Old World Charm on the Banks of the River
Wick and Becca Spears heard the call of the waterfront and found their perfect place less than ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga. They bought land in the Enclave on the Tennessee River, designed the house, and built it themselves. Decorator Katie Pratt worked with Becca on the details throughout the construction and was helping her put things together when we photographed the house. Though the family had only been in the house for a week, pride of ownership was very obvious as we walked through and discussed the design and creation of their new home. Like many families, the Spears have children and very busy lives. They wanted a house that was lived in, one that made people feel comfortable coming for visits and bringing their children to play. The open design of this house will make entertaining family and friends easy and fun with little fuss.
From the moment you approach the house, the mood is set. There is little, if anything, routine about it. The medieval period design of the rounded double-door entry delivers an old world feel. As you enter the foyer, Wick’s office on the left exudes warmth and creates a focal point through the use of wood floors, paneled walls, wainscoting, coffered ceiling and fireplace. The old world design is carried from the foyer to the living room through multiple textures of walls and stone. Wick loves stacked stone, and it is obvious as you come into the living areas. He likes the earthy atmosphere where stone, log mantles, and wood tops bring the outdoors to mesh with the inside. “We had a great carpenter working on the project,” he says. “He did a lot of the trim work, the special doors, and the arches and actually built the stairs. The same man laid the stone and made the mantles by hand. There is a lot of handcrafted detail that you don’t see much anymore,” Wick explains.
The living room, keeping room, kitchen and dining areas are all open, divided only by the arcade effect achieved through the use of stacked stone. The sunken living room’s stone floors carry through to the covered porch and terrace, making it appear as though the stone extends all the way to the river beyond. The dining area fronts onto the porch with the keeping room to the right. The keeping room embraces a large stacked stone fireplace and an oval top window that frames the view of the river beyond. The cathedral ceiling is tongue and groove wood with accenting beams. Soft golden earth tones invite you in to relax and marvel at the mesmerizing river views.
Despite the interesting interior of the home, the river is still the focal point from all these rooms. The windows are all open with nothing to block the view from any angle. The countertops and light fixtures mirror the mood of the space. The lighting over the island counter resembles a brace of old candles and appears to flicker with gentle, golden lights. You also get that old world feel in the plumbing fixtures and hardware on the cabinets, but the Spears changed things up a bit in their choice of cabinet finishes, knobs and handles. The pantry and bar areas are accented with stunning art glass in the doors, and the unusual, distressed-finish cabinetry cleverly conceals the appliances. Wide oak plank floors flow throughout except for the stone in the living room. Over the kitchen stove is a designer hood of dark wood with architectural accents, and the same dark wood is used for the base of the island.
To the right of the entry hall is the formal dining room with modelo finish on the walls that is reflected in the tray ceiling where concealed lighting glows around the periphery. A tone-on-tone design on the ceiling repeats the curving lines of the chandelier and the curved iron beneath the table below. This is a big, open dining room that can accommodate extra tables for extended family or a large dinner party.
The master bedroom is spacious and inviting with a huge bay window overlooking the river, a massive stacked stone fireplace, and monogrammed décor created for Becca who loves monograms. The master bath is a dream with jetted hot tub and shower and lots of vanity and storage space. “Our decorator talked me into using wallpaper, and I really like it,” Becca says, pointing to the elegant brown and silver design on the walls.
The curving stairway leads to three upstairs bedrooms, all with private baths. The children’s bedrooms are beautifully decorated with the intent that they will grow with them as they age. The stars and stripes decor of their son’s room will easily transform from nursery to little boy’s room. “The furniture is from Wick’s family. We had it refinished for him, and it turned out really well for his room,” Becca says. Their daughter’s room, virtually a room for a princess, has a unique window seat with built-in storage chest and bookshelves. Both children’s rooms have wonderful views of the river, as does the guest bedroom and second living room that open onto a second-level porch overlooking the river. Both the downstairs and upstairs porches offer panoramic views of the river from all angles, and since the climate in Chattanooga is mild for much of the year, the Spears plan to use these as outdoor living spaces. A television has been installed for outside viewing, and versatile furniture encourages relaxation on the porches. A marvelous playroom has an entertainment center and built-in shelving for toys and games. A washer and dryer in the upstairs area make it unnecessary to carry laundry up and down the stairs.
“What is really nice about this area is that it is not only beautiful, but it is so close to downtown,” Becca notes. “Usually, you think that you have to move far away from town to enjoy the water, but we are only minutes away. I wanted the kids to grow up in a neighborhood where they could ride their bikes and be with their friends as I did, and Wick wanted the water, so this was perfect for both of us. I just love the area and the river. Sometimes we get on the boat and go downtown for dinner and ice cream. You get a different perspective from the river. When they had Pops in the Park, we went down and watched the fireworks. It is so easy and simple.”
The Spears created the house, hand selected everything, and every detail has a story behind it. The home has many unusual features such as a nook in the garage where the children can hang their bags. On a customized lighting panel, Wick can change the lighting from daylight to evening mode.
At points the house began to evolve in ways that they had not anticipated, but the Spears were able to swing with the changes and arrive at this delightful finished product. “It is pretty neat to see what you created on paper become a reality,” Wick comments. Would he do it over again? “Maybe in a year or two,” he says with a smile. “I wouldn’t sweat every little detail,” he notes. “A house ends up being a lot of what your subcontractors put into it. They take it upon themselves to do certain things because you can’t be there to monitor every detail. They have certain ways they create corners and so on, so you end up with their traits.” Wick’s pleasure at seeing his dream take solid form is obvious as he talks about how he visualized the design from its beginning and supervised its creation. No doubt, this house will continue to evolve as the Spears family continues to live in it and make it their own.The combination of stacked stone and beautiful hardwoods add warmth and character throughout the first floor.
If you have a love for living on the water, Chattanooga’s river and many lakes offer just about anything you need to satisfy your passion. Chris and Sharon Dodd purchased their lake home because of its special location and many desirable features. They wanted a place that was close enough to their Calhoun, Georgia home so that they could enjoy it frequently. “We were looking for a home on the water to use as a weekend home,” says Sharon. “The gated community was really a big attraction for us, but the house is also easily accessible. It is a very spacious and livable home. We like the floor plan. And we like the yard, the way it lays; it has a nice, level lot. The layout and the space are great for a family,” she explains. The home fronts onto a cul-de-sac with a gentle slope to the lake in back. This lovely setting provides the pleasures of urban refinement surrounded by the beauty of the natural setting, providing absolutely the best of both worlds.
Water and land come together to create a perfect site for waterfront living in this luxurious three-level home located on Oak Cove Lane. As you enter, the striking view of Lake Chickamauga, which is visible from front to back of the house, captures your attention. The serene vista of the lake is framed through the spacious foyer and living room. The foyer’s soft gold, marble floor contrasts with the rich, dark color of the Brazilian cherry hardwood floors in the living room. Chic and elegant, the foyer showcases a splendid stairway, soaring to the second level and an open gallery which overlooks the living room with its triple-tray ceilings. Floor to ceiling windows throughout most of the home give an airy, open feel, blending its interior with the outdoors. You are drawn through the home to the large deck overlooking the two-level dock below.
The kitchen is inviting with sleek cherry cabinets, solid-surface stove, and colorful designer countertops. A breakfast room occupies one end of the open space, and a bar is located at one end of the center island. The openness continues through kitchen, breakfast room, and covered porch and reveals panoramic views of the lake from multiple angles.
A sunken den off the kitchen provides a cozy retreat with fireplace, large-screen television, and cozy couches. The room opens onto a great covered porch that lends itself to outdoor dining and relaxation with its cool ambiance, plantings, and ceiling fan. Another exquisite staircase rises to the open gallery and second floor from this room. From this point, one can readily visualize perfect fishing, boating, water skiing, walking on long afternoons, and reading in front of a crackling fire on winter evenings. Rest. Respite. Relaxation. But for those with more active recreational interests, opportunities abound for exploring the lake’s many twists and turns and natural habitats.
The house lends itself to gracious entertaining with a columned entry to the formal dining room which opens into a butler’s pantry adjacent to the kitchen. Its many amenities include high-end appliances, deluxe cabinetry, intercom and sound system, as well as unique lighting and ceiling fans strategically placed to accent the tasteful detail. Many architectural details speak to the quality of construction and add to the character of the home. Multi-level tray ceilings are located in almost every room on the main level, including the master bath.
The master bedroom on the main floor is warm and inviting in soft earth tones with French doors opening into a separate sitting area. The spacious, opulent master bath features oversized “his and hers” walk-in closets. A jetted walk-in shower and hot tub and lots of vanity space and closets provide luxury, while mirrors, Travertine tile, and tray ceilings contribute to the style and class of this remarkable space.
The home’s second level has three bedrooms, each with private bath. A spacious playroom with fireplace provides a perfect spot for relaxed family evenings. Magnificent views of the lake are framed through almost every window. Rooms are oversized, and storage is plentiful and well planned. The basement level allows for expansion plus additional storage with access to the outside dock area. “During the winter, we kept the wave runners there, but it could be used for boat storage. Our home really needs little maintenance and allows a lot of time for play,” Sharon says.
The new two-level dock is partially covered, providing shade from sun or shelter from rain. “Now that the dock is finished, we enjoy everything even more,” notes Sharon. “The children enjoy picnicking, boating, and fishing. They like the wave runners and tubing. We really enjoy weekends when the family or friends come to stay, and we cook out. There are many opportunities to enjoy boating and fishing, as well as the beautiful scenery. This place is close enough that we can come often and enjoy the place frequently,” she says. “Sometimes I come with the children or by myself to take pleasure in the peaceful setting.” Despite its peaceful setting, the home is part of a community that shares the Dodds’ appreciation of these stunning vistas. Though privacy abounds, docks for neighboring homes are visible nearby.
Several marinas and restaurants are available to serve the area. “We are closer to Steve’s Landing than any of the other marinas,” Sharon remarks. “We used it last summer when we did not have our dock. We rented a slip, and there is also a nice restaurant where we eat frequently. Actually, there are several restaurants that are easily accessible by water. Ari’s at Island Point and another at Harrison called Fox Key. Both are just a short distance away. Shady Grove Harbor is just around the bend with its stores. The kids can go there by themselves when they are out on the wave runners.”
One of the most special attributes of the location is its wonderful views. “I guess you could say that the views are one of the things we have enjoyed most from our lake home,” Sharon comments. “I really enjoy going out on the deck in the morning to savor the views of the lake during my quiet time. Every day is different. The sunrises are just beautiful as the sun comes up over the water to the left of the house.” The Dodds’ three daughters, sixteen, nine and five years of age, really enjoy this wonderful place. “When the children are out there, they are just in a daze,” says Sharon.
Currently being marketed by Paula McDaniel and Prudential, the serene appeal of this lovely lake home is doubled when you consider that Chattanooga is easily accessible from this location. A short drive down Highway 27, and you are in the heart of downtown which features art galleries, the aquarium, restaurants, and shops, as well as theaters, museums, shopping and, of course, The University of Tennessee.
Chattanooga has a mild climate, but four distinct seasons and magnificent mountains where the culture and history are rich and diverse. The Tennessee River winds its way through this stunning panorama and connects to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway that travels all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Chickamauga Lake is the ideal setting for world-class boating, fishing, and water sports. These are features that make waterfront living in this area so appealing to the Dodd family and to many others. It is easy to see that appeal in their stately lakefront home which blends with nature’s magnificent architecture.