Hi Folks. Dining Out for Life is coming this Thursday the 30th. In lieu of a Modern Mixer this month, Kelly and I will be Ambassadors at the downtown Twisted Laurel. Come and see us, get a cocktail and support the cause. We will be there from 5 to 9pm. If you can't make this date our friends from Belong Realty, Lori, Kim and Josh, will be working the lunch shift. See YOU there. Cheers!
— Kelly and Troy
Thursday, May 14 from 6:00 to 8:30 PM
You are invited to attend a special evening at the historic Cotton Mill Studios in Asheville's fun and funky River Arts District. Enjoy a delicious cocktail reception, meet the artists and shop the galleries of some of Asheville's finest artisans. The artists of Coton Mill Studios are generously donating 40% of the evening's sales to Pisgah Legal Services. Buy Tickets Here.
Cheers!
— Troy and Kelly
MLS 568421 | $664,500
Take a look at this Bert King designed home in North Asheville. This mid-century, contemporary has naturally flowing living spaces on an almost one acre private lot. The relaxed home begins with a 3650 sqft. main home with master on main level and multiple living spaces for your creative endeavors. Over the garage is a luxurious 542 sqft. guest suite or studio with a walk in closet and generous bath. The apartment comes plumbed for a kitchen if desired. The lush wooded lot embraces you with privacy, but could be thinned for year round mountain views to the south and west. If you are looking for both a convenient and peaceful escape come and see this graceful home. In the meantime take the virtual tour. Cheers!
— Kelly and Troy
Hi Folks! If you haven't checked it out yet, go and enjoy our new Pinterest board. Over 82 boards and 2000 pins on everything from Asheville architects, mid-century homes and modern inspiration.
Cheers!
Kelly and I toured this 70's contemporary home on Saturday with a couple of our modern clients. It has long been one of our favorites sitting just out of reach in the hills north of Grove Park Inn. The efficient home didn't disappoint given it's layered, experiential layout connecting private gardens, to living spaces to treetops and the Asheville city view beyond.
The architect, William Moore, originally built the home for himself and his wife in 1973. It was then constructed for $42,000. Moore was the designer for the Unitarian Church on Charlotte St near the Grove Park Inn.Southern Living Magazine originally published the design and plans of the home. Following, publication he sold plans to many others who wanted to create this simple living space for themselves. The home showcases one of his signature design features of a dominate roof. He told me, "Roofs are traditionally cheaper to maintain and replace." So he dedicates maximum square footage to the roof in containing interior spaces.
Recently Published on Dwell Online
Once again I found more quality Asheville design work featured in DWELL online. Just recently there was a brief on the Aleph house by SAI Design. To see the recent post go here. Browsing through it reminded me of the personal tour that Kelly and I went on with designers Michael and Elihu back in late 2011. It inspired me review the article I had first featured on the home and decided to reshare today. Enjoy it and enjoy your beautiful Sunday. Cheers!
January 2012 Article on Modern Asheville
“The only place on earth where all places are --- seen from every angle, each standing clear, without any confusion or blending”
The above quote was written by Jorge Luis Borges regarding the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is our starting point in viewing the development of this thoughtful new home resting just below Town Mountain Road co-created by SAI Design and the adventurous owners. While there are many grounded realities that go into a sophisticated construction as this, equally, there are abstract notions that layer in meaning and spirit that give this home a rich, rooted history long before moving day arrives.
The Aleph is a silent letter quietly representing strength, humility, creation and the first breath. Placed on the site it represents where the topographical elevations of the earth meets the air coming up the hill. It is the point where the two distinctly marry.
The owners, a married couple, also bring together the two distinct elements of wood and clay. Both craftsmen, one is a woodworker while the other a potter. Wood and earth are mixed in and help shape the spatial organization of this home. The upper volume contains the more public “living” spaces is light, clad in wood and adjusts its angles to the views and to embrace the energy of the sun. Dramatically, it cantilevers out into space supported by the lower volume that hugs tightly to the earth. This volume clad in stucco and cement board houses the “private” spaces including studios and bedrooms. As you walk around the house, Jorge’s notion of the Aleph becomes clear. This was a place on earth where all places are represented, seen from every angle and remain clear of confusion.
This artful, architectural stew was expertly guided and stirred over a period of two years by Michael Silverman and Elihu Siegman of SAI Design. Given plenty of simmer time, the rich design evolved organically working back and forth from client to architect and from careful thought and functionality to artistic intuition. While your average builder might look at the specific site, common to Asheville, and see its limitations and standard outcome this team saw it as a creative springboard for achieving something unique. The home is a balance of being nestled into the hillside to minimize the visual impact while cantilevered to minimize the impact on the ground. Trees from the site were recycled into the house mill work and floors, not uncommon to resource minded mountain dwellers of Asheville. For me, part of the strength of the home lies in its founding design principles of being site specific in both layout and materials. The notion is explained above, however you simply have to experience the house to know that it just feels right.
The home is 3100 sq.ft with three bedrooms (one bunk room for multiple guests) and three baths. Both the private and public entry is on the main level anchored by a generous storage, utility and laundry area. Beyond is the great room which is dramatic and simple featuring custom crafted details in wood and concrete.
My favorite spot is standing at the top of the stairs where you can view the entire restful and rhythmic living space while at the same time uncover clues about the rest of the house thru inviting views down corridors in two directions and down the Escher-like stairs to the lower level. The generous landing area on the lower level neighbors a media room with built-ins flanked by the owners studios with indoor-outdoor work spaces at either end.
Overall, the Aleph House makes sense with its carefully crafted and functional layout. Like the Aleph, it has a humility in its simple, shaker-like utility. Yet, it is layered with quiet sophistication that makes it rich without ever having to know why. The quality home will undoubtedly endure generations of both well grounded and inspired inhabitants and Asheville will benefit from a richer compost of thoughtful modern design. Great job guys!
Photos by David Dietrich
Asheville has been represented in DWELL a few times of late. Today, in this look at design across the states, Akira's hand-crafted bowls were featured.
But don't just stop there — take the full tour as a good overview and reminder of what good design brings to our lives.
Cheers!
Built in 1964 | Design by J. Bertram King and Charles M. Sapenfield
The construction of the Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church and College Chapel was made possible by a matching gift from an anonymous donation and contributions from friends of the college, church members and alumni. Local materials were used as much as possible. Stone was hauled from nearby Bee Tree Valley by student work crews and the walnut wood for the cross in the chancel came from the college forest. The cross was designed and made by Hardy Davidson, a neighbor and Farm School alumnus. The design of the structure points upward and the many triangles are used to represent the trinity. In 1968 the North Carolina Institute of Architects gave J. Bertram King Architects an honorary award for the design.
Want to see more of Bert King's work? Visit our Pinterest page on him here. Cheers!
Our friends from Asheville Flea For Y'all will be hosting a meet and greet to give local dealers and vendors, including mid-century and vintage furnishings dealers and found art creators, an opportunity to see first hand what the organizers have been working on, get a feel for a the gorgeous venue and even pick a spot for this monthly event coming soon. Stop by the Flea's venue at 468 Riverside Dr at 5pm this Thursday. Light beer, wine and snacks will be provided. If you want more info or to sign up go to the "Asheville Flea for Y'all" facebook page. We hope to see you there. Cheers!
— Kelly and Troy
Built in 1963 | Designed by SIX ASSOCIATES
Justice Center was named after Charles "Choo-Choo" Justice who began his extraordinary football career on the Asheville High football team. After serving in World War II, Justice was an all-American at UNC Chapel Hill and went on to play for the Washington Redskins. The Justice was named for the outstanding local athlete in 1973, 10 years after the buildings construction.
A special thinks to Kevan from Asheville By Foot for my personal tour of UNCA and helping gather information on the campus. Cheers!
— Troy
