NC Living Magazine - Holiday 2025

suvretta house | Where Alpine Legends Are Born cashiers celtic table | A Taste of Ireland

haute holidays | Our Gifting Edit yuletide among spires | Europe’s Magical Christmas Markets

A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER & CEO

As we enter the holiday season, many of us feel the familiar pressure to create perfect moments filled with beauty and meaning. Yet amid the preparations, the thoughtfully set tables, the carefully chosen gifts, and the gatherings that bring loved ones together, it is worth pausing to simply be present. The truest magic of the holidays lies not in the perfection of the celebration but in the joy reflected in the faces around us.

I am grateful for the time our team spends together implementing the most incredible marketing for Silver Creek’s exclusive offerings. We are equally thankful for our amazing clients who entrust their real estate transactions to us. Along the way, we have forged countless new friendships and shared our knowledge with those who now call the HighlandsCashiers Plateau home, whether for a season or a lifetime.

From its inception, Silver Creek Real Estate Group has carried one name that reflects its founding principles of integrity, service, and commitment to excellence. Through the years, that name has stood the test of time, representing a trusted standard on the Plateau. We are deeply appreciative of our dedicated team whose professionalism and passion have allowed us to continue leading the way in growing our sales. Supporting our brokers in every facet of their work ensures that each client receives an exceptional experience defined by expertise, care, and a genuine understanding of what makes this place so extraordinary.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, this issue celebrates the art of handwritten notes, the joy of festive gatherings across the Plateau, and travel to Yuletide celebrations and other remarkable luxury destinations around the world. We are also delighted to feature our new neighbors at our Cashiers office, The

Cashiers Celtic Table, a welcome addition to the community offering warmth, flavor, and the charm of heartfelt hospitality.

As we transition from fall into the winter season, the beauty that surrounds us remains as inspiring as ever. The mountains take on a quieter grace, and the pace of life encourages reflection and appreciation. May this season bring you moments of peace, gratitude, and connection with those who matter most.

JOCHEN LUCKE

Founder, CEO, and Broker of Silver Creek Real Estate Group, and Publisher of NC Living® Magazine

Copyright © 2025. NC Living® is owned and published by Silver Creek Real Estate Group at 341 Highway 64 West, P.O. Box 430, Cashiers, NC 28717. 828-743-1999.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination." Scan to Sub S cribe

EXCLUSIVE OFFERINGS

THE BEST OF TIMES Page 62

THE LUXURY OF OPEN SPACE Page 76

UPCOMING EVENTS Page 6

SUVRETTA HOUSE Page 8

WINTERING WELL Page 16

ATELIER D’OFFARD Page 22

EXCLUSIVE LAND OFFERINGS Page 120

FESTIVAL OF TREES

AGING BOLDLY

HAUTE HOLIDAYS Page 106

ARTISTIC IMPRESSIONS Page 110

HIGHLANDS FOOD & WINE Page 118 WRAPPED WITH MEANING Page 134

CASHIERS CELTIC TABLE

YULETIDE AMONG

TOP LEFT: ARTISANS CREATING AND RESTORING WALLPAPER USING TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES IN THE ATELIER D’OFFARD STUDIO. PHOTO BY JULIE LIMONT COURTESY OF ATELIER D’OFFARD ATELIERDOFFARD.COM. SEE PAGE 22 FOR DETAILS

MIDDLE: BACKGAMMON SET BY ASSOULINE; $2,250 ASSOULINE.COM . SEE PAGE 109 FOR DETAILS

upcoming events

SNOW TUBING

OPENING DAY

NOV 1

HIGHLANDS OUTPOST

Hit the slopes for the opening day of snow tubing at the Highlands Outpost in Scaly Mountain! Grab an inner tube, ride the magic carpet lift to the top, and enjoy a thrilling, fast-paced ride down the snowy hills. Snowmaking equipment ensures plenty of fun, so bundle up and experience this mustdo winter tradition! For more information, visit highlandsoutpost.com

HOLIDAY MARKET

NOV 4 through DEC 27

THE BASCOM: A CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS

Step into a festive wonderland at The Bascom’s Holiday Market! Explore unique, handcrafted gifts from local and regional artists every week from Tuesday through Saturday. Enjoy holiday-themed workshops for kids and adults, special events, and plenty of ways to celebrate the joy of the season. For more information, visit thebascom.org

HIGHLANDS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

NOV 13 through 16

DOWNTOWN HIGHLANDS

Get ready for a four-day celebration of food, drink, and music in Highlands! Experience award-winning chefs, top sommeliers, and live performances at this 10th-anniversary festival. For more information, visit highlandsfoodandwine.com

ANNUAL FARM HARVEST

DINNER

& BARN

DANCE

NOV 14

HALF-MILE FARM

Get ready for an evening full of authentic mountain culture! Savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of farmfresh creations prepared live. Meet local farmers from Sunburst Trout Farm and Anson Mills and enjoy the foot-stomping music of Back Porch Orchestra. For more information, visit halfmilefarm.com

GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP

NOV 28

THE BASCOM: A CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS

Fun for all ages! Gingerbread designers can explore a buffet of sweets and confections to create imaginative gingerbread houses. Participants may enter their creations in a contest judged by popular vote, with the winner receiving a Bascom Art by Appointment gift certificate. For more information, visit thebascom.org

CASHIERS FESTIVAL OF TREES

NOV 28 AND NOV 29

SUMMIT CHARTER SCHOOL

This family-friendly weekend event features decorated trees, wreaths, gift baskets, children’s crafts, story time, and a pop-up O.P. Taylor’s Teddy Bear Workshop. Enjoy holiday shopping, football viewings, and festive programming for all ages while supporting local nonprofits and the SCS Foundation. For more information, visit summitschool.org

LIGHT UP THE PARK WITH SANTA

NOV 29

KELSEY-HUTCHINSON FOUNDERS PARK

Experience the magic of the season with Christmas story readings, caroling, and the moment everyone waits for — Santa’s arrival to light the park with millions of twinkling lights. Enjoy ice skating, festive lights, and seasonal joy for the whole family. For more information, visit highlandschamber.org

OLDE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS PARADE

DEC 6

DOWNTOWN HIGHLANDS

What happens when the bands, camels, and floats arrive in Highlands? A festive Christmas parade full of holiday cheer! Bring family, friends, and neighbors to Main Street and enjoy this long-standing Highlands tradition. For more information, visit highlandschamber.org

CASHIERS CHRISTMAS PARADE

DEC 6

DOWNTOWN CASHIERS

Get ready for the 51st Annual Cashiers Christmas Parade! Marching into town Saturday, December 6, this year’s whimsical theme is Gingerbread Man’s Mountain March. Enjoy festive floats, community spirit, and all the holiday magic. For more information, visit cashiersareachamber.com

LIGHTING OF THE MENORAH

DEC 14 through DEC 22

KELSEY-HUTCHINSON FOUNDERS PARK

Celebrate the Festival of Lights at the Hanukkah menorah lighting! Each night, one candle will be lit, building to a full display on the eighth night. Join in this commemorative and joyful tradition! For more information, visit highlandschamber.org

Suvretta

WHERE ALPINE LEGENDS ARE BORN HOUSE

word S by patricia laurent

ENJOY BREAKFAST WITH VIEWS OF ENGADINE MOUNTAIN FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR PERSONAL SUITE. PHOTO BY DANIEL MARTINEK COURTESY OF

NESTLED HIGH WITHIN THE CRADLE OF TWO VALLEYS, BENEATH THE VAST EXPANSE OF THE ALPS, THE SUVRETTA HOUSE IS A HOTEL LIKE NO OTHER. SITUATED IN ST. MORITZ, IN THE HEART OF THE ENGADINE VALLEY, THE SUVRETTA HOUSE IS A SANCTUARY OF HISTORY, NATURE, AND ETHEREAL ELEGANCE INTERTWINED WITH THE SOUL OF THE LAND, WHERE THE HEAVENS SEEM TO TOUCH THE EARTH IN BREATHTAKING VISTAS. THIS IS A PLACE THAT HAS WATCHED THE PASSAGE OF TIME THROUGH THE EYES OF ROYALTY, ARTISTS, AND THINKERS. ITS WALLS WHISPER OF OLD-WORLD AFFLUENCE, WHILE ITS FOUNDATION IS STEEPED IN THE HERITAGE OF ITS SURROUNDINGS.

The Engadine, with its rugged mountain landscape and pristine lakes, is a region where the air feels different — crisper, purer, and filled with the kind of magic that can only be found in places both remote and revered. As you breathe in the cool mountain air, the people greet you with the

word “Allegra,” an expression that means “be happy,” yet carries within it the spirit of something far older and far deeper. According to folklore, when paradise was closed to humankind after the fall of Adam and Eve, the angels sought to create a small slice of heaven on earth — a place close enough to paradise to capture its beauty but not so perfect as to replicate it entirely. They carved out the Engadine, a region so spectacular it could only be seen as the divine’s last offering to humanity. It is this land that gave rise to the Suvretta House.

BUILDING THE SUVRETTA HOUSE: A MASTERPIECE OF ALPINE CRAFTSMANSHIP

At the beginning of the 20th century, as St. Moritz ascended to prominence among Europe’s elite, Anton Bon envisioned a retreat of esoteric indulgence, built not just to impress but to endure. With the backing of British parliamentarian and financier Charles Sydney Goldman, Bon set his sights on an unspoiled plateau high above the valley, where he would craft an estate unlike any other: Suvretta House.

ALPINE CHIC MEETS TIMELESS ELEGANCE IN THE HOTEL’S 181 ROOMS AND SUITES. PHOTO BY DANIEL MARTINEK COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

ORIGINAL BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE HOTEL ICE RINK. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

THE GRAND HOTEL SUVRETTA HOUSE DESIGNED BY SWISS ARCHITECT KARL KOLLER. PHOTO BY DANIEL MARTINEK COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

Construction began in April 1911, an ambitious undertaking that involved the region’s finest artisans, master stonemasons, and carpenters. Every element was carefully sourced to honor the Engadine landscape. Towering larch and pine from the nearby forests were chosen for their strength and warmth, infusing the interiors with the scent of Alpine resin. Local granite formed the foundations, anchoring the hotel into the terrain as if it had risen naturally from the earth itself. This house was built as an architectural symphony of Swiss craftsmanship and traditional European grandeur.

The sheer scale of Bon’s vision was staggering. When the Suvretta House opened its doors on December 16, 1912, it was one of the most sophisticated hotels in the world, boasting 250 rooms, 370 beds, and an astonishing 110 bathrooms — an unheard-of accommodation at the time. The interiors were designed to cocoon guests in understated opulence: grand dining halls with soaring wood-paneled ceilings, intimate salons warmed by carved-stone fireplaces, and a library lined with hand-bound volumes to encourage long evenings by candlelight. Dedicated spaces for bridge and billiards spoke to the social rituals of the era while a grand music salon hosted orchestras that entertained European aristocracy deep into the night.

Suvretta House was never intended as a mere showpiece. It was designed to be lived in and embrace the exhilarating vitality of the Alps. In 1925, it became home to Switzerland’s first official ski school, allowing its guests to carve their own paths through the pristine powder of the surrounding slopes. It was here, amid the crisp mountain air, that a new kind of elegance was born — one that married vintage hospitality with the untamed beauty of Alpine adventure.

Even today, more than a century later, Suvretta House stands as a paragon of timeless craftsmanship, with its larch beams and stone foundations whispering stories of a bygone era. It is a living testament to an age when luxury was built to last, and where the art of hospitality was, quite literally, set in stone.

THE ULTIMATE IN ALPINE COMFORT

To step inside Suvretta House is to enter a world where time slows, elegance reigns, and hospitality is elevated to an art form. Here, every detail, from

INSIDE THE GRAND RESTAURANT, WHICH MAINTAINS ITS FORMAL DRESS CODE. PHOTO BY DANIEL MARTINEK COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

EXECUTIVE CHEF FABRIZIO ZANETTI PREPARES THE DAILY-CHANGING, FOUR-COURSE DINNER MENU. PHOTO BY DANIEL MARTINEK COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

SWISS SPECIALTIES ARE OFFERED ALONGSIDE POPULAR CLASSICS AT THE HOTEL’S MANY DINNING LOCATIONS. PHOTO BY STEVE HADORN COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

NUMEROUS SPORTS AND WELLNESS ACTIVTIES ARE OFFERED YEAR-ROUND. PHOTO BY DANIEL MARTINEK COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

the hand-carved woodwork to the whisper-soft textiles, embodies a legacy of superior quality.

Each of the 181 rooms and suites pays homage to the surrounding landscape. Bathed in natural light, they are adorned with sumptuous fabrics, rich oak and pine, and bespoke furnishings, mirroring the textures and hues of the Engadine Valley. Panoramic windows frame cinematic mountain views, transforming every stay into an intimate dialogue with nature. The aesthetic is understated grandeur — quiet, elegant, and utterly transportive.

Suvretta House is not simply defined by its beauty. Rather, it is the unwavering devotion to service that sets it apart. Here, discretion is an art, and anticipation a quiet skill. The concierge, attuned to the rhythms of the world’s most discerning travelers, will arrange private ski instruction, horse-drawn sleigh rides through silent forests, or exclusive access to St. Moritz’s most coveted boutiques. A personal butler deftly arranges every detail with effortless precision, ensuring that each moment unfolds seamlessly.

Beyond its interiors, the Suvretta House extends its affability to the wild, exhilarating embrace of the Alps. As one of the only ski-in/ski-out hotels in St. Moritz, guests can glide directly from the hotel’s private lift to pristine slopes. In summer, curated hikes, fly-fishing on glacial lakes, and heli-skiing expeditions ensure that the mountains remain an endless playground.

Above all, Suvretta House is a place where the traditions of hospitality meet the expectations of the modern connoisseur. For those who seek more than just a five-star hotel, for those who understand that true elegance lies in the details, Suvretta House remains one of the last great bastions of timeless Alpine grandeur.

A HOTEL OF STORIES: THE GLITZ, THE GLAMOUR, AND THE

UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS

There are hotels that host history, and then there are those that become history, woven into the fabric of time through the people who have passed through their doors. Suvretta House is one of the latter, a place where the world’s most intriguing characters have left their mark, their stories still lingering like the scent of aged cognac in a well-loved drawing room.

Take Alfred Hitchcock, the maestro of suspense, who arrived in the 1950s with his ever-watchful gaze and an air of quiet fascination. He was not here for society or the festivities of St. Moritz, but for something more elusive. The mountains captivated him with the way they loomed and the shadows played on their surfaces. He spent hours gazing at them from his suite, as if waiting for them to whisper their secrets, a habit that led to murmurs among the staff. Had the Alps themselves inspired his next great mystery? No one can say for certain, but his presence remains an enduring part of the Suvretta House’s tale, adding an air of cinematic intrigue to the already rarefied setting.

Then there was Mario, the legendary bartender who served 77 seasons (not years). He was a confidant, a keeper of secrets, and a fixture in an ever-changing world. His hands, steady as the Engadine winds, mixed martinis for the great and the infamous alike, and his knowing smile was a silent witness to late-night confessions and whispered negotiations. He once served the Maharaja of Baroda, who arrived with 40 trunks of luggage, his personal staff in tow, and an air of imperial excess. The sheer spectacle of his entourage became the talk of the season, and his private feasts rivaled those of royal courts. And yet, it was Mario’s quiet wit and impeccable service that the maharaja remembered, returning year after year, always requesting the same seat, the same drink, the same discreet exchange of pleasantries.

These are only a few of the stories that have become part of Suvretta House’s soul. There are others, such as the star-crossed lovers who met in the ballroom and returned each year, the aristocrats snowed in for weeks, forging lifelong friendships over fireside brandy, and the whispered conversations that shaped industries and fortunes.

Today, the stories continue, unfolding beneath glittering chandeliers, over candlelit dinners, and in the hush of Anton’s Bar. To stay at Suvretta House is to experience more than its renowned luxury and instead become part of its narrative.

GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS: DINING BEYOND COMPARE

The dining experience at Suvretta House is as exceptional as the views that surround it. It is a deeply personal expression of the land, its

heritage, and the hands that shape it. Each dish tells a story, woven with time-honored techniques and rarefied ingredients, paying homage to the ancient rhythms of Alpine life. The hotel’s culinary philosophy is rooted in authenticity, where the finest local producers, heirloom traditions, and modern refinement converge to create an experience that is both exquisite and evocative.

The Grand Restaurant is the pinnacle of this experience, where executive chef Fabrizio Zanetti curates a menu inspired by the bounty of the region, refined with contemporary French techniques. His market-fresh cuisine, awarded 17 Gault&Millau points, showcases extraordinary attention to detail, from the delicate balance of flavors to the elegance of tableside service. Seasonal dishes reflect the terroir’s natural rhythms, such as tender Suvretta Veal, its succulence enhanced by locally foraged herbs and a velvety reduction, or a silken wild mushroom velouté, its depth a tribute to the pristine forests surrounding the Engadine valley. Here, old-school rules apply, with dark suits and ties for men, jackets and pants for boys, and women always in elegant evening attire.

At the Suvretta Stube, the timeless allure of Swiss gastronomy takes center stage, and beloved Alpine classics are reimagined with a delicate hand. Here, the Gletscher Mutschli Käse, a signature house cheese made in collaboration with the Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy, reveals its origin in every nuanced bite. Its flavor evolves with the seasons, a reflection of the pastures where cows graze freely, imbuing the cheese with subtle variations in texture and aroma. Melted into an indulgent cheese fondue, its rich, nutty essence envelops the senses. Another staple, the Bündnerfleisch carpaccio, is delicately sliced and drizzled with aged Alpine olive oil, highlighting the meticulous air-drying process that gives this Swiss delicacy its signature depth.

Meanwhile, the mountain restaurant Chasellas offers an elegant yet rustic escape, where regional ingredients are elevated with Mediterranean sophistication. Here, chef Marco Kind crafts dishes that sing with purity and seasonality, including handmade pappardelle with shaved white truffles, a delicate lake char tartare, or a perfectly roasted Alpine lamb saddle, its tenderness accentuated by the smokiness of open-fire cooking.

Even the most seemingly simple pleasures, such as a breakfast pastry, a loaf of Zopf, or a slice of handmade butter, are the result of painstaking dedication. Each morning, Suvretta House’s master baker weighs, kneads, and braids with precision, ensuring that every bite embodies the essence of time-honored excellence.

This devotion to authenticity and craftsmanship defines the culinary experience at the Suvretta House and is a reflection of the region’s soul, infused with the skill of those who honor its legacy. To dine here is to partake in a story that’s written in the language of taste, memory, and unyielding perfection.

THE VERDICT: A TIMELESS REFUGE IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD

As the world outside rushes forward, the Suvretta House remains exactly as it was meant to be. Unchanged, untouched, and a sanctuary of timeless elegance. Here, time slows. History lingers. And every moment feels like a whisper from a world that refuses to fade. Some hotels come and go, but the Suvretta House endures. And for those lucky enough to step inside, it offers more than just a stay. It extends a glimpse into eternity.

THE SUVRETTA HOUSE BUS. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

ENJOY AN AFTERNOON TEA IN THE HOTEL LOBBY. PHOTO BY STEVE HADORN COURTESY OF SUVRETTA HOUSE SUVRETTAHOUSE.CH/EN

WINTERING WELL

COLD-WEATHER

As autumn’s brilliance fades and the last of the crimson leaves are swept away by early mountain winds, something quiet and magical begins to happen on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. The tempo slows, the skies deepen to that wintery shade of lapis, and the surrounding forests hush in reverent preparation for the season ahead. It’s not merely winter — it is wintering, a verb and a way of life. Here, amid the smoky blue ridgelines and frost-laced groves, we are invited to retreat, reflect, and restore.

In our fast-paced world, winter has long been cast as something to endure: a dark lull between festive sparkle and spring’s hopeful bloom. But across cultures and centuries, winter was understood differently — as a time for deep

rest, self-tending, and quiet inner work. On the Plateau, where nature herself moves in rhythmic generosity, winter offers something exquisite: space to receive.

WHETHER IT’S A SLOW-BREWED MUG OF PINE AND HONEY TEA, A FIRESIDE SOAK SCENTED WITH JUNIPER, OR SIMPLY THE FEELING OF YOUR BREATH CRYSTALLIZING ON A FOREST WALK, WINTERING WELL IS AN ACT OF SOUL NOURISHMENT.

So how do we embrace this elegant season with presence and grace? We asked healers and mountain dwellers for their rituals of warmth and wellness. The result is a field guide to seasonal self-care that’s as luxurious as it is grounding.

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WELLNESS ON THE PLATEAU

SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THE MAGIC OF THE WINTER SEASON ON THE PLATEAU. PHOTO BY NC LIVING MAGAZINE

RECLAIM THE FLAME

Dubbed the Kitchen Healer, Jules Blaine Davis is an author, TED speaker, Gwyneth Paltrow’s go-to Goop woman, and an expert on women’s wellbeing. For Davis, winter is all about connecting with fire — literally and metaphorically. “In the realms of winter wellness, the winter season guides our rituals,” she says. “Winter is a time to slow down, be warm, and rest and restore for the spring. We really do not know how to do that! Most of the time, our bodies invite us to rest through illness or overexertion, so we want to get ahead of it in the winter to make time for resting and ritual.”

And what cozy, soulful practice does Davis indulge in the most? “I love to turn on the fire… in all the ways,” she explains. “Whether it is the fireplace, the stovetop, the oven, the coffee maker, the toaster… all the way to a beeswax candle. I recommend waking up and lighting a candle on the kitchen island. Don’t wait for a party or an occasion. You are alive! Light the fire and thank the fire for its powerful light! We have a relationship with fire; it gives us so much, and we also have a part to tend it. The fire lights the dark, it warms the tea, it makes the soup, it softens what is hard, and offers us the same invitation inside our day-to-day lives. In the colder months, this is a beautiful practice to be in a relationship with — you may learn something new from the fire.”

Reclaiming nourishment, Davis insists, is for right now. “It is not an event or something for later. To nourish your life is to give meaning to your living. It is to love your life. Nourishing ourselves can happen throughout the day. It is a mindful practice. Once you decide to nourish yourself, you will begin. You can walk in beauty. You can make the choice that feels closer to you and what you love. We all know this deep inside ourselves. We just need to turn it on, with permission, beauty, freedom, and ease.”

Winter nourishment means more than just soups and stews; it’s about feeding the soul. Davis’ book, The Kitchen Healer, is a reminder that cooking is less about recipes and more about ritual: a chance to meet your hunger, honor your body, and kindle the inner fire that carries you through the season.

Visit julesblainedavis.com for more information.

CONNECT WITH THE BOUNTY OF THE MOUNTAINS

Residing in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Rebecca Beyer is an Appalachian folk herbalist. From her homestead, she runs the Blood and Spicebush School of Old Craft and teaches foraging and Appalachian folk medicine. In short, there’s nothing about our local larder that Beyer doesn’t know. In the winter, she gathers plants and uses them for healing rituals.

“I love to gather evergreens in the winter,” Beyer says. “My most beloved is our local Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) for its almost citrus-scented, fragrant needles. I like to make pine syrup, tea, and flavored salts and sugars with them finely blended in a Vitamix, sprinkled on roasted meats, cookies, and as a glass rim for cocktails and mocktails for my loved ones. I also hang the branches in my home to welcome in the winter spirits and provide them a warm nest for the season alongside my woodstove. My favorite ritual is ‘decking the halls’ and making garlands and green boughs around my home to get into the solstice spirit.”

These incredible herbs and plants on our doorstep don’t just look and taste good — they have profound healing benefits, especially for this time of year. “Many plants in the Appalachian lexicon are used for colds and flus and to warm the system in colder times,” Beyer enthuses. “Pine is so powerful in our folk medicine that it doesn’t even have to be ingested to be healing. Flowering

plants such as rabbit tobacco, mountain mint, yarrow, bee balm, and horsemint flowers are also always dried in jars on my shelves to make strongly flavored teas and steams for winter ills.”

How can reconnecting with wild plants in the winter (when nature seems asleep) help rekindle one’s inner fire or sense of purpose? “One of the greatest mythic stories that winter tells us is that there is no end to anything, only change. When the world appears dead and lifeless, the bare twigs are green inside, with slow, sure life within. I think another thing that winter plants show us is that life is incredibly resilient and often is very different than it appears.”

Want to learn how to forage in Appalachia? Enroll in Beyer’s Winter: The All-Spirit Hedgecraft class, where you’ll craft warming concoctions of plants such as pine, spruce, spicebush twig, and mint.

Visit bloodandspicebush.com for more information.

ON THE PLATEAU, WINTER IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF ACTIVITY; IT IS THE PRESENCE OF INTENTION. IT’S A SLOW EXHALE, A SNOWY MEDITATION, AND A TIME TO RETURN TO YOURSELF. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, PERHAPS THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE IS NOT WRAPPED OR RIBBONED BUT CARVED FROM TIME AND ATTENTION: AN OFFERING OF PRESENCE, PEACE, AND QUIET CARE.

TOP: DAVIS RECOMMENDS LIGHTING CANDLES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACES TO CURATE A PEACEFUL AND COZY ENVIRONMENT IN YOUR HOME. PHOTO BY NC LIVING MAGAZINE

LEFT: GIVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM A BOOST ON EXTRA COLD DAYS WITH AN INFUSED TEA. PHOTO BY SVITLANA VIA UNSPLASH.COM

RIGHT: IF YOU VENTURE OUTSIDE, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WINTERING WILDLIFE SUCH AS SNOW GEESE, CARDINALS, AND WHITE-TAILED DEER. PHOTO BY BONNIE KITTLE VIA UNSPLASH.COM

OPPOSITE: RECONNECT WITH NATURE AND TAKE A HIKE AROUND DRY FALLS IN HIGHLANDS. PHOTO BY NC LIVING MAGAZINE

SEASONAL RITUALS

FOR WINTERING WELL

SLOW DOWN, ON PURPOSE

Winter invites rest. Sync your days with the season: wake gently, read by lamplight, or cook something that takes all afternoon. Create a “winter rhythm board” of restorative rituals, from candlelit journaling and morning stretches to tech-free Sunday evenings.

BATHE LIKE A FOREST NYMPH

Forest bathing can be as simple as a slow walk in the woods or drawing a bath infused with pine needles, rosemary, and dried orange peels. Why not add Epsom salts, a drizzle of honey, and a beeswax candle to create a woodland sanctuary at home?

SIP THE SEASON

Take inspiration from Beyer and brew an antioxidant-rich sumac tea for a ruby-hued daily infusion. For a cozier kick, make Alpinestyle glühwein with dry red wine, cinnamon, cardamom, and wildflower honey.

TEND TO YOUR INNER COMPASS

Treat winter not as a void but as a sacred pause. Use the season to ask yourself: “What do I truly need right now?” Journal, meditate, or simply sit with a warm cup of tea.

CRAFT A SACRED NEST

Curate your space with layered textiles, grounding scents such as cedar and amber, and lighting that mimics candlelight. Add flannel sheets, spruce essential oil, and nature-sourced decor such as pinecones or lichen-covered branches.

COOK WITH WARM HANDS & A WILD HEART

Favor warm, oily, and sweet foods: roasted roots, ghee, and spiced milk. Roast whole pears with cinnamon and serve them with local Providence cheese and chestnut honey.

REST (LIKE, REALLY REST)

Make space for afternoon naps, unhurried mornings, and quiet fireside moments. Rest is not laziness; it’s essential in winter.

THE QUIET DIPLOMACY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

word S by patricia laurent

The story of wallpaper is, in many ways, the story of aspiration.

Wallpaper was expressive long before it became decorative. Chinese artisans in the Qin dynasty (over two thousand years ago) pasted palace walls with gossamer rice paper, fragile sheets that shimmered with hand-painted images of gardens, mythic beasts, and other vibrant scenes. In that moment, paper became the first medium that allowed the walls to speak, making them an extension of thought — ephemeral, vivid, alive.

This desire to bring walls to life spread to the West along the Silk Road, reaching Renaissance Europe and merging with its hunger for beauty and warmth. Wallpaper in England and France had once been the domain of kings and nobles, but now it began to transform cold, barren walls into vibrant, textured surfaces that invited imagination. Wallpaper offered a touch of fantasy. Once the privilege of royalty, it was now within reach, though still not affordable for all.

It was in France, however, that wallpaper evolved into a cultural statement. The dominotiers were the first guild of wallpaper makers, and they crafted painted and printed sheets that appealed to a growing bourgeois class. In 1675, Jean-Michel Papillon’s creation of the repeating fleur-de-lis design forever changed the world of interiors, making wallpaper a symbol of aspiration.

Fine paper was no longer just decoration for a home; it became a fluent storyteller, speaking through intricate patterns, allegorical figures, and floral tapestries. Yet, the deeper role of wallpaper, especially in its artisanal forms, was less about transient fashion and more about memory, especially what a civilization chose to remember and celebrate about itself.

Today, tucked away in the historic Loire Valley in France, this is not simply imagination. One atelier puts this into practice.

HERE, FRANÇOIS-XAVIER RICHARD AND HIS FAMILY ARE DOING SOMETHING ALMOST RADICAL. THEY ARE NOT SIMPLY MAKING WALLPAPER. THEY ARE RESCUING THE LOST ART OF HAND-BLOCKED PRINTING, ENABLING WALLPAPER TO SPEAK AGAIN, NOT IN A NOSTALGIC WAY, BUT IN DIALOGUE WITH THE PRESENT.

In an era when luxury is often measured in terms of immediacy and brand names, their work feels almost shocking in its patience and sincerity. It reminds us that true luxury was never meant to be loud. It was meant to be felt, lived, and understood — like a quiet story only the most attentive will ever hear.

ATELIER D’OFFARD: WHERE HERITAGE BREATHES

Founded in 1999, Atelier d’Offard was born from an urgent sense of preservation: the realization that the endangered art of block-printed wallpaper, which had remained untouched since the 1940s, must either be resurrected or be lost forever. Richard, a trained artist and historian of material culture, sought not nostalgia but revival. By combining his experience in fine arts, scenography, and engraving, he built a studio that could operate with the same precision and patience as 18th-century manufactories, such as Réveillon’s, yet could still embrace the expressive potential of contemporary design. From the outset, Atelier d’Offard’s mission was twofold: to meticulously restore historical wallpapers for museums, heritage sites, and private collections, and to innovate, using ancient methods to create entirely new narratives on paper.

To visit Atelier d’Offard is to leave behind the clutter of the modern world. Time seems to slow in the studio, where the air is faintly scented with linseed oil, wood shavings, and pigments ground by hand. The worktables are laden with tools that would not look out of place in a Renaissance workshop: burnishers, hand-carved blocks, and iron presses reconstructed from 18th-century designs.

Here, artisans move with an attention that borders on reverence, their actions deliberate and contemplative. A base color is brushed onto paper by hand. A block is aligned with care, using just the right amount of pressure. A second block is layered precisely atop the first, followed by a third. Each block has been carved separately, one for every color in the design, and sometimes, a panoramic wallpaper might require 50, or even 100, individually hand-carved blocks. Richard moves through the space like a conductor, guiding processes that blend scholarship, sculpture, chemistry, and intuition. He sees the making of wallpaper not simply as a technical act but as a humanistic one.

“PAPER IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE; IT ABSORBS EVERYTHING WE ARE TOO QUICK TO FORGET.”

THE MATERIAL INTELLIGENCE OF CRAFT

The studio’s approach is as much about scholarship as it is about craft. The process begins with raw materials, such as natural pigments, finely textured linens, and cotton papers, with each chosen for its authenticity and ability to breathe. Offard’s papers are made from materials that age with grace.

To these artisans, mixing pigments is not simply done to create color. Its purpose is to connect with the natural world’s history, tracing its geography, trade routes, and cultural significance. Pigments such as ochre from Provence, indigo from Madagascar, and madder from ancient trade routes are ground by hand, with each stroke of the pestle unlocking new depths of connection. The artisans mix the resulting pigments with linseed oil or animal-skin glue, and then press them into linen or cotton fibers to create a union of material and memory that only deepens with age.

The papers are flexible yet strong, giving them a depth that modern vinyl or plastic-coated papers cannot replicate. In Offard’s process, the pigment does not simply sit atop a synthetic surface; it sinks into the fibers to produce a dynamic, living surface that evolves over time. Using the 18th-century tradition of block printing, each color is applied layer by layer with a carved wooden block. In total, a single wallpaper can require up to a hundred blocks, and each is an intricate tool of memory. Richard’s atelier houses hundreds of such blocks, each serving as a bridge to the past, preserving a piece of history.

In this era of rapid production, Atelier d’Offard’s commitment to the slow alchemy of creation is a powerful reminder that true luxury cannot be rushed. The materials are imbued with a sense of time, and each sheet tells a story, not only through its design but through its tactile, living quality. The touch of the artist, the subtle shifts in pressure, and the fluctuations in pigment are all present on each sheet, creating a rhythm and cadence that industrial production can never replicate.

TOP LEFT: ATELIER D’OFFARD IS HOME TO HUNDREDS OF RESTORATION SAMPLES AND CARVED PRINTING BLOCKS. PHOTO BY JULIE LIMONT COURTESY OF ATELIER D’OFFARD ATELIERDOFFARD.COM

TOP RIGHT: RICHARD’S DAUGHTER, ELOÏSE, MIXING PIGMENTS INTO CARTON PIERRE. PHOTO BY JULIE LIMONT COURTESY OF ATELIER D’OFFARD ATELIER DOFFARD.COM

MIDDLE RIGHT: DETAIL OF GOLD FOIL USED ON MANY OF THE WALLPAPER DESIGNS. PHOTO BY JULIE LIMONT COURTESY OF ATELIER D’OFFARD ATELIERDOFFARD.COM

LEFT: FRANÇOIS-XAVIER RICHARD AND ARTISANS HANDPAINTING THE WALLPAPER BACKGROUND USING NATURAL PIGMENTS. PHOTO BY JULIE LIMONT COURTESY OF ATELIER D’OFFARD ATELIERDOFFARD.COM

FAR LEFT: WALLPAPER DETAIL. PHOTO BY JULIE LIMONT COURTESY OF ATELIER D’OFFARD ATELIERDOFFARD.COM

CARTON PIERRE: FORGOTTEN MATERIALS

The art of preservation at Atelier d’Offard is not about frozen replication. Instead, it is about a dialogue between the past and the present, and this is most clearly seen in Richard’s revival of carton pierre, a nearly forgotten material that was once used in the lavish interiors of Versailles. This sculpted paper pulp, which is made from a mix of paper, chalk, glue, and linseed oil, was used to mimic stone and wood when creating ornamental bas-reliefs, cornices, and other decorations.

After three years of experimentation, Richard perfected his version of carton pierre. The result is a lightweight, sustainable material that retains the grandeur of its historical counterpart but avoids the environmental or structural burdens of plaster or resin. Today, Offard’s carton pierre graces bespoke projects for prestigious maisons such as Chanel and Chaumet, and it has even been used on the Orient Express. Once, carton pierre was nearly lost to time, but its revival serves as a powerful reminder that true innovation often comes not simply from looking forward but also by reinventing the past.

RESTORATION AS CULTURAL MEMORY

Much of Atelier d’Offard’s work begins with recovery rather than creation. When fragments of wallpaper, which are often no larger than the breadth of a hand, emerge from beneath centuries of plaster and decay, they are treated like archaeological relics. Experts use microscopes, pigment analysis, and digital scanning to unlock the hidden stories of these fragments. From them, artisans reconstruct full patterns, carve matching blocks, and mix pigments that not only reproduce the original colors but also capture the way time has softened them. It can take over 100 hours to complete just a few meters of paper. Restoration projects, especially those involving historical samples, often unfold over several years, as they require a painstaking analysis of pigments, digital modeling for block reconstruction, and manual application of historical tempera techniques.

In one particularly remarkable restoration, the atelier discovered seven layers of wallpaper beneath the plaster in a château. Each layer, which included a Neoclassical design, Napoleonic arabesques, and Second Empire florals, revealed a different era, each one demanding to be

honored with its own narrative. Richard and his team approach these fragments with the rigor of archaeologists mixed with the empathy of artists. Rather than creating perfect replicas, they seek to breathe life into the essence of the original room, recreating the atmosphere, the spirit, and the cultural context.

Atelier d’Offard’s restorations now grace castles, museums, and UNESCO heritage sites across Europe and the Americas. In every project, the artisans reconstruct the past, but more than that, they reinvigorate it, making it speak once again in a contemporary context.

A FAMILY TRADITION, REIMAGINED

At its heart, Atelier d’Offard, is a family. Richard’s father, who was an inventive engineer, helped design the specialized presses needed to faithfully recreate historic techniques. Together, his wife and mother are the administrative and emotional backbone of the workshop. But it is the next generation that carries the atelier’s legacy forward with new vitality.

Richard’s son, Louis Richard, is trained in design and visual arts, and he has become an essential creative force within the atelier. With his fresh, contemporary sensibility, Louis helps reinterpret historic motifs for modern interiors, while still remaining deeply respectful of the atelier’s historic methods. His touch can be seen in custom collaborations with leading architects and luxury houses, where tradition and modern innovation dance in quiet dialogue.

Alongside Louis, Richard’s daughter, Eloïse, who has a background in architecture and scenography, adds another dimension by blending spatial storytelling with decorative artistry. Together, the next generation ensures that Atelier d’Offard is not simply preserving the past but is also actively shaping its future. Here, knowledge is not passed through manuals; it’s shared across kitchen tables, sketchpads, and long afternoons at the printing presses. Apprenticeship happens by osmosis, through dialogue, observation, and the unhurried rhythms of real work.

In this way, Atelier d’Offard has become more than a studio. It is a living organism that grows in ways its founders might never have imagined, yet it is anchored by the same devotion to craft, memory, and meaning.

OPPOSITE: APPLYING DRY PIGMENTS DIRECTLY TO SHEETS OF WALLPAPER. PHOTO BY JULIE LIMONT COURTESY OF ATELIER D’OFFARD ATELIERDOFFARD.COM

THE PHILOSOPHY OF RESPONSIBLE LUXURY

In today’s world of mass production, choosing Atelier d’Offard is more than just a matter of taste. It’s also an act of cultural preservation. As Richard often says, “Craftsmanship is a universal language. It connects people and preserves our shared humanity.” Each piece of wallpaper, each bas-relief of carton pierre, is not just decor but is a participant in the ongoing conversation about memory, identity, and beauty.

If walls could speak, they would remind us that beauty is not fleeting, as true craftsmanship is a form of eloquence, one that endures through time. In the quiet workshops of the Loire Valley, where pigments are mixed by hand and blocks yield to the artisan’s touch, Richard and his family invite us to listen, to hear that craftsmanship is not just about making things but is about crafting lasting meaning.

ABOVE: THE RESTORED SMOKING ROOM IN THE BILTMORE HOUSE, ASHVILLE, NC. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BILTMORE COMPANY BILTMORE.COM

“CRAFTSMANSHIP

IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. IT CONNECTS PEOPLE AND PRESERVES OUR SHARED HUMANITY.”

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

For Atelier d’Offard, commitment to tradition doesn’t mean retreat. The studio regularly collaborates with global contemporary designers and luxury brands to reimagine different historical motifs in new palettes, adapt block-printing techniques to minimalist or abstract compositions, or invent entirely new panoramas for modern spaces. Here, Louis Richard plays a pivotal role by helping to translate the atelier’s rich visual language into forms that resonate with a new generation of architects and interior designers. Such sensitivity to both heritage and contemporary culture allows Atelier d’Offard to expand its repertoire without ever losing its soul.

RECENT PROJECTS

Recreation of tontisse pleine repoussée wallpaper for the Smoking Room in Biltmore House, located in Asheville, North Carolina

Scenic wallpapers for luxury hotel suites in Paris

Custom wall panels for Chanel boutiques

Murals for private residences blending 18th-century pastoral scenes with 21st-century colorways

NEW YORK

Ronit Anderson Ronit@ronitanderson.com www.ronitanderson.com

+1 332-270-0570

FRANCE

Louis Richard Marschal contact@atelierdoffard.com www.atelierdoffard.com

+33 2 47 67 93 22

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LAKE TOXAWAY

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GLENRIDGE GLENVILLE

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CULLOWHEE FOREST CULLOWHEE

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SUMMER HILL CULLOWHEE

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WHITEWATER FALLS

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CHINQUAPIN GLENVILLE

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BIG RIDGE

GLENVILLE

HIGHLAND GAP

SCALY MOUNTAIN

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BURLINGAME

SAPPHIRE

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CEDAR CREEK-BEE TREE

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Located on 2.3 acres near Lake Glenville, this new construction offers sweeping mountain views and modern elegance. The two-level, three-bedroom home features a vaulted great room with a cozy fireplace, an expansive porch, and an open kitchen with Thermador appliances. Upstairs, a loft leads to two guest bedrooms with ensuite baths. With a two-car garage and gentle surroundings, this home blends convenience and natural beauty.

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NEW CONSTRUCTION

$1,995,000

BURLINGAME IS A FAMILY-FOCUSED MOUNTAIN RETREAT LOCATED AT 3,000 FEET IN SCENIC SAPPHIRE, NORTH CAROLINA. THIS THOUGHTFULLY PLANNED COMMUNITY IS DESIGNED TO CELEBRATE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF ITS SURROUNDINGS WHILE OFFERING AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF AMENITIES FOR RESIDENTS.

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Discover effortless mountain living in Chinquapin. This move-in-ready retreat features creekside serenity, classic finishes, indoor-outdoor spaces, and access to premier community amenities, from hiking trails to summer concerts. A rare blend of nature, comfort, and connection awaits in this thoughtfully crafted home by Fern Creek Builders.

MLS# 1001516

$1,950,000 NEWLY PRICED

CHINQUAPIN

This new three-bedroom, fourbathroom home in Chinquapin blends modern design with tranquil living. Featuring a finished basement, one-car garage, and a large deck overlooking a private perennial spring leading to Cow Mountain Branch creek, it offers peace and convenience. Nearby amenities include trails, pickleball, a driving range, and a clubhouse.

MLS# 1000267

$1,700,000

FAIRWAY HAMLETS SAPPHIRE

Located in the heart of Sapphire Valley, this exquisite home offers a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort. Set on a beautifully landscaped lot with a tranquil water feature, it exudes sophistication. Inside, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and the open kitchen flow into the dining and great rooms, leading to a screened Carolina room with a wood-burning fireplace. Two luxurious primary suites provide spa-like retreats. A detached garage with a guest apartment ensures privacy for visitors. Additional highlights include a generator and proximity to top-tier amenities.

MLS# 1001149

NEWLY PRICED

$1,699,000

GREYCLIFF CULLOWHEE

Nestled in Greycliff at 4,000 feet, this custom Arts and Crafts home on about 1.37 acres delivers breathtaking mountain and lake views. Fully furnished and updated with hardwood floors and Cristallo Quartzite countertops, it features a great room, a luxurious primary suite, a bonus room, and outdoor decks with a hot tub, minutes from Cashiers and Lake Glenville!

MLS# 1000013

NEWLY PRICED

$1,698,500

Lovers of the great outdoors will rejoice in this Blue Ridge Log Home near Lake Glenville. Vaulted ceilings and extensive windows invite sunlight while allowing for beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Discerning buyers will appreciate the numerous upscale touches, such as walk-in showers, a large soaking tub, granite countertops, and state-of-theart appliances. Enjoy cool breezes and afternoon cocktails on the expansive deck or lower-level patio. You could be the first owner!

MLS# 1000486

CONSTRUCTION

$1,695,000

LAKE TOXAWAY ESTATES

LAKE TOXAWAY

Experience life on the fifth green of Lake Toxaway’s premier golf course. This four-bedroom Arts and Crafts home offers stunning views, outdoor living spaces, and generous interiors. Enjoy mountain air, charming towns nearby, and endless outdoor adventures, all part of the beauty and warmth of Lake Toxaway living.

MLS# 1001323

$1,695,000

BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Live the dream in this 2022-built Burlingame home! Enjoy a level-entry lot, fenced yard, and bright open floor plan with Hogback Mountain views. A chef’s kitchen, stone fireplace, ensuite bedrooms, screened porch, and open deck await. With a wholehouse generator, it’s mountain living at its finest.

MLS# 1001070

NEWLY PRICED

$1,690,000

COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES SAPPHIRE

Sophisticated mountain living awaits in Country Club Estates. Enjoy vaulted ceilings, a dramatic stone fireplace, and sunlit rooms with tranquil woodland views. The fully furnished home features a spa-inspired primary suite and a terrace-level entertainment lounge. Ideally located within the gates of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley.

MLS# 1001643

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,595,000

BRIDGE CREEK CULLOWHEE

Design the perfect home with this Lot Home Package in Bridge Creek. Set on 2.2 acres, this offering includes the expertise of builders and designers, allowing for a fully customizable residence. Experience the perfect balance of natural beauty and modern mountain living in this scenic and serene community.

MLS# 1000384

$1,500,000

NORTON OVERLOOK CULLOWHEE

Experience mountain living at Norton Overlook. This inviting homestead features expansive living spaces, a detached garage and workshop, and winter mountain views. Convenient to Cashiers, Highlands, and Lake Glenville, it’s designed for both quiet moments and gathering with family and friends.

MLS# 1001735

$1,495,000 NEWLY OFFERED

WILDCAT CLIFFS COUNTRY CLUB HIGHLANDS

Enjoy elevated mountain living in Wildcat Cliffs Country Club with this updated duplex, available individually or as one. Each unit offers soaring ceilings, fireplaces, and ownership reserves membership for premier club amenities, golf, dining, and more. A rare opportunity for full- or parttime living minutes from Highlands and Cashiers.

MLS# 1001543

NEWLY PRICED

$1,475,000

BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Experience classic mountain living in this log cabin on 2.28 private acres in Burlingame. Featuring mountain views, multiple fireplaces, spacious decks, and versatile living spaces, this property offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort in one of the Plateau’s premier communities.

MLS# 1001736

NEWLY OFFERED

$1,300,000

Experience mountain living in this brand-new Chinquapin home, ideally located near the main gate and close to Wolf Lake amenities. Enjoy a community dock for fishing and canoeing. The home features a primary bedroom on the main floor, a kitchen that opens into the living area, and a spacious covered back deck. Set in a 2,000-acre private, gated community, Chinquapin offers a clubhouse and outdoor adventures, including fishing, hiking, biking, disc golf, and new pickleball courts.

MLS# 1001417

CONSTRUCTION

$1,250,000

ROUND HILL ESTATES SAPPHIRE

Enjoy classic mountain living in this single-level Round Hill home featuring a stacked stone fireplace, bright updated kitchen, and spacious screened porch. Set on a gentle double lot with a firepit, lush landscaping, and peek-a-boo views, just minutes from Sapphire Valley.

MLS# 1001526

$1,250,000

LAUREL FALLS GLENVILLE

Discover this three-bedroom, twoand-a-half-bathroom log home on over 24 acres designed for off-grid living. It features solar south exposure, passive solar heating, radiant floors, a wood stove, and a solar system with new 2024 batteries. Enjoy wooded trails, a gazebo with mountain views, abundant wildlife, and access to the adjoining 6,000-acre Panthertown Valley preserve.

MLS# 1000246

UNDER CONTRACT

$1,175,000

CULLOWHEE CULLOWHEE

Discover 28.93 acres of serene forestland in Cullowhee. This property features two parcels: Cane Creek Cottage with two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a large classroom space, and 1443 Cane Creek Road, a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with stunning mountain views. Modern amenities include fiber optic internet. Enjoy privacy and proximity to downtown Sylva and Western Carolina University. Ideal for mixed-use, primary, or vacation residences.

MLS# 106361

$1,150,000

Bring the family together in this exquisite, five-bedroom Sapphire Valley home, situated at a refreshing elevation of 3600 feet. Authentic touches like wood floors and knotty pine ceilings contribute to this home’s mountain charm, while two covered decks, a front porch, and an outdoor fireplace allow you to enjoy the great outdoors. Venture just minutes down the road to enjoy shopping, dining, and community amenities like swimming, tennis, skiing, the rec center, and much more.

MLS# 1001961

$1,125,000 NEWLY OFFERED

MOUNTAIN CLUB SAPPHIRE

Enjoy modern updates and timeless mountain charm in this move-inready Sapphire Valley cabin. Featuring three bedrooms, a flex room, recent renovations, and easy access to resort amenities, this retreat offers comfortable living inside and out.

MLS# 1001718

$1,095,000 NEWLY OFFERED

CHINQUAPIN

Experience mountain living at its finest in this meticulously maintained home. An open floor plan, stone fireplace, screened porch, and access to Chinquapin’s amenities, including a fitness center, pickleball courts, and hiking trails, offer comfort, style, and adventure. Move-in ready and perfect for year-round or seasonal living!

MLS# 1000566

UNDER CONTRACT

$995,000

CHINQUAPIN

GLENVILLE

Discover refined mountain living in this fully furnished two-bedroom cottage in Chinquapin. Perched over 4,000 feet, it offers a split-bedroom layout, premium finishes, and a two-car garage with a lift. Enjoy cool mountain air, endless trails, and access to premier amenities designed for outdoor adventure and connection.

MLS# 1002030

NEWLY OFFERED

$995,000

Discover this three-bedroom, threebathroom estate overlooking serene Shoal Creek. Just minutes from the Glenville public boat launch, Signal Ridge Marina, and the Tuckasegee River, it’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Features include a finished basement offering flexibleuse space, a multitiered deck, and ample parking for an RV or boat. Enjoy fishing, native landscaping, and the ultimate combination of comfort, convenience, and natural beauty in a prime streamside location.

MLS# 1000480

$949,900

Discover contemporary mountainmodern living in Holly Forest. This home features an open floor plan, high ceilings, a spacious kitchen, as well as inviting living and outdoor spaces, including screened and open porches. Three bedrooms, including a private upper-level primary suite, plus a bonus room with an ensuite provide comfort. Upgrades in 2022 and 2023 and resortstyle amenities complete the package.

MLS# 1000694

$899,000

HOLLY FOREST

SAPPHIRE

Modern comfort meets mountain beauty in Sapphire Valley. This Arts and Crafts-style home near Cashiers features trail access to the Horsepasture River, luxurious fittings, and a detached guest apartment. Enjoy resort-style amenities, scenic views, and a lifestyle designed for relaxation and entertaining.

MLS# 1001341

NEWLY PRICED

$895,000

BURLINGAME SAPPHIRE

Escape to this private riverfront retreat with stunning Horsepasture River views, a screened porch, and multilevel decks perfect for outdoor living. Inside, enjoy three bedrooms, a den, a lowerlevel family room, and two fireplaces. Burlingame offers parks, trails, trout waters, fishing ponds, golf, dining, and world-class amenities.

MLS# 1000667

NEWLY PRICED

$850,000

THE LUXURY OF OPEN SPACE

SOME PLACES FEEL DISCOVERED, WHILE OTHERS FEEL DESTINED. LONESOME VALLEY BELONGS TO THE LATTER. ENVELOPED BY SOARING GRANITE WALLS AND LUSH APPALACHIAN FOREST, THIS 800-ACRE COMMUNITY IN CASHIERS OFFERS A RARE BALANCE OF CONVENIENCE AND ESCAPE, WHERE THE PACE OF LIFE SLOWS TO THE RHYTHM OF THE LAND.

AT LONESOME VALLEY

A LIVING LEGACY

The story of Lonesome Valley traces back more than a century, when E.H. Jennings, a Pittsburgh businessman enchanted by “Sapphire Country,” began acquiring land across the HighlandsCashiers Plateau. His descendants carried that vision forward, settling in the Valley and establishing one of the region’s first trout farms. In 2005, the next generation of Jennings siblings chose to preserve their family’s land by shaping a community rooted in stewardship, open space, and connection — and Lonesome Valley was born.

NATURE AS THE HEARTBEAT

Life in Lonesome Valley is lived outdoors. Nine miles of trails wind through meadows, forests, streams, and waterfalls, with paths that link directly to Panthertown Valley and its 5,000 acres of national forest. Laurel Knob, the tallest single-drop cliff in the eastern United States at 1,200 feet, looms above the canyon — a siren call for serious rock climbers. Nearby Cow Rock Mountain presents equal drama, a granite escarpment that defines the community’s skyline.

Water runs through every chapter of Lonesome Valley’s history, and today it remains a defining feature. Long Lake, 4 acres wide and perfectly still in the early morning, invites swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, with a sandy beach for long summer afternoons. The Trout Pond and Logan Creek carry forward the Valley’s heritage of fishing, with designated fly-fishing only and catch-and-release, ensuring rainbow trout thrive in clear, cold water.

In warmer months, the heated pool becomes a social anchor. Surrounded by mountains, it offers shaded loungers, casual bites from Meadow Grill, and a poolside bar — all the ingredients for an afternoon that easily drifts into evening.

A COMMUNITY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER

Lonesome Valley is a place designed for laughter. Children race each other down the zipline at the playground or gather at the Activity Outpost, where seasonal programs keep imaginations alive. Adults and kids alike compete on the racquet courts, test their aim at the annual disc golf tournament, or gather in the Farmhouse — the community’s living room, where coffee and conversation flow as easily as mountain air.

Wellness here is woven into daily life. The Fitness Barn, with its soaring beams and open-air design, encourages activity in light-filled spaces. Yoga classes, personal training, and saunas create a rhythm of care, while the Racquet Sports Complex brings neighbors together for friendly rallies and spirited matches. With two tennis courts, two pickleball courts, and a shaded pavilion for resting between games, it’s as much a social hub as a sporting one. And across the meadow, Canyon Spa, which is housed in a former caretaker’s cottage, provides restorative treatments beside a crackling fire.

DINING AMONG THE CLIFFS

If the Valley has a soul, it may be Canyon Kitchen. Housed in the post-and-beam Jennings Barn, its open-air dining room frames sweeping views of Cow Rock and the kitchen gardens below. Food & Wine once named it “The Most Romantic Restaurant in North Carolina,” and diners are encouraged to arrive early, sip cocktails in the garden, and watch as the cliffs take on the warm glow of sunset.

Canyon Kitchen’s menu celebrates Appalachian heritage with a refined touch. Smoked trout deviled eggs nod to the Jennings’ family farm. Cheerwine-braised short ribs turn a beloved North Carolina soda into a glossy glaze for tender beef. Collard greens, braised with Benton’s bacon, are elevated from humble side to soulful centerpiece. Much of the produce comes from gardens within the community, reinforcing the idea that dining here is both celebration and communion.

A LIFE THAT FEELS GROUNDED

What sets Lonesome Valley apart isn’t simply its amenities, though they are exceptional. It is the ethos behind them: land held in trust, experiences crafted with care, and a community shaped by continuity rather than change for change’s sake.

Here, families hike beside waterfalls, plant herbs in the communal gardens, or reel in trout from cool streams, knowing they are part of a story that began long before them and will endure long after.

CALL SILVER CREEK REAL ESTATE GROUP TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LONESOME VALLEY AT 828-743-1999 OR VISIT NCLIVING.COM/LONESOME-VALLEY

THE PRESERVE AT WHITESIDE CLIFFS HIGHLANDS

$849,000 NEWLY OFFERED

Experience refined mountain living in The Preserve at Whiteside Cliffs. This turnkey home offers comfort and style with its expanded layout, screened back porch, quality finishes, and breathtaking views of Whiteside and Black Rock Mountains.

MLS# 1001782

HOLLY FOREST SAPPHIRE

$849,000

Experience tranquility in Holly Forest. With two streams, cascading waterfalls, and spacious decks, this home offers a serene mountain escape. Enjoy updated interiors, versatile living spaces, and access to Sapphire Valley’s amenities, such as a golf course, a fitness center, and swimming pools. A refreshed retreat for mountain living at its finest awaits!

MLS# 1000939

$845,000

Discover an enchanting haven in Sapphire Valley. With a tranquil stream bordering the property, plus southern winter views from the back decks, you’ll find a comfortable serenity here. Three bedrooms on the main level, including a roomy primary suite, plus bonus rooms, a second kitchen, and a gaming area downstairs ensure plenty of room for entertaining. Three fireplaces provide cozy mountain charm. As a member of Sapphire Valley Master Association, you’ll enjoy resort-style amenities.

MLS# 1001167

$798,500 NEWLY PRICED

Experience serene creekside living in Catatoga. This fully furnished four-bedroom retreat offers spacious decks, a cozy stone fireplace, and a strong rental history. Enjoy nature with access to Lake Catatoga, private trails, and waterfalls, all while being minutes from Cashiers and Brevard. A peaceful mountain lifestyle is ready and waiting!

MLS# 1000659

CATATOGA LAKE TOXAWAY

MLS# 1001504 WILDCAT CLIFFS COUNTRY CLUB HIGHLANDS

$795,000

Experience relaxed mountain living at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. This updated home features soaring ceilings, a cozy sunroom, and inviting outdoor spaces wrapped in greenery. With reserved club membership and access to top-tier amenities, it offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and connection to one of the Plateau’s premier lifestyle communities.

HOLLY FOREST SAPPHIRE

$775,000

This charming mountain retreat on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau offers sweeping year-round views of Chimney Top and Rock Mountains. Set on 1.1 acres of mature hardwoods, it features a stacked stone fireplace, serene guest accommodations, a lower-level family room with fireplace and kitchenette, home office, and expansive decks. The property combines natural beauty with exceptional privacy.

MLS# 1001315

$775,000

Experience mountain living with direct access to Little Hogback Creek, Narrow Falls, and private trails. This threebedroom, three-bathroom home features an expansive deck, stone fireplace, and open living space. Just 12 minutes from Cashiers, enjoy amenities such as a golf course, pools, and Fairfield Lake for year-round recreation and relaxation.

MLS# 1000879

$725,000

For those seeking solace in Sapphire Valley, this home could be the one! Tucked onto a lushly forested lot surrounded by trees on three sides, this four-bedroom, three-and-one-half bathroom home provides space for family or guests within a serene setting. The fireplace on the covered back porch allows for four-season enjoyment of the great outdoors, and a gazebo by the creek presents a charming hideaway. Relax at home or enjoy terrific community amenities like Fairfield Lake, golfing, and more.

MLS# 104494

VIRTUALLY RENOVATED

HOLLY FOREST SAPPHIRE

$699,000 UNDER CONTRACT

Experience serene living in this spacious four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home on a private lot. A large enclosed deck, cathedral ceilings, and ample natural light enhance its charm. Enjoy a bonus room, green garden space, winter views of Hogback Lake, and three fireplaces that add warmth. Appreciate mountain views and Sapphire Valley amenities like tennis, skiing, and golf as well as closeto-town shopping and dining. A double garage and carport add convenience.

MLS# 1000691

WILDCAT CLIFFS COUNTRY CLUB HIGHLANDS

$695,000 NEWLY PRICED

Enjoy effortless mountain living at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. This updated home offers light-filled interiors, a spacious layout, and outdoor spaces wrapped in greenery. With reserved club membership providing access to premier amenities, this is a turnkey opportunity to embrace a country club lifestyle on the Plateau.

MLS# 1001503

CHINQUAPIN GLENVILLE

$699,000

Discover the ultimate blend of adventure and tranquility in Chinquapin’s Natures Walk. This two-bedroom, singlelevel cottage offers easy access to Tulip Pond, The Outpost clubhouse, and miles of trails. From fishing to canoeing, enjoy every moment in this vibrant, private community nestled within 2,000 acres of natural beauty.

MLS# 1001032

$695,000

CULLOWHEE FOREST CULLOWHEE UNDER CONTRACT

Escape to Cullowhee Forest’s serene mountain haven. Surrounded by native greenery, this spacious home offers modern updates, a terraced garden, and a cozy woodburning fireplace and stove. Residents enjoy private wooded roads, nearby dining and recreation options, and access to Hatcher Falls and the Tuckasegee River. Discover the perfect blend of tranquility and convenience.

MLS# 1000983

$695,000 UNDER CONTRACT THE MEADOWS HIGHLANDS

Charming two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage nestled between Cashiers and Highlands. Features a bonus room, a screened porch, a firepit, a stream, a pond, and a lowmaintenance 1.17-acre yard. A proven vacation rental and fully furnished, this move-in-ready retreat promises mountain serenity and endless memories.

MLS# 1000242

SCALY MOUNTAIN

$649,000

$664,000

Escape to Holly Forest in this three-bedroom mountain retreat on 1.25+ acres with end-of-the-road privacy. Enjoy an open layout, two decks for relaxation, and Sapphire Valley amenities, such as Fairfield Lake, golf courses, and pools. Conveniently close to Cashiers, this home offers both serenity and adventure in Western North Carolina.

MLS# 1000736

$597,500

Enjoy seclusion and comfortable living in Scaly Mountain within this charming abode. Relish the splendor of longrange mountain views as you enjoy morning coffee or evening cocktails on the covered porch. Indoors, the space is flooded with natural light and offers a blissful ambiance with plantation shutters, a metal roof, and a wood-burning fireplace. Renovated with numerous upgrades in 2022, this home is ready for you to move in and start enjoying life in the mountains!

MLS# 1000347

Experience modern living in a peaceful one-and-a-halfstory retreat within Lake Toxaway’s Catatoga community. Overlooking Indian Creek, this 2021-renovated home features hardwood and vinyl plank flooring, stone countertops, and a vaulted living room with a fireplace. With private decks, shared and ensuite bathrooms, and access to over 200 acres of trails, trout waters, and a mountain lake, it offers the perfect balance of comfort and natural beauty.

MLS# 1000639

$589,000 UNDER CONTRACT CATS PAW CULLOWHEE

Set above 4,400 feet in the quiet Catspaw community, this furnished two-bedroom cabin offers unmatched privacy, stunning long-range views, and cozy fireplaces indoors and out. Expansive decks, main-level living, and 2.5 acres of native forest create the perfect setting to enjoy the Plateau’s vibrant seasons and breathtaking sunsets.

MLS# 1001912

HOLLY FOREST

$579,000

Discover serene mountain living at Hidden Haven in Sapphire Valley. Enjoy lake views, three outdoor living spaces, and access to community amenities such as a golf course, pools, and restaurants. This furnished, move-inready retreat includes updates by the owners and a canoe for lakeside fun. This property offers a rare chance for comfort, convenience, and tranquil living!

MLS# 1000841

$585,900

CROSS CREEK CABINS GLENVILLE NEWLY OFFERED

Discover Bluebird Cottage, a beautifully updated retreat just minutes from Lake Glenville and Cashiers. Featuring soaring ceilings, a stone fireplace, renovated baths, lush gardens, and inviting outdoor spaces, this serene getaway offers timeless charm and modern comfort for enjoying the seasons and the simple pleasures of mountain living.

MLS# 1001839

FRANKLIN

$565,000

FRANKLIN UNDER CONTRACT

Single-level living meets mountain charm in this 2020 custom home. Enjoy ridge-line views, a 50-foot covered porch, vaulted ceilings, and a designer kitchen. With custom finishes, a fenced yard, and year-round access, this property offers the perfect blend of comfort and retreat potential. Turnkey living awaits!

MLS# 1000765

$525,000 NEWLY PRICED THE PRESERVE AT WHITESIDE CLIFFS HIGHLANDS

Experience modern mountain living in this 2022 Jeffrey Dungan-designed saltbox cottage. Enjoy layered views, high-end finishes, private decks, and the only fencedin dog run in The Preserve at Whiteside Cliffs. This serene retreat located between Highlands and Cashiers combines elegance, nature, and thoughtful design.

MLS# 1000957

BEAR LAKE RESERVE TUCKASEGEE

$515,000 NEWLY OFFERED

Enjoy creekside privacy and single-level comfort in this three-bedroom Bear Lake Reserve home. Blending timeless mountain charm with thoughtful upgrades, this property features soaring cathedral ceilings, a stone fireplace, and inviting spaces for entertaining, all with access to premier resort amenities and the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

MLS# 1001898

LAKE WINONA

$525,000

Experience 4.32 private acres with 550 feet of lake frontage on serene Lake Winona. At 4,000+ feet elevation, this renovated one-bedroom, one-bathroom home showcases global design details including blue labradorite counters, Indian teakwood, and hammered brass accents. Nature trails, rock outcroppings, and spring water surround the property, which also offers the potential for a larger custom build, blending charm and opportunity.

MLS# 1000429

$495,000

SUTTON BRANCH HEIGHTS SYLVA NEWLY OFFERED

Experience mountain living at its best, where comfort meets panoramic views. This inviting home includes an adjoining lot for added privacy or future expansion and features open living spaces, a finished lower level for entertaining, and a proven short-term rental history minutes from Sylva and Dillsboro.

MLS# 1002026

$475,000 CHINQUAPIN

Turnkey furnished and ready to impress, this charming home in Chinquapin’s Nature’s Walk boasts high ceilings, a stone fireplace, fiber optic internet, and a large, screened deck with stunning views. Enjoy community amenities such as hiking trails, fishing areas, UTV trails, pickleball courts, and more, all in a serene mountain setting.

MLS# 106440

HILLTOP

$309,000

Nestled in the serene beauty of Sapphire Valley, this elegant two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo boasts an open floor plan designed for light-filled living and seamless entertaining. A private patio invites relaxation amidst mountain views, while nearby amenities, including a community lake, walking trails and fitness center.

MLS# 1001369

$279,000

Enjoy expanded living and unique outdoor spaces in this rare Hilltop end-unit in Sapphire Valley. With updated interiors, a private side yard, and full access to resort amenities yearround, this turnkey home offers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and mountain lifestyle just minutes from the heart of Cashiers.

MLS# 1001594

Enjoy easy, single-level living in this updated Hilltop condominium in Sapphire Valley. Featuring a refreshed kitchen, luxury vinyl flooring, and a screened porch for year-round use, this three-bedroom home offers resort-style amenities and a low-maintenance lifestyle just minutes from dining, shopping, and outdoor recreation amenities in downtown Cashiers.

MLS# 1001663

$229,000 NEWLY PRICED

Enjoy privacy and lake access with this fully furnished townhome. The main living area features a wood-burning fireplace, dining area, kitchen, and deck with winter Fairfield Lake views. Upstairs offers two guest rooms, a full bathroom, and a balcony. The lower level includes the primary bedroom, patio access, a second living space with a fireplace, a full bathroom, and a washer and dryer. Nearly level parking and a backyard trail to Fairfield Lake’s amenities complete this exceptional property.

MLS# 1000650

$189,000 HILLTOP

Moments from Fairfield Lake, this furnished ground-floor condo boasts modern touches such as luxury vinyl plank flooring and a refreshed kitchen. With access to Sapphire Valley’s pools, golf course, fitness center, and more, it’s the perfect low-maintenance retreat or investment. Fully furnished and move-in ready, this condo delivers mountain living at its finest.

MLS# 1000797

Discover easy mountain living in this partially furnished Hilltop end-unit. Featuring a spacious great room, a sunroom, and central HVAC, it offers year-round comfort. Enjoy access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities, Fairfield Lake, and more. It’s perfect as a full-time home, a seasonal escape, or an investment in the heart of the Plateau.

MLS# 1001731

$174,900

Experience modern living in this upper-level Hilltop unit featuring stainless steel appliances with a wine cooler, an open floor plan, and a spacious back deck. Located near Fairfield Lake, enjoy access to Sapphire Valley amenities, including pools, a fitness center, tennis courts, and lake activities such as kayaking and boating. This peaceful and stylish home offers the perfect blend of comfort and recreation.

MLS# 1000484

The Cashiers Festival of Trees ushers in the holiday season with a joyful weekend of community and celebration. Held November 28–29 at the Summit Center, the event transforms the space into a sparkling winter wonderland, complete with beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and holiday baskets available for purchase.

Guests of all ages can enjoy children’s crafts, story time, live performances, and a Teddy Bear Workshop, while browsing creative displays from local nonprofits and businesses. Proceeds benefit the Summit Charter School Foundation and other area organizations, ensuring this festive tradition brings both holiday magic and meaningful support to the Plateau community.

Visit summitschool.org/festival-of-trees for tickets and additional information.

Event

WHAT Cashiers Festival of Trees WHEN November 28 – 29 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. WHERE Summit Center at Summit Charter School 370 Mitten Lane, Cashiers, NC 28717

DETAILS

Enjoy decorated trees, wreaths, gift baskets, holiday shopping, children’s crafts, live performances, and more!

INFO AND TICKETS summitschool.org/festival-of-trees

photography by nc living magazine

GIVING BACK IN THIS SEASON OF GIVING word S by dawn lile S

ITH THIS ISSUE, WE’RE PUBLISHING THE FINAL STORY IN OUR SERIES ON AGING BOLDLY AND EXPLORING THE LIFESTYLE FACTORS AND PRACTICES THAT INCREASE OUR CHANCES OF NOT JUST SURVIVING IN OUR LATER YEARS — BUT THRIVING.

The season of giving is upon us, so this seemed like the perfect time to discuss giving back to our community. Volunteering can be vital for healthy aging because it enhances physical and mental well-being by providing a sense of purpose, reducing stress and depression, fostering social connections, and stimulating the mind. Studies show that older adults who volunteer experience better physical health, lower mortality rates, longer life expectancy, and increased life satisfaction compared to nonvolunteers.

According to the Stanford Center on Longevity, “Engaging in productive activities, such as volunteering, may hold significant health benefits for older adults. Compared to their nonvolunteering counterparts, older adults who volunteer have reduced risk of hypertension, lower mortality rates, delayed physical disability, enhanced cognition, lower rates of depression, higher levels of life satisfaction, and decreased physical dependency.”

The Plateau is home to a diverse population and a range of economic realities. Thankfully, our community is known for its generous citizens who freely give back. We reached out to a handful of people over 50 to find out what they are doing to enhance our community and the effect their volunteer efforts have had on their lives. We’re delighted to share some of their stories that highlight many of the different ways to get involved locally.

HARRIET KARRO

If her name is familiar, you may recognize Karro as the administrator of the 12,000-member Facebook group Cashiers Community Together.

“Having never been much of a social media fan, it is comically ironic that I now spend hours each day in my administrator role, but it seems to serve a purpose — bringing community members together and serving as a study in human dynamics,” explains Karro.

This school year is her third serving as the Monday afternoon bus driver for the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) after-school program at Blue Ridge School. “As a JAM volunteer, I pick up students from Summit Charter School and bus them to Blue Ridge School,” says Karro. “This gig brings me real joy. The kids are fun, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that the transportation I provide eliminates a demand on their parents that might otherwise prevent them from taking advantage of a phenomenal program that provides music lessons and traditional Appalachian cultural enrichment.

“Finally, I serve on the board of the Wade Hampton Donor Advised Fund, which exists to raise money and award grants to area nonprofits.

Joining this board 11 years ago was the single biggest changemaker for me as a 20-plus-year member of this community. Our responsibilities include visiting approximately 30 grant applicant organizations each year. Having the opportunity to meet with and learn about needs and opportunities in our area has been and continues to be incredibly enriching.

“Volunteering helps me feel connected in an elemental way. Even as an introvert who thrives on solitude, I think there’s truth to the assertion that humans are hardwired to live in a community. Earlier in life, our communities often come readymade: our classmates, our coworkers, and the families of our children’s friends. But in retirement, the situations that demand our involvement are fewer and farther between, so volunteering, for me, provides a bridge to community. I think it satisfies, in an essential way, the need most of us have at every age to feel a sense of purpose.

“I’ve found that with age comes a kind of selfawareness that is liberating and gives us license to stop doing some of the things that we at some point felt were expected and to start taking up new things that feel more meaningful.”

THE JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS WALKING IN THE 2024 CASHIERS CHRISTMAS PARADE

RUTH RUSS

Russ and her husband, Miles, are members of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Cashiers, and as they became more engaged there, they found wonderful opportunities to get involved around the Cashiers community.

Russ explains her volunteer experience by saying, “Our church’s mission is ‘to reflect God’s love through our faith in action.’ We have embraced this mission with our volunteer work. We have both served on the church vestry, and I chaired the Bazaar Barn committee for two years while we built our current location and continue to serve as the marketing contact for the Barn. Behind the curtain of beautiful homes and country clubs is a lot of need, and Good Shepherd and the Barn directly respond to that need through the funds we raise and grants we give — 49 worth almost $500,000 this year.

“Miles is on the boards of AWAKE, the Humane Society, and the Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic. He just finished as board president of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, another great philanthropic community.

“I can say for both of us that volunteering in the Cashiers has been life-changing and eyeopening. We have connected with other likeminded volunteers who want the best for our small community. Truly, for us, it’s all about building community. Volunteering gets me out of my ‘little self’ and connects me to a larger shared mission in our community.”

FRANK B. KELLY, MD

A retired orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Kelly’s volunteer opportunities have included the following: board member and president of Wade Hampton Golf Club, acolyte and lay reader at his church, a sixyear term as a board member of the Village Green, and, currently, board member of the Community Care Clinic of Highlands/Cashiers.

“I have received great satisfaction from all of these opportunities,” says Dr. Kelly. “I was a member of the Village Green board during the time we were planning the construction of our Community Building (Lewis Hall), and we were very involved in fundraising for the project and the eventual completion of the building. It has been incredibly rewarding to see how many activities have taken place in our building and what a gift it has been to the community.

“I am completing my fourth year as a member of the board of the Community Care Clinic, and it has been especially rewarding to see the progress we have made in providing free, high-quality healthcare to the underserved in our community. In the past two years, following a strategic planning session, we have expanded our services, added urgent care hours, and almost doubled the number of patients for whom we provide care. It has brought great joy to all of our board members to know that we have played a role in providing exceptional healthcare to so many who would otherwise be without healthcare at all.

“Though I certainly did not partake in any volunteer activities for personal gain, volunteering has certainly provided additional purpose in my life and has afforded me the opportunity to make wonderful friendships with so many folks whom I would not have met otherwise.

“In addition to reaping the rewards from participating in initiatives like those I have listed above, volunteering also has the benefits of

“UTLUNTA” BY PETER LUNDBERG - A CONCRETE AND STAINLESS STEEL SCULPTURE AT THE VILLAGE GREEN IN CASHIERS, NC

INSIDE THE BAZAAR BARN; ALL PROCEEDS GO TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND LOCAL CHARITIES

providing a closer connection to your community and some of the many activities that take place in a community like Cashiers.”

LIZ JONES

Liz Jones is a mom, grandmother, and former teacher. She had a strong desire to help a child in need, so it was fortuitous five years ago when she met Danielle Hernandez, the regional program director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, Inc.

“Danielle told me she had just the girl for me. I met the whole family and fell in love with my ‘little’ immediately. She was 9 years old.

“I was told she had some issues with anger and was behind in school. I began meeting with her every week. We quickly bonded. I live in Lake Toxaway for five months and in St. Augustine, Florida, the other seven months. I promised my little we would stay in touch when I was in Florida. Before she had a phone, we stayed in contact through mailing letters, and I sent her little gift packages every month. Since she has attained a phone, we text all the time with each other and also FaceTime.

“My little and I have shared some incredible experiences with places we have gone together. I’ve tried to help her with her reading and her math. She is also doing much better with her anger issues.

“You think you’re going to bless a child by being in their life and helping them, but I, too, was blessed. It is a wonderful program.”

ELEANOR WELLING

Welling is an almost 82-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother who has been a volunteer most of her life. For the last two years, she has been a tutor for an organization within the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau called Read 2 Learn.

“Our goal is to work with students in an effort to help them get on grade level in reading by third grade. Teachers alert our director to students who are behind in their reading abilities, and she assigns them to one of the 18 tutors.

“I had the wonderful pleasure of being assigned a delightful second grader who told me at our first

LEFT : READ 2 LEARN AT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

TOP LEFT : LEFT TO RIGHT IS RUTH RUSS, DR. FRANK KELLY, AND KEVIN ROWLAND

meeting that ‘the other kids say I am the dumbest kid in the class.’ We worked hard together for two years twice a week, and the person who graduated from our program at the end of third grade had a B+ average in reading and was a confident, kind, and self-assured young boy. Seeing such life-changing improvements in the life of one child brought me more joy than all the years of fundraising and committee meetings.

“Volunteering, especially in the area of basic needs, gives me the feeling of living the Scripture: feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, clothe the naked, and welcome the alien. Often, one’s life is the only Bible another will ever see. So, while one’s volunteer efforts, hopefully, help others in one way or another, the very act of giving of oneself is what we are all called to do in order to live a meaningful and blessed life. Mine has certainly been that and more, and I am grateful indeed.”

KEVIN ROWLAND

Rowland retired early, in his mid-50s. “I decided that with so many people doing so many things in the community needs, I would think of it as, ‘Who do I want to be as a volunteer?’ I remembered John F. Kennedy’s quote: ‘One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.’ And with that, I decided I would be whoever an agency or organization needed me to be if I could. I would be the one who tried no matter what.

“Although I’m allergic to honeybees, I am a beekeeper and demonstrate to kids the importance of honeybees and other indigenous pollinators. I don’t have children, so I chair a scholarship program. Even though I may stumble and fail, I try.

“My philosophy about volunteering is, ‘Spirit of a Living God, fall fresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.’”

IF YOU’RE NOW INSPIRED TO GET INVOLVED, WHETHER YOU HAVE ONE HOUR A WEEK OR JUST ONE HOUR A MONTH, MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR AREA COULD USE YOUR TIME AND TALENTS. THE POSITIVE ENERGY YOU PUT INTO THE WORLD WILL DEFINITELY MAKE ITS WAY BACK TO YOU.

KEVIN ROWLAND’S PASSION FOR VOLUNTEERING LED HIM TO TAKE UP BEEKEEPING AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR KIDS

OUR TEAM

PRESENTED BY SILVER CREEK REAL ESTATE GROUP

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, GLOBAL REACH

At Silver Creek Real Estate Group, our team is united by a shared passion for the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau and a dedication to helping clients find their perfect place here. Each of our brokers brings a unique blend of market expertise, local insight, and genuine care, ensuring every transaction is handled with skill, integrity, and personal attention.

With a sharp entrepreneurial instinct and a lifelong passion for real estate, Jochen Lucke brings a dynamic perspective to every client interaction. His journey from Southeast Florida to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau was driven by a love for the mountains and a desire to create a more grounded, community-focused life. That same passion now shapes his approach to real estate, blending deep local knowledge with a broad view of market trends.

Known for his tenacity and thoughtful negotiation style, Jochen is also a dedicated community leader, with years of service on local nonprofit boards. Whether guiding clients through their first purchase or a complex development opportunity, he brings a calm confidence, a builder’s eye, and a sincere commitment to helping others find their place in the mountains.

“If

you’re looking to sell your home, we highly recommend Jochen. His experience, communication, and dedication make all the difference.”

D. and A. Pugel

DAN ALLEN

Dan Allen offers something exceptional: thirty years of genuine community investment that have created unparalleled local expertise. Since making the mountains his permanent home in 1994, he has built lasting relationships across the region, making him a trusted guide and giving clients access to a strong network of local professionals and resources.

Known for his “treasure hunter” approach, Dan focuses on understanding each client’s vision and using his extensive market knowledge to find the right match. His commitment extends beyond closing, offering ongoing guidance and support. An avid outdoorsman and passionate community supporter, Dan brings authenticity, insight, and dedication to every client he serves.

“Dan and his team continue to set the standard for excellent communication, diligent practices, and high fidelity in their work.”

M. Draughon

From the French Quarter to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Parker Anderson’s path to Cashiers has been one of adventure, intention, and heart. A third-generation real estate broker from Rome, Georgia, Parker built his expertise in New Orleans’ competitive market before settling on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in 2019, an area already close to his family’s heart. He pairs bigmarket savvy with an authentic love of community, helping clients curate bespoke mountain lifestyles.

Deeply rooted in Cashiers, Parker and his wife, Caroline, are raising their children, Reeves and Figgy, accompanied by their two golden retrievers, surrounded by the beauty and warmth of the place they proudly call home.

“ It was a pleasure to work with such an honest and enthusiastic individual that exhibited true ethical values toward his profession. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with [Parker] again in the future.”

C. Jacobson

JULIA TATUM BANNER

With a background in fine arts, construction, and entrepreneurship, Julia Tatum Banner brings a creative and solution-driven perspective to real estate. A descendant of builders, artists, and innovators, she draws on her family’s legacy to help clients see the hidden potential in every property.

Julia’s hands-on experience with design and development, as well as her company, Banner & Associates, allows her to offer thoughtful guidance throughout the buying and selling process. Known for her dedication, vision, and personal touch, Julia helps clients not only find a home but imagine what it could become. She lives in Lake Toxaway with her husband, Mac.

“We could not have been more pleased with [Julia’s] professionalism and kindness. There is no doubt that we will be working with her again when we are ready to make our next purchase!”

L. and A. Wiedersum

Chris Duffy’s journey to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau began in 2017, when a radio hosting job brought him to the mountains sight unseen. What began as a career move became a calling, blending his broadcasting, investigative, and culinary backgrounds into a real estate practice built on service, curiosity, and connection. His inquisitive nature helps uncover opportunities, guiding clients to the right home and community.

Known for his six-foot-nine frame, approachable style, and knowledge of the Plateau’s diverse towns, Chris is deeply involved in local life, serving on boards, volunteering at events, and championing the community he treasures.

“Chris went above and beyond for us... he stepped up and did whatever was needed to see [the closing] through. We could not have done it without him!”

Blair and Allison

CHRIS DUFFY

DEBBY HALL

With more than three decades as an Atlanta interior designer, Debby Hall brings an exceptional eye for possibility to every transaction. She helps sellers showcase their homes to full advantage and guides buyers in envisioning potential. Her experience working with builders, architects, and clients has honed her ability to understand how people truly live in their spaces.

Since discovering the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in 2004, Debby has embraced both the community and the lifestyle, volunteering with local organizations and forging lasting connections. Her blend of design expertise, business acumen, and genuine care makes her a trusted guide for mountain living.

“[Debby] was very professional and kind, and she answered all my questions no matter how small. She is smart and caring and goes above and beyond in her duties.”

K. Strang

Jonathan Hough approaches real estate with a service-first mindset and a deep belief in the power of relationships. With a background rooted in leadership, faith, and family values, he brings thoughtful guidance and genuine care to every client interaction. His interest in real estate was sparked by his father’s example as a general contractor, and his approach is grounded in integrity, professionalism, and personal connection.

Whether supporting his community, leading within the industry, or helping clients navigate important decisions, Jonathan is known for his steady presence, clear communication, and commitment to delivering an experience defined by trust and results.

“From the initial consultation to the final closing, Jonathan was always available and responsive, and he provided expert guidance. We highly recommend [him] to anyone looking for a dedicated and successful realtor.”

J. and M. Kiker

RICK JACKSON

Authentic and approachable, Rick Jackson offers a steady demeanor complemented by a comprehensive real estate background. After selling his software company, he entered real estate in 1998, later finding his perfect fit on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Splitting time between Atlanta and the mountains before settling full-time, Rick brings unique insight into the transition to mountain living. He’s known for building genuine relationships, and maintaining a strong moral compass, enabling him to guide clients with integrity and ease. Active in local organizations and an avid golfer, boater, and vintage motorcycle enthusiast, Rick has built a life he loves and helps clients do the same on the Plateau.

“Rick was perfect throughout our purchase in Lake Glenville. [He was] knowledgeable, responsive, informed, and helpful at all turns.”

D. and K. Feist

For Bambi Famous Kaine, real estate is a calling rooted in connection, not just to homes, but to people and the communities where they’ll thrive. With a background in sales and a deep love for the mountains, Bambi brings a calm, intentional presence to every client relationship. Her unwavering passion for helping others is matched only by her legendary attention to detail.

As a self-described “community concierge,” Bambi believes people should fall in love with a place before they fall in love with a property, and she’s there to make that happen, every step of the way.

“Bambi was our selling agent and she was superb. There aren’t enough adjectives and stars to compliment her, her team, and their service. She is the epitome of professional, knowledgeable, and customer service oriented... Truly, she was magnificent!”

F. Trammel

EDDY MCDONALD

Eddy McDonald’s journey from PGA golf professional to veteran real estate broker reflects a career built on precision, patience, and personal service. Moving to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in 1995 for a position at Highlands Falls Country Club, he quickly fell in love with the community and shifted into real estate, spending 13 years helping develop Highlands Cove into a thriving community.

With over two decades of experience, Eddy’s approach remains consistent: listen carefully, understand deeply, and serve exceptionally. Whether on the golf course, hiking trails, or exploring with his daughter Sara, he embraces the mountain lifestyle.

“Eddy is a fabulous realtor. He has been responsible for our rental home for the last year and has increased our rentals by 200%! He is always available and responsive to our needs and those of the renters.”

J. and M. Serdula

With over 20 years of real estate experience, Jodi Moore is known for building lasting client relationships and guiding buyers to their perfect fit. She began her career in Palm Beach County, Florida, in 1999, quickly becoming an award-winning agent through her energy, tenacity, and proven sales and marketing background.

Since moving to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in 2008, Jodi has become a trusted resource, particularly for Burlingame Country Club and Lake Toxaway properties. Her deep local knowledge, transparency, and genuine care define her approach. Outside of work, Jodi enjoys the Plateau’s dining scene, time with friends, and being a proud grandmother.

“The Monteleones have bought many homes in our 56 years of marriage! But, without a shadow of a doubt, Jodi Moore is the best realtor we have ever had.”

P. and B. Monteleone

CASSIE NEAL

For more than 20 years, Cassie Neal has built her reputation as a real estate broker on listening deeply, communicating clearly, and perfecting the art of connecting people with places where they’ll truly belong. A military upbringing taught her to adapt quickly and connect with people from all walks of life — skills she brings to every transaction.

Cassie pairs deep market knowledge with genuine care, guiding clients through the Plateau’s unique nuances with honesty and attention to detail. Her love for mountain living is contagious. Clients often leave with more than a home — they leave with a trusted friend.

“[Cassie

Neal] sincerely cares about what is best for her clients and encourages you to buy what is best for you, rather than trying to make a quick sale.”

A. Hurst

Since moving from Georgia to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in 2008, Katie Nicholson has built a thriving real estate career rooted in authenticity and trust. A former acquisitions professional with a global real estate investment firm, she transitioned to mountain living and became deeply involved in the development of the Chinquapin community, specializing in land and new home builds.

Known for her patient, relationship-focused approach, Katie guides clients toward the right home and community, often remaining a resource long after closing. Her local ties, construction knowledge, and commitment to honest service make her a trusted guide for those seeking both a property and a place to belong.

“Thanks to Katie, we are home in a community that we love. We could not recommend [her] more highly.”

E. Tucker

LINDA PRIDGEN

Gentle, kind, and endlessly genuine, Linda Pridgen has a way of making clients feel instantly at ease. A former first-grade teacher and longtime general manager of The Chattooga Club, Linda blends warmth and patience with an insider’s knowledge of one of the Plateau’s most exclusive communities. She listens closely, guides thoughtfully, and introduces buyers to the lifestyle as much as the home.

For Linda, real estate isn’t about transactions; it’s about helping people picture themselves here, from a round of croquet to a summer concert, and making that vision a reality.

“[Linda

Pridgen] is the consummate professional before, during, and after the sale. All aspects of our buying experience were superb.”

S. Bessent

Chuck Self first came to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau more than 30 years ago, drawn by its beauty and sense of community. After a successful 30-year career in corporate television sales, he made the mountains his full-time home and now helps others discover the lifestyle he treasures. By partnering with Riva Smith, Chuck combines unmatched business expertise and seasoned negotiation skills with a deep knowledge of the area and a commitment to honest, thorough service.

Active in local organizations and dedicated to giving back, he guides clients with professionalism, care, and a focus on finding the right home and community for their needs.

“As out-of-towners looking for a second home, Chuck’s local knowledge of each and every neighborhood was invaluable. Five stars — highly recommended!”

J. and K. Anderson

RAY TRINE

With over 40 years of experience, Silver Creek broker Ray Trine has helped shape much of the HighlandsCashiers Plateau through sales, development, and deep community involvement. After moving from Florida to a Glenville farm in the early 1980s, Ray built one of the area’s top real estate firms and contributed to the creation of communities like Bald Rock, Trillium Links and Lake Club, and Summer Hill.

To anyone he meets, Ray is the quintessential guide to the Plateau, blending unmatched local knowledge with personal stories, fascinating history, and an infectious enthusiasm for the mountain lifestyle he loves.

“Ray has been my real estate agent for close to three decades and no one knows more about Cashiers and Lake Glenville than he does. He’s a pleasure to work with.”

Cason

“Rachel Wavra brings a hospitality-driven mindset and meticulous attention to detail to her real estate practice. Originally from Winter Park, Florida, she helped grow a national restaurant brand before settling in Scaly Mountain with her husband, Tyler, and their two children. Known for her client-first philosophy, Rachel believes the difference between good and exceptional lies in carefully considered moments.

Blending thoughtful touches with modern marketing savvy, she offers the perfect balance of luxury service and heartfelt hospitality. Her practice is built on thoughtfulness, authenticity, and exceptional standards, qualities that leave a lasting impression long after the transaction is complete.”

“Working with Rachel to sell our property in Highlands was an absolute pleasure. Her communication, patience, and genuine care for our goals really shined through.”

J. Walsh

ELLIOTT WRIGHT

Elliot Wright understands something essential about real estate: it’s all about service. The client comes first, and their happiness is always the end goal. After a decade of managing operations at some of America’s most prestigious hotels and years of extensive, hands-on property management experience, Elliot now brings his wealth of wisdom, focus, and service-minded commitment to the Silver Creek Real Estate Group.

“I’ve always approached my work with a sense of ownership, My work is very much a reflection of myself. When I’m working on a transaction, I approach it as if I were buying the home or selling my home. Dedication is my credo.”

Elliott Wright

Haute Holidays

OUR CHRISTMAS GIFTING EDIT

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MAISON BALZAC COCKTAIL

GLASS SET $390

Entertain like a modern mixology master with Maison Balzac’s Cocktail Glass Set. Six handblown borosilicate glasses each hide a miniature glass garnish (think an olive, a coffee bean, or a twist of citrus) so your drinks arrive dressed to impress. From a smoky Manhattan glass to an azure Spritz glass, every sip becomes part performance, part conversation starter. Slight variations in shape and hue only underscore their artisanal charm, making this set a cheeky indulgence for your home cocktail rituals.

AERIN ENGRAVED

OVERSIZED MATCHBOX

SLEEVE $425 (PLUS $80 FOR PERSONALIZATION)

AERIN’s extraordinary Engraved

Oversized Matchbox Sleeve turns firestarting into a fine art. Cast in solid brass and made in Italy, this matchbox houses oversized matches with a strike card on the reverse. It’s a true statement object made to sit proudly beside your giftee’s favorite candle. Monogram it for a personal spark, or gift it to someone who already has everything … except this.

HAYO’U CLEAR QUARTZ

CRYSTAL EYE MASK $171

Looking more like jewelry than skincare, HAYO’U’s exquisite Clear Quartz Crystal Eye Mask is adorned with hundreds of smooth, polished clear quartz tiles, delicately framed with tiny round crystal beads. It drapes over the eyes like a veil of light: cool, weighty, and seriously beautiful. In Chinese medicine, clear quartz is known as the “Master Healer,” believed to draw out excess heat caused by stress. This means less puffiness, fewer tension lines, and a calmer, more radiant wearer. Each stone is cleverly articulated to adapt to the contours of the face, delivering gentle pressure and cooling relief exactly where needed.

STAINLESS STEEL COFFEE

CUP WITH IMPERIAL GREEN LEATHER GRIP $415

Since 1830, Christofle has been elevating the art of the table, from royal banquets to modern penthouses. Now, the Parisian silversmith reimagines the humble coffee cup as a gleaming objet d’art. Part of the Objets Miroir collection, this doublewalled stainless steel cup comes clad in the maison’s signature imperial green leather, hot-stamped with the Christofle logo and topped with an engraved lid bearing its historic coat of arms. It’s an utterly over-the-top indulgence, and that’s the point. This coffee cup is perfect for those who take their espresso with a side of opulence.

FOR THOSE WHO MOVE THROUGH LIFE WITH CURIOSITY AND JUST A SOUPÇON OF MISCHIEF, TRUE REFINEMENT IS NEVER PREDICTABLE. IN THESE PAGES, YOU’LL FIND INSPIRATION FOR LIVING DELIBERATELY, COLLECTING THOUGHTFULLY, AND GIFTING BRILLIANTLY THIS CHRISTMAS. THINK: EXTRAORDINARY OBJECTS THAT REWARD THE EYE, THE MIND, AND THE IMAGINATION.

L’OBJET MÉDAILLE CANDLE — GRAND BAZAAR $305

To burn, or not to burn? That is the question.

MASSIMO LISTRI. CABINET OF CURIOSITIES — TASCHEN $150

Coffee table tomes don’t get more pageturning than Taschen’s remarkable Cabinet of Curiosities. An XXL odyssey spanning 356 pages and decades of work, Florentine photographer Massimo Listri has curated a Renaissance fever dream. Cabinets of curiosities held Europe spellbound in the 16th and 17th centuries. From unicorn horns and gleaming Murano glass to mechanical marvels and exotic ivories, Listri’s lavish photography captures the world’s most stunning collections, including the Medici treasury and Dresden’s Green Vault.

L’OBJET’s stunning Médaille Candle is more of a fragrant artifact than a home accessory. Handcrafted in white bisque porcelain and adorned with gleaming 24-karat gold-painted coins, it nods to the opulence of ancient Greece while offering a thoroughly contemporary statement piece. Its scent — Grand Bazaar — is an intoxicating blend composed by master perfumer Yann Vasnier, layering spice and warmth with cardamom, coriander, black pepper, nutmeg, saffron, cedar, and leather.

ASSOULINE BACKGAMMON SET

$2,250

For the gamer with a love of lacquer and literary flair, Assouline’s Backgammon Set is a tactile triumph. Nestled in rich walnut wood, its stunning crimson leather and brushed brass details turn playtime into an art form. Like everything from the French objet d’art purveyors, it’s less game night and more gallery-worthy indulgence, but with a wink to worldly tradition and impeccable taste.

ASTELL&KERN ACRO BE100

BLUETOOTH SPEAKER $400

Sleek, sculptural, and unmistakably cool, Astell&Kern’s ACRO BE100 turns high-fidelity sound into a statement piece. Housed in a striking blend of metal, wood, and premium polyurethane leather, its light-and-shadow design makes the speaker as captivating to behold as the music it delivers. As one would expect from the South Korean audio pioneers, it comes equipped with a 32-bit hi-fi digital-toanalog converter, a Kevlar woofer, a silk dome tweeter, and 55W of powerful stereo sound, filling any room with crystal clear richness. Audiophiles and design lovers alike will revel in its luxurious, uncompromising presence.

SMYTHSON 2026 KINGS WEEKLY VERTICAL DIARY IN PANAMA $425

Since 1887, Smythson stationery has graced the desks of royalty, explorers, and discerning tastemakers. The Nile Blue Kings Weekly Vertical Diary in Panama is bound in the British icon’s cross-grained Panama leather and is as refined as it is practical. With watermarked pages, silk lining, and monthly tabs, it brings order to chaos, one beautifully penned appointment at a time.

SOME PLACES ARE SIMPLY SYNONYMOUS WITH THE ARTS. VISITING THEM MEANS FINDING INSPIRATION AROUND EVERY CORNER: SEEING WORKS BY THE MASTERS IN EPIC MUSEUMS, HOBNOBBING AT FAIRS AND GALLERY OPENINGS, AND, PERHAPS, FINDING A PIECE TO TAKE HOME. FOLLOWING ARE JUST A FEW OF THE VIBRANT CITIES WHERE YOU CAN IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE SCENE.

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GLASS PYRAMIDS AND EXTERIOR OF THE LOUVRE MUSEUM IN PARIS. PHOTO BY NETFALLS VIA STOCK.ADOBE.COM

PARIS

Art history comes to life in Paris. Artists have long flocked to its romantic streets, the city a muse for generations. The birthplace of the impressionist, symbolist, surrealist, cubist and abstract movements, to name just a few, the City of Light has always been a meeting place for creative minds and a guiding force for the arts. It remains a perpetual capital of all things visual for good reason and is an absolute must-visit for enthusiasts of any genre.

Thanks to this illustrious history, the number of art museums in Paris can be overwhelming, but that means one can be found for nearly anything you’re in the mood to view. To see some of the most famous works in the world, French masterpieces and art through the centuries, there is the Louvre, Grand Palais and Petit Palais. For a dedicated look at impressionism, head to the Musée d’Orsay or Musée de l’Orangerie. The Musée d’Art Moderne and Palais de Tokyo are just two places to marvel at modern and contemporary pieces. Then there are the numerous smaller museums dedicated to single artists such as Moreau, Rodin and Picasso.

There are, naturally, many large-scale fairs held in Paris throughout the year, most focusing on modern and contemporary art. Art Paris happens each April, with Paris Internationale, the Moderne Art Fair and the newest iteration of Art Basel all occurring in October. The medium-specific Salon du Dessin is a bit different, showcasing drawings both old and new, each March.

If you’re looking to purchase a piece outside of a major event, there is no shortage of galleries, from the tiny to the world famous. Many are concentrated in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in what’s

known as the Carré Rive Gauche. There are plenty of contemporary galleries in the neighborhood, but it’s most known for antiquities, antiques and traditional art; you’ll find Renaissance paintings and old masters here. For a more modern twist, Le Marais is the place to go, especially around the Place de Vosges. 59 Rivoli, an artists’ squat turned legitimate workshop and studio space, makes for an interesting stop in the area. And, of course, there is always the renowned weekend flea market in Saint-Ouen for one-of-a-kind finds.

OPPOSITE: ART BASEL 2025 IN THE GRAND PALAIS, PARIS. PHOTO BY ALIKI CHRISTOFOROU COURTESY OF ART BASEL ARTBASEL.COM

LEFT: “THE WINGED VICTORY OF SAMOTHRACE” IN THE LOUVRE MUSEUM. PHOTO BY DMITRY VIA STOCK.ADOBE.COM

RIGHT: “THE LACEMAKER” BY JOHANNES VERMEER IN THE LOUVRE MUSEUM. PHOTO BY TORVAL MORK VIA STOCK.ADOBE.COM

MEXICO CITY

The capital of Mexico has cultivated a thriving art scene that has been garnering global attention as of late, and is especially good at championing its hometown masters. Colorful, vibrant work is on display in classic murals, up-and-coming galleries and celebrations of local culture.

The bustling city has numerous museums dedicated to the arts, and a good place to start is those with a focus on Mexican talent. The Palacio des Bellas Artes is a mecca for global fine art, but also houses massive murals by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Roberto Montenegro on its top floor. The Museo de Arte Moderno has work by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Rufino Tamayo on display, and the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporaneo showcases contemporary Mexican art from 1950 onward. The Museo de Arte Popular is an intriguing ode to local folk art and handicrafts. Not to be missed is “Casa Azul,” the home and studio Frida Kahlo shared with husband Rivera. Large-scale murals are a strong tradition here, and a stroll through Plaza Luis Cabrera, Avenida Reforma and Calle Zacatecas in the La Roma neighborhood will give a glimpse into modern interpretations, while early-to-mid-20th-century versions can be found on public buildings throughout the city.

Mexico City Art Fair Week, held every February, is where local and international worlds collide — and has solidified the city’s reputation as a global arts hub. The main event, Zona Maca, now in its third decade, is the largest art fair in Latin America. Feria Material is another not to be missed, along with the more experimental Salón ACME, which champions emerging artists and galleries.

Contemporary galleries are centered in San Miguel Chapultepec, home to Kurimanzutto, Condesa, with Mooni’s eclectic roster of emerging artists, and Roma Norte, where Galería OMR has been a pioneer in the art space for more than 40 years. The Fundación Casa Wabi is also a good place pay a visit, with rotating exhibitions and the in-house studio of painter and sculptor Bosco Sodi. If you want to purchase something directly from artists themselves, a trip to the buzzing El Bazaar Sábado market is in order.

TOKYO

Japan’s largest city is a sensory overload in every way, including its endless array of art. The country’s dynamic visual history ranges from ancient ceramics and centuries-old woodblock prints to the cartoonish work of contemporary artists and high-tech digital experiences.

To get just a taste, start at the Tokyo National Museum, the best place to see treasures from throughout the country’s extensive history: pottery, woodblocks, calligraphy, painting and more. For Tokyo art of the present-day, the Mori Art Museum offers cutting-edge exhibitions and pop culture-leaning works, while teamLab Planets features immersive installations of light displays. Other museums take you inside the worlds of some of Japan’s most beloved artists, including the Sumida Hokusai Museum, dedicated to “The Great Wave” creator Katsushika Hokusai, and the Yayoi Kusama Museum, which rotates exhibitions of its namesake artist’s polka-dotted pumpkins and mirrored “infinity rooms.”

There are also numerous fairs to guide your Japanese art journey. Art Fair Tokyo, held in March, is the largest and the oldest in Asia; it is a showcase of both Japanese and international artists. In September, the Tokyo Gendai Art Fair puts the focus on contemporary art and Roppongi Art Night features multiple venues along with installation and performance art to encourage a more artful everyday life. The Tokyo International

Art Fair in November showcases a wide variety of mediums, including sculpture, photography, multimedia works and pieces from emerging artists. Art Week Tokyo, also in November, highlights museums, galleries and other art spaces across the city.

Galleries also run the gamut. In the upscale Ginza, more traditional galleries, such as Tokyo Gallery + BTAP, Shihodo Gallery and Nichido, some in business for more than 100 years, focus on oil painting and other fine arts. In Roppongi, more contemporary and boundary pushing galleries have popped up near the Mori Art Museum — Perrotin, Tomio Koyama and Kotaro Nukaga among them. Elsewhere, many others show more pop culture-leaning work with graffiti, anime or kawaii themes: superflat pioneer Takashi Murakami’s Kaikai Kiki Gallery, for example, or the Terrada Art Complex, which houses outposts of established galleries alongside emerging shops catering to younger collectors. Still others, such as SCAI The Bathhouse, feature avant-garde installations from artists around the globe.

MELBOURNE

Walking through the streets of Australia’s secondlargest city, a lively panorama of public art unfolds with each turn. Its government has recognized the importance of the arts, especially for the public, and not only encourages the painting of its walls, but helps to preserve the work that covers them. For fans of street art, Melbourne is not to be missed.

Multiple lanes throughout the city have been designated for this cause, and they have become colorful tunnels of murals, graffiti, stencils and pasteups; even an original Banksy can be found among them. To check out this citywide urban gallery, head down Hosier Lane — the original, Union Lane, Blender Lane, ACDC Lane, Tattersall Lane or Duckboard Place. There are also a number of large-scale sculpture installations scattered throughout town, including a colony of giant golden bees on the side of Eureka Tower, a soaring set of steel sculptures along the Sandridge Bridge and towering bells that play submitted compositions to onlookers near the river.

One of the city’s favorite art fairs is also public — the Gertrude Street Projection Festival, where light displays are projected onto multiple buildings each July. Another major annual event, held in February, is the Melbourne Art Fair, which also keeps it local by showcasing galleries from across Australia, including a section dedicated to indigenous art centers. The NGV Triennial, put on by the National Gallery of Victoria, commissions large-scale installations and other work exploring each edition’s chosen themes which can be viewed across several of the museum’s floors; the next one will take place in December 2026.

Contemporary art galleries can be found along Flinders Lane. Elsewhere, galleries such as MARS Gallery and Gertrude Contemporary feature work from established artists and are a fantastic place to attend a fabulous show opening. Others, such as Linden New Art and Honey Bones Gallery, are wonderful places to explore the work of local, up-and-coming artists. To delve further into Melbourne’s street art scene, a trip to Blender Studios is a must. Covered in murals and graffiti on the outside, the complex’s interior opens its doors for visitors to view its resident artists’ studios, exhibitions, public arts programming and more.

CAPE TOWN

The Mother City has quickly become a leader in contemporary African art, its young art scene exploring the culture, traditions and complicated history of South Africa, alongside the African continent and its global diaspora.

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) opened its Silo District doors in 2017 and currently houses the largest collection of contemporary art on the continent. It focuses on works from the African diaspora, arts education and uplifting African voices and perspectives.

A slew of foundations are also dedicated to elevating local artists — and all worth a visit. The Association for Visual Arts can trace its roots back to the 1800s, but its current iteration began in the 1990s to advance the visual arts in South Africa; its exhibitions continue to accomplish its mission today. The Norval Foundation is a nonprofit that aims to preserve 20th- and 21st-century African art and to be a catalyst for emerging artists through commissions. Its sculpture garden is a wonder to wander through. And the A4 Arts Foundation, a “laboratory for the arts,” provides education, archives and space for artists to expand their practice along with hosting exciting exhibitions of their work.

The Cape Town Art Fair, held each February for more than a decade, is the largest contemporary art fair in Africa, hosting international galleries as well as local ones. When it comes to local art, stalwarts such as Goodman Gallery, Everard Read and the Christopher Moller Gallery are the perfect place to start your discovery. Then head to the Woodstock gallery district, where new tastemakers such as SMAC Gallery, Whatiftheworld, THK Gallery and 99 Loop Gallery have set up shop to showcase more of the exciting South African art of today.

The galleries, along with other businesses and restaurants, stay open late for the monthly First Thursdays event, making it a good time to explore all the area has on offer. The neighborhood’s building walls are also home to a multitude of massive murals to peruse while wandering. To visit multiple galleries with ease at any time, Art Route can set up a tour curated to your own art preferences and chauffeur you between each — not a bad way to find the perfect piece.

Text reproduced with permission from Luxury Portfolio International and Luxury Portfolio magazine. © Luxury Portfolio International. All rights reserved.

ATRIUM IN THE ZEITZ MOCAA IN CAPE TOWN. PHOTO BY DBRNJHRJ VIA STOCK.ADOBE.COM

“JEANNE D’ARC À DOMRÉMY” BY HENRI CHAPU IN THE MUSÉE D’ORSAY. PHOTO BY ITZA VIA STOCK.ADOBE.COM

THE “MONA LISA” IN THE LOUVRE MUSEUM.

PHOTO BY ITZA VIA STOCK.ADOBE.COM

“QUEEN BEE” SCULPTURE BY RICHARD STRINGER IN MELBOURNE. PHOTO BY PHILLIP MINNIS VIA STOCK.ADOBE.COM

There’s something irresistible about Highlands in November, when the mountain air turns crisp and the town itself becomes a feast for the senses.

Each year, Highlands Food & Wine gathers an extraordinary cast of chefs, vintners, brewers, and musicians for four days of culinary magic at 4,118 feet.

In 2025, expect smoke and fire, flair and finesse. More than 60 chefs will reimagine Southern foodways — scooped, skewered, smothered, and served with a dash of mountain soul — while over 100 beverage partners pour everything from small-batch bourbons to sparkling rosés.

Between each bite and sip, music fills the air, from the soulful gospel of Blind Boys of Alabama to the nostalgic pulse of The Wallflowers.

It’s indulgence with altitude, where flavors dance, glasses clink, and fashion meets festival in a block-party spirit. Highlands Food & Wine reminds us that the best meals are those shared together against the enchanting backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

2025 EVENTS

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

GRAND TASTING

7:00 to 10:00 PM

The Bascom

Music: The Psycodelics

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

SMOKE SIGNALS

12:00 to 3:30 PM

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

Music: Paul McDonald and The Mourning Doves • Railroad Earth

VINES IN THE PINES 4:00 to 5:30 PM

Highlands Biological Station

HER VOICE, HER VINTAGE 4:30 to 6:00 PM

Skyline Lodge

Music: Nikki Lane

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15

MAIN EVENT

12:00 to 3:30 PM

Main Street Highlands

Music: Nikki Lane • The Wallflowers

ROCK & ROE 5:30 to 6:30 PM Hutchinson House

THE BARN RAMBLE 7:00 to 9:30 PM

Flat Mountain Farm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16

SHOT AT REDEMPTION 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The Bascom

Music: Blind Boys of Alabama

EXCLUSIVE LAND OFFERINGS

BALD ROCK

Live a life of luxury in the stunning community of Bald Rock, where larger estate lots offer the perfect blend of privacy and equestrian paradise. Nestled against the National Forest, this lot provides breathtaking views and easy access to scenic trails for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. Ownership of this property grants access to both the community and Sapphire Valley’s amenities. Take advantage of an opportunity to build your mountain dream home in this exceptional community.

10.05 ACRES | $349,000 | MLS# 1000077

This 6.86-acre lot in Bald Rock offers elevations of over 4,000 feet with stunning views of Chimneytop and DoubleKnob. The property’s features include a private, serene setting, a gentle build site, an expired four-bedroom septic, and available high-speed internet. Residents enjoy a premier equestrian center, 9.2 miles of trails, and access to Sapphire Valley Resort amenities, including pools, a golf course, a ski slope, and Fairfield Lake.

6.86 ACRES | $259,000 | MLS# 1000565

BEAR WALLOW SPRINGS

Discover tranquility in Bear Wallow Springs, Lake Toxaway Estates. This private wooded lot provides access to North Carolina’s largest private lake and is close to Brevard and Cashiers. Enjoy community amenities such as a fitness center and Fazio Golf Learning Center. Optional Lake Toxaway Country Club membership includes a tennis court, a swimming pool, a golf course, croquet lawns, and a clubhouse. It’s the perfect location to craft the ideal mountain retreat.

1.303 ACRES | $60,000 | MLS# 106278

BIG RIDGE

Escape to Big Ridge with over 1.25 acres at 4,600 feet of elevation. Build a mountain retreat on a gently sloped site with community water and an expired four-bedroom septic permit. Connect with nature, enjoy cool summer breezes, and explore nearby lakes, trails, and charming mountain towns.

1.29 ACRES | $89,000 | MLS# 1000738

10+ ACRES AND POTENTIAL LONG-RANGE VIEWS ON MLS# 1000077

BRIDGE CREEK

Discover the perfect canvas for your dream mountain retreat on this 2.2-acre lot in the soughtafter Bridge Creek. Surrounded by the serene beauty of Western North Carolina, this prime parcel offers a rare opportunity to design and build a custom home that harmonizes with its natural surroundings. Enjoy a blend of privacy and tranquility in this idyllic setting, all while maintaining convenient access to the region’s best hiking, fishing, and outdoor activities.

2.22 ACRES | $150,000 | MLS# 1000385

Discover mountain serenity on this 1.53-acre wooded lot in Bridge Creek. Enjoy an idyllic community with a covered bridge entrance, Chimney Garden, scenic trails, and Knob Creek. Nearby Cashiers, Lake Glenville, and Highlands offer dining, entertainment, and outdoor adventures. Build your dream retreat and savor a blend of nature and convenience.

1.53 ACRES | $89,000 | MLS# 1000978

Build your own park-like oasis in the Bridge Creek community near Cashiers and Highlands. With your home built atop a gentle knoll at 3,600 feet in elevation, cut a pathway down to the stream where you could create a relaxing outdoor living space. You’ll also enjoy access to the community pond and picnic area, which features a stone fireplace. This 0.79-acre lot already has access to electricity and community water.

0.79 ACRES | $22,000 | MLS# 104375

BUCK KNOB ISLAND

Discover life on Buck Knob Island, a unique retreat on Lake Glenville accessible only by boat. Surrounded by natural beauty, enjoy this secluded enclave from your private dock, with pristine lake views and a tranquil lifestyle. Just 20 minutes from Cashiers, it’s an extraordinary opportunity to create a mountain sanctuary.

0.95 ACRES | $575,000 | MLS# 1001010

BURLINGAME

Burlingame is a family-focused mountain retreat located at 3,000 feet in scenic Sapphire, North Carolina. This thoughtfully planned community is designed to celebrate the natural beauty of its surroundings while offering an impressive range of amenities for residents. At its center lies the Burlingame Country Club, where an exquisitely

appointed clubhouse serves as a lively gathering spot with two inviting lounges and three dining venues featuring seasonal, globally inspired cuisine. In addition to refined social spaces, residents can enjoy a championship 18-hole golf course, a state-of-the-art fitness center, Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball, croquet, and a heated swimming pool.

Beyond its outstanding amenities, Burlingame embodies a vibrant lifestyle where families can connect with nature and each other. Parks, hiking trails, fishing ponds, and trout waters create endless outdoor adventures, while charming real estate options range from luxurious mountain-view homes and scenic riverfront properties to rustic, lodge-inspired condos that line the golf course. Built with a reverence for the land, Burlingame embraces a strong sense of stewardship, providing a serene yet engaging environment for all ages to relax, explore, and make lasting memories.

LOTS 4&5 HERITAGE DRIVE

5.47 Acres | $520,000 | MLS# 106305 UNDER CONTRACT

LOT 1 HERITAGE DRIVE

2.05 Acres | $275,000 | MLS# 1001370

LOT 2 HERITAGE DRIVE

1.61 Acres | $275,000 | MLS# 1001371 UNDER CONTRACT

LOT 3 HERITAGE DRIVE

1.72 Acres | $275,000 | MLS# 1001372

CANEY FORK

Explore over 200 acres on Moses Creek, featuring trout-filled waters, serene pastures, a barn, a cabin, and ridges with stunning views. Convenient paved access leads to this versatile property, offering endless opportunities for relaxation or rural living in a breathtaking natural setting.

208 ACRES | $1,500,000 | MLS# 1001278

CASHIERS

Discover one of Trillium Ridge’s most buildable homesites. This 2.23-acre lot features level areas for easy construction, privacy, and mountain view potential. Conveniently located near resort amenities, it’s an ideal setting to create a custom retreat in the heart of Trillium Links and Lake Club.

2.23 ACRES | $235,000 | MLS# 1001739

CEDAR HILL

Located in the upscale Cedar Hill subdivision, enjoy luxurious mountain living with spacious lots, nature trails, and mesmerizing views. This 22.97acre lot at over 3,500 feet elevation offers cool summer temperatures and expansive long-range mountain vistas. Ready for your dream home, the lot is near level at the homesite and prepped with underground utilities. Just minutes from groceries, fine dining, shopping, and all the village of Cashiers has to offer. UNDER CONTRACT

22.97 ACRES | $850,000 | MLS# 101234

Build a dream home on this 2.28-acre lot in Cedar Hill, an upscale gated community near Cashiers and Sapphire. This gentle building site offers privacy, potential northwest views with clearing, and access to Sapphire Valley amenities such as golf, pools, and Lake Fairfield. Luxury mountain living awaits!

2.28 ACRES | $205,000 | MLS# 106438

CEDAR RIDGE ESTATES

Just 10 minutes from Cashiers Crossroads, this secluded lot in Cedar Ridge Estates offers potential mountain views and a peaceful, natural setting. With buildable gentle slopes and moss-lined roads, it is an ideal location for your mountain retreat. Enjoy privacy while staying close to the amenities of vibrant Cashiers.

3.66 ACRES | $125,000 | MLS# 1000164

CHATTOOGA CLUB

Located in The Chattooga Club, this beautiful 3.2-acre lot features a mountain view on one side and the sound of Fowler Creek on the other. The community offers wonderful amenities, including security, a lake that is annually stocked with 1,000 pounds of trout, and Mac’s View, a picnic area with beautiful sunsets. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your dream mountain home! Club membership is by invitation only.

3.22 ACRES | $750,000 | MLS# 1001297

CHINQUAPIN

Tucked away atop one of the highest points of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, Chinquapin is an amenity-rich community that provides the ultimate mountain lifestyle while maintaining a

A UNIQUE ISLAND LIFESTYLE ON MLS# 1001010

DOUBLE LOTS ON MILLER FALLS. MLS# 106305

200+ ACRES ON MOSES CREEK. MLS# 1001278

EXPLORE A READY-TO-BUILD, LAKEFRONT LOT IN CHINQUAPIN. MLS# 1000986

reverence for the natural landscape. Nearly onethird of its 2,000 acres are kept in a conservation easement, preserving its stunning environment while providing unparalleled access to outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and canoeing, and even UTV and equestrian trails. Residents can take advantage of modern conveniences, including a fitness room, pickleball courts, a driving range, and a clubhouse, ensuring a truly engaging experience in this peaceful mountain setting.

Beyond its breathtaking landscapes, Chinquapin features elegant, custom mountain homes designed with contemporary, upscale style, creating the perfect retreat. In addition to its peaceful location, the community is just minutes from the attractions of nearby Cashiers, where world-class dining, art, shopping, and music await. Chinquapin offers an unmatched opportunity to enjoy the best of mountain living, combining outdoor adventure with sophisticated comfort.

LOT D52 SPRINGWATER ROAD

9.4 Acres | $599,000 | MLS# 1001677

C46 ROAMING ROAD

3.62 Acres | $440,000 | MLS# 1000451

C44 ROAMING ROAD

4.84 Acres | $429,000 | MLS# 1001168

D49 SPRINGWATER ROAD

1.5 Acres | $425,000 | MLS# 1000985

85 REDROCK TRAIL

0.7 Acres | $410,000 | MLS# 1002009

C55 ROAMING ROAD

3.6 Acres | $349,000 | MLS# 1001021

LOT E8 NEW SETTLERS WAY 4.05 Acres | $349,000 | MLS# 1001286

C20 ROAMING ROAD 2.67 Acres | $299,000 | MLS# 1000449

LOT 22 NEW SETTLER’S WAY 6.93 Acres | $299,000 | MLS# 1001774

LOT C38 ROAMING ROAD 4.46 Acres | $299,000 | MLS# 1001467

C45 ROAMING ROAD

3.13 Acres | $265,000 | MLS# 1001239

W5 WATERSOUND TRAIL

1.3 Acres | $259,000 | MLS# 1000986

LOT E4 NEW SETTLER’S WAY 4.72 Acres | $249,000 | MLS# 1001457

C7 SNOWCREST DRIVE 2.25 Acres | $235,000 | MLS# 1000158

63 NEW SETTLER’S WAY 1.199 Acres | $220,000 | MLS# 1000452

LOT N16 OUTPOST TRAIL 0.47 Acres | $215,000 | MLS# 1001469

LOT C3 SNOWCREST DRIVE 1.82 Acres | $205,000 | MLS# 103645

N20 OUTPOST TRAIL 1.24 Acres | $199,000 | MLS# 1000984

LOT C51 ROAMING ROAD 1.58 Acres | $189,000 | MLS# 103676

LOT 123 RIPPLING WATERS TRAIL

2.65 Acres | $185,000 | MLS# 103010

LOT C43 ROAMING ROAD

2.79 Acres | $169,000 | MLS# 103714

96 BLAZING STAR DRIVE

3.46 Acres | $150,000 | MLS# 1000987

LOT 98 BLAZING STAR DRIVE

1.91 Acres | $139,000 | MLS# 1001759

LOT 121 RIPPLING WATERS TRAIL

2.19 Acres | $129,500 | MLS# 101355

LOT E7 NEW SETTLER’S WAY

1.632 Acres | $129,000 | MLS# 1000313

W23 FISH CAMP TRAIL

0.97 Acres | $119,000 | MLS# 1001780

LOT N12A OUTPOST TRAIL

0.48 Acres | $99,000 | MLS# 1000681

CROSS CREEK PRESERVE

Build your private mountain estate inside the gates of Cross Creek Preserve. Situated at over 3,900 feet elevation, this 2.86-acre parcel includes peaceful mountain streams around and throughout the property. Short-range views are obtainable with some trimming. Residents of Cross Creek Preserve enjoy outdoor amenities such as a stocked trout lake, kayaking, and a community fire ring just 5.5 miles from the crossroads in Cashiers.

2.86 ACRES | $165,000 | MLS# 1000354

Discover Lot 23 in the serene Cross Creek Preserve, where tranquil living meets breathtaking mountain vistas. This prime lot, complete with a roughed-in driveway, is poised for your dream home. Revel in the community’s blend of nature and recreation while staying moments away from the vibrant towns of Cashiers and Highlands. With design freedom and architectural harmony, this is your gateway to a mountain paradise. Embrace this rare opportunity in Cross Creek Preserve today!

2.09 ACRES | $137,500 | MLS# 102522

CULLOWHEE

Imagine over 50 acres of pure serenity. Stargaze by the fire, hike amidst soothing streams, and enjoy stunning mountain views. A short drive from Cashiers and endless outdoor adventures, this unrestricted haven is a dream escape waiting to happen. Don’t miss the chance to build a mountain retreat!

55 ACRES | $467,500 | MLS# 1001074

CULLOWHEE FOREST

Located in the gated Cullowhee Forest community and surrounded by lush forest, these combined lots total just over 6.5 acres and sit at a 3,600foot elevation, making this an ideal location for a mountain getaway. They feature high-speed internet, potential views, and a stunning common area with access to the Tuckasegee River and a 75foot waterfall. Enjoy miles of hiking trails as well as nearby dining and entertainment options within a 15 to 30-minute drive.

6.54 ACRES | $45,000 | MLS# 106148

FALCON RIDGE

Discover long-range views and tranquility on 7.32 acres in Falcon Ridge at over 4,000 feet elevation. This private homesite features a waterfall, a partially cleared building site, and resort amenities such as a golf course, pools, and Lake Fairfield access. Build an ideal mountain retreat surrounded by natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

7.31 ACRES | $140,000 | MLS# 1001013

FIVESTONE

Explore more than 40 acres of high-elevation land in Sapphire’s gated FiveStone community. This package of six surveyed lots features build-ready sites with underground utilities, four-bedroom septic evaluations, and community well water. Enjoy sweeping views of Whiteside and Chimneytop Mountains with treetrimming potential. Ownership includes access to Sapphire Valley amenities like lakes, golf, pools, and more, offering privacy with easy access to nearby dining, shopping, and outdoor recreation.

41.35 ACRES | $799,000 | MLS# 1000023

GLEN POINTE

Discover one of Lake Glenville’s finest lots, boasting unbeatable views of the lake and surrounding mountains, guaranteed by deeded view easements. The easements allow tree clearing to maintain stunning vistas, making this property feel like a prime waterfront spot. Enjoy easy access to Glen Pointe community’s newly rebuilt dock, shared by eight lots. With a four-bedroom septic permit valid and gentle slopes for easier construction, this lot is the perfect blend of beauty and convenience.

1.23 ACRES | $499,000 | MLS# 1000237

GLENVILLE

Experience 105 acres of serene privacy with panoramic Lake Glenville and Blue Ridge mountain views. Featuring pond and stream frontage, this property offers endless possibilities. Create a family compound, a private retreat, or explore multiple potential homesites, all just minutes from Cashiers.

105 ACRES | $2,500,000 | MLS# 1001344

HIGH HAMPTON

Build a dream retreat on this gentle 1.04-acre homesite in Fieldstone, High Hampton’s newest development. Ownership offers the opportunity to apply for club membership, with access to premier amenities and a Tom Fazio-designed golf course. Experience refined mountain living in one of the Plateau’s most coveted neighborhoods.

1.04 ACRES | $750,000 | MLS# 1001599

HOLLY BERRY ESTATES

Get it before it’s gone! The last lakefront lot available in Holly Berry Estates provides a beautiful view of the lake. Build your weekend getaway or full-time residence within this secluded 430-acre community, and enjoy access to two private lakes and the Rocky Gulch hiking trail. From this easy-building site located between Cashiers and Highlands, you will enjoy all that both towns have to offer.

2.5 ACRES | $199,000 | MLS# 104470

HOLLY FOREST

Holly Forest is a collection of subdivisions featuring beautiful Western North Carolina mountain homes, homesites, and condominiums. It is the largest single-family and condominium community on the mountain. Holly Forest is located within a short drive to the unique shops, world-class dining, and distinctive culture of the resort village of Cashiers. Nature lovers will enjoy the nearby picturesque National Forest with waterfalls, overlooks, hiking and walking trails, and a wide range of flora and fauna.

The Holly Forest community provides residents access to the incredible Sapphire Valley Master Association amenities. These include the 50acre Lake Fairfield, Red Bird Golf Links, a ninehole golf course, one indoor and two outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a health club, a game room, miniature golf, a ski and tubing slope, musical concerts and more. Sapphire Valley is also home to two private golf and country clubs, the Country Club of Sapphire Valley and Burlingame Country Club (membership by invitation only).

LOT 59 NARROWS ROAD

0.55 Acres | $29,000 | MLS# 103970

LOT 91 BALD EAGLE COURT

0.36 Acres | $20,000 | MLS# 103632

LOT 35 BUCKBERRY

0.87 Acres | $18,000 | MLS# 103619

LOT 82 BLACK OAK DRIVE

0.53 Acres | $12,000 | MLS# 1001587

LOT 4 LAUREL DRIVE

0.59 Acres | $7,500 | MLS# 1001322

LAKE FOREST

Build your dream home in the North Carolina mountains! Enjoy beautiful long-range mountain views and Lake Glenville from 3,700 feet with a bit of clearing. Just outside the gates of Glenshore, and situated in a quiet community, this lot offers peaceful sounds of a nearby waterfall. Conveniently located between Cashiers and Highlands, you can take advantage of all the water and outdoor activities Lake Glenville has to offer as well as nearby shops and restaurants.

1.2 ACRES | $175,000 | MLS# 1001211

WILDLIFE SPOTTING ON MLS# 1001322

LAKE TOXAWAY ESTATES

For the prospective homeowner with a vision, this 3.9-acre parcel in Lake Toxaway Estates provides the perfect backdrop to create a masterpiece. Careful consideration of detail and home placement will allow you to take advantage of captivating longrange views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The wooded property, close to Meadow Ridge, provides a private setting while remaining close to luxurious amenities. Make your mountain living dreams come true!

3.4 ACRES | $449,900 | MLS# 104718

LAKE WINONA

Discover 4.32 acres with 550 feet of Lake Winona frontage and prime development potential. At over 4,000 feet in elevation, this private property features nature trails and rock outcroppings along a serene 6-acre lake. The updated one-bedroom, onebathroom home serves as a charming guest house or as a temporary residence while building a dream retreat. Endless possibilities await in this tranquil, picturesque setting.

4.32 ACRES | $525,000 | MLS# 1000777

LAUREL FALLS

Escape to tranquil living in gated Laurel Falls. This property boasts a 35-foot waterfall, Robinson Creek frontage, multiple homesites with westerly views, and access to Panthertown Valley trails. Build a dream retreat amid pristine wilderness and enjoy unmatched privacy and natural beauty in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

17.82 ACRES | $1,190,000 | MLS# 1000866

LITTLE HOGBACK CREEK ESTATES

Unrestricted double lot with lake frontage and views on Hogback Lake, complete with survey, septic permit, house plans, and retaining wall plans. Ready for a full-time home or weekend retreat, this property offers a serene lakeside setting with a head start on the building process.

0.82 ACRES | $115,000 | MLS# 1001624

SAPPHIRE RIDGE

Discover 2.58 acres of mountain tranquility in Sapphire Ridge! Enjoy long-range Blue Ridge views, a gated community setting, and access to Sapphire

Valley Resort’s exceptional amenities. Build your dream home on this gently sloping lot, blending natural beauty with an adventurous, upscale lifestyle. A perfect balance of relaxation and recreation awaits!

2.58 ACRES | $315,000 | MLS# 1000940

SASSAFRAS RIDGE

Experience mountain living at its most serene on this estate lot in Sassafras Ridge. Panoramic views, unmatched privacy, and a private waterfall create a sanctuary where nature takes center stage. A rare opportunity to craft a retreat in one of the Plateau’s most coveted gated communities.

6.01 ACRES | $395,000 | MLS# 1001838

SHEPHERDS MOUNTAIN

Build a mountain retreat on over 3 acres of land in Shepherd’s Mountain, which has view of Lake Glenville and the mountains beyond, cool breezes, and community amenities. Enjoy a private park, a picnic pavilion, and deeded lake access. Conveniently located near dining, shopping, and outdoor adventures, this property is a gateway to Blue Ridge Mountain living.

3.32 ACRES | $169,900 | MLS# 1000750

Experience serene mountain living on this 4.72acre lot, nestled within the gated Shepherd’s Mountain community. This parcel offers potential views of Lake Glenville and mountains, with a stream and a walking trail leading to a building site. The community features paved roads, underground utilities, a communal center with a playground, exclusive lake access, view spots with seating, and proximity to recreation areas and marinas. This tranquil retreat is ready for your dream mountain home!

4.72 ACRES | $79,000 | MLS# 104667

SILVER RUN RESERVE

Build an elegant retreat on 2.3 acres in Silver Run Reserve, a gated community of preserved meadows, lakes, and trails. At 3,800 feet with longrange mountain views and curated amenities, this homesite offers privacy, sophistication, and a refined mountain lifestyle minutes from Cashiers and Highlands.

2.3 ACRES | $985,000 | MLS# 1001860

SIMS VALLEY

Once home to Willis and Laura Sims, who built their mountain homestead here at the turn of the 20th century, Sims Valley feels alive with history. Between Cullowhee and Cashiers, this serene community carries forward the spirit of the original pioneers, a harmony between people and place. Residents enjoy winding trails designed by Trail Dynamics, the sound of rushing waterfalls, and sweeping 40-mile views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The original Sims family home still stands as a gathering spot, joined by a clubhouse with a fitness center, spa, pool, fireplaces, outdoor grill, and caterer’s kitchen. At the north end, the openair Mountain Chapel offers a place to pause and take in the grandeur of the valley below. Blending history, beauty, and belonging, Sims Valley is where the essence of mountain living endures.

21R PILOT KNOB ROAD

2.69 Acres | $98,500 | MLS# 1001470

LOT 76 PASTURE ROAD

0.95 Acres | $59,500 | MLS# 1001419

LOT 60 PILOT KNOB ROAD

2.11 Acres | $52,400 | MLS# 106172

LOT 62 PILOT KNOB ROAD

2.03 Acres | $52,400 | MLS# 106173

LOT 27 AUTUMN BLAZE TRAIL

0.89 Acres | $49,998 | MLS# 1000441

STONECREEK ESTATES

Stonecreek Estates offers the best of mountain living with unmatched convenience. Ideally situated just minutes from both Sapphire and Cashiers, this community provides easy access to the area’s premier amenities, including hiking trails, fishing spots, and renowned golf courses. Located just beyond the gated entrance of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, which offers membership by invitation only, residents can enjoy the serenity of the mountains without sacrificing accessibility.

With its close proximity to Highway 64, Stonecreek Estates allows for effortless travel throughout the Plateau while avoiding long, winding mountain

drives. Here, you’ll find the perfect balance of elevation, privacy, and year-round comfort, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking a peaceful retreat or a permanent residence amid the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

LOT 23 ROCK MOUNTAIN ROAD

2.65 Acres | $200,000 | MLS# 1001842

LOT 25 ROCK MOUNTAIN ROAD

1.19 Acres | $150,000 | MLS# 1001841

18 COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES DRIVE

0.94 Acres | $129,000 | MLS# 1000616

1 JUDGEMENT WAY

1.98 Acres | $50,000 | MLS# 1000383

STONEFLY

Located just 1.2 miles from the center of Cashiers, the gated community of Stonefly provides convenient proximity to town combined with the seclusion and natural surroundings that one expects from a Blue Ridge Mountain community. Homesites ranging from 1 to 5 acres are thoughtfully placed within the development, sheltered by a lush canopy of hardwood forest and bordered by trickling streams.

Nature lovers venture out their front doors and find themselves comfortably embraced by the native rhododendrons, mountain laurels, reflective ponds, and cascading waterfalls everpresent throughout the neighborhood. With just over two dozen homesites, Stonefly provides an intimate setting for a tranquil mountain paradise, only minutes away from shopping, dining, public golf courses, and other amenities.

LOT 13 STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1.51 Acres | $390,000 | MLS# 1001395

LOT 14 STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1.5 Acres | $390,000 | MLS# 1001396

LOT 16 ZEB ALLEY ROAD

2.61 Acres | $390,000 | MLS# 1001406

LOT 10B STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1 Acres | $280,000 | MLS# 1001393

LOT 1B STREAMSIDE DRIVE

1.1 Acres | $240,000 | MLS# 1001391

SUMMER HILL

Take advantage of this opportunity to build your mountain home in the gated Summer Hill neighborhood, one of Lake Glenville’s premier lakefront communities. This picturesque building site enjoys both lake and mountain views. You will enjoy waterfront access and potential dock access. Swim in the crystal-clear waters or take your boat to the rushing waterfalls. Summer Hill provides a luxurious, secluded mountain lake retreat with convenient access to downtown Cashiers and Highlands.

1.21 ACRES | $199,000 | MLS# 104071

BUILD WITH ACCESS TO YOUR OWN PRIVATE, LAKE GLENVILLE BOAT SLIP. MLS# 1000635

POTENTIAL ROCK FACE MOUNTAIN VIEWS FROM MLS# 1000441

Located in the peaceful and secluded Summer Hill subdivision, this 1.58-acre gently rolling lot provides an easy building site for your dream home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The private neighborhood includes a gated entrance and deeded lake access to Lake Glenville, located just seven miles from Cashiers. Enjoy the community dock, beach, boat ramp, and two pavilions for picnics and family gatherings, or seek adventure on the many hiking trails.

1.58 ACRES | $139,000 | MLS# 102261

TAHALA SHORES

Discover 4.34 tranquil acres in Cullowhee with stunning mountain and lake views. Featuring multiple build sites, a preinstalled well, gated access, and community perks such as lake access, a clubhouse, a playground, and a picnic area, this property is perfect for creating a serene retreat with opportunities to enjoy outdoor adventures and peaceful living.

4.34 ACRES | $109,000 | MLS# 1001022

THE POINT AT GLENVILLE LAKE

Build your dream home on this gentle lot near Lake Glenville, offering a private boat slip, lake and mountain views, paved roads, community water, and a three-bedroom septic permit on file. Enjoy 7.5

acres of green space and a lakeside pavilion with gathering amenities, all just minutes from Cashiers’ shopping and dining.

0.588 ACRES | $530,000 | MLS# 1000635

THE PRESERVE AT ROCK CREEK

Enjoy amazing mountain views from your future dream home all year from this 5-acre lot that offers expansive long-range views, beautiful sunsets, and a level build site. Located near Sapphire Valley and Lake Toxaway, The Preserve at Rock Creek is a protected, upscale gated community that guards against future development and provides the utmost privacy and convenience. Owners have exclusive access to hiking trails leading to waterfalls. Don’t miss this chance to own a piece of paradise!

5 ACRES | $350,000 | MLS# 1001179

TRILLIUM LINKS & LAKE CLUB

Create a private estate on 4.21 acres in Trillium Ridge. These two adjoining lots offer flexibility, privacy, and potential mountain views, all near premier amenities. It’s a rare chance to design a multigenerational compound or estate in one of the Plateau’s most desirable golf and lake communities.

4.21 ACRES | $425,000 | MLS# 1001743

STUNNING MOUNTAIN AND LAKE VIEWS FROM THREE COMBINED LOTS. MLS# 1001022

Enjoy privacy and natural beauty on this 1.98-acre parcel in Trillium Ridge. With a charming stream, wooded surroundings, and view potential, it offers a serene setting with convenient access to community amenities. It’s a perfect opportunity to design a mountain retreat in a premier golf and lake community.

1.98 ACRES | $205,000 | MLS# 1001742

With its serene location nestled within the Trillium Links and Lake Club community, this 3.87-acre property represents a prime opportunity to establish a legacy in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Trimming will open up a breathtaking long-range view of the mountains surrounding Lake Glenville, and a dormant pond on the site presents an opportunity to add a soothing water feature to your landscape. Envision your dream home with both a memorable golf course and lake access moments away!

3.87 ACRES | $425,000 | MLS# 1001306

WATERDANCE

Dreaming of riverside living in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains? Build your perfect home above the serene Tuckasegee River in the gated Waterdance community. With stunning river frontage and easy access to water features, this lot is ideal for anglers and nature lovers alike. Waterdance features paved roads and a covered bridge. Access to the community water system is included. Don’t miss this slice of paradise!

1.3 ACRES | $99,000 | MLS# 105920

WHISPER LAKE

Fisherman’s Paradise! This 1.26-acre lot in Whisper Lake boasts 175 feet of Horsepasture River frontage off Lot 15 and another 175 feet on the adjoining green space of Lot 14. Enjoy easy access via paved roads to this cul-de-sac, with river sounds greeting you on arrival. A marked trail leads to the river’s edge. Public water and electricity are available, and an expired four-bedroom septic permit is on file. Ownership includes Sapphire Valley Resort amenities like golf, tennis, pools, and more.

1.26 ACRES | $225,000 | MLS# 1000867

Discover a 1.21-acre gently sloping lot in Whisper Lake, Sapphire, North Carolina, with access to Whisper Lake for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and boating. Enjoy Sapphire Valley Master Association amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, golf courses, tennis courts, and more. Surrounded by natural beauty, this property provides the perfect balance of tranquility and recreation.

1.2 ACRES | $37,000 | MLS# 1000529

Discover the perfect setting for a dream mountain retreat in the Western North Carolina mountains, just minutes from downtown Cashiers. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, this lot offers privacy, potential winter mountain views, and water access to Whisper Lake. Enjoy the amenities of the Sapphire Valley Master Association, including golf, tennis, a fitness center, and a playground. Experience a serene yet vibrant mountain lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty and recreational opportunities. UNDER CONTRACT

0.77 ACRES | $25500 | MLS# 1000165

WHITEWATER RIDGE

Enjoy exceptional, long-range mountain and lake views from this lot that overlooks two states! The exclusive and private gated community of Whitewater Ridge offers spectacular views. This homesite offers the chance to build a mountain dream home on more than 4.7 acres. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase this lot and create years of memories in a mountain cottage or estate home.

4.71 ACRES | $149,000 | MLS# 1001186

WOUDES MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Discover a 2.5-acre haven in Woudes Mountain Village, teeming with hardwoods and vibrant flora. Experience tranquility with features like a quaint stream and private trail to the community docks on Lake Glenville, providing water adventures at your doorstep. With gentle terrains easing your building process and access to the nearby attractions of Cashiers, Highlands, and Glenville, this lot perfectly combines nature’s charm and modern conveniences. Secure your serene escape today!

2.53 ACRES | $55,000 | MLS# 106383

Wrapped With

Meaning

word S by ellen jone S

Once the preserve of Jane Austen heroines and Victorian courtiers, the handwritten note has made an unexpected comeback — and not just among nostalgia enthusiasts. When most modern exchanges are saturated with thumbsup emojis, impersonal DMs, and algorithmic autoreplies, the slow, deliberate act of putting pen to paper feels ... revolutionary.

FROM DELIGHTFULLY PENNED GREETING CARDS TO THOUGHTFUL THANK-YOU NOTES, THERE’S NO BETTER TIME TO EXPLORE THE REVIVAL OF THE HANDWRITTEN DISPATCH THAN DURING THE HOLIDAYS. THE SEASON OF GIVING, REFLECTING, AND RECONNECTING PRACTICALLY BEGS FOR SOMETHING MORE HEARTFELT THAN A GROUP TEXT OR A GENERIC GREETING.

INK

IS IN

According to a Stationery Trends report, sales of premium stationery and pens has surged by over 22% in the last two years, with Gen Z driving the comeback. On TikTok, videos tagged #penpals and #calligraphy collectively have over 1.2 billion views — and climbing, a trend Forbes has dubbed “Stationerycore.”

Why the surge? Call it digital fatigue. Call it emotional hunger. Call it the craving for something that doesn’t come with a notification ping. But across demographics, people are rediscovering that writing by hand feels like a small but potent act of presence.

Even Meghan Markle, modern duchess and seasoned note-sender, has long championed the handwritten thank-you as a gesture of grace. Her pretty penmanship even sparked a calligraphy side hustle in her early acting days, a skill she had no shame in flaunting on her recent “With Love, Meghan” Netflix series.

TRY ADDING EXTRA FLOURISHES OR A SKETCH TO GIVE YOUR LETTERS A PERSONAL TOUCH. PHOTO BY WENDY AROS-ROUTMAN VIA UNSPLASH.COM

London-based calligrapher Imogen Owen is spearheading the modern calligraphy movement. Not only has she penned a best-selling, awardwinning book, “Modern Calligraphy Workshop,” she also hosts sellout workshops and collaborates with brands, all while running her own luxury letterpress stationery brand.

For Owen, the emotional weight of handwriting has only grown in our era of instant, AI-driven communication. “We are living in an increasingly digital world, but also with the development of AI, the true value of creating something has never been more important,” she explains. “When everything is available at the push of a button, how much more significant it is to pick up a pen and put it to paper, to switch off the machines and focus purely on doing something as best you can, ultimately for someone you care about.”

"Handwriting

taking the time to do something so personal and intimate. I think it’s immediately conveyed to the recipient as it stands out against a backdrop of emails, DMs, gifs, reshared at the click of a button. A coloured envelope, adorned with beautiful lettering, dropped through the letterbox — who wouldn’t instantly feel special?”

HANDWRITTEN HOLIDAYS

During the holiday season, when so many of us are reconnecting and reminiscing, handwritten notes offer extra connection between people in three ways, according to Shepherd. “First, the writer will have chosen the paper texture, color, size, and decoration. Then the ink color, envelope style, and stamp. Each one of those contributes to the reader’s rich visual and tactile experience.

is more

connected to the movement of the heart." - Natalie Goldberg

THE POWER OF THE PEN

Personal, tactile, and wildly human, handwritten notes are hitting all the right cultural chords. And no one knows this better than Margaret Shepherd, leading calligrapher and author of the books “The Art of the Handwritten Note” and “Learn Calligraphy.”

For her, what does sending a handwritten note mean to its recipient? “A handwritten note clearly signals that the writer has taken more trouble than the minimum that email or text requires. It is proof that the reader (and their relationship) is important to them. It also shows that the writer values the nicer things in life, like the visual arts, kindness, reciprocity, creativity, and friendship.”

Owen concurs. It’s this act of choosing the “slow path,” she says, that makes handwritten correspondence so impactful. “It means a lot,

“Second, the writer has a handwriting style that is not only distinctive but totally unique. It’s like your face or voice, triggering an immediate connection; in the whole world, only you have your handwriting. This makes you vividly present to the reader even before they open the envelope. Third, handwriting a note makes the writer slow down, think more carefully, and choose more refined phrases.”

Imagine the impact of a note tucked into a wrapped gift, explaining why you chose it, or a Christmas card to a distant relative sharing a memory from childhood. Picture the smile that comes from a simple line of gratitude on handmade paper, left on a neighbor’s doorstep with a homemade pie. So this season, slip a little meaning beneath the bow. A whisper of ink on a snowy white card may be the most lasting thing you give.

However you choose to put pen to paper this holiday, these tips will ensure your words arrive dressed for the occasion.

UPGRADE YOUR PAPER GAME

Heavyweight stock. Deckled edges. A whisper of gold foil. Stationery from Smythson, Dear Annabelle, or Imogen Owen signals that every detail is an act of intention.

USE A PEN THAT DOESN’T BETRAY YOU

Ballpoints are for bank forms. An heirloom fountain pen with blue-black ink by Kaweco Sport or Montblanc makes even your to-do list feel like a love letter. For extra flourish, simple variations in pressure and slant transform ordinary words into beautiful calligraphy strokes.

red and green, I love pinks and reds, or blush, mustards and rusts, it’s how you tie it all together, what unifies it and makes it feel special.”

MAKE THE ENVELOPE MATTER

Shepherd swears by starting with the envelope. “I always address the envelope first, to visualize the person I’m writing to and imagine what I’d like to say to them. When you write it by hand, spend that minute imagining the reader in the room with you.”

SAY SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU

Skip the generic. Anyone can write “Wishing you joy this season,” but it’s the mulled wine mishap, the carols sung off-key, or last year’s snowstorm that makes your words ring true. A line that only you could write is infinitely more memorable than the most elaborate turn of phrase. Realness is the new refinement.

THANK-YOUS SHOULD BE THOUGHTFUL

“Thank-you notes for holiday presents really show your gratitude. Write promptly, within a week, if possible,” says Shepherd. She suggests at least three sentences: “For instance, ‘Thank you for the enamel flower. It was so thoughtful of you to remember how much I like blue. I pinned it on my favorite jacket and wore it to Denise’s goodbye party.’”

Holiday notes are the perfect place to play and break the rules. “Even just getting a white gel pen and writing loose script on a coloured envelope can look super chic. Don’t be afraid to be different, and vary size and scale,” suggests Owen.

BE PREPARED FOR GRATITUDE SEASON

“Keep a checklist of gifts received (this can help your kids send notes). Be prepared with a box of stationery, a pen, and an address list,” recommends Shepherd. And in a pinch? “In an emergency, send a very short email: ‘The box you sent just arrived. I can’t wait to open it!’ This gets you off the hook, allowing you to follow up with a real handwritten note within a week.”

INCLUDE A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA

A mini family photo, a pressed sprig of pine, a spritz of fragrance, or even your child’s best doodle turns your card or note into a keepsake.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME

If you’re trying your hand at calligraphy, don’t rush and enjoy the process. “It’s such a lovely mindful thing to do,” says Owen. “It’s great to have an afternoon locked away in peace, just making and doing. So allow yourself that time to shut off from tech and screens and enjoy the process of making and creating.”

TASTE OF IRELAND IN THE MOUNTAINS

A

There’s a new gathering place in the mountains of Cashiers, North Carolina.

On July 23, Cashiers Celtic Table opened its doors in a location familiar to many locals — the old Wendy’s building on Highway 64.

Step inside now, though, and you’ll find something entirely different: a warm and welcoming fusion of Irish heritage and Southern hospitality.

At the helm are three familiar faces from the beloved Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro in Highlands: Jacque Taylor, general manager and co-owner; D’Arcy Adams, sommelier and co-owner; and Brian Lasure, executive chef.

When Wolfgang Green decided to retire after more than 30 years of serving eclectic fine dining with German and Creole influences on Main Street, Taylor, Adams, and Lasure saw an opportunity to continue what they’d built together — but with a fresh perspective and a nod to their own heritage.

“We all worked for Wolfgang’s in Highlands, and once he told us he was retiring, we decided to open up here,” Taylor says.

But the decision to open their own place wasn’t one they’d planned for years. “I don’t think we really thought about it until he told us he was shutting down. And then it just seemed like the next step.”

word S by brad bartlett photography by molly harri S

IRISH HERITAGE & SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

The name Cashiers Celtic Table isn’t just clever alliteration. For the owners, it’s personal.

“D’Arcy and I are both Irish,” Taylor shares, “so we just chose the Irish name.” But the Celtic influence can be found throughout the restaurant. The growing menu celebrates traditional Irish fare, and on Wednesday nights, you may just catch some Irish-inspired live music.

Perhaps most important is the menu. Luckily, the team’s diverse culinary experience is built on years of travel and experience serving guests at Wolfgang’s.

“The menu is kind of split,” Adams explains. “We have all the traditional Irish fare, and then there’s also some classic American dishes like short ribs and trout. But we also have a salmon dish.

“Really, we want to let people know that we have more than just fish and chips, bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage,” (which they do offer, and it’s delicious!). “There are plenty of options here — something for everyone.”

The menu reads like a culinary journey through Ireland and beyond. Start with Reuben egg rolls or boxty (traditional Irish potato pancakes), then move on to classics like Guinness beef stew or shepherd’s pie. Look further and you’ll find grilled salmon, braised short ribs, chicken curry, and even show-stopping beef Wellington.

BELOVED FOUNDATIONS

The transition from Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro to Cashiers Celtic Table happened with remarkable speed.

“Two and a half months had gone by before we signed the lease,” Adams recalls. For many, the whirlwind nature of opening a restaurant in such a short timeframe would be overwhelming.

But the challenge was made easier by the team they’d built over years of working together.

“It’s a new restaurant, but we have seven or eight people who have been working together for years and years, so it doesn’t feel quite like a brand-new restaurant in that aspect,” says Adams.

The continuity has proven invaluable, helping Cashiers Celtic Table quickly open their dining experience and seat guests from day one.

“It’s all because of the team we put together. It’s been smoother than it certainly could have been. Everyone’s kind of pulled together and found a niche.”

The restaurant kept some unexpected features from its previous incarnation — takeout windows that now serve as a novel (and convenient) option for guests.

“We kept the takeout windows,” Adams says. “We tell people, ‘We’re in the old Wendy’s building!’ and that’s how they know where we are. So we still have a takeout window. People can come pick up food from it. It’s just kind of fun.”

A NEW GATHERING PLACE

From the beginning, Taylor, Adams, and Lasure have envisioned Cashiers Celtic Table as more than just a place to eat. The trio aims to see the restaurant grow into a community hub for Cashiers.

When it comes to vibes, Taylor mentions the sitcom “Cheers”: “We want to be like a local “Cheers.” We want to become that kind of community gathering place.”

That vision extends to creating an inclusive atmosphere. “There’s a little bit of everything, whether it’s high-end or something you get every night for dinner,” Adams says. “We want to be able to cater to everyone.”

To that end, the restaurant offers live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays and has the TV tuned to the sports channel for all the football fans (or any sports enthusiasts, for that matter).

It’s the kind of place where you might come for a romantic dinner one night and return with friends to watch the game the next.

For those who knew and loved Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro during its three-decade run on Main Street in Highlands, the opening of Cashiers Celtic Table offers a bittersweet comfort. While Wolfgang Green’s retirement marked the end of an era, the expertise and warmth that made his Highlands restaurant special live on through Cashiers Celtic Table.

“Wolfgang’s was kind of a mainstay in Highlands that had been there for 30 years,” Adams reflects. “But I think the community has been really happy that we’re here and just excited. It’s local people with experience running a nice restaurant.”

The response from the community has exceeded expectations. “It was just cool to see all the people that we’d affected in their lives last year, how happy everyone was for us and the local community,” Adams says.

So what would Taylor or Adams say if they were giving friends a recommendation on where to get a great meal in Cashiers? Head on down to the area’s new gathering place — where Irish tradition embraces American classics, and where everyone is welcome.

Cashiers Celtic Table is now open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday at 341 U.S. Highway 64, ready to become your new favorite spot.

As the team settles into their new home and continues building relationships with guests old and new, one thing is clear: Cashiers Celtic Table isn’t just filling a void left by Wolfgang’s Restaurant & Wine Bistro — it’s honoring that legacy while creating its own, one plate, one pint, and one warm welcome at a time.

For reservations, visit cashiersceltictable.com or call 828-743-8007. Live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Takeout available. Follow Cashiers Celtic Table on Instagram @cashiers.celtic.table

YULETIDE AMONG SPIRES

“This

is how Christmas should feel. Full of hope, happiness, and new beginnings. Full of love, for those we’re with, those we miss and those we’ve found.”

- Jo Thomas, Finding Love at the Christmas Market

word S by ellen jone S

NUREMBERG CHRISTMAS MARKET HELD ON THE CENTRAL SQUARE NEXT TO FRAUENKIRCHE, A 14TH CENTURY CHURCH. PHOTO BY FLORIAN TRYKOWSKI COURTESY

THE GLITTER OF FAIRY LIGHTS, THE SCENT OF GINGERBREAD, AND THE FAINT CHIME OF CHURCH BELLS THROUGH FROSTY AIR, OH YES, EUROPE HAS PERFECTED THE ART OF CHRISTMAS MARKETS. YET THESE SEASONAL SPECTACLES AREN’T JUST ABOUT SOUVENIRS; THEY’RE A SENSORY IMMERSION INTO TRADITION, CULTURE, AND CONVIVIALITY.

Sure, you can find delightful hand-carved ornaments and steaming mugs of glühwein at European Christmas markets, but visiting them at this time of year is an incredible chance to steep oneself in the history, architecture, and atmosphere of each country at its most enchanting.

CENTURIES OF CHEER

The tradition of Christmas markets is as old as mulled wine itself — and just as warming to the spirit. These festive gatherings trace their origins back to the late Middle Ages in German-speaking Europe, where towns would host December markets (or Wintermärkt) to help local residents stock up on supplies before the deep cold set in.

One of the earliest references to these events is Vienna’s 1296 Krippenmarkt, when Duke Albrecht I granted the city the right to hold a December fair. What began as a practical trading event gradually evolved into continent-wide celebrations infused with seasonal magic. And the rest, they say, is festive folklore history.

TALLINN, ESTONIA

NOV. 21 TO DEC. 27, 2025

Best for: Storybook romance in a medieval setting

Bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, Estonia appears as if it’s been plucked from the pages of a Grimms’ fairy tale. Its picture-book capital, Tallinn, shimmers like a wintery stage set. Centered in Town Hall Square, the market unfurls beneath the Gothic spire of the 15th-century Town Hall, where every cobblestone and pointed gable is dusted with frost.

At the heart of it all stands the star of the show: Estonia’s most important Christmas tree. Erected in Town Hall Square each year since 1441, it holds the distinction of being the first Christmas tree ever displayed in Europe, a tradition that has stood for nearly six centuries. The square transforms into a veritable Christmas land, festooned with sparkling lights, decorated trees, and festive garlands.

Wooden stalls overflow with handmade wreaths, local arts and crafts, honey, sheepskin rugs, and sweets, while local merchants tempt you with traditional Estonian fare: black pudding, sour cabbage, spiced gingerbread, and steaming hot Christmas drinks. Children are spellbound by merry-go-rounds, and the festive program offers brass bands, bell ringers, and endless dance troupes weaving through the crowd. Adding a pinch of enchantment, Santa himself arrives in an authentic reindeer sleigh, welcoming young visitors to the festivities before they dart off for a whirl on the carousel.

WHAT ELSE TO EXPLORE

Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and wandering its labyrinth of lanes is half the joy. By day, ascend the city walls for panoramic views or dip into the baroque Kadriorg Palace, built by Peter the Great for his empress. By night, cozy wine cellars and candlelit taverns make the medieval city glow with a distinctly festive intimacy.

STAY

For luxury with character, book into the Hotel Telegraaf, a 19th-century telegraph office turned five-star boutique. Just steps from the market, its interiors strike a balance between historic gravitas and contemporary polish, with a spa that’s perfect for thawing out after an evening in the square. Hotel Telegraaf’s exceptional Restaurant Tchaikovsky marries French flavours and Russian tradition with Estonian ingredients.

EXPLORE KADRIORG PALACE, BUILT BY PETER THE GREAT. PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT ESTONIA VISITESTONIA.COM

THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW IN TALLINN, SURROUNDED BY VENDORS, LIGHTS, AND SHOPS. PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT ESTONIA VISITESTONIA.COM

NUREMBERG, GERMANY

NOV. 28 TO DEC. 24, 2025

Best for: Quintessential Bavarian tradition

If there is such a thing as the definitive Christmas market, it’s Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt. Dating back to the mid-16th century, this market is as much ritual as revelry. It opens with the Christkind (an angelic figure in a golden crown and white-and-gold robes) proclaiming the market’s blessing from the balcony of the Church of Our Lady. Then, it’s three weeks of mulled wine, music, and gemütlichkeit.

Nearly 200 stalls line Hauptmarkt square, each capped with red-and-white striped roofs like rows of candy canes. Here, quality is paramount: vendors are vetted to ensure their wares uphold tradition. Expect delicate glass ornaments, hand-stitched nutcrackers, and exquisite little crèche figures.

Part of the magic is wandering from stall to stall on a kind of edible and artisanal treasure hunt. Begin at Booth 128 with Lebkuchen-Schmidt, purveyors of the city’s world-famous gingerbread — round or square, chocolate-dipped or almondstudded, every bite a taste of Nuremberg’s spicetrading past.

Warm your hands (and spirits) at Booth 126 with blueberry mulled wine from Vollrath, a heady concoction made with Italian vintages and secret spices. At Booth 103, traditional Franconian tree decorations (straw stars and feather angels) promise to outshine anything mass-produced. End with a steaming mulled wine from Thomas & Gerstacker at Booth 31— and don’t forget to keep the cup; it’s both a souvenir and a badge of honor.

THE TWIN CITIES MARKET. PHOTO BY FLORIAN TRYKOWSKI COURTESY OF THE NUREMBERG CONVENTION AND TOURIST OFFICE TOURISMUS.NUERNBERG.DE

EXPLORING

WHAT ELSE TO EXPLORE

Beyond the market, Nuremberg offers a glorious wealth of history and culture. The Imperial Castle dominates the skyline, while the Germanisches Nationalmuseum holds the world’s largest collection of German art and artifacts. For a sobering but essential counterpoint, the Documentation Center on the Nazi Party Rally Grounds provides profound historical depth to a city that has rebuilt itself with dignity.

STAY

Check into Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg, where historic art nouveau elegance meets modern indulgence. Just steps from the Old Town and Imperial Castle, this 1896 gem blends plush rooms with marble bathrooms and Nick Dine–designed Le Méridien Beds. Sip cocktails at the Atelier Bar, savor German-French cuisine at the Restaurant Brasserie, or explore local galleries with your complimentary museum access.

HANDCRAFTED ORNAMENTS FROM NUREMBERG. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE DIERENBACH COURTESY OF THE NUREMBERG CONVENTION AND TOURIST OFFICE TOURISMUS.NUERNBERG.DE

INSIDE THE LE MÉRIDIEN GRAND HOTEL NUREMBERG. PHOTO COURTESY OF LE MÉRIDIEN GRAND HOTEL NUREMBERG MARRIOTT.COM

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

NOV. 20 TO DEC. 23, 2025

Best for: Glittering elegance and Alpine proximity

Zurich doesn’t do Christmas markets halfway; it literally gilds them. Switzerland’s financial capital may be sleek and cosmopolitan, but in December, its streets are strung with “Lucy” lights — thousands of crystalline LED orbs suspended along Bahnhofstrasse. Beneath this canopy of brilliance, Zurich stages several distinct markets.

Wienachtsdorf Village at Sechseläutenplatz dazzles with a 15-meter tree, mini bonfires, and a feast of Swiss and international delicacies; from cheese fondue to spiced pastries, it’s a gourmand’s winter playground. Inside the grand concourse of the Hauptbahnhof, Europe’s largest indoor Christmas market reinvents the bustling terminal as a festive wonderland. Over 140 stalls, a towering 10-meter tree, and interactive pedal-powered lights turn commuters into joyful collaborators. For sweeping city views, hop the funicular (or test your winter stamina with a short uphill stroll) to the university observation deck.

Christmas Market Dörfli in Niederdorf is the city’s oldest and most picturesque market, where wooden stalls brim with handmade candles, ornaments, ceramics, and glühwein potent enough to melt even the iciest toes. Wandering here feels like stepping into a living holiday postcard. For a dash of theatrical sparkle, the Singing Christmas Tree at Werdmühleplatz showcases carolers serenading you from a beautifully crafted tree-shaped stage — sing along if you dare.

WHAT ELSE TO EXPLORE

Zurich’s compact size makes it perfect for exploring on foot. Explore the Kunsthaus Zürich museum, home to one of Europe’s finest collections of modern art, or stroll the Limmat River for views that frame the Grossmünster’s twin towers against snowy peaks. And because this is Switzerland, the Alps are never far. In under 30 minutes by train, you can be sledding down snowy hillsides with your family or sipping hot chocolate in a mountainside lodge.

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN WIENACHTSDORF VILLAGE. PHOTO BY ALEX BUSCHOR COURTESY OF ZÜRICH TOURISMUS ZUERICH.COM

STAY

If Zurich were a jewel box, the Baur au Lac would be the crown diamond. Sitting conveniently between Bahnhofstrasse’s boutiques and Lake Zurich’s shimmer, this grand dame of hospitality has hosted royals, rock stars, and just about everyone worth name-dropping. Condé Nast once dubbed this former palace the “Best Hotel in the World,” and frankly, it’s hard to argue: marble bathrooms with Bottega Veneta toiletries, Rivolta Carmignani linens, and a rooftop gym with Alpine views all say yes, you’ve arrived.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

PACK LAYERS, NOT JUST COATS

European winters have a sharp bite, but heating will be blasting inside, so pack and wear easily removable layers. Don’t forget hats and gloves because those festive stalls wait for no one.

CASH IS KING(ISH)

Cards are fine, but a few euros may charm stallholders faster. Smaller vendors may even wink at you if you pay with exact change.

LEARN THE LOCAL CHEERS

Instead of saying “Cheers!” try out “Prost!” (Germany), “Skål!” (Estonia), and “Zum Wohl!” (Switzerland). Practice makes perfect. It’s also a great way to break the ice before a clink of glühwein mugs.

SUITCASE STRATEGY

Leave lots of room in your suitcase — gingerbread hearts, ornaments, and sheepskin rugs don’t squish flat. You’ll thank yourself when you can close your luggage.

THE SNOW IS THE REAL DEAL

The snow isn’t a light flurry; it’s a full snowfall. Think Hallmark movie, minus the fake machine. Waterproof boots are non-negotiable if you plan to wander cobblestones all day.

THE SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE IN ZURICH. PHOTO BY KATHARINA LÜTSCHER COURTESY OF ZÜRICH TOURISMUS ZUERICH.COM

SLEDDING AT THE SAVOGNIN SKI RESORT. PHOTO BY ALEX BUSCHOR COURTESY OF ZÜRICH TOURISMUS ZUERICH.COM

AERIAL VIEW OF TALLINN ESTONIA. PHOTO COURTESY OF KARL MARKUS ANTSON