Optometrists Tammy and Gary Edelman of Union Mills take life at a fast pace. Despite working long hours, these industrious doctors find time to travel, ski, bike, and entertain friends and family at their Queens Gap mountaintop home.

Originally intended to be a weekend getaway, the 4,000-square- foot home offered an arresting view that made leaving come Mondays a concerted effort. “This was supposed to be a hunting lodge,” says Tammy. “The house felt so comfortable and everything just fell into place.” A serendipitous turn of events brought in a timely offer on their existing home, allowing them to purchase a condominium in Asheville at the same time. “Everything came together at once,” she says with a smile. “We love being in Asheville.”

A refuge from their hectic schedules, the home offers unobstructed long- range vistas, a soothing earthy palette, clean lines, interesting textures, and splashes of color, all in a private natural setting. “Our life is very complicated,” she says. “I want my home to be calm, uncluttered, and soothing with a lot of natural wood and warmer tones.” To accomplish the look she was after, Tammy met with Michael Forde and Bill Griffin of Four Corners Home and Mobilia in Asheville. Having a good grasp of the couple’s tastes and lifestyle, Michael and Bill transformed the vast space into the comfortable oasis it is today. “Tammy and Gary’s style is timeless comfort,” Michael says. “They have a strong sense of personal style, yet were open to new ideas.”

Guests enter to the wall of windows beyond the main living area. The black, hand-stitched Italian leather sectional with adjustable headrests and low profile sits opposite the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace giving balance to the space. A Void coffee table, crafted by Dian Carlo, combines oxidized steel with reclaimed woods from old shipyards. Completing the seating circle is a curvaceous leather swivel chair and ottoman. Color and texture are brought in with animal print throw pillows and a graphic wool area rug. Flowing easily off the living room is the dining area with a Chilean cherry dining table. Its two-tone finish and natural-edge are made of sustainable wood, an important criteria for Gary and Tammy.

The open kitchen is perfect for entertain- ing. A large center island topped with warm, speckled granite provides extra seating. Stain- less steel appliances, along with matching fixtures and hardware, bring a personal touch to the room. Michael added a classically designed Tiber sideboard handcrafted from solid Primavera wood and accented with distressed steel handles and base. The blend- ing of aged wood with new clean modern pieces, soft curves, and warm colors creates a balance between elegance and comfort. A screened porch with its own fireplace and wraparound decks are favorite spots for the couple. The master bedroom on the right side of the house is a spacious retreat with its own deck access.

The downstairs, accessible by elevator, hosts overnight guests with three en suite bed- rooms—all with private decks and the same magical views. Michael and Bill even took care of the little things including bedding, lamps, decorative accessories, and amenities for the bathrooms and kitchen.

Whether they have spent the day four- wheeling in the woods, closed up in a dark office, or biking the Parkway, coming home is a satisfying end to the day “I get home and don’t want to leave,” says Tammy.