Portfolio of Custom Homes & Short-Term Vacation Rental Designs
Browse our gallery of custom architectural designs across Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida.
Our custom home architect James Knight has designed everything from modern A-frame cabins engineered for high-ROI short-term rentals to timeless modern farmhouses built for family legacies, Reynard Architectural Designs partners with you to bring your vision to life.

Winding Ridge - Blairsville
Architecture by James Knight. Photography by Kalyn Kight
Design Story: Create a unique short term rental while optimizing views on a small lot surrounded by trees.
Completed Construction: 2023
Site details: .63 acres in Cherry Log, GA
Architectural style: Modern Mountain Rustic Treehouse
Square footage: 1,082 heated sq ft
2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Reynard far exceeded our expectations as an architectural design team. Their professionalism, communication, responsiveness and creative passion made our home design process a dream.
The Reynard team has become friends. Our home building moved further and faster than we could have imagined!
Marci and Kevin Robinson

A luxurious custom mountain retreat in Talking Rock, GA. Designed by James Knight (Reynard Architectural Designs), this stunning riverside home features multi-level outdoor living spaces and floor-to-ceiling glass that seamlessly blend the indoors with the natural forest.

The private quarters feature custom-built wooden bunk beds that maximize spatial efficiency. The deep-toned wall finishes create an intimate, cocoon-like atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the natural wood grain, emphasizing the project's immersive mountain aesthetic.

The chef's kitchen employs a high-contrast material palette, anchoring the space with dark base cabinetry. Illuminated floating wood shelves against a textured white subway tile backsplash provide functional display space while adding ambient warmth to the sophisticated design.

The primary living area features soaring vaulted ceilings and expansive sliding glass doors that dissolve the barrier between interior and exterior. The material palette balances moody, sophisticated furnishings with the organic textures of the forest canopy visible beyond the glazing.

The exterior facade showcases the striking dark cladding juxtaposed with warm, multi-tiered wooden decks. The design prioritizes outdoor programming, utilizing string lights and expansive glazing to blur the boundary between the built environment and the rugged landscape.

Site context aerial demonstrating the "Rivertop" project's seamless integration into the dense forest canopy. The 2.53-acre lot provides a secluded envelope for the 3,308 sq. ft. structure, maximizing proximity and sightlines to the adjacent rushing creek.
Design Story: Conquer the steeply sloped terrain above Talking Rock Creek to design a family creek side retreat.
Completed Construction: 2025
Site Area: 2.53 Acres
Primary Residence: 2,738 Heated Sq. Ft 4 bedrooms 4.5 bathrooms
Attached ADU: 570 Heated Sq. Ft.
Total Heated Area: 3,308 Sq. Ft.

Design Story: Architecturally design a rustic mountain contemporary home on a sprawling nearly 300 acre lot, the family homestead and site plan had to be architecturally laid out to maximize views and minimize land disturbance.
Completed Construction: 2024
Site Area: 286 .Acres
Primary Residence: 5,876,Heated Sq. Ft 3 bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms







Design Story: Architecturally design a rustic mountain contemporary home on a sprawling nearly 300 acre lot, the family homestead and site plan had to be architecturally laid out to maximize views and minimize land disturbance.
Completed Construction: 2024
Site Area: 286 .Acres
Primary Residence: 5,876,Heated Sq. Ft 3 bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms






Design story: In a bustling Canton, GA community, Reynard was tasked with an architectural design project to create a unique mid-century modern inspired home that compliments the neighborhood yet still stood out with its unique design.
Completed Construction: 2024
Site Area: 1.44 .Acres
Primary Residence: 4414 Heated Sq. Ft 3 bedrooms 3.5 bathrooms


Design Story: Architecturally design within a budget to maximize the family's ROI while creating an extraordinary short term vacation rental.
Completed Construction: 2023
Site Area: .36 .Acres
Primary Residence: 1300 Heated Sq. Ft 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms






Design Story: Our clients came to us with a creative architectural design that needed to meet Architectural Review Board requirements in the Highland Park community of Blairsville, GA but still stand out in the community as a distinct modern mountain home for a large family.
Completed Construction: 2024
Site Area: .44 .Acres
Primary Residence: 5,831 Heated Sq. Ft 5 bedrooms 5.5 bathrooms


Design Story: The existing home on this property required demolition and a new design on the lakefront property. North Georgia architect James Knight designed a new custom home that retained some of the original house's character while providing the family with much needed space.
Completed Construction: 2022
Site Area: .44 .Acres
Primary Residence: 3,432 heated sq feet. Total Bed/Bath: 5 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms.

A multi-story rustic mountain-style home (designed by architect James Knight of Reynard Architectural Designs) situated on a steep, wooded hillside overlooking Lake Nottely in Blairsville, Georgia
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Design story: Kim and Nat approached us with to create architectural design for their custom mountain home in Hiawassee, GA that captured their unique sense of style but stayed within a stated budget. Through the design process, architect James Knight was able to highlight their personality and design a home that was within their means.
Completed Construction: 2025
Site Area: .35 Acres
Primary Residence: 2,332 heated sq feet. Total Bed/Bath: 3 Bedrooms / 3.5 Bathrooms.


Design Story: The design process at The Enclave transforms a pristine 0.87-acre lot into a personalized coastal home. Designed with care by architect James Knight in Savannah, GA.
Site Area: .37 .Acres
Primary Residence: 2,422 heated sq feet. Total Bed/Bath: 3 Bedrooms / 3.5 Bathrooms.






Design story: Luxury living is what Foxhaven is all about. It's a newly constructed a breathtaking custom home in Acworth, GA. The designed was conceived by architect James Knight of Reynard Custom Homes, this residence redefines the Modern Transitional home aesthetic.
Perched on a sprawling 0.89-acre lot, Foxhaven commands attention with its sophisticated curb appeal. The exterior is a study in elegant contrasts: pristine white brick meets dramatic, steep gables and dark architectural trim, creating a sharp, timeless silhouette against the Georgia sky
Completed Construction: 2026
Site Area: .89 Acres
Primary Residence: 5,432 heated sq feet. Total Bed/Bath: 5 Bedrooms / 4.5 Bathrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions
What services does Reynard Architectural Designs provide? If you're looking for a custom home architect that serves North Georgia and the Southeast, that's Reynard! We are a premier architectural design firm specializing in fully bespoke custom "forever" homes and highly sought-after, experiential short-term vacation rentals. We provide comprehensive, start-to-finish architectural design services—from the initial conceptual sketches to the final, highly-detailed construction documents required by builders and municipalities.
Do you design properties for real estate investors and short-term rentals? Answer: Yes! We understand that in the competitive vacation rental market, "ordinary" is the enemy of occupancy. Clients who are looking for a mountain home architect in Georgia find that we specialize in designing high-return, experiential short-term rentals—like luxury treehouses and modern mountain lodges—that stand out on booking platforms and keep guests coming back year after year.
Where are you located, and do you design homes outside of your area? Answer: Our company got its start in Atlanta, GA where we began partnering with clients looking for a luxury home architect in Georgia. Our roots run deep in the scenic landscapes of the Southeast, primarily focusing on Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. However, our design capabilities extend far beyond the Southeast. We are equipped to work with clients and design extraordinary spaces worldwide.
How do you ensure my new home will fit my specific style and budget? Answer: Our design philosophy is that we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every project is driven entirely by your budget, your style, and your specific needs. We seamlessly blend bold aesthetics with everyday practicality to ensure your home works perfectly for your lifestyle while staying within your parameters. Whether you're looking for a lake house architect in Georgia, a mountain home design in Tennessee, or a beach front custom home architect in Florida we can serve you.
How do I get started with my custom home or rental design? Answer: If you're looking for a vacation rental architect’s time to stop dreaming and start designing! You can reach out to us by calling or texting 404-465-2011, or by filling out the contact form on our website to begin the Discovery phase of your dream project.
What architectural styles do you specialize in? Answer: Because we design specifically for our clients, our portfolio spans a wide variety of styles. Whether you are looking for an A-frame architect, envisioning a modern mountain lodge in the North Georgia highlands, a sleek contemporary residence in the city, or a rustic riverside retreat, we tailor the architecture to harmonize with the land, maximizing natural light, panoramic views, and indoor-outdoor connectivity.
What is your architectural design process like? Answer: We believe designing your home should be a collaborative and enjoyable experience. Our process is broken down into three main phases: Phase 1: Discovery: We start by listening carefully to your ideas, reviewing your inspirational photos, and evaluating the unique topography of your lot. Phase 2: Schematic Design: We translate your wish list into initial layouts and striking exterior elevations, refining the concepts until they perfectly match your vision. Phase 3: Construction Documents: Once approved, we meticulously draft the final, detailed blueprints required for a flawless build.
What is Reynard's experience and qualifications? Answer: Our team is comprised of Jack Baldwin, Kalyn Kight and our co-founder and lead custom home designer, James Knight. James brings a wealth of world-class expertise and creativity to every residential project, with a strong background in both residential and commercial design. His foundational education began with a highly hands-on undergraduate architecture program in Newcastle, Australia, where he mastered manual drafting, physical modeling, and site evaluation. He went on to earn his Master's in Architecture from the University of Sydney, studying under the mentorship of esteemed architect Michael Sam Marshall and earning a nomination for the Structural Innovation Award in 2016. Today, James is a fully registered Architect on the NSW Register of Architects (Registration No. 12858). James traveled to the United States in 2016, where he worked at an architectural firm in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that he met Jack and Kalyn. Bonding over a shared passion for creating truly one-of-a-kind custom homes, the trio collaborated on various projects before officially launching Reynard Architectural Designs in 2020. Now based in Brisbane, Australia, James leverages the latest in architectural communication and 3D rendering technology to work seamlessly with clients across the United States. He is known for a deeply empathetic and collaborative approach—frequently presenting clients with both a "Foundational Plan" (exactly what they asked for) and an innovative "Wildcard Plan" (pushing the boundaries of their imagination) to ensure every custom home perfectly captures the homeowner's unique vision and lifestyle.









































