At the Summit

Chateaux Interiors decks the halls of our WV LIVING Holiday Showcase House with a gracious mingling of rustic elegance, comfort, and unexpected contrasts.

Written by Mimi Coffman / Photography by Steve Brightwell

Of all the neighborhoods to choose from at The Greenbrier Sporting Club, it isn’t a surprise that Chris Snavely, chairman of Snavely Forest Products, selected one at The Summit to build a home. Having been in the business of importing and wholesaling lumber and building materials for 60-plus years, it’s no wonder he felt most at home on a lot nestled in the woods. Chris says, “When The Summit lots became available, there was a high level of excitement. We found a great location for the house with spectacular views.”

The Snavely home, with its rustic combination of cedar siding, timber framing, and stone, was the perfect choice for the first WV LIVING Decorator’s Holiday Showcase Home. The exterior elements of the home are in harmony with the mountains and blend with the woodland setting. The Snavelys, with the assistance of real estate broker Ann Bell of Ann Bell & Company, offered their home as a blank slate for Chateaux Interiors of Beckley to transform into a home filled with holiday spirit. “We wanted the house to feel warm and cozy; a place you would enter and feel like curling up in front of the fire with a good book,” says interior designer Dana Blankenship, owner of Cháteaux Interiors. “We also wanted to pay tribute to The Greenbrier, but in a way that suited a house in the mountains.” From the moment you step into the covered portico, the warmth of the home wraps itself around you. The Chateaux Interiors design team accomplished this in a myriad of ways that added up to a sense of lived-in comfort. Antique oriental rugs adorn the heart pine wood floors, and aged leather and colorful fabrics set off deep sofas and chairs that invite you to rest. Rustic elegance infuses the space. The mantel is festooned with fresh boxwood, magnolias and pine, which is carried throughout the home. An 18-foot Christmas tree, whose height and beauty are only surpassed by the grand view of the valley and mountains beyond, is right at home in the large open great room. “Decorating an 18-foot tree is no easy task,” laughs assistant designer David Trump. “We used oversized ornaments and lots of wired ribbon. We didn’t use a traditional Christmas palatte of red and green; instead we choose deep teal with metallic accents. The tree is a stunning focal point.”

The staircase landing features an 11-foot-long bench upholstered in a zebra print fabric. “The landing is a unique space and we wanted it to be inviting,” David explains. “We had the bench custom made to fit the space. The zebra print fabric, along with the throw pillows, adds a touch of color and interest.”

Great Room
The design team of Chateaux Interiors created a holiday haven that is welcoming regardless of the season. “We designed the space to suit a family of all ages with comfort being paramount,” says Dana. The room’s color palette imitates nature and creates a calm refuge. The Cowtan and Tout turquoise floral drapes are a cotton-linen blend with an over-sized aqua velvet hem and hang from distinctive iron rods resembling tree branches. The five-foot chandelier, made entirely of real twigs, creates a stunning focal point and bathes the space with soft light. The round black and gilt-edged mirror above the massive woodburning fireplace draws your eye upward towards the rustic Douglas Fir beams and beautifully reflects the organic design of the chandelier

“Lighting is a critical element to creating the right ambiance,” explains Dana. “This custommade chandelier was absolutely perfect for this room.” The sofa and upholstered chairs provide a relaxing spot to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. “One way to create a comfortable environment is to incorporate different fabrics and textures on your upholstered pieces. In this room, none of the fabrics are used more than once, yet they create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere,” says Dana. The oversized turquoise tufted leather ottoman from Leathercraft grounds the space and provides extra seating. Antique and reproduction side tables create interesting vignettes. The handpainted, antique Chinese cabinet behind the sofa creates a natural divider between the dining room and great room. “This is my favorite piece,” says Dana. “It’s as functional as it is beautiful.”

Dining Room and Kitchen
The dining room has an informal style that complements the adjoining kitchen. “We chose the white and black houndstooth sideboard to add a modern touch and to provide balance to the white kitchen cabinetry. It is definitely a conversation piece,” says Dana. The red and yellow bamboo chairs add color and comfort to the space. T he kitchen, created by Creative Kitchens, is a dream for the family chef; granite countertops and Sub Zero and Wolf stainless steel appliances create a functional space. An extra large center island provides ample space for food preparation while allowing enough room for guests to relax and watch the culinary action unfold. Dana painted the walls Mill Springs Blue and accented the kitchen window with simple but elegant arched window valance. “ Again, I chose the branch-like window rods with oak leaf finials to tie in with the other Cowtan and Tout window treatments.”

Community
The Greenbrier Sporting Club is a member-owned equity club offering numerous amenities to satisfy a variety of interests from the equestrian center, sporting clays, fly fishing and golf to the more genteel pursuits at the Ananda in the Alleghenies Spa. In addition, members have access to The Greenbrier’s three championship golf courses and over 50 activities. The Sporting Club is also just minutes away from Lewisburg, a small historic town packed with treasures of its own. “Homes at The Greenbrier Sporting Club are appealing because of the wide variety of amenities,” says Ann Bell of Ann Bell Properties. “The Snavely’s home, in particular, is special because it is just steps away from the Summit Lodge and restaurant, the sports barn and the infinity-edge pool.” For more information on this home, please contact Ann Bell at Ann Bell & Company Fine Homes and Country Properties in Lewisburg,WV, 304.645.5000. For information on Chateaux Interiors visit their showroom at 610 N. Eisenhower Dr., Beckley WV; 304.256.7500; www.chateauxinteriors.com.

To view more photos of this stunning home, visit www.chateauxinteriors.com.

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