Nestled into the forested hills of Highlands, North Carolina, Gilmer Lodge is a boutique retreat for travelers seeking equal parts calming nature and sophisticated small-town charm. Tucked beneath the Nantahala National Forest’s towering canopy, it invites guests to escape city life while simultaneously offering close proximity to the restaurants, wine bars and independent shops that set Highlands apart as a beloved destination.
It’s this sense of place that first caught owners Lauren and Mike Evans’ attention. They weren’t necessarily planning to buy a mountain retreat while browsing real estate listings hundreds of miles away from their home in Miami. But the uniqueness of one listing—a set of conjoined cabins—stopped them in their tracks.
The property was over budget, the layout was confusing and the necessary renovations were, well, extensive. However, the history, character and setting spoke to the couple. They purchased the property from the Gilmer family and spent much of 2023 painstakingly redesigning and renovating it.
“We wanted to bring modernity while being respectful of what was already there,” Lauren explains. “The charm of the property is timeless, and you can’t re-create that.”
The result is a carefully curated getaway that sleeps six. It combines centuries-old log construction with contemporary comforts and an intentional, design-forward sensibility.
The two historic cabins are connected by a wrap-around porch. The front structure, housing the primary bedroom, dates to roughly 1790. It was relocated from Anderson County, South Carolina, to Highlands in 1989. The back structure is an early-twentieth-century log cabin built by regional carpenter Joe Webb. His rustic cabins helped define the architectural identity of the Highlands plateau.
Each room has received a thorough update. Removing the drop ceiling in the kitchen revealed the original exposed beams and opened the space. The couple also added a stylish bathroom beside the front cabin’s primary bedroom, eliminating the need for guests to step outside at night. Instead, they can luxuriate in a soaking tub or the oversized shower while looking out to the woods through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Preserving the original materials was central to the renovation. Lauren and Mike requested the old interior boards be carefully removed and reused when the walls were shifted.
“You can’t buy new wood that has this patina,” Lauren says. “Using new boards would rip the soul out of the place.”
Now, the interiors pair luxurious refinement with rustic authenticity. The couple have layered vintage pieces with whimsical, one-of-a-kind finds. The floating granite sink, custom-fabricated from a slab sourced on Facebook Marketplace, is an eye-catching example.
With such curated details, it’s easy to feel you’re in your own world—inside or outside the cabin. There’s a fire pit flanked by Adirondack chairs and a hot tub tucked discreetly into the slope beneath the trees. And of course, a screened porch offers a place to linger long into the evening.
“When you’re on the property, you can’t see another home, but you’re only seven minutes from town,” Lauren points out. There are also waterfalls, hiking trails and fly-fishing streams nearby. But for Lauren, the greatest luxury is something simpler. “The best amenity is honestly just the peace,” she says. “It’s quiet and restorative.”
Book your trip on their Airbnb listing!
Gemma has been writing about home and garden design for over six years. She has a particular passion for sustainable alpine architecture and cozy, chalet-chic interiors.
