Brace Yourself. This House Will Wow You

Brace Yourself.

This House Will Wow You!

By John Shivers

There should be a sign posted at the home at 700 Watts Mill Road in Batesville reading: “This Property Guaranteed to Make Your Jaw Drop!” You can’t tour this truly one of a kind, unbelievable 177± acre country estate without saying “Wow!” at least a couple of dozen times, and you’ll definitely find your mouth hanging open!

From the time you leave the public road, a gated entrance welcomes you to a beautiful creek-side pasture, before you cross a burbling mountain stream on a picturesque covered bridge and you begin to climb through a private mountain forest, you’ve already uttered “Wow!” Along your way, depending on the season, you’ll pass by deer leisurely grazing, mountain laurel in bloom, native ferns and towering pines and oaks that overhang and shelter the road.

Stately rock columns greet you, and your jaw drops. From the balanced symmetry of the sprawling front facade, curb appeal really ramps up. This is rustic elegance at its finest. The rocking chair front porch, complete with two swings, tempts you to stop and sit and feast on the seasonal vistas. With some 400± acres of neighboring National Forest lands, both beauty and privacy are assured. But the double front doors literally persuade you otherwise, and swing wide to welcome you. This unforgettable look at a truly custom home gives you a glimpse of what it would be like to get your daily mail here outside Clarkesville.

Inside the sprawling interior, much of it with ten-foot ceilings, there are so many living areas, niches, and interesting ceiling angles, until the interest level snowballs the farther into the house you go. Wooden tongue and groove ceilings and walls, customized Judge’s paneling, some painted and some finished naturally form the backdrop for some fantastic family living. Scrubbed oak floors throughout the main level simply elevate the wood ambience to greater heights.

With four super-sized bedrooms, four baths, and one half-bath, there’s plenty of room to entertain and sleep the multitudes. Be sure to check out the main level master suite complete with shower and claw foot tub and his and her closets. And don’t miss the many other closets and storage spaces. There’s another “Wow!” moment. But the potential for this house far exceeds basic

The great room with its massive stone fireplace, one of four in the house, and the built-in large screen TV make a fantastic setting for family winter evenings around the fire or fantastic holiday parties and football weekends. The built-in bookcases, exposed beams, and generous size windows that look out on the views only add to the satisfaction factor. An adjacent covered porch expands the living potential, and is a great place to marry morning coffee with mountain sunrises. What’s a home without a kitchen, and the fabulous, spacious kitchen in this home more than fills the bill. With soapstone counter tops, generous cabinet and prep space, the resident chef will be the one whose jaw drops this time. In addition, there’s an oversize island with maple butcher block top, and a walk-in pantry as well as a butler’s pantry. Adjacent is a banquet size dining area, and a year-round sunroom with a stone floor.

A den, game room, billiard room, a bathroom and three car garage are on the terrace level. Nearby is a 3,000± square foot three bay garage complete with engine hoist and lift. The serious car enthusiast will have another reason to say “Wow!”

Contact Shield Realty agent Ruth Camp at 706-4994702 or ruth@ruthcamp. com or Marty Simmons about MLS #8878046 at 770-597-4219.

“Spring’s greatest joy beyond a doubt is when it brings the children out.” Edgar Guest