We kind of did everything backwards,” explains Susan Reynolds about how she and her husband, Jim, came to build their home in the River Hills area of North Chattanooga 15 years ago. When most people undertake new home construction; floor planning, architecture and decorative features are of primary importance. But for the Reynolds, it was more functional than aesthetic. Their first priority was to build a handicapped accessible house for their oldest son, Alex, who is in a wheelchair, and his twin brother, Jay, who is deaf. For Alex, it meant locating his bedroom on the ground floor with a separate entrance into a nurses’ station and a bathroom with a handicapped accessible shower and sink. For Jay, it meant installing a system that triggered lights to flash when either the doorbell or phone rang, as well as a special flashing light when the fire alarm sounded.
Even though the home was not originally built as the family’s permanent home, and if they built again, they would do things “a little differently,” the Reynolds’ “temporary” home has indeed become permanent. Over time, Susan, along with the help of others, gradually updated the decorative details that initially took a back seat to her twin sons’ needs.
Today, an open floor plan crosses the foyer, dining room, study, living room, kitchen and great room. Bold color schemes and patterns are used in the foyer, study and dining room while different shades of green tones dress the living room, great room and kitchen, which contrast nicely with dove white woodwork.
A portrait of Susan and the four boys hanging over a console table dominates the foyer. Lantern style sconces on either side of the portrait compliment the table’s metal base. Also in the foyer is an Empire style chair with leopard print fabric. A William and Mary style chest of drawers rests on a patterned travertine floor covered with a flat woven German rug.
Double doors from the foyer open to a handsome study with caramel colored wainscoted lower walls and leather upper walls. The caramel color is also used for the leather sofa and chairs. Two very different tables are used as end tables for the sofa. One, a 19th century bamboo table, is actually a prayer table with a section that folds out for kneeling. The other table is a round, walnut pedestal table with a star burst inlay. An armoire houses an entertainment center with TV and sound system.
Gold leaf textured walls, white wainscoting, and a tray ceiling with crystal chandelier form a striking backdrop for the dining room. An oval, Empire style dining table sitting atop fluted legs, is paired with Neoclassical style dining chairs upholstered in a red cut velvet striped Cowtan and Tout fabric. Cowtan and Tout fabric is also used for bright, multi-colored tropical print draperies. An 18th century English style breakfront cabinet displays a collection of elegant china and crystal.
The living room is divided into two areas by a brown upholstered sofa. One is a seating area grouped around the fireplace. The other has a game table, bookcase and chairs. The entire hardwood floor is covered with a large rattan, leather bound rug, which unites the two areas.
The sofa and two club chairs with pale yellow upholstery, are grouped in front of a gas fireplace. To the left of the fireplace is a flat screen TV, which hangs above an antique green chest with gold leaf trim.
Along the wall opposite the fireplace, in the area behind the sofa, is an eclectic mix of furniture and fabric. A pickled pine bookcase is flanked on one end by paired Louis XV style, white framed chairs with red tiger print fabric. At the other end is a Maitland Smith game table, the top of which flips to either a checkerboard or backgammon board. Duncan Phyfe style chairs with floral pastel upholstered seats are grouped around the table.
At the rear of the living room is an expansive bank of windows framed by plaid, taffeta draperies, and French doors that open to a screened porch.
The porch, with hardwood floor and ceiling fans, spans the back of the house and has two sitting areas for relaxing. Wicker furniture and chaise lounges are grouped around oriental rugs. There is also a dining table and chairs for dining al fresco.
Off the living room is a powder room, master bedroom and bath. The striking black powder room has an elegant gold framed mirror over a pedestal sink. The frame is in the shape of a tree branch with small birds perched on the branch.
A color scheme of muted beiges, greens and off white are used in the master bedroom to provide a restful and relaxing atmosphere. A four-poster rice carved bed covered with an off-white quilted coverlet dominates the bedroom. At the foot of the bed is a French style writing desk and chair. Scalamandre floral print fabric is used for the pleated bed skirt, bed pillows, club chairs and draperies. Two club chairs are nestled in a large bay window at the rear of the bedroom. A Turkish rug with muted tones of beige, green and off-white hues compliments the room’s color scheme. On the walls is a display of varied art media. Four 18th-century leaf botanicals are grouped on either side of a large mirror over a chest of drawers. Louis XVI style chairs with gold cut velvet upholstery in a leaf and vine motif complete the formal grouping on either side of the chest. Other original artwork displayed in the bedroom are two Cessna Decosimo pen and ink renderings of cherubs and six antique birds’ nest prints grouped over a chaise lounge.
The beige and off-white tones of the bedroom are carried into the master bath. Two separate vanities, one with a sink and one with a sink and center dressing area line the wall facing his and her closets. A glass shower with travertine floor and marble walls faces a whirlpool tub at the rear of the bathroom. Between the shower and tub is a small slipper chair and side table.
The kitchen, great room, laundry room, and Alex and Jack’s bedrooms are located at the opposite end of the house. The kitchen and great room form a warm and inviting space for relaxing or entertaining.
Two club chairs sit in front of a wood burning fireplace, situated back to back with the living room fireplace. A Greek style round, pedestal table and chairs rest in front of the rear windows to take advantage of backyard views.
In the dining area is a chest, over which hangs a flat screen TV for entertainment. A large kitchen island and wet bar provide perfect spots for entertaining. The wet bar has a sink and wine rack above the counter. Topped with granite, the kitchen island houses cabinets and drawers for storage along with a gas cook top on one side and ample countertop space on the other. Three bar stools with rough hewn wooden seats line one side of the island.
A hallway from the kitchen leads to Alex and Jack’s bedrooms and bath. Alex’s bedroom is situated downstairs for easy access from the garage and the front side porch. What is now a sitting area off the garage and porch was originally a nurse’s station when Alex was living at home – just one of the many updates the Reynolds have made over the years.
Jack’s bedroom has a Western cowboy theme, which is evident in the pony skin rug, iron bed with leather studded headboard, and metal studded chest of drawers with claw feet. Wallpaper with maps of the United States and state capitals for each state, decorates the wall behind the bed. “That’s how he learned the state capitals,” laughs Susan. Ralph Lauren fabric is used for all the boys’ bedrooms. Jack’s bedroom has a red and green color scheme which is most evident in the seat cushion and pillows on a window seat.
The Western theme motif is carried into the bathroom situated between Alex and Jack’s bedrooms. There is a picture collage of images of John Wayne and a picture of a cowboy on his horse. The mirror sconces over the double vanity even have a cowboy and horse motif. Alex’s side of the vanity is lowered and has open access underneath to accommodate a wheelchair.
Alex’s bedroom on the other side of the connecting bathroom doubles as a guest bedroom. The furniture is a mixture of styles and materials, but all contribute to a warm and comfortable room with somewhat of a garden feel. Complete with a window seat and Louis XVI style chair, the bedroom offers ample places for reading and relaxing.
A stairway from the kitchen leads to the second floor where a sitting room, playroom, bath, and Jay and Sam’s bedrooms are located. The ceilings upstairs follow the angle of the roof line and have skylights to provide natural light in the sitting room, bath and bedrooms.
At the top of the stairway is a cozy sitting room with a fireplace and built in bookshelves. Two matching upholstered plaid chairs in blue, red and gold tones; a chair and ottoman upholstered in an orange corduroy fabric; a bamboo love seat, and an oriental rug covering the hardwood floor give the room an English cottage look and feel.
A step down from the sitting room and a left turn leads into the playroom. It is quickly evident that this room was a favorite retreat for the boys. There is a TV, Stickley sofa, chair and ottoman, and of course, toys. The walls leading into the playroom are filled with memorabilia and memories of the boys as they were growing up and offer heartwarming glimpses of their childhoods.
When the Reynolds made the decision that their temporary home would become permanent, they also turned their attention to landscaping the back yard, which proved to be quite an undertaking given that the yard was basically a steep hill. It took a year to complete the project, but the yard was eventually transformed into a backyard oasis. Landscape architect, Lance Underhill, from Atlanta, was used to plan and oversee the project. The yard was terraced with various levels designed for different activities.
On the upper level, just off the screen porch is a wooden deck and patio with an outdoor grill built into a stacked stone wall. On the mid-level is a pond surrounded by a stone wall. On the lower level is a swimming pool and covered pool house which has a sitting area and fireplace. The yard is landscaped in such a way that it provides both privacy as well as a beautiful outdoor environment.
Originally, the Reynolds’ house was intended to primarily serve their family’s needs. Today, it is a dream home – a masterpiece of varied architecture, art, colors and themes. But most striking and beautiful of all is the outpouring of love that can be appreciated and enjoyed in this family’s home.