I’m pretty excited about this post. This is our mountain house in Black Mountain, NC. It sits on top of a mountain with amazing views. Well the views were amazing when we bought the house in January. The best view is behind the bare tree. Note the pine tree; you’ll see that again.
photo credit: Greybeard Realty
We came back in August, and well the view was a bit different. See the pine tree on the left? No view of the mountains (insert sad face.)
You can see the mountains through this way, but that was about the only open spot through the trees.
I wanted my view back, but my husband didn’t want the trees trimmed. We had what I can only describe as a ‘lively discussion’ because we DO NOT have fights. In the end, he agreed to a ‘controlled tree trimming’.
Here are the photos our tree guy sent after this trimming.. Note the pine is still there blocking my view.
This direction was better.
I called the tree guy to go back and do a tad more trimming. I wanted to see the mountains.
This time he trimmed that pesky pine tree. The view is all the way to Asheville and beyond.
This makes me so happy. We’re back in Texas, but I look at these photos a lot. We’re going back in October to see the fall foliage. I’m so excited.
Well, we’ve spent enough time on the deck, let’s go inside, shall we?
Yesterday, I shared the changes we made in the dining area, CLICK HERE.
Now let’s take a look at the changes in the seating area.
We have new chairs!! Not just any chairs… comfy husband-approved chairs. Well I did have the trees trimmed so I owed him some comfy semi-manly chairs.
Even better, you can sit here and look outside or watch the big game (while you snack on milk and cookies.)
In case you are new here, let me explain. We don’t live here, this is where we hope to retire. For now, we are visiting as much as we can, and using it as a vacation rental when we aren’t here. So… this is where we brought our leftover furniture. The sofa and much of the furniture in the house are not new. I’ll probably replace the sofa later, but for now it has to do.
Here’s an example of what I’ve discussed before. The sofa is a khaki, but the new furniture I’m buying for the space is going to be blue or neutral. For the best look, I should have bought chairs to go with the khaki green sofa, but I am not in a khaki phase any more. So we are transitioning to blues. I have to make my new color and my old color work in the same room at least for now. This is not easy to do. I have new gray and blue chairs and a khaki sofa. So how did I make it work? I added blue pillows and a blue throw to the sofa. The blue throw and pillows pull repeat the blue in the chairs. It’s not perfect, but it’s one of the best things to do when you are transitioning from one color to another.
I also added artwork to the wall that has some blue in it. I also brought some lamps from home and some tables.
The table on the right is from our Texas house CLICK HERE.
Here we are upstairs overlooking the living keeping room. It’s a fun shot. This is a very casual place for hanging out and relaxing.
The view below is in the dining area looking toward the front of the house. The chandelier is an antique European one I found in Round Top. I had it rewired to work with US wiring. I’ve still go so much I want to do to this house, but we so excited about the new chairs (and the improved view.)
The painter is coming soon, so I’ll have new photos to share soon of our bedroom and the bathrooms.
Such a nice place to retire to….and I ‘m with you on the view and the tree trimming. Love the new chairs too Anita!
….you’ve made a fabulous retreat with a lovely view
You are making great progress!
Very pretty. I especially love the dining area. So inviting and lovely!
What a beautiful home! It must be a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing, and I hope that you have a wonderful day!!!
What a great place to have and I am on your side with the tree trimming. The chair looks fabulous!
So envious of your amazing place in the North Carolina mountains. We visited the Asheville area on our 30th wedding anniversary, and being from the Houston area, was flabbergasted at the size of the mountains and trees! Have wanted to go back and live there ever since! You are so blessed!
So Beautiful !! What a Blessing to look forward to in your retirement years !! ?
So pretty! Love the trimmed tree! Its going to be beautiful when you visit in October:)
You have such a beautiful home. I especially love the dining area. I read your book for inspiration. Thanks.
I don’t blame you for wanting better views. The deck is a perfect spot to sit with your morning tea/coffee or even hot chocolate. Enjoy your magnificent views. Beautiful!
Love the chairs..are they slip covered or upholstered. Where can I find them??? The view is terrific.
They are from soft surroundings Mary Lou. Click on the photo of the chair at the bottom of the post.
Anita, I would have the tree cut to improve the view, too. That is what mountain living is all about and what a view you have! Love the striped chairs and that chandelier is to die for.
Fabulous as always. Wish you did house revamping would love to get this French Country look with my home.
Those chairs are fabulous and so is your view! I agree, those trees needed trimming. Wow, what a stunning view when the trees start turning!
Love the view! Thanks for sharing!
Those chairs look so comfortable! Your view is amazing. I would totally drink milk and eat cookies in those chairs…but I haven’t found many chairs I wouldn’t do that in. <0
I love the way you are merging one home to the other and using leftovers and new finds. You always keep us imspired.
Thank you
The mountain view is beautiful. I love the chairs. A wonderful house and deck.
Oh those incredible views….I think that I could sit on the deck all day! Love the chairs in your beautiful mountain home. So very cozy and a great place to sit and enjoy the view….great partying with you today…and allowing us enjoy the view!!!
Anita, the new chairs look wonderful in your space! Comfortable but light looking and I think you did a great job transiting towards the blues. Even the serving tray looks like it marries the two tones.
I know exactly the feeling because when we moved into our home, our kitchen was dark wood. I painted the walls a light greige and added crystal chandeliers. Everyone thought I was nuts, but now that we’re finally renovating the space, my vision is being realized and those choices make perfect sense… 🙂
The view is wonderful! You were right!!
Love the chairs with the blue stripe!
I definitely have chair envy! Love the wingbacks! I am in the process of selling my old (beachy) furniture and transitioning to more of a French farmhouse feel since we moved from Florida to upstate SC.
What a wonderful and serene place to retire! I love how you’ve mixed your old things with new finds so beautifully. The new chairs look like a great place to relax!!
So glad you ‘trimmed’ that pine tree (and the others). I’m with you – I need a long view. It’s a beautiful spot, and I hope you get to retire very soon (except from this blog)!
That is a fabulous view. Totally worth the tree trimming. The house is beautiful and will be a wonderful place to retire.
Breathtaking views! The decor really does have a French sensibiltity. Would love to see lavender planted in stone vessels on your deck.
Chapeau! (Which is the French word for hat but in this context means “well done!”)
Heidi
Anita, what a view of the mountains! Lovely home for future retirement and to enjoy now! Mixing the old and the new works perfectly! Happy first day of fall! Pam @ Everyday Living
Love the chairs. Did you make the slipcovers or did they come with the chairs?
I only can say… Gorgeous inside…..Gorgeous outside!!!!! I would never want to leave!!!!!! ♡ Roxann
So serene ,so peaceful. My kind of place.
I grew up in the NC mountains so I loved seeing that view! Your chair is perfect with that touch of frenchy ticking…in fact, I chose the same one! 🙂 Enjoying the tour! Hugs…Debbie
We have a family cabin in Boone,NC and we are from Texas too
The fall colors are like a huge box of crayons. So beautiful
The mountain house is coming along beautifully! What a fun project in such a gorgeous place.
Oh Anita, I am in love with your mountain home!!!! It will be a wonderful place to retire. It looks so nice and comfy and I’m glad you were able to improve that VIEW!!!!! I would want to sit out there all the time!!! Have a beautiful day and thanks for the tour.
Love the new view from the deck! While the others are having milk and cookies, I’ll be out on the deck with a glass of wine. Anyone care to join me?
Ginger
I would love to see some rustic blue or grey shutters on those windows in the living room to balance out that wall a bit.
Great idea Nita. I actually have a big pine shelf that was supposed to be hung there 6 months ago, but my handyman got sick. That is just a fill in for now.
Cool!!!
Great compromise on the tree trimming. Good for you to call the tree trimmer back. Everyone’s happy now….and the mountains are looking beautiful. That extra pine tree branch might even be enhancing the view………
I think cutting the pine tree to get the view is a great idea, the view is simply magnificent ……I love the mountains…..your new chair from soft surrounding are perfect for your future home….just beautiful…..on another note being that your good at sewing have you given thought to making a cover for your khaki sofa??. That is until you purchase a new one…lol….
Totally jealous of that absolute beautiful view. I am also totally digging those kitchen chairs. LOVE them!
I love your beautiful wood floors and high ceiling. The deck must be one of your favorite places overlooking all the trees, and the view…wow!
I always love to read your blog. I agree that the pine tree was blocking the view, it was cutting off a lot of the view. I hope you’ll post the fall colors for us, I live in a hilly area and our fall colors draw thousands of tourists every year. Luckily, I live in the woods so I time my ‘in town visits’ to the evenings during October.
Love the view, reminds me of our last home in the mountains! Now we are battling the heat in the SW, but at least we are closer to the grand kids!
Love the views…inside and out! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing place. Again I would never want to leave. That view is breath taking.
Agreed re the tree trimming! The views are fabulous!
So glad your hubbie gave in and let you have the trees trimmed! Great chair!
All the rooms are very inspirational. Cedar hill Farm is on the top of my list.
Enjoyed the tour! So excited to see that it in NC! I’m from NC also!
Penny
Happy Days Farm
Gorgeous house with an equally beautiful view. What a great retirement to look forward to. I’m near San Antonio, and moving east to the mountains sounds heavenly. My hubby grew up in Georgia, and we have taken trips back to see his old stomping grounds. I could easily see myself in those mountains. You just wanna take a seat and say Ahhhhhhhh !
Just stunning, Anita! I love it allllll 😉 So happy to be on this tour with you!
Hugs, Jamie
Your view is so beautiful! And the home is so relaxing and comfortable… Great choice in those chairs; glad they were hubby approved. 😉
So beautiful Anita! I love way you’ve decorated and the way the sofa blends in because of the blue throw and cushions. I live in the mountains in Australia and also need to have a ‘lively discussion’ about some trees that are right up against the house and blocking our view.
Hey Anita! What a lovely home! All your additions to your vacation rental are just charming! The view is incredible! I am originally a “Carolina Girl.” Seeing these pictures makes me miss my home state. I now live in Tennessee and it is a beautiful state as well. But as they say- “nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina !!!” Love your beautiful mountain retreat! 🙂
What a lovely place to look forward to for retirement.
just lovely, Anita! I think I need to rent your darling mountain home! It’s right up my alley! That swedish bench might end up on my flight home though. Love!!
You are too funny!!!
I love that you kept pushing until you got your view back! It’s breathtaking!! LOVE the new chairs! I’m transitioning my furniture style/colors too and it is so hard! Yikes!! I’ll try your trick of adding pillows to the pieces that are going to leave one day, soon I Hope!! I’m brand new to your blog today and I enjoyed myself very much!
Oh, how disappointing it must have been to have discovered your view was lost! A controlled tree trimming is necessary! Love your view, and how you’ve styles your house. Happy Fall!
Love the new chairs!!
Love what you have done with this home! I have driven through the area and it is very beautiful!
Where did you locate the French dining chairs?
Those specific chairs are sold out. Here are some similar chairs. (affiliate link) http://rstyle.me/~8PI2Y
I love everything you did in and outside your home that’s shown. I especially love your ” husband approve comfy chair” :-). I would love to own two of them. Thanks so much for inviting us in.
I love the inside decor – job well done! Lucky people who stay at your place when you’re not there! I do have a question because I can’t exactly tell from the pictures – did you cut the pine tree down or just trim it and it’s still living?
Thanks!
It was trimmed. It’s still there.
Well, then – you get the best of both worlds! MMR
Beautiful, both inside and out!
Love the look. Especially love your high ceilings 🙂
Love that view – definitely worth waiting for!! ENJOY!!!!
It’s beautiful. I would love to visit there 🙂
Having spent many summers in Boone, Jefferson Landing, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk and Seven Devils, NC I became so nostalgic seeing your photos of the beautiful mountains. I also am a resident of Texas and spending summers there was such a wonderful way to escape the summer heat. Sadly, those trips are no longer possible. May you continue to enjoy your retirement home and God’s country called North Carolina.
Oh I hope seeing the mountains is a happy thing for you Gloria.
Hi, I use to live just down the mountain in the little town of Marion. We retired to Charleston, SC. Black Mountain and Asheville are beautiful year around but especially in the fall. I really miss it especially this time of year. Your home is beautiful and I know you will enjoy it there.
What a fun little mountain getaway with a great view! I’ve been to black mountain N.C. before, because we used to live in Greenville South Carolina.
I miss the blue ridge mountains!!
Such lovely chairs. I do like seeing that you’re using what you have. Looks like you’re going to have a wonderful place to retire to.
I’m in love..do you need someone to take care of your cabin while you are gone ? Thank you for the tour ..so beautiful !
Thank you for your offer Cindy! My have a management company that does that.
Where exactly is Black Mountain? Is it anywhere near Franklin NC? You spoke of Ashville so that’s why I’m wondering. My daddy was born and raised in Franklin. I still have relatives there. I live in the Houston area too. I don’t know if you know where Fulsher is but it’s west of Katy about 7 miles. I’m also going to NC in October. I am going for my nieces wedding but the fall foliage is an added bonus! My husband has never seen it in the 40 years that we’ve been married so he’s really in for a treat! It’s spectacular! Fall is my favorite season! I always say that is because we really don’t have fall here. Where exactly is your business in Houston? I love French country!
Black Mountain is 20 min east of Asheville. I work from home in Houston.
the chair with blue stripe down the middle it that a slipcover?
Yes and it comes with the chair.
This is a lovely home! And I concur about the trees. Having had 55 huge oaks and whatevers taken out of our yard I can tell you from experience that if left untended and untrimmed they become hazards to their own health! And that’s not even touching the hazards to the homes they surround! Good job and wise decision!! Gorgeous results!!
Found your site from the article in Country French magazine. So excited to,start following your blog! I love your home and style.
So happy you are here Melanie!!
Being Texas born and bred, and having all of our family nearby, I’m not sure I could ever leave Texas. But you sure make it tempting. Beautiful views, and probably relief from the ever present heat and humidity (Katy, Tx)
Beautiful home. Nice job of pulling the colors together in the living room. The trimmed trees definitely create a better view!
O h my love the view! You are truly blessed. Ive got to get those chairs for our living room I just love them.
Yes you’ll love them Cherilynn.