Defining Your Home's Design Aesthetic

An "aesthetic" refers to your collection of principles and the guiding influence behind your home's appearance and ambiance.

As aesthetics are subjective, it's crucial to understand and remain true to your tastes and opinions since you will be the one experiencing your design decisions daily.

During your Master Planning Phase, an architect can help you plan around the space you have, consider the site and its surrounding environment, and develop a clear budget to guide your decisions.

"Defining your design aesthetic is about more than creating a beautiful home—it's about telling your story."

Defining Your Design Aesthetic

The design aesthetic or "vocabulary" of your home goes beyond a mere assortment of styles—it communicates your personal story through visual and expressive elements. Integrating architectural styles, materials, colors, and textures will help create the right atmosphere that's perfectly "you". Your home's look should mirror your personality, values, and lifestyle.

Let's look at Stella Luna, an A-frame retreat in Sevierville, Tennessee. Stella's journey from concept to completion illustrates how defining a design aesthetic can transform a dream into a home that feels intentional and inspiring.

Stella Luna: A Mountain Retreat That Tells a Story

During our initial conversations with our clients regarding their cabin in the Smoky Mountains, they shared their vision of a sleek, modern mountain cabin home that harmoniously integrates with the surrounding scenery's tranquil beauty.

They envisioned expansive windows and glass walls to capture breathtaking views and as much natural light as possible. They also were after a contemporary design that felt polished and sophisticated.

 However, they faced a challenge: on a steeply sloped lot, balancing modern architecture's clean, angular lines with the rustic charm to provide the warmth and coziness they desired for their retreat. The challenge was to design a home that harmonized with its natural surroundings, avoiding a cold or disconnected atmosphere. Additionally, there were concerns that the site preparation and development for a distinctive design on steep terrain could become prohibitively expensive.

Step 1: Collaborative Vision Mapping

The design process kicked off with a design charrette led by our architect, James Knight. This was a collaborative session where he listened attentively and worked closely with the clients to clarify their vision and set priorities. It was a shared journey of discovery and creativity.

An early drawing of Stella Luna, a modern A-frame house designed by James Knight, with expansive windows, elevated on a wooden deck with sturdy supports, set against a backdrop of faint trees.

As the discussions evolved and multiple design concepts were presented, a striking A-frame design was ultimately chosen. This silhouette stands out and harmoniously integrates with the rugged mountain landscape.

 Together, we identified key design elements: expansive glass walls to bring in natural light and views, natural materials to ground the home, and a color palette inspired by the earthy tones of the surroundings. The process established a clear conceptual foundation, ensuring every detail aligned with their vision.

Step 2: Material Experimentation

Bridging the gap between sleek modernity and rustic warmth requires thoughtful experimentation with materials. We paired matte black steel accents with wooden beams, adding texture and character. Natural stone was integrated to anchor the home to the earth, while warm wood tones softened the sharp lines of the architecture.

This careful selection of materials created a design that felt both polished and inviting, and the clients were thrilled with how it brought their vision to life.

Modern and cozy open-concept cabin interior featuring a spacious kitchen with a sleek island, stylish pendant lighting, and a loft area overlooking the living space, enhanced by warm wooden accents and vaulted ceilings.

Modern bathroom with a glass shower, freestanding tub, and wooden ceiling. Black walls, terrazzo floor, and towels hang on the side. Cozy mood.

In designing the modern bathroom of the A-Frame, a careful material selection process was undertaken to create a harmonious and inviting space. The choice of materials was driven by the desire to blend contemporary aesthetics with natural elements.

The walls are adorned with sleek black wall that provide a striking contrast to the warm wooden ceiling, enhancing the cozy ambiance. The flooring features a stylish terrazzo finish, which not only adds visual interest but also offers durability and ease of maintenance.

A glass shower and a freestanding soaker tub serve as focal points, combining functionality with elegance. The addition of green vertical tiles enhances the aesthetic appeal of the shower area, creating a refreshing and vibrant atmosphere.

Step 3: Design Refinement Through 3D Visualization

We utilized advanced 3D renderings to present multiple design iterations to ensure every detail was perfect.

These visualizations allowed the clients to see how materials, lighting, and landscaping interact in a realistic, three-dimensional space. The design was finalized after a few tweaks—like introducing skylights to enhance natural light and softening the exterior color palette. The result was a modern sanctuary that felt deeply connected to the mountains.

A rendering by James Knight of the modern A-frame cabin interior featuring a spacious open-plan living area with a cozy sofa, sleek fireplace, and a stylish staircase leading to the upper level, accentuated by warm wood tones and natural light.

A stunning rendering by James Knight of Reynard Custom Homes showcases a modern A-frame house amidst lush greenery, blending harmoniously with the serene forest landscape.

The Result: A Home That Blends Modern Elegance with Natural Serenity

Stella Luna is a well-executed, balanced design that seamlessly incorporates elements of the local character. This balance reassures that a design can be both modern and rooted in its surroundings.

Finding Your Own Design Aesthetic

Stella Luna's story underscores the importance of defining your design style and aesthetic with your architect early in the process. It's a stage of discovery and inspiration, and now is the perfect time to start writing your vision statement and embark on your own design journey.

Whether you're drawn to the clean lines of modern architecture, the timeless charm of a farmhouse, or the warmth of rustic design, your aesthetic will be the foundation for future design choices.

How to Define Your Aesthetic

Look at Your Surroundings- Consider how your home can blend with its natural surroundings. A mountain house may feature wood and stone, while a seaside retreat might use light colors and large windows. If your home is part of a community, review HOA guidelines. Also, explore the vernacular architecture of nearby homes, which reflects local building styles. This will help you decide how closely you want your design to align with the regional style.

Browse Design Resources - Explore design magazines, Pinterest boards, and websites featuring custom homes. Reynard Custom Homes offers a free home design magazine, foxtrot—The Story of Home, to help spark ideas.

Visit Homes in Person - Touring model homes or completed projects can give you a better sense of scale, materials, and layout.

Reflect on Your Lifestyle - Think about how you want your home to feel. Should it be cozy and inviting, sleek and modern, or a blend of styles? Your lifestyle and preferences should guide your choices.

Identifying Key Elements of Your Aesthetic

Once you've gathered inspiration, it's time to define the key elements of your aesthetic.

These might include:

• Architectural Style: Traditional, contemporary, minimalist, industrial, or a blend of styles.

• Materials: Natural materials like wood and stone or sleek finishes like glass and metal.

• Color Palette: Neutral tones, bold pops of color, or a mix of warm and cool hues.

• Textures: Smooth concrete, rough-hewn wood, or plush fabrics to create depth.

• Lighting: Consider how natural and artificial lighting will enhance the mood and functionality of your space.

Practical Exercise: Create a Mood Board

A mood board is a powerful tool for visualizing your design aesthetic. Here's how to create one:

1. Gather Images: Collect photos, fabric swatches, paint samples, and other materials that reflect your style.

2. Organize by Theme: Group your selections into color, texture, materials, and architectural elements.

3. Refine Your Choices: Narrow your selections to the elements that best represent your vision.

4. Share with Your Architect: Use your mood board to communicate your preferences and ensure your design team understands your aesthetic.

Bringing Your Vision to Life

Defining your design aesthetic is about more than creating a beautiful home—it's about telling your story. You'll make a space uniquely yours by thoughtfully combining elements that reflect your personality and lifestyle.

Stella Luna in Sevierville, TN is a Modern A-frame house featuring sleek black cladding and large windows, blending seamlessly with the surrounding nature

The warm glow from Stella Luna's A-Frame cabin windows contrasts against a star-filled Tennessee night sky, creating a tranquil, secluded retreat in the midst of a forest.