When Randy Siegel went in search of a new home in Asheville he was looking for clean architecture, an open floor plan and long range mountain views.  Mid-century architect, J. Bertram King, provided him that opportunity with this 3200 sq/ft house that sits in the hills above the Asheville Country Club.  The house was originally constructed in 1959 and has 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms.  He was fortunate in finding the home in mostly original condition with the exception of some colonial style light fixtures he quickly replaced.  Still in place were the original asian style sliding screens from the entry to the living space, the outdoor courtyard off the dining room and the floating concrete fireplace hearth.Year round the house has views of the Grove Park Inn and then expands to included downtown Asheville in the winter.  He replaced the deteriorating back view patio with concrete slabs that reflect a mid-century aesthetic.  He then hired a concrete artist to build tables and add a fountain to a previously blank wall.  The outdoor space provided a contemporary setting for his 50th birthday party guests who enjoyed music from a live band that flowed both indoors and out.The crisp black and white kitchen serves as an intimate eating area for two, a gathering place for entertaining guests and provides several functioning work spaces all while enjoying a panoramic view of the mountains from a wrap around row of windows.The light and open interior of the home provides a great backdrop for Randy's art and furniture collection.  He has collected an eclectic mix of American and European antiques and Outsider art. The art is everywhere.  Pieces range from paintings to sculpture.  The sculpture ranges from soft media to metal.  There are stories behind a lot of the pieces, most of which are figurative or portraiture in some form or fashion.  Added in are some folk art furniture pieces, some sizable, like an antique African-American chest-on-chest in his office that came from a barbershop in Gainesville, Ga.The challenge, of course, is to bring the art collection together without cluttering up the aesthetics of the clean, contemporary architecture.  Siegel goes right up to the line on that point, but seldom crosses it.  “I'm interested in seeing how all these elements can work together,” he said. He often does so with a sense of play. Play, along with work and rest, is a key word in Randy's home which he likes to share with his close friends and his dog, Lucy.To see more of Bertram King's work go to the link provided on the right.

Article by Troy Winterrowd and ISurfAsheville.com. Photos by Troy Winterrowd