Rustic Meets Luxury in This Picturesque Mountain Escape

By: Keri Sanders
Photos by: Kevin Meechan
From: Amy Conner-Murphy

After laying eyes on this jaw-dropping outdoor space, you’ll know exactly why HGTV fans crowned it the winner of this year’s Fresh Faces of Design Outdoor Living Spaces category. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Tucked away in the gorgeous hills of North Carolina, you’ll find a grand mountain home with a backyard that is to die for. Thanks to the exceptional vision of architect Amy Conner-Murphy, this stunning rustic home has been equipped with all the best amenities — starting with lush landscaping and striking stone walkways — to highlight the remarkable surroundings.

To ensure guests and the homeowners are making the most of their breathtaking views, Amy’s design incorporates an infinity-edge pool, outdoor wet bar and plenty of seating for even large gatherings.

“Other than the original house structure, this area was completely undeveloped property,” explains Amy. “The clients planned to add a guest house on the property, which we designed as well. The outdoor living area, including the summer kitchen and pool, were designed to link the main house and the guest house while still maintaining a sense of privacy for each.”

But this outdoor space does much more than simply connect the main house with the guest house. With hidden details like the retractable awning (hidden below the arched trellis structure), the space can accommodate all kinds of weather, making it a non-stop party hub. It’s no surprise the hidden awning is one of Amy’s favorite features. “With the push of a button, the area can become covered to protect from intense sun or rain, making this outdoor living usable anytime.”

And just when it seemed this home couldn’t get any better, Amy worked in a full-size tennis court, mini waterfall and pond and a fabulous deck with a beautiful set of wooden rocking chairs to highlight the home’s Southern roots. She really outdid herself with this one.

This article originally appeared on the HGTV website, “Rustic Meets Luxury in This Picturesque Mountain Escape.”