This peaceful refuge with clean lines and modern warmth was designed by Altura Architects to maximize the surrounding beauty of Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. This home belongs to a family of five who found this property after evacuating their coastal South Carolina home during a hurricane. Consequently, a sense of shelter and protection was fundamental to the vision for this house.

The owners did not want to change anything about the land: “We love the site exactly how it is.” The design process began with a careful review of the native forest of rhododendron, laurel, and hardwood trees. The upper knoll was particularly beautiful, and despite it being the highest point with the best views, we all agreed to preserve this special landscape and locate the house to the north. 
 
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Altura Architects BUILDER Morgan-Keefe Builders LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Osgood Landscape Architecture

The overall form of the home bends to follow the natural topography of the land. The two wings of the home reach around an entry courtyard that embraces guests as they arrive.

At the entry is a metal sculpture, titled Shelter in the Storm by artist J Aaron Alderman, which further embodies the original vision of the project.

The metal sculpture at the front door was specifically picked by the owners because it embodies their story of how they arrived in WNC. The piece is called Shelter in the Storm by J Aaron Alderman.

Quality craftsmanship, materials, and systems allow this conventional construction to perform at a high level of energy efficiency. The home achieves a HERS 55 (45% better than building code) and annual savings of approximately $4,400 a year on energy bills.

This mountain modern house responds to the land and brings a sense of calm to the landscape, while the flow of spaces and materials brings a sense of refuge to our clients. The design blends daylight, views, and a warm palette that connects the home to nature.

The main living space is open with mountain views to the north, while high windows bring in sun from the south.

What We Love: Nestled into the trees on a mountainside, this modern luxury home provides a serene refuge. Natural oak, granite, and metal elements, straight lines, and expansive windows create a harmonious and restful space. Small details help to elevate the overall feel, including organically shaped metal cabinetry pulls, hand-crafted pendant lights with a touch of gold, a unique reglet trim lining the baseboards and doorways, and separately regulated climate control in the artful wine cabinet.

Tell Us: What details in the design of this North Carolina refuge do you find most inspiring? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other incredible home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of North Carolina: This modern dream house in North Carolina offers fabulous curb appeal and Tour a warm and inviting home in North Carolina with inspiring details.

Outdoor living spaces were a big design priority. A screen porch extends from the living room, cantilevers into the trees, and also connects to an open terrace with an outdoor kitchen. Three free-standing board-formed concrete walls help create a sense of enclosure and screen the terrace from the driveway.

PHOTOGRAPHER Ryan Theede

Toxaway Refuge Video from Morgan Keefe on Vimeo.