Penthouse Renovation
Our client came to us with a particular request for the look and feel of his new Penthouse vacation home in downtown Asheville’s Arras Residences. Being at the top of the highest building in downtown comes with incredible views, and the convenience of walking to area shops and restaurants. That said, he wanted something unique for his interiors and asked that his home “feel like the beach, but in the mountains”. He enjoys the soft blues and greens at the beach and finds those relaxing, which is how he wanted his vacation home to feel when he could enjoy it and get away from long work days. We saw those same tones in the landscape and mountain views, visible through the expansive walls of glass. So, his request and those views became our inspiration for a soothing color palette of soft grays, blues, aquas and natural wood tones, with touches of black accents. We were particular with our selections so that the interiors palette was relaxing, without being distracting from the views beyond.
He purchased his unit while it was still under renovation by the building’s developer, and would be living out of town during the construction. Our design team selected a local builder to collaborate with on finishing details for the home, and managed the project by collaborating with the builder, trades and developer to bring the project to completion. First, we refreshed the cabinetry with new finishes and hardware, and replaced the kitchen backsplash with spa toned hand-made tiles. The existing fireplace tiles were removed and it was re-clad in a concrete plaster finish by a local craftsman, and we had custom white oak shelving made for the fireplace wall and the kitchen. The lighting throughout was updated in a matte black finish for contrast, and furniture and decor were sourced for each room. The fabrics are Crypton, so that friends and family can enjoy the home when he’s away, without worries of any damage to furniture. If coffee or wine are spilled, they can be wiped up without absorbing in to the materials. This approach to finish selections often puts our clients at ease, so that more of their friends, family and pets can be welcomed to enjoy the home, without concerns over maintenance of the fabrics and finishes.
Some features, such as the breakfast table, are custom made to our design by a local craftsman. A+R intentionally sourced the area rugs and furnishings through local and regional makers and suppliers, incorporating the aesthetic of Asheville and the surrounding Western North Carolina into the space. This also ensures that when our clients relocate or purchase vacation homes in the area, their resources are re-invested back into the local community of furniture makers, trades and craftspeople. This is at the heart of what we do…helping to connect our clients with the right team of professionals, artists and craftsmen to personalize their home, while simultaneously investing into their new community. We also managed the project and collaborated with the construction team, so that our client could focus on his own career, and was then able to come to Asheville to relax and enjoy his new home. We love what we do, taking the stress out of renovations so that our clients can enjoy the process and their fully customized completed homes!
Before & After Photos
“The Allard and Roberts team did a phenomenal job of managing all aspects of my design project, with the significant distractions of the Covid pandemic during the entire time. I am very satisfied with their professional manor and am very excited by the results of their work. They listened carefully to what I considered important and were able to accomodate what I was looking for, even when I was not 100% sure myself. It was not easy with covid issues and related problems including delays with the developer and available furnishings but they saw it thru to completion.
I highly recommend them.”
—David Gertner