Two years ago Bill and Jackie Price made a decision to move from their home in North Chattanooga, to a home that would be more in keeping with their increasingly informal lifestyle. Together, they comprised a checklist of features that could best accommodate them: a master bedroom on the main floor, a three-car garage, a yard without maintenance, an outdoor living space, and a location in North Chattanooga if possible.
The Prices’ search took them to downtown Chattanooga and to other areas, but they were looking for a house that combined the best of condo living with a traditional house plan. They were beginning to think that their dream home didn’t exist until their daughter and son-in-law happened upon a model home in Longholm Court, a new development in North Chattanooga by Dexter White and David Dalton’s Signature Land Company.
Bill and Jackie quickly took a look for themselves, and they “just fell in love with it.” They appreciated the workmanship, and with three floor plans to choose from as well as their choice of lots, they knew they had found the perfect home for them.
The Prices’ Longholm home is situated high on a picturesque hill where the old Longholm mansion once stood. The Longholm development was inspired by a subdivision in Charlotte, North Carolina. So impressed by the homes, Dexter White contacted the architect and partnered with him to design houses for Longholm Court.
The rustic exterior is fashioned out of stacked stone, stucco, brick trim and wooden shutters. With the interior floor plan and exterior configuration being predesigned, the Prices needed only to choose materials, colors, and architectural details to complete their new home. Carefully choosing colors and décor to tie the home together, they created a home that reflects their unique tastes.
The informal, but sophisticated atmosphere is readily evident upon entering the foyer, past the stone lions that stand guard on either side of the front entrance. English style furniture and decorative accents are intermingled throughout the home with French provincial touches to create a “country chic” décor. Vibrant red walls are a handsome backdrop for the English hunting themed library just off the foyer with floor to ceiling bookcases.
The rich red hues are carried across the foyer into the French provincial style dining room and used as accent colors in the Oriental rug and red plaid draperies. The walls are a complimentary color of bamboo green. The red and green tones tie the library and dining room together, while the English and French furniture provide style contrast for a pastoral, countryside feel.
Using both English and French décor, the red and green continue through the foyer and into the kitchen, breakfast room and den. Designed as an open floor plan, these rooms are separated only by the kitchen island and are the central gathering place for friends and family.
Even with the English and French influence, the focal point of the breakfast room is all-American. Four original oil paintings by Bob Johnstone for the 1976 bicentennial celebration depict scenes from the American Revolution including Paul Revere on his midnight ride, Betsy Ross sewing the American flag as George Washington looks on, soldiers in a winter encampment at Valley Forge, and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
In keeping with their desire for a less formal lifestyle, the Prices opted for a den rather than a formal living room, and it is here that Bill and Jackie spend most of their time. A bookcase with architectural accents dominates one wall, and Bill’s love of reading is evident here in his collection of books. The focal point of the bookcase, and perhaps the den itself, is a bronze Remington piece entitled “Coming Through the Rye,” sculpted with men on galloping horses that seem to leap from the base out into the room.
Bill and Jackie lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 10 years and brought mementos from their sojourn to Chattanooga, reminding them of the culture, colors and art of the desert southwest. The Remington sculpture in the den and two others in the library are some of those treasures. Also in the library is an antique, delicately beaded pillow, one of Jackie’s favorite accessories made by a Southwest New Mexico tribe.
In the hallway leading from the den to the master bedroom and bath hangs a mesmerizing large-scale original oil painting of an Acoma Native American woman teaching her daughter to paint pottery.
At the end of the rear hallway is the master bedroom and bath. Muted greens and ivories convey an immediate sense of relaxation and tranquility. The room is graced by a four poster rice carved bed with green quilted coverlet. Smaller furniture pieces add balance and contrasting styles to the room, along with a woven floral rug with soft yellow, green and red colors.
Two staircases, one from the front foyer and one from the rear hallway, provide access to the upstairs living spaces. The upstairs has a spacious entertainment/
office/study area, guest bedrooms, and an art studio. Among the art treasures and mementos throughout the home are some of Bill’s own original paintings created in the art studio for this avocation. “I give them away,” he will readily admit. His favorite subjects are mountain and forest vistas bathed in bold and brilliant autumn colors. Two bedrooms are also found upstairs – one a guest bedroom and the other reserved for Bill and Jackie’s granddaughter with two twin beds.
The Prices most enjoy the covered sitting area and open patio at the rear of the house. Outdoor living and entertaining were fond memories of their years in Santa Fe, so incorporating an outdoor living and entertaining area was another “must have” in the new home.
The outdoor area is accessed by French doors from the rear hallway on the first floor. Bill especially enjoys reading while sitting under the fan, pointing out that even in 90 degree weather he can still read comfortably in this covered, cool shady area.
A few steps lead down to the uncovered patio with a brick fireplace, grill, dining area, and lounge area. Complete with everything needed for outdoor entertaining, this space is inviting and relaxing.
Even though the outdoor entertainment area is private and fenced, Bill and Jackie are aware of neighborhood activities. “It’s nice at our age to see and hear people in the neighborhood,” says Jackie, who feels that the community is an added bonus to their location.
An additional plus for the Prices is that they are able to have a yard without the upkeeps, as the residential association takes care of landscaping. Worry-free lawn maintenance was especially important since they have a home near Vero Beach, Florida, and wanted to be able to pick up and go when they wanted.
Bill and Jackie feel fortunate to have found the perfect house. Together, the style and floor plan offer all the features they were looking for in a home that accommodates their changing lifestyle. Combining the best of condo living with that of a traditional house, the Prices are at home at Longholm.