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Every Home Tells A Story
Custom Home Architecture and Design Blog
We believe custom home architecture is about seamlessly uniting your style, lifestyle needs, and budget. Every single-family home we design is entirely unique because our clients are individuals who value homes tailored specifically to how they live.
By listening to our clients and creatively solving design challenges together, we have crafted some remarkable homes each with its own story to tell. Read more about our clients' journeys here. We hope you'll find inspiration and guidance from what we've learned every step of the way.
A Luxury Modern Farmhouse with the Ultimate Backyard Retreat
Architect James Knight anchored the home's design concept around a sprawling, multi-volume footprint tailored specifically to the expansive 4.5-acre lot. This intentional layout establishes a grand, welcoming presence while prioritizing effortless indoor-outdoor connectivity. A defining architectural feature of the front elevation is an elegant arched breezeway linking the main residence to a detached single-car garage.
Hemlock Cove Modern Mountain Farmhouse Retreat in Ball Ground GA
Designed in close collaboration with the homeowners by James Knight of Reynard Architectural Designs, Hemlock Cove was planned as more than a beautiful house. It was shaped as a warm, protective place for family life, one that could handle daily routines, big gatherings, quiet mornings, and the changing seasons of a wooded site. The home’s character comes through clearly in the photography by Kalyn Kight. From the rich blue exterior to the stone fireplace and custom teal kitc
How Do You See Yourself Living in Your Custom Home
Many people start a custom home project with a list of rooms. Four bedrooms. Three bathrooms. Open kitchen. Big porch. Walk-in pantry. Home office. Those details matter, but they do not tell the whole story.
Harpers Creek in Ellijay, GA Is A Developing Home Design From Site Walk to Concept Plan
A mountain home begins long before the first wall is drawn. On a steep lot, the land sets the rules. Access, slope, views, drainage, septic feasibility, and the natural shape of the ridge all affect what the house can become.
Cedar Creek is a Modern Luxury Home in Acworth, GA
This contemporary modern home in the greater metro Atlanta area followed that kind of path. Developed across three major phases, the project moved from early site analysis and conceptual planning to a complete redesign, then into engineered construction documents. Along the way, the design team navigated a steep original lot in Powder Springs, Georgia, HOA architectural review, a mid-project lot change, and the need to preserve the client’s vision while adapting to a new pro
From Rustic Cabin to Modern Lake Home Retreat in Blairsville, GA
A lake house doesn't become memorable just because it sits next to a body of water. The stories that will inhabit the home bring it to life. Every potential family moment and desired memory shapes the design's intention and informs architecture.
Contemporary Architecture on a Sloped Lot in Mableton, GA
I met with our client Jen in Metro Atlanta in the summer of 2022 to discuss her vision for a multi-level, contemporary custom home on a challenging, steeply graded .34 acre lot. A home she nicknamed "Outdoor Palatial Sexiness" was envisioned as a luxury home that also featured a subtle, sophisticated showroom for her branded products business.
A Vision of Modern Transitional Architecture in Lawrenceville, GA
Architect James Knight spearheaded the schematic design, deliberately introducing a “wow factor” through striking building shapes and grand central spaces.
The core architectural design requirements included:
A double-height great room and a sweeping staircase overlooking the foyer. All upper-floor bedrooms designed as luxurious en-suites. A dedicated main suite inspired by curated social media references.
A seamlessly connected kitchen and dining room for entertaining.
Modern Mountain Architecture: A Custom Homestead in Talking Rock, Georgia
Designing a Modern Multi-Generational Homestead in Talking Rock, Georgia When designing a custom home from the ground up, the land itself should shape every major decision. This was exactly the case for a recently designed multi-generational compound in Talking Rock, Georgia—one of the most layered and site-driven projects in the Reynard Architectural Designs portfolio. Conceived as a sweeping property intended to house two adjacent residences for a close-knit family, the pro
Purposeful Forever Home Design for Aging in Place and Independent Living
This was not an architectural project built around resale trends or generic wish lists. It began with a clear question: what would daily life need to feel comfortable, independent, creative, and sustainable over the long term?
Embracing the Slope: A Mid-Century Modern Revival in the Georgian Highlands
A pronounced natural slope defines the site. Rather than fighting the grade with massive retaining walls and deep excavations, James Knight’s design strategy embraces the topography. By utilizing a wider building footprint, the design minimizes foundation depths and takes full advantage of a walk-out basement. The resulting massing strategy steps down the hillside gracefully, allowing the home to read as a grounded, natural form that integrates seamlessly with the landscape.
Blue Ridge Forever Home Expansion for a Solar Ready Mountain Home
We partnered with our client to bring an architectural design perspective to the process. With 23 years of experience as a commercial interior designer, she is both creative and a deeply informed collaborator. Lead Architect James Knight of Reynard Architectural Designs leads the project, with design decisions guided by one clear idea: the home must be built to last, built to serve, and built to feel entirely her own.
Flat Creek: Modern Home Architecture in Clermont, Georgia
Flat Creek is an "on the boards" project that will become a new single family home residence in rural Georgia. This transitional mountain farmhouse will be situated on a 45-acre agricultural site in Clermont, Georgia prioritizing functionality for an active lifestyle involving outdoor work, while serving as a comfortable, multigenerational residence.
Morning Dove: Designing a Purposeful Mountain-Valley Single-Family Custom Home in Young Harris, GA
In the spring of 2024, a young couple in Young Harris, GA, approached us to design a custom mountain-valley residence built from the ground up on their private 4.5-acre property in North Georgia. Rather than churning out a set of standard floor plans, they were seeking to partner with an architect for a carefully curated design that reflects their lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, construction budget, and family needs.
Behind the Blueprint: Designing the "Two Cows" Dream Home in Clermont, GA
Great architecture works with the land, not against it. For "Two Cows," James angled and lowered the garage 45 degrees, stepping the foundation to match Clermont’s grade. This minimizes excavation and gives the home an organic profile.
The Secret to the Perfect Flat Roof (That Isn’t Actually Flat)
The clean, boxy look of flat roofs defines much of modern architecture today. Many homeowners and designers admire this ultra-contemporary style for its simplicity and sharp lines. Yet, building a truly flat roof comes with challenges, especially when it comes to durability and waterproofing. The secret to achieving that crisp, flat appearance often lies in clever design choices that balance aesthetics with practical construction.
Navigating the Custom Home Design Process: Frequently Asked Questions
Designing your dream home is an exciting journey but can also feel overwhelming. To help you navigate the process with confidence, here are
This young family launched their own A-Frame STR business
Proving that great things truly do come in small packages, Stella Luna is a charming 1200 sq ft, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home that redefines cozy luxury. Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of the Smokies, this home isn't just a place to stay; it’s an experience waiting to happen.
Understanding Custom Home Design Styles.
Contemporary design, often mistaken for modern design, is a distinct entity. It's not just a design style, but a reflection of the current architectural and interior trends. This makes it a dynamic and adaptable choice, allowing homeowners to stay ahead of the curve and personalize their space to their liking.
Designing a Dream Home in Powder Springs, GA
In 2022, our clients, came to us with a bold vision for their forever home—a modern single story, expansive home that balances elegance, fun
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