...because home doesn't happen overnight.
10.11.10 / A Real Vacation

Handy Hubby and I are fast approaching our 8th wedding anniversary.  In all the time since we’ve been married, we’ve only taken 1 vacation by ourselves…our honeymoon.  A real vacation without the kiddos, family members or any other distractions was long overdue.  So a few months back, we planned a getaway for just the 2 of us and it finally rolled around last week.  We enjoyed some great R&R via Lakeview at Fontana in North Carolina.  I came across their feature in Southern Living magazine earlier this year and it sounded too good to be true:  low-key, cozy, small scale and secluded.  Not to mention crazy affordable.  Think less than $90 a night for a basic room.  {We brought along a borrowed mini-fridge and stayed during the week to save even more money.}  Well, it wasn’t too good to be true.  The staff was friendly and accommodating.  The lake and mountain views were phenomenal.  Hiking and biking trails were located nearby.  Local eateries served up some awesome grub {try Lulu’s in Sylva, NC!}.  And the hour massage following my first mountain bike excursion wasn’t too bad either.  But, you know me, I tend to be inspired by all things.  Lakeview did not disappoint.  I was surprised by how chic the decor was that I just had to share it with you.  So prepare yourself for some major eye candy.

Now I know it says ‘resort and spa’ and that usually conjures up visions of pretentious hotels but, really, this place is totally a ‘kick your shoes off, wear sweatpants every day and walk slowly’ kinda place.  Meet Wally, the venue’s mascot.  {I’m not a cat person but I wanted him to come home with me on our last day.}

As you pull up to the resort, here’s what awaits.

Have you ever seen such a stylish office door?  {Don’t even get me started on the fabulous craftsman doors.}

As soon as we walked into the office to check in, I told Handy Hubby I wanted to come back.  We hadn’t even been there 5 minutes.

Past the desk is the the TV lounge {the one and only TV on the premises} and guest computer.

They used the oldest trick in the book for making the small room feel larger…tall, leaning mirrors propped up across from the window.

I was in love with this vase.

And this door holder.

The employees weren’t shorted on style either.  Just take a look at the adjoining office space.

So, that’s the main building…where you can check in, watch some TV, sit by the fire, surf the internet or ask staff for local restaurant suggestions.  Now onto the coffeehouse where you are served a light breakfast daily {the fresh French press coffee is divine} along with complimentary wine and cheese in the early evening.

I think these windows were my favorite design element of the entire resort.  They fold open.

Inside, this utilitarian kitchen had me at hello.  The medallion on the peninsula is a great yet simple focal point along with the trio of pendant lights.  Yum.

Can you say painted, open cabinetry?

This utensil storage is a work of art.

A few steps up, and you can look down into the kitchen/dining area.  The concrete floors are painted to look like old tile.

Do you spy the coffee table bottom right?  It’s a salvaged door attached to a terracotta planter.  Ingenious.

The upper floor of the coffeehouse is home to a few booths simply formed from a built-in bench, a freestanding table and 3 dining chairs.  Comfy pillows beg you sit and stay for a while.

Handy Hubby and I spent an evening at a booth working a puzzle.  Doesn’t that sound boring?  But it wasn’t.  It was so quiet and relaxing.  Just what we needed.  Alright, back outside to show you more of Lakeview.

The uh-mazing view.  My God, the view…

The flower boxes…

More of those gor.ge.ous cottage doors…

Driveway lanterns…

Outdoor vignettes…

I’m not the only one who likes porch pews…

Don’t you want to visit Lakeview?  You should.  Handy Hubby and I had such a casual, relaxing few days here.  We will be back.  A few words of wisdom:  Lakeview is not the place for people looking for lights, noise and action.  Creaky floors?  Sounds of nature?  Spotty phone and internet service?  Mountain views?  Imperfect perfection?  A break from real world stimulation?…then, yes, this is where you need to be.  It’s the first vacation I’ve been on where I didn’t feel like I needed a vacation from my vacation when I got home.  And all the decor inspiration was icing on my cake.  What’s your favorite part?

Come back tomorrow to tour a local North Carolina shop that knocked my socks off.

FYI – H*T receives no form of payment for this review.  I just like sharing good stuff when it crosses my path.

This is me trying my hand at a little something I like to call Tweak Peeks. It seems every home I visit (whether friend, family or stranger) inspires me in some way. Tweak Peeks allow me to share that inspiration with you!

Sorry.  I know it’s been a while since my first Tweak Peek.  Not that I haven’t been inspired by anyone else’s home.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite case.  I always seem to forget my camera (duh!) or sometimes feel a little weird asking people to photograph their home for my blog.  But the stars aligned just right when my lovely neighbor (and friend), Heather, allowed me to showcase her home.  And I remembered my camera!  Here are a few inspiring shots from Heather’s home.

Just inside the front door you’re greeted by this two-story entry.  You know I’m a fiend for useful furniture and that bench with storage underneath just makes my knees wobbly.  The sculptural wrought iron wall art is icing on the cake.  (Turtle cake.  With no nuts.)

As you walk to the back of Heather’s home, you are met by an expansive wall of windows in her sunroom.  A natural light haven…aaaahh.  Heather has them framed with two pair of IKEA’s panel curtains suspended by a track.  Isn’t that inventive?!  I love the touch of mod that it adds to an otherwise traditional room.

The way that the patterned panel is layered over a slightly darker panel allows the subtle branch pattern to stand out a little more.  (Layering is always good in my book.)  And see how the light filters through the panel?  Yep.  It’s dreamy.

Just off the open sunroom is Heather’s family room where she and her family watch TV, play Wii and dabble in a little Rock Band.  (Yes, I’ve been there for a little rockin’ out too.)  Everything from the comfy, kid-friendly sectional to the bold artwork above the fireplace lets guests know this is a fun place to hang out.  It is!

Down a hallway, separated from the open living space, is Heather’s formal dining room.  (Unlike me) Heather is an awesome – and I mean AWESOME – cook.  Let’s just call her a chef, shall we?  So, in the case of someone who actually makes delectable dinners, a formal dining room is a must.  The sparkling chandelier in the hallway draws you in and the red walls beg you to stay for dessert.  When the kids are tucked in bed, the buffet/bar opens up and can hold its own against at least 3 couples.

Upstairs, Heather’s 2 children have bedrooms that any kid would love to sleep in.  Heather’s teenage daughter’s room is young and sophisticated with a color palette of plum, gray, white and black.  Who’da thought to use mirrors as a headboard?  Genius.  And I can’t get enough of that chandelier wall decal.  The black stripe around the entire room is chalkboard paint – perfect for daydreaming, doodling teenagers to dawdle on – as is the desk’s top.  The framed IKEA prints above the desk add a splash of purple to tie into the plum duvet.

On the other end of the spectrum is Heather’s son’s room.  Caleb is an active toddler and his bedroom is colorful and playful.  The art above the chest is an original that Heather’s sister painted herself!  And when Caleb is older the changing table easily converts to a dresser.  A little personalization in the form of C-A-L-E-B framed individually and hung with colored ribbon is too sweet.

So, there you have it.  A few snippets from Heather’s traditional home with a modern twist.  What’s your favorite decor trick that Heather uses?  Mine is the layered IKEA panels.  Thank you, Heather, for letting me feature your home!  (And for all those Homeade Taco Nights!)