Carolina Home + Garden Magazine

Escape to the Lake: A Classic Family Retreat on Lake James

“There are some phrases that are immediately evocative of high summer. Among these, “The Country House,” “The Lake House,” and “The Mountain House” rank at the top. Cool breezes…shimmering waters…the dappled shade of old trees…easy, no-fuss living. For Susie and Jeff Noble, their getaway home at Lake James is the best of all of these. It’s a cozy, very personal home…a classic family retreat that — surprisingly — began with a pre-designed architectural plan…As they were scouting architects, looking at plans and formulating ideas, Susie became aware of architect Al Platt’s design for the HGTV 2006 Dream House at Lake Lure…Working with Platt, builders Gary Boarman and Keith Greene of Lake James Custom Homes, set the house high on the ridgeline, with elaborate drainage systems to handle water run-off…The house nestles beautifully into its setting. Abundant windows – including clerestory panes set in shed dormers – offer ambient light and the use of vernacular materials such as poplar bark siding, Tennessee fieldstone and standing seam metal roofing feel familiar and appropriate”.