A midcentury inspired Georgia dream home in the serene Blue Ridge Mountains

Aerial view of dark modern mountain home surrounded by fall foliage

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After vacationing in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, these homeowners commissioned Modern Rustic Homes to build their midcentury-inspired dream vacation home for their family of four. They affectionately named their getaway cabin ‘Ellewood’, named after their daughter, Elle. Their goal was to create a modern chalet that would be multipurpose, a place where their family could escape the bustle of everyday life, just a two-hour drive from Atlanta.

They also wanted enough space to invite extended family and friends to accompany them. There is also the added bonus that when they are not using their cabin, they can rent it out as a short-term luxury vacation rental. In all, this home offers 3,609 square feet of living space with five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. Continue below to see more of this stunning mountain retreat…

Above: The home blends heavy timber and stick-frame construction for a rustic yet modern feel. Outside, it’s clad in cement fiberboard siding painted Sherwin-Williams “Greenblack,” with cement shake siding and manufactured-stone accents.

Living room with black shiplap fireplace, leather sectional, teal armchairs, and loft above

For the design scheme, the owners love midcentury modern design, but also desired their new home to best reflect the rustic mountain terrain. This led to a contemporary hybrid, selecting colors and finishes that would pay homage to the home’s surroundings.

Since the home needed to be spacious enough to host large groups of overnight guests, they opted for a three-level floor plan layout. Bedrooms and bathrooms were spread across multiple levels to make the spacious home feel cozy while still allowing everyone privacy. There is enough space to accommodate 16 overnight guests!

Great Room Boasts Tall Ceilings, Nature Views

Double-height living room with leather sectional, black shiplap fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows

Above: The double-volume great room features expansive windows and an accordion-style door to blur the indoor-outdoor boundaries. The fireplace surround features a faux shou sugi ban product, which is repeated on the kitchen range hood. Originating in Japan, shou sugi ban is a wood-preservation technique that seals the surface through controlled charring.

Deck with rocking chairs overlooking autumn mountain foliage in Georgia

The timber framework, along with contemporary wood elements such as the fireplace surround and bedroom accent walls, enhances the home’s warmth and inviting character.

Open Plan Layout

Open-plan great room with vaulted wood ceiling, loft, kitchen, and living area

Above: The main level not only features the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas for entertaining but also includes the owners’ bedroom suite.

To create a modern yet cozy vibe throughout their home, everything was made to be tactile. Living spaces feel refined yet comfortable; nothing is too precious where you can’t kick your feet up and enjoy. There are living zones for playing games and entertainment, as well as areas where you can retreat and de-stress.

An Urban-Modern Kitchen Design

Dark kitchen with herringbone wood backsplash, white quartz island, and leather barstools

Above: This mountain kitchen has an urban-modern feel, with custom-fabricated shaker-style cabinets in Salamander 2050-10 | Benjamin Moore, paired with matte-finish gold hardware. Additional highlights include white quartz countertops and a backsplash made from a black walnut flooring product in an eye-catching herringbone pattern. The appliances are in black stainless steel to complement the kitchen’s darker aesthetic.

Great room view from dining area showing fireplace wall, book ledges, and mountain windows

To create a balance between modern and rustic design details, the owners contrasted natural materials and textures, such as timberwork on the ceiling and the screened porch, with more modern touches, including custom steel railing, black metal doors, and dark kitchen cabinets. They also gave the windows a sleek look by reducing the trim and forgoing window treatments in most of the rooms, instead highlighting the beautiful views of this home’s surroundings.

Dining Room Seats Up To 12

Dining room with walnut table, industrial pendant light, and wall-mounted cookbook shelves

Above: Since this home can comfortably accommodate up to 16 overnight guests, the owners wanted plenty of seating for their guests to dine together. This dining table can seat up to 12, while the nearby kitchen island has four barstools.

Mezzanine Level For Entertaining

Loft game room with shuffleboard table, exposed timber beams, and wagon wheel chandelier

Above: On the upper level, a mezzanine overlooks the great room. Custom steel railings give the rustic details of this home a modern edge. This level features a small work zone, a shuffleboard table, a game table, and a convenient pull-out sofa. Also included at this level are two guest bedrooms connected by a Jack-and-Jill bathroom.

Loft hallway with timber beam ceiling, black iron railings, and mountain views

What We Love About This Home

What makes Ellewood so special is how intentionally it was designed for togetherness, from the 12-person dining table to the bunk room that sleeps eight; every detail invites people to gather. Yet the home never feels like it sacrifices comfort for capacity; the warm timberwork, tactile finishes, and nature-facing windows give it a genuine sense of coziness and place. It’s a home that works equally well as a peaceful family retreat and a lively gathering spot for extended family and friends.

Tell Us: Would this Blue Ridge Mountains retreat be your idea of the perfect family escape? Let us know why or why not in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other fascinating home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Georgia: Tour this breathtaking modern rustic cabin in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and A beautifully transformed home boasts tranquil views of Lake Blue Ridge.

Owner’s Bedroom Suite

Dark shiplap primary bedroom with leather bed, tree-ring artwork, and forest balcony door

Above: The owner’s bedroom suite is on the main level and connects to the deck, offering sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Behind the headboard is a dramatic feature wall of faux shou sugi ban planks.

Bathroom with freestanding soaking tub, subway tile, dark fixtures, and wood ceiling

Above: The owner’s bathroom offers a spa-like atmosphere and is distinctly contemporary, featuring white subway tiles and contrasting dark flooring and hardware.

Custom Bunk Room

Built-in dark wood bunk beds with warm wood headboard panels and leather drawer pulls

Above: On the lower “terrace” level, you will find a custom-fabricated bunk room featuring four queen-sized beds with built-in storage. In all, this spacious home can comfortably sleep up to 16 people.

Cozy Guest Bedroom

Bedroom with knotty pine accent wall, blue velvet bedding, and whimsical animal portraits

Inviting Family Room

Media room with dark green walls, plush white sectional, and large TV

Screened-In Porch With a Fireplace

Screened porch with stone fireplace, outdoor sofa, and panoramic autumn mountain views

Above: This spacious screened-in porch features a convenient pass-through bar off the kitchen window. A comfortable outdoor sectional faces a wood-burning fireplace. There is also a pool table that plays double-duty as an outdoor dining table. The porch’s butterfly roof showcases timber stained in Sherwin-Williams Woodscapes “Banyan Brown.”