. “The main level is timeless and elegant, with a mostly neutral color palette and a few colors layered through the addition of pillows, art, draperies and rugs,” Wood adds. As the owners move through the rooms, the artwork changes to incorporate their personalities and interests—from automobiles and aviation to florals and custom pet portraits.

The designer created a darker, moodier vibe on the terrace level, where a range of entertainment options appeal to family members of all ages. Amenities include an expansive game room, golf simulator, custom bar and a theater room. A custom fluted wall with a discreet jib door leads to a private dart room. Down the hall, a wellness center features a sauna, gym, spa, cold plunge and yoga room. A walkout from the terrace-level glass doors provides ready access to the lake, a firepit and an oversize putting green. A custom-designed bar on the terrace level is one of the home’s most striking focal points. The bar features a backlit Patagonia granite backsplash and illuminated custom brass shelving tailored specifically to accommodate the homeowner’s bottle collection. The space was curated down to the hand-arranged ombré display of spirits. Positioned adjacent to the golf simulator, the bar allows family and guests to remain connected to the activity while entertaining.

The entire home is resplendent with customized details at every turn. By listening to the homeowners’ wishes, Wood bent the home’s functionality to serve how they live in the space. Eschewing a traditional dining table in a formal setting, she set up a dual-sided kitchen island designed with a waterfall-edge Calacatta Cremo marble to serve as the primary gathering and dining space. Five custom counter stools on one side and five saddle stools tucked up under the other side can be pulled out as needed. “Since they have pets, I was considerate of the fabrics used,” says Wood. “The adjacent glass-and-steel doors open to an outdoor dining table for overflow seating. I intermingled two chandeliers’ gold branches to read as one large outdoor chandelier in the space.”

Wood gave significant attention to the architectural detailing within the kitchen, designing the coffered ceiling with varying sizes of recessed panels to match the footprint of the double islands below. A bold, high-gloss navy bar off the kitchen is one of the few places on the main level where dramatic color is introduced. The space is anchored by a large sculptural chandelier.

Wood also layered the appropriate colors into separate office spaces for the couple. “I color drenched his office, taking inspiration from his green Porsche,” she explains. “A wood-detailed ceiling and car- and airplane-themed art make this space a night-and-day look compared to his wife’s room.”

In contrast, the wife’s lounge embraces softer textures and tones, layered with warm metallics and pastel accents to create a more feminine palette—perfect for conversation and relaxation.

While the overall color palette is neutral, Wood created a deep level of interest in each room by bringing in custom details. The powder bath located off the foyer, for instance, is a jewel box hidden behind paneled trim detailing on the wall. Once the jib door is opened, the bathroom reveals refined details such as de Gournay hand-painted wallpaper with silver tree branches and a bespoke fluted marble floating vanity with custom pendants.

The primary suite also is heavy on fine finishes, with a hand-designed marble mosaic in the shower surrounded by honed white marble. Subtly veined creamy marble floors and a backsplash wall encompass a freestanding soaking tub. The bathroom’s deeply luxurious experience is matched in the primary bedroom, where Wood brought in subtle Persian-inspired influences through a custom black marble fireplace and nightstands, stunning custom lighting and richly layered textiles.

Throughout the home, Wood intentionally used large-scale lighting for dramatic effect. “When you walk into the great room, the 24-foot vaulted ceiling needs a large lighting fixture to make it work,” she says. “I used a 7-foot-wide chandelier in that space. Sizing is important when it comes to the jewelry of the home. Good lighting is imperative, and it was refreshing that the homeowners were adventurous when it came to choosing lighting. Their flexibility enabled me to customize the look throughout every space.” The pendants in the stairway, for instance, are one of Wood’s favorites. “Each teardrop was specified to a certain length to ‘drip down’ the stairwell,” she explains.

Wood also collaborated extensively with the homeowners on the home’s exterior selections, contributing to the specification of materials such as stone, roof color and style, exterior paint finishes, pool selections and architectural arch details. Natural elements continue indoors, reinforcing a cohesive relationship between the architecture and interiors.

The outdoor living spaces were equally prioritized. “While most homes have a pool at the walkout terrace level, we raised the pool, so it flows seamlessly with the main-level living,” says builder Kevin Aycock, founder and CEO of Southern Luxury Homes. “A full outdoor kitchen complete with a bar, smoker and griddle make this an entertainment-friendly space.”

A detached guest cottage received a slightly different design flavor. “I designed these quarters with more of a cottage feel, using a German schmear technique on the interior limestone to enhance the look,” says Wood. “The two beds, two baths and kitchen have a more casual and organic air than the main home, with natural touches in furnishings and finishes.”

Reflecting on the project, Wood emphasizes the importance of trust throughout the design process. “The homeowners were an ideal fit for our team because they fully trusted the vision and process,” Wood says. “In a home of this scale and complexity, trust is essential. Every member of the Black Sheep team invested tremendous care and dedication into creating spaces that authentically support and enhance the family’s daily lives.” *

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and fine art.