ASK the Expert: Mountain Aesthetic

In this edition of Ask the Expert, Design Manager Becky Walter answered a few questions about the mountain aesthetic.

Mountain Modern is a style of home design that’s taken off here over the past several years. Because it’s so popular right now, we wanted to know more about the mountain aesthetic that is contributing to the style’s popularity.

Comfortable and Welcoming

Whether perched on a Colorado peak or nestled in the Smoky Mountains, what is the mountain aesthetic all about in custom homes?

Becky Walter: Mountain homes are characterized by their simplicity, functionality, and integration with nature. They often feature cozy interiors with exposed wood beams, wood paneling, and stone fireplaces, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Mountain homes are designed to be comfortable and welcoming, with a focus on creating a sense of coziness and security. This is reflected in the natural materials, earthy colors, and rustic furnishings used throughout the home that evoke a sense of warmth and hominess.

Defining Features

What are some defining features of the mountain aesthetic?

Becky Walter: Mountain homes often feature outdoor living spaces such as patios, decks, and porches that allow residents to enjoy the outdoor environment. This seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living is a hallmark of mountain architecture. Homes that stick to the mountain aesthetic often feature open floor plans, large windows, and modern amenities that cater to a relaxed, informal lifestyle.

Common Materials

What materials are commonly used in the mountain aesthetic?

Becky Walter: Locally sourced materials such as wood, stone, and log construction, reflecting a rustic and traditional aesthetic are commonly used to evoke the mountain aesthetic. Nealy all of the mountain homes Sineath Construction has built in recent years incorporate a mix of materials including stone, wood, and metal.

Regional Variations

What are the regional variations between homes out west and here in WNC?

Becky Walter: The cozy charm of Appalachian homes and the expansive ranches of the American West represent two distinct approaches to Mountain living that are deeply influenced by their respective landscapes, histories, and cultural backgrounds.

Mountain homes of the Rockies and further West tended to be influenced by sprawling ranches and rugged openness. With more available flat land, these homes tend to be larger and more expansive, built to overlook the property and soar upwards in view.

In contrast, the Appalachian homesteads tended to be tucked into tighter valleys and coves with a series of smaller-scale buildings nested in the terrain. Appalachian homes are often smaller, reflecting a more modest and practical approach to mountain living as where large-scale working cattle ranches of the American West established a size and scale more grandiose.

Capturing the Mountain Aesthetic

The mountain aesthetic can be applied to nearly all styles of home, whether your preference is modern, traditional, farmhouse, cottage, or anything in between.

These custom homes in our portfolio are excellent examples of how the mountain aesthetic shows up, like in this timeless modern escape, this custom take on a Frank Lloyd Wright gem, and this ridgetop dream home.

If you’re ready to design your mountain home but need an architect, we are happy to refer you to a few excellent ones in the area who have beautifully captured the mountain aesthetic in their work. Click contact us to get started.