About R. D. Davidson Designs


Special Mountain Homes and Services

This just in... the secondary home market still thrives in the lake and mountain regions of Northeast Georgia, but don't conjure up versions of fishing cabins to describe the lifestyle vernacular.

Ronnie Davidson the architect of many of Lake Burton's elegant domiciles, says that comfort factors like low maintenance, outdoor living and multi-generational gathering spaces are still a priority and have given rise to a home design that incorporates more natural and native elements. Gone are large expanses of sheetrock and carpet - those former construction standards have been replaced with locust, cedar and cypress shakes or board and oak and heart pine flooring. Slate, metal or copper may now crown the roof. Inside and out, rock and stone are used prodigiously to configure fireplaces, patios, walls even sinks.

Barry Wood of Wood Brothers, Inc. and a builder since 1968, agrees with Davidson. He sites a growing trend toward open, less formal and dual purpose rooms with quality finishes and fixtures. Kitchens that once bore a simple wooden stove and metal cabinetry are now entertainment epicenters with interior design elements like brick pizza ovens, concrete countertops and wine vaults. Wood believes that craftsmanship and detail currently requested signals a shift to more permanent residency for more second city homeowners.

On the eco-economic front the long time builder also acknowledges that more people are remodeling older mountain and lakefront homes that would have, historically, been torn down. A good practice has his firm turning unused dining rooms into great rooms these days.

At Reeves Furniture in Clayton, Georgia, interior designer Tanya Ramey has found rustic/casual to be the new sophisticated. Her clients are requesting large, one of a kind rugs for hardwood floors, leather couches and easy to care for painted furniture pieces. Woven wood shades and shutters have jettisoned heavy drapery and faux and textured finishes now grace walls once dominated by wallpaper. Soft grass baskets, locally produced artwork, collectables and natural craft works have pushed the iconic cabin bears and animal heads out of the living room.

For Tanya, one of the most striking changes involves the emergence of outdoor rooms. Once utilitarian breeze catchers, patios and screened porches have been dressed up as summer kitchens, game rooms and guest quarters. Almost organically constructed, these spaces are fast becoming the jewelry added to make a four season ensemble.

Still seeking the highly unusual? Make a request to Ronnie about using a thatched roof or designing a bridge from the master bedroom to a private tree house. He's done both. Or buzz Barry about building a boathouse as big as your Bertram. Been there, done that and it could include a really nice screened porch to boot. Tell Tanya you'd like to talk to Turkey - she knows the difference between stuffed and mounted and an exceptional addition to your floor. These people are professionals and they're "at your fingertips" in the pages of this issue of The Georgia Mountain Laurel.

Mountain style is all about comfort and enjoyment - whether your view is lake, stream, deer path or downtown. The perfect porch is one in which your family and friends will be sitting. Dogs and children rule. Your dream plans have been on that napkin for quite some time now. Come on up and we'll put our best resources on it.

By Jan Epps
Georgia Mountain Laurel  

R D Davidson Design, Inc.
P.O. Box 305
Turnerville, GA 30580
PHONE: (706) 754-1254
FAX: (706) 754-9201

E-mail us: r.d.design1254@gmail.com

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