Despite the buzzing nightlife found on the banks of Nashville’s Cumberland River, a little further down you can also find the opposite — properties where tranquility and silence reign. One such property, a recently completed custom 1,400-square-foot cabin built by Castle Homes, offers architectural beauty and a stunning view.
This two-bedroom and two-bath residence on the northwest side of Nashville would be equally at home in the mountains as it is riverside. Nestled on a 140-acre parcel that also includes a man-made lake and main home, this home conjures up memories of childhood summers — catching minnows and doing cannonballs off the lakeside dock.
A ground-up build completed in only four months, the one-level cabin was thoughtfully designed to fit into the surrounding environment and play off the architectural details of the family’s primary abode, located on the opposite side of the lake. And while the property’s history is largely unknown, there are intriguing hints about its past. “While excavating, we found an interesting batch of crystalized oyster shells,” says Castle Homes owner and architect Alan Looney. “It was believed that Indians may have inhabited this area since many arrowheads have also been found on the property.”
The home’s exterior is eye-catching, to be sure. Tucked into the edge of a wooded expanse, it features earthy elements such as a stone foundation and cedar shake roof with copper flashing. Additionally, the implementation of bark siding brings a unique texture and aesthetic. “As the builder on this project,” says Alan, “our goal was to blend the home with the beautiful, natural scenery.” Inside, the home’s interior takes on a more modern spin, with vaulted tongue-and-groove ceilings, exposed beams, and a relatively open floor plan.
“The color tone of the stone was important,” says Alan. “We didn’t want it to be too gray; we wanted some warmth to it. The color tone kind of goes along with the drapes. It’s real stone with a chiseled face, shaped to that size. It’s very well put together.”
The main space encompasses the family room, kitchen area, and dining space, with a bedroom and bath on either side of the kitchen. But it’s the home’s balconies that deliver the most captivating elements, with comfortable Adirondack chair seating and views that wow — the perfect retreat for friends and family to unplug from the hustle and bustle of city life. “Sitting on the front porch watching the sun rise makes this view extraordinary,” Alan tells us. “Just beyond the lake, you can watch the riverboats cruise up and down the Cumberland River. Serenity perfectly describes this property. Whether gathering around one of the many fire pits on the property, swinging on the porch watching the wildlife wander, or fishing on the banks of the lake, it’s the perfect setting to get back to the basics.”
Highly secluded on roughly 140 acres, you know a property offers a little slice of heaven when the architect dreams of visiting. “It’s not a rental, but I was joking around with my client, saying, ‘If you ever put this on VRBO, I’ll be the first one in there!’” says Alan. And while the homeowner may not have plans to rent the cabin, he does have plans for an additional build. “We’re actually building another house out there — the final one,” Alan tells us. “It’s going to be their main house, so he’s basically going to have two guesthouses once he moves into this big house.”
All photos courtesy of Leslie Brown Photography.
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