Make a wish. Watch it come true.Yes, it happens like that sometimes, but more often wishes only come true in fairy tales.
Chip Seigler's mission is to make dreams become reality... and he’s doing it.. one house at a time.
Making dreams come true is rarely easy; otherwise it wouldn’t be a dream. When your dream is the perfect house, it’s even more difficult. But, that’s exactly what Chip Seigler and Seigler Building and Development does; and his company’s tagline, Building Dreams One Home at a Time, personifies his mission. Chip didn’t set out to make dreams come true, or even build homes for that matter. As a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a career in pharmaceutical and medical device sales, building homes did not on seem to be on Chip’s horizon.
Chip eventually went back to his roots. He had worked on a construction project or two in college, and grew up working part-time for his grandfather, a contractor. This instilled an interest that was awakened when he found and purchased a 3/4 –acre lake view lot in Miller’s Landing in the late 1990’s. Here, he built his first spec home— one that was intended to be fairly modest, but he became so passionate about the project that he ended up with a $550,000 home which sold immediately.
Next he built homes in both Berkley Park and Mallard Bay and says, “I’ve yet to build anything under $500,000 with most homes worth between $800k and $2.5 million.” His company tagline is Building Dreams One Home at a Time, and he believes that his dedication to nurturing relationships, combined with what he calls “a corporate mentality approach,” are what set him apart from others in the business. “Offering the highest level of quality and customer service is our number one priority. Without both, we wouldn’t be around for long. We sometimes pay more for our sub-contractors, but, because we demand the best, it is well worth any added cost,” says Chip.
Working with talented architects is also at the core of Chip’s success. He has worked closely with Stephen Fuller, Frank Betz and Stephen Davis, to name a few. Of Davis, with whom he works most often, Chip says, “Stephen has great concepts and really understands flow. He’ll also come out to the jobsite and collaborate on the building process.” Davis, who has lived and worked in Knoxville for nearly 20 years, is also known for a commitment to excellence, as evidenced by his work. Structural soundness, custom form, elegance and artful flair are trademarks of the homes he designs. His influences run the gamut from Charleston-style architecture to Old World and Craftsman styles and he has designed luxury homes in such developments as Lashbrooke, Tennessee National, Berkley Park and Mallard Bay. Together the two designed and built the Symphony Show House in Knoxville’s Woods at Montgomery development and will join forces again on the same project in 2009 in the new lakeside development of Jefferson Park.
While most projects do include the involvement of an architect, there is the exception. This was just the case with the spacious home Chip recently completed in Mallard Bay—designed by the home’s owner. “It was an unusual situation for us. The homeowner, with his wife’s assistance, began sketching ideas for their dream home when he was in medical school back in the early 90s and then years later had a friend, who is also a commercial architect, help flesh out the design further. Then he brought me in, and we had the plans reviewed by a structural engineer. Once we figured out how to make the plans come to life we set to work, designing some aspects of the home as we went. ” Because much of the floor plan is open, the house was built using a tremendous amount of steel to accommodate weight. The homeowner had a penchant for drawing sketches of special features, which Seigler’s team then custom-built or fabricated. Many components were special ordered, such as fireplaces and sleek walnut flooring. These touches add to the individuality and character of the space.
The 9,000 square foot house is built of stone and brick and a circular paved drive makes a dramatic entrance. An attached, two-car garage, with arched doorways and faced with stone, anchors the right side of the house and also provides privacy from adjacent homes. There is an additional two-car garage on the opposite side of the house that has a separate drive and is concealed from view. The couple says that their children will park their cars here when they reach driving age. Heavy, wrought-iron, glass paned doors with an ornamental flourish of swirls sit beneath a balcony supported by four white columns and the glimpse any visitor would have into the interior is inviting.
An open foyer showcases creamy white marble flooring, with an ornate decorative medallion at center. This circular area is mirrored above by the rounded edge of the walkover and the dome with a double tray encircling the large chandelier hanging high overhead. A sweeping staircase leads to this walkover embellished with a delicate iron and wood balusters. Windows in the adjoining space provide a view of the upper deck and the lake beyond, which played no small part in the couple’s decision to build in this area. Also in this room is a pre-cast concrete fireplace, smooth and white, made to resemble alabaster, with built-in bookcases on either side. To the left of the foyer is a handsome library/office, painted a rich sap green, with a textured finish by artist Kathy Bradley. The mantle here is of beautifully carved mahogany; a lighted cityscape in oils hangs above it. The hearth is marble. Built-in bookcases are perfect for a collection of family photos and favorite books. The richly stained cabinetry is complemented by detailed millwork throughout the room. On the opposite side of the foyer sits the dining room. Painted a deep red, and enhanced by wainscot paneling with formal trims, and a glassed hutch showcasing china and crystal, the room sets the tone for intimate family gatherings and celebrations. An elegant crystal chandelier hangs from an octagonal tray ceiling with copper tiling to further accentuate its luster, while a massive gilded mirror hangs above a marble topped sideboard reflecting light and space.
An arched doorway, flanked by white columns leads into the kitchen—opposed by matching entranceways into the dining room and office. Most prominent is a shiny copper oven hood hand-crafted on site by Chip and a talented metal craftsman. Together they framed the hood, pieced and welded sheets and straps of copper, finishing the surface by tapping it with a ball ping hammer. A center island, painted sage green, is set off by darker stained cabinetry in the rest of the kitchen. Cabinet doors within the island include wire mesh panels that give the space a French-country appeal and show off a collection of painted pottery. On one side of the elaborate island is a bar area with tall stools; the other houses a convenient sink. Paneled wooden doors conceal the refrigerator, while other appliances have stainless steel finishes. The tile backsplash combines shades of slate and terracotta in a decorative pattern, adding depth and texture. A lovely inlay of roped bronze accented by matching medallions further customizes the look. A breakfast table of wood and iron is set in shades of gold and red and sits beside a sunny window that affords a view of the water. The matching hutch holds colorful serving pieces and everyday glassware and dishes. The open space also includes a cozy family area for watching television or visiting. Leather furniture with brass nail accents, a stone fireplace with a rough-hewn wood mantle, and tufted rugs give the area a feeling of warmth.
The powder bath on the main floor is a vibrant cerulean blue. A stencil and molding paste were used to create a raised pattern on the walls, which were painted and highlighted in metallic silver. The silver is repeated in a stunning mirror hanging above an antique-footed chest turned lavatory adorned with a marble counter and raised vessel.
The couple, which has lived in the home for little more than year, isn’t rushing to complete much of the decorating, opting to take their time and enjoy the process. Both have a keen interest in design and were inspired during tours hosted by the Parade of Homes, tearing pages from magazines and browsing dealer showrooms. Many of the ideas they have collected through the years were implemented in both the structure and decor of the home. The couple also relied on Michelle Hunley of Michelle Hunley Interiors for her selection of virtually all of the paint colors. She pulled reds, greens and gold-toned hues found in the furnishings and bedding throughout the 5 bedroom, 5 1/2 bath home. In one hallway, a cocoa colored wall meets a gold wall meets a red wall adding visual interest and drawing the eye to a lighted art niche. In addition to being instrumental in lighting placement and design, Michelle selected and installed blinds throughout the home.
The master bedroom is at-once soothing; in soft shades of robin’s egg blue and chocolate brown. A four-poster bed, draped in luxurious bedding, echoes the subtle hues, and plump silk pillows beckon sleepy heads. The coffered ceiling above is another example of the homeowner’s individual design and Michelle’s creative use of color. A diamond pattern of glossy white beams, pop against a backdrop of chocolate and converge with walls of blue. A winding iron staircase leads to a third-story loft that the couple says provides the best view of the water. Here they plan to create a quiet reading nook. The master bath includes a Jacuzzi bathtub set into a narrow nook with a window overlooking the view. The built-in vanity is topped with marble and accommodates his and her sinks. Both children have bedrooms nearby, one sports-themed and fit for a rough and tumble boy, the other a pale pink haven for any little girl; whimsical wildflowers adorn the walls in the bedroom and bath, hand painted by local artist Lynn Arnwine. Perhaps the room most favored by all is the home theatre. The darkened corridor leading to it seems much like that of a commercial theatre, but once inside, the supple leather seating and plush carpeting make it clear that the similarities end there. The children enjoy inviting friends for movies while their parents relish the opportunity to kick back and watch favorite television shows once their charges are in bed.
Fort Loudon Lake, which the home over-looks, provides a gentle breeze that the family looks forward to enjoying it in the coming years. Looking to the future, they built a special garage for the boat they plan to someday purchase. The children already enjoy swimming in the cool water of the organic-shaped pool, also designed by the homeowner. Not just for children though, the pool features a circular brick planter filled with flowers that waterfalls into the pool—an engaging setting for any gathering. The area surrounding the pool, as well as upper and lower decking, has the look of natural stone created by scoring and staining smooth concrete. Stone columns and wrought-iron railings accentuate the look.
The couple’s love of entertaining is reflected, not only by the pool and outdoor fireside seating, but also by a downstairs wine cellar. Passionate wine collectors, this cellar was at the top of their wish list. Made completely of stone from floor to ceiling, the room has the essence of the California wine country. Football parties are routinely hosted downstairs, where games abound. Complete with a pool table, dartboard, and an air-hockey table, the bar area is finished with leather upholstered stools, pendant lighting, and glassed cabinets.
Settling in to this comfortable home, the family is looking forward to the many memories they will create here. They had a dream, which began as simple sketches on scraps of paper—to create a home featuring the many unique elements that would make it uniquely theirs and perfectly suit their family. The end result is the total embodiment of Chip Seigler’s mission: he is, indeed, building dreams, and this home is one fully realized.
