I recently had the pleasure of staying in two of the most historic inns in the Blue Ridge Mountains –the Eseeola Lodge in Linville, North Carolina, and the High Hampton Inn in Cashiers, North Carolina.
Eseeola Lodge . . .
The Eseeola Lodge
The Eseeola Lodge (http://eeseola.com) was built in 1892, four years after the wives of Linville’s developers convinced their husbands to create a resort instead a timber and mining town. Designed to capture the imaginations of mountain-going tourists, the lodge was built in a picturesque style using shingles made from chestnut bark.
Timber-pole balcony at The Eseeola
Although the original building burned in 1936, the present-day lodge is located in an annex built before the fire. Also covered in chestnut bark shingles, it features balconies made from unmilled timber poles and a huge stacked stone fireplace that retain the picturesque ambiance of the original structure.
The Eseeola's lobby
When it was built in 1929, the annex housed only a double row of guest rooms. Since then, it has been substantially expanded to include a large living room and restaurant where guests gather and dine in a style where elegance and luxury meet rustic charm.
The bar at Eseeola Lodge
High Hampton Inn . . .
Twilight at High Hampton Inn
Civil War general, South Carolina governer, and US Senator Wade Hampton began summering in the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1800. Wade’s sister Caroline dubbed the hilltop property High Hampton, and in 1922, the McKee family purchased the hunting lodge and outbuildings, turning them into an inn (http://highhamptoninn.com) where generations of Southerners have summered ever since.
The terrace at High Hampton Inn
While the rooms and cottages are cozy and cool (air-conditioning is unnecessary, but wood-burning fireplaces offer welcome warmth on mountain nights), outdoor pleasures are high on the agenda. Those not inclined to fish or canoe can just sit on the terrace and gaze upon the sublime beauty of Rock Mountain.
The lobby at High Hampton Inn
Popular with families, High Hampton Inn has a huge lobby surrounding a stacked stone fireplace where bridge, backgammon, and book-reading are favorite indoor pursuits. Like the Eseeola, this inn burned in the 1930s. Despite the fact that there was a Depression going it, it was immediately rebuilt on the original location using the same local materials: pine, hickory, and wormy chestnut.
Front desk at High Hampton Inn
So . . . don’t forget to check in and check out the Southern comfort — and traditional architecture — of these historic inns. Whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, these lodges will surround you with old-fashioned charm and natural beauty.
“I always go for the really fine, extraordinary pieces like this 18th century Italian arm chair. The carving is a flawless expression of the time and place this piece represents. I also like the fact that this is the original finish. It looks old. If you leave the finish alone–and even the upholstery, if possible–the true quality of the piece comes through so beautifully.
This 18th century Swedish cabinet has very fine, champfered paneling. Its size, the texture of its worn paint, and detail gives it a lot of presence in any room. The chairs (also Swedish) are rococo in style, with beautifully carved cabriole legs. I love the color and texture of the old leather seats and painted wood. They go so beautifully against the pale gray cabinet.
The iron-frame orangerie window (French, 19th century) is one of a pair. I mirrored the other one with silver leaf. The 20th-century Lucite chair has wonderful, true lines, which is why it can mix well with pieces from another period. I love putting modern pieces with very simple lines next to older ones. Clear pieces like these play beautifully with the light–and almost disappear.
This delightful garden party peaked with the presentation of a cake 
meringues. Expecting them to taste like styrofoam (how could something that insanely perky looking actually taste good, too?), I did not discover how delectable they were until the end of the party. Since I couldn’t figure out how to sneak one of the trees home without anyone noticing, I had to make do with just a few unforgettable bites–the perfect sweet ending to a divine afternoon.
The Southern Cosmopolitan (Rizzoli: April ’09) takes a fresh look at styles shaping the South’s architecture and interior design today. A selection of luxurious houses from Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, Atlanta, Natchez, Alexandria, and beyond celebrates the sophisticated side of Southern style with a mix of modern art, cherished antiques, and exotic textiles. Featured in tantalizing color photographs are select private residences decorated by leading tastemakers, including Thomas Jayne, Amelia Handegan, Nancy Braithwaite, and Hal Williamson.