a home in the forest
a home in the forestby Kate Reynolds
photography by David Dietrich
“I’d like to show you something,” says Clary McCall, leading the way into the sun-drenched music room of her Biltmore Forest home. Clary runs her hand tenderly along the length of a 16th century French farmhouse table, appreciating its patina. It is a stalwart piece, solid and unpretentious.
“Look here,” she invites, “You can see the indentations, the worn areas where someone chopped food on the surface of the table. And think about that lower rail — how many feet have rested on that? It’s seen centuries.”
Transported from the European countryside to the mountains of North Carolina, the table seems completely at home in its environs — the elder statesman in an impressive gathering of fine furnishings. “We’ve been collecting antiques for years,” Clary explains, “So when we built the house, we designed the rooms to accommodate the pieces that we love.”
Clary and her husband Bobby Granieri hadn’t planned on undertaking a new construction, but after searching for months in the Asheville area, they came upon their home site by serendipity. “We were taking a drive through Biltmore Forest,” Clary explains, “And there was a home with a For Sale By Owner sign out front.” The existing ‘70s era structure didn’t appeal to the couple, but the property did — a substantial lot, surrounded by white pine, tucked into a cul-de-sac.
“We wanted to be in town, but we also wanted privacy and outdoor space.” A deal was struck and work began to raze the house and clear the land for construction. “We decided to switch the orientation of the house so that the entrance faced the cul-de-sac, which actually changed the street address,” she points out.
The couple had a clear sense of the home they wanted to live in: Normandy-inspired, infused with a sense of history and nurtured by artisan’s hands. Having recently completed construction of a lake house, Clary was brimming with ideas — drawing floor plans and mapping out the living space. They chose Asheville architect Jim Samsel to help them manifest the vision.
Rather than overbuild the property, the couple chose to divide the 6,000 square foot residence into two stories and retain a relatively modest footprint. “We wanted the house to fit comfortably on the site and not overwhelm it,” says Samsel.
There was also the desire for the design to be sympathetic with the older homes in the neighborhood. “During the early 20th century, you saw a lot of European revival buildings in the Biltmore area, scaled down to be suitable for the setting.”
An old-world feel was established with the extensive use of handmade brick, which was custom cut and fitted for the arches on the patio, then laid in the gables of the three-car garage in an artful herringbone pattern. Multi-hued and varied size slate was chosen for the roofs to produce a texture that blends easily with the landscape. “The stone and other exterior materials used in the Normandy style are very appropriate for our climate,” Samsel points out.
“Jim really educated me about Normandy architecture; French Country is very popular right now,” Clary notes. “But it’s become very Americanized and over-detailed. The style is actually very simple. The materials themselves — the rough, hewn beams, the stone, the brick — that’s where your charm is coming from.”
For the interiors, Clary envisioned a floor plan that would suit her young family and showcase their existing collection of cherished antiques. Radiating from a lofty entrance foyer, a series of connected, intimately proportioned rooms on the main floor are punctuated by the Great Room, an abundant space that encompasses kitchen, breakfast nook and family room. “This is where we live,” she affirms.
Nowhere is her hand more evident than in the kitchen, which anchors the main living space. “I was intimately involved in every detail of this house,” she says, “But the kitchen received most of my time and attention. It’s been my dream forever.” Every aspect, from the burgundy enamel LaCanche professional range to the layout and distressing of the cabinets (which cleverly disguise matched Sub-Zero fridge and freezer), to the deep trough sink was designed to her specifications.
With plans in place, Clary and Bobby enlisted veteran builder Jim Koerber to oversee the construction, and gathered a stellar team of craftspeople to provide the touch of human hands that gives this home its timeless appeal.
“It’s the process that really makes the product,” observes Koerber. “Bobby moves in a very deliberate, intelligent way and Clary has impeccable taste — she’s very sharp. But this home was a very collaborative and cooperative effort. Jim Samsel has really good judgment about how a house should look, and the craftspeople were all very self-disciplined; they take their art very seriously.”
“Everyone who worked on this house had a real sense of ownership about the project,” says Clary proudly. “They became very connected to it.”
The beams in the Great Room were milled on-site from the cleared white pine; air-dried in the couple’s warehouse and hand hewn by master woodcrafter Dan Fowler. Fowler also instructed the framing crew from Blue Ridge Post and Beam on traditional techniques for fashioning the rustic lintels above the windows.
Leftover pine was used to fashion a delightful pantry and the built-in bookcases with window seat on the second story landing. “Using wood from the property didn’t really save us any money,” says Clary, “In fact, it probably cost us more. But we felt that it helped the house to retain the spirit of the land.”
To create a focal point in the foyer, the homeowners commissioned blacksmith Lance Crow to assemble a sweeping, wrought iron stair rail. “It took over 4 months to complete,” notes Clary, “and it was worth every minute. The craftsmanship is amazing.” Crow’s work is perfectly complemented by antique sconces and chandeliers from France, set against the subtle decorative painting of Anne Krauss.
Indeed, craftsmanship and artful detail are evident throughout the home; half-sawn oak flooring with walnut pegs on the main level, an elegant slipper tub in the master bath which overlooks the rear garden, the whimsical jungle mural that graces the spacious playroom, created for the couple’s young daughter.
The home’s décor celebrates the couple’s appreciation of history and handwork. Predominantly 17th and 18th century period pieces, the furnishings are gracious but not grandiose, and employ a deft interplay of rich color and subtle texture to create an ambiance that is both traditional and inviting.
Clary has relied on her intuition in decorating the residence, working sparingly with designers in creating continuity. “If a piece feels right to me, I know it will work with the other elements,” she notes.
Although the collection has been gathered from resources across the country, over the years the couple has developed a strong collaborative relationship with David Leglise of Village Antiques in Asheville, who has helped to guide their acquisitions and expand their knowledge. “He’s been very patient,” she smiles.
The result is a seamless blend of content and context, a modern living space that resonates with the echoes of the past, functions beautifully in the present and offers itself as an anchor for the future. A place where the skilled hands of the past join with those of the present.
A place to call home.
