The great room provides a central location where Tyra and Jeff Armrein host parties, which range from intimate family get-togethers to gatherings with lots of friends. The fireplace placement raised some eyebrows, as many involved in the project were concerned about it blocking mountain views — but it works. Crafted with manufactured stone, it rises the entire height of the great room (28 feet) and features a headdress hand-stitched by a local Cherokee Indian, who also made the bow and arrow below the headdress. |
A carved eagle with nest perches on a beam high in the ceiling and above the loft railing that depicts a nature scene with howling wolves, black bears and 12-point stags. |
A character post that showcases an owl carving frames the spacious kitchen. The stone-faced island complements the honey-colored hues of the logs. Tyra bought green cabinetry and had coffee-colored stain applied to it to achieve an antique look. |
Tyra wanted the windows above the master bathroom tub to tell a story, so she commissioned a local artist to create two stained-glass panes. A waterfall that flows into the tub is positioned below the two windows. |
Another cozy nook in the loft has it's own view through large gable windows. Recessed lighting, table lamps and a chandelier hanging above the staircase provides supplemental lighting. |
The stamped copper ceiling in the dining room is reminiscent of an old penny. Hickory lines the floors throughout the home, and Tyra hired a local company to apply a stain that gives every square inch a reclaimed look. |
One of Tyra's criteria for her home was a spacious back deck. The 95-foot-long outdoor-living space offers views of downtown Gatlinburg. "We get the morning sun there, but in the heat of the day, it's completely shaded," says Tyra. Mountain laurel, pine trees, maple and oak provide a backdrop for the 5-acre property. |