Custom Home Design Services - New House, Old Soul

About an hour south of Nashville sits a tiny hamlet with a population of just over 300. It's

sometimes referred to as a one-horse town, but nothing could be further from the truth. Beyond the smattering of shops and local eateries in the town center, main roads give way to narrow lanes edged by split-rail fences and fields of rolling green. Dotted across the pastures are lazily-grazing horses of every variety: American Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Arabians—even specialty breeds imported from Europe. In fact, the town’s equine population may just outnumber its human residents. Larry Atema, the owner of Saddle Ridge—a timber frame hybrid ranch set within 14 acres of the picturesque equestrian community—says that arriving for the weekend feels like stepping back in time to the 19th-century English countryside. He describes how, on any given morning, the silence of the Tennessee countryside is broken by the ta-raaing of a hunting horn, the muffled thunder of galloping hooves, bits jingling and the baying of a pack of hounds. “You’ll see fancy horses, people dressed in white,” he explains. The regular fox hunts are just one of the local gatherings. There are also organized trail rides with stops at each home for a bit of socializing, along with what Larry calls “gator parties,” where everyone brings their ATVs and a spread of food for a playful twist on tailgating. “They like to party,” he jokingly declares about his close-knit neighborhood.

Lighting was an important aspect of the design. “We put a lot of accent lighting along all the ceiling beams, all set on dimmers, and we added clerestory windows along the roofline,” Larry says. The finishes also keep the space feeling bright, including pickled-white barnwood siding and wooden floors stained with a light tone.

ABOVE With its stone-clad island and mix of materials, the kitchen gives off a decidedly curated vibe. “We didn’t want anything that looked new,” Larry explains. He worked with a cabinetmaker friend to create his vision for the cupboards, a mix of open shelving, glass-front and paneled boxes. “We have 12 different colors and styles,” he says. “It was either the best thing or worst thing we did,” he says with a laugh.

ABOVE Appointed like an indoor living space, the covered patio features plush furnishings, lamps, a dining table and china cabinet. “Until this house, I never thought I’d made a porch that's big enough,” Larry says, reflecting on his decades in the construction industry

and his numerous personal builds and renovations. In true Southern fashion, watching life unfold from the porch is one of Larry’s favorite ways to pass the days—so much

so that during the initial phases of his home’s design, his first move was to place the main entrance towards the interior of the property so that he could fashion a covered, 450-square-foot patio street-side. “I wanted to be able to sit and see who was going by,” he says.

It’s just one of the many skillful design moves that make this house so special. Inside and out, each deliberate detail fits into a framework that merges two distinct approaches.

Many of the home’s touches are befitting a genteel British estate—original oil paintings, antique rugs, wingback chairs and brass wall sconces—while others look as if they were

plucked from a country general store. “We’ve always loved 18th century style. We lived in historic houses and collected a lot of antiques,” Larry explains. “When we made a move to Wyoming, we adopted a classic Western style. Here, we’ve blended them together.”

• 

• 

When the house is full of guests, the loft serves as a casual flex space. “It’s an overflow for the kids, a game area and an extra sleeping space,” Larry says. The home’s office, delivering wooded views, is marked by masculine details. This quote by Thomas Jefferson hangs on the wall in a nod to Larry’s decades-long career in construction: “And I hope it will remain so during my life, as architecture is my delight, and putting up and pulling down, one of my

favorite amusements."

The result is a retreat that’s equal parts refined and rustic. The buttoned-up details, such as its tapestry of rich colors, art and furnishings, breathe easier within the home’s voluminous interiors. “From a design-intent standpoint, the timber frame structure was to feel like a converted barn,” affirms Larry. Provided by Hearthstone Homes, the frame is made of antique weathered eastern white pine timbers stained with oil-based Minwax in a shade aptly named “Early American.”

“They give the new home a sense of history,” explains Chris Wood, who served as Hearthstone's vice president of sales at the time of the build. The exterior itself nods to simpler days, with a design that feels as though it evolved through the years. The main timber-framed section of the house encompasses the common areas. On either side are conventionally built areas. To the left are two bedrooms; to the right is a short hallway

leading to Larry’s study. (Notably, it’s topped with a cupola and a weathervane from Larry’s prized collection.) Further to the right, a breezeway leads into the adjacent primary bedroom, bathroom and its own separate entrance. The distinct sections, each clad in a mix of colors and roofing styles, including standing metal seam and cedar shakes, come together to create a timeworn aesthetic. The history-inspired details continue with sassafras decking on the covered porches, Adiron-dack-style locust and rhododendron loft railings, reclaimed heart pine flooring and nickel gap wood paneling placed both vertically and horizontally, some painted some stained. “There isn’t one ounce of drywall on this property,” says Larry. “We have wood of all shapes and sizes, with each room having a different pattern, color or trim.” From the varied finishes lending the home a collected feel to the aged treasures at every turn, there’s a leisurely rhythm of life that hangs in the air. Nevertheless, Larry’s favorite pastime is to settle in on the porch, libation in hand. From there, he can fully appreciate the warmth and charm of all he created—a feeling that roots the home in a story larger than its years.

• 

• 

A general store roughly a mile down the road was the inspiration for the primary bedroom’s folksy decor, with its elevated display of antiques and a beverage bar. The bunk room, sporting a Western motif, is used primarily by the couple’s four grandchildren. Full-

size beds ensure the space remains functional long into the future.

• 

• 

• 

A collection of outbuildings populates the property, including a timber pavilion, used for parking and parties, a playhouse (wired with electricity), a guest cottage, a three-car garage and workshop and a horse barn currently under construction. Brimming with countryside resort-style charm, this guest cottage bedroom features a corner coffee station and a

separate seating area with a pair of upholstered wingback chairs, ideal for casual reading or conversation. Simple wood furnishings and neutral gray on the walls and trim keep

this bedroom feeling calm, while plaid and velvet bedding, equestrian- themed artwork and thoughtful lighting details layer in a cozy and refined aesthetic.

Local limestone harmonizes with precise timberwork on the exteriors of both the home and guest cottage.

Make your dream project come to life. Contact Chris today to get started on tailored custom home design services.

Credit: 2026 TIMBER HOME BUYER'S GUIDE