New Custom Home Listing

At 2,660 heated and cooled square feet, this home feels larger than it is because of its open floor plan. Building features include care from the owner with regards to the environment and energy savings. Low electric bills are reflective of Icynene insulated exterior walls and ceilings. Stained concrete radiant floors provide even warmth during winter months. At 3,448 feet in elevation, this homeowner has not found the need to use air conditioning during the summer months. Each room enjoys large windows which view the Plott Balsam range and a surrounding ridge of Balsam Mountain Preserve. Being able to view mountains while walking on the brick patio and lawn increases the livability of this home. The main floor master has an oversized closet which should satisfy most folks' needs. The master bath features a large glass enclosed tumbled marble shower, heated towel racks, a double sink area, and a Bain Ultra Air tub with a window above, allowing the bather to enjoy a view of the mountains. White wood shutters add a finishing touch to this area.

Hemlocks were gathered on property and sent to a local saw mill for exterior reverse board and batten walls, and example of sustainability practices. An old bridge was reinvented and used for the staircase, bar top, and guest bathroom cabinet tops. The powder room barn door was built to continue the rustic elements of this well planned home. Poplar bark is used at the entrance and rear patio to offer texture to an already beautiful exterior. The kitchen is open but separate. Here you will find a Thermador oven and range, a warming drawer, and a microwave drawer which makes this a very efficient and easy to manage area in which to entertain. The entire home lends itself to entertaining all the new friends you will surely meet at Balsam Mountain Preserve.

The home offers a very harmonious feeling by the choice of colors and elements. Careful planning and shifting of an existing Al Platt Architectural plan makes this home truly enjoyable. A mix of wood and drywall make the home very welcoming but not too rustic. Additional separate zone radiant heating can be found in the garage, where the floor has also been acid stained.

List Price: $1,665,000

Architect: Al Platt

Builder: John Thompson

Main Level: 1,880 sq. ft. per homeowner/Upper Level: 780 sq. ft. per homeowner/3 bedroom/3.5 baths

To view an on-line brochure of this home, click here. To speak with a community consultant about this home or any of the available homes at Balsam, click here.

Judaculla Rock in Cullowhee

September 18th the book club discussed the book One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus. The book is about white American women being traded to the Cheyenne in 1875 in order to teach the Cheyenne the white peoples way of living. Some of the sections, especially the ending, were gruesome. I shared with the ladies that after I read the book I was very upset by the ending and felt a need to feel grounded. I thought a hike might help me feel better, even though it was raining. While I was at the library researching hiking trails in the area I remembered there was a rock in the area with petroglyphs carved in it. I suddenly had a mission to find the rock. A quick phone call to Mara at the front desk in the Boarding House gave me the information I needed to get there. Judaculla Rock is a large (probably 10 X 14 feet) soapstone rock carved with images. A turtle, octupus and squid are visible as well as stick people drawings. As I sat there I couldn't help but think of all the people over the ages who have called these mountains home. They estimate the etchings were done between 3000 BC and 1000 BC. If you would like to study the rock and maybe even unlock its message here's how to get there. Go south on SR 23 to Sylva exit 85. At the intersection where you have to go left or right, turn left onto SR 107 toward Western Carolina University. Follow SR 107 for 9 miles and turn left onto Caney Fork Road. There's a BP gas station on the right. Continue for 3 miles and bear left. It's well marked. The rock is located in the field at the end of the farm road. I hope you enjoy the rock as much as I did.