A Century-Old Barn Finds a New Home in the Mountains
Rustic reclaimed wood and stone feature prominently in a reconstructed barn in North Carolina
Sam Smith
January 21, 2017
When a retired Florida couple went searching for a rural setting in which to spend time with their adult children and extended family members, they fell in love with wildlife- and woodland-rich Beaucatcher Mountain in Asheville, North Carolina. To help them build a structure that would embrace the surrounding area, the couple turned to Samsel Architects, which helped the homeowners locate a century-old barn in upstate New York, dismantle it and reimagine the structure on their new land.
Photos by Todd Crawford Photography
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Size: 5,250 square feet (487.7 square meters); four bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
Designer: Samsel Architects
The homeowners bought the barn through Heritage Restorations, which specializes in salvaging and giving second lives to dilapidated barns. The team dismantled the barn timbers and relocated them here. Then, using computer-aided design, Samsel Architects was able to retain a majority of the barn timbers for the rebuilt frame. Any timbers or siding that was excluded was later used as trim throughout the home.
The result is a rustic structure with subtle modern finishes.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Size: 5,250 square feet (487.7 square meters); four bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
Designer: Samsel Architects
The homeowners bought the barn through Heritage Restorations, which specializes in salvaging and giving second lives to dilapidated barns. The team dismantled the barn timbers and relocated them here. Then, using computer-aided design, Samsel Architects was able to retain a majority of the barn timbers for the rebuilt frame. Any timbers or siding that was excluded was later used as trim throughout the home.
The result is a rustic structure with subtle modern finishes.
The stone on the lower rear exterior is a Tennessee medium- and long-stack blend.
The main level’s open profile helps maximize the awesome valley views for anyone cooking in the kitchen or relaxing in the great room and living room. Reclaimed wood flooring runs throughout the home.
The original barn roof rafters form the non-load-bearing supports in the ceiling of the new home. Reclaimed barn wood runs between the rafters for added stability.
A blue side console has been repurposed as a focal point in the foyer and adds to the authentic style of the barn. The Pennsylvania bluestone flooring matches the pavers outside the front door.
The large beetle mallet was the primary tool used to assemble the barn frame. Heritage Restorations gave it to the homeowners as a memento after completing the job.
The large beetle mallet was the primary tool used to assemble the barn frame. Heritage Restorations gave it to the homeowners as a memento after completing the job.
The same Tennessee stone that is on the rear exterior surrounds the living room fireplace, which faces the great room. The cabinets and other accessories were purchased at vintage stores around the Southeast.
The lighting throughout the home was carefully planned and adapted for the structure. Since the ceilings are high and vaulted, recessed fixtures wouldn’t supply enough light for work and dining surfaces. In the dining room, thick metal straps wrap a beam to secure pendant lights.
The metal pendants are simple yet functional, adding to the industrial feel of the interior.
Pendants: Restoration Hardware
Pendants: Restoration Hardware
The barn door seen here, separating a sunroom and a library, was made from reclaimed barn wood. The ladder is from the original barn and leads to a loft.
Even the laundry room has a rustic feel, with distressed wood countertops and a metal pipe for hanging laundry.
The black tile floor and zinc countertop in the light-filled master bath contrast nicely with the cream-hued shiplap on the walls.
Faucets: Watermark Designs; sinks: Native Trails; light fixtures: Barn Light Electric; flooring: 1741 in Universal Black, Marca Corona
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Faucets: Watermark Designs; sinks: Native Trails; light fixtures: Barn Light Electric; flooring: 1741 in Universal Black, Marca Corona
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Oh man, you would have needed to show us a lot more to call it a Houzz Tour. That was a House Tease.
Great looking structure. Nice job! Got a bit of a shock when I saw the last picture of the bathroom as I just finished building a double vanity and two matching mirrors out of some old wood that came from the attic floor of our 110 year old farm house here in Minnesota. The resemblance to your vanity is uncanny. I will return with a couple of pic's of my own.
Yes! for barn door use in this house.