This Mountain Escape Could Be Yours

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Take an Interior and Exterior Tour 12 Videos

Take an Interior and Exterior Tour

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Quick Tour 01:41

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Backyard Tour 01:27

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Great Room Tour 01:49

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Kitchen Tour 01:29

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Master Bedroom Tour 01:26

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Master Bathroom Tour 01:02

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Bunk Room Tour 01:00

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Study Tour 01:02

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Five Coolest Features 01:01

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Guest Room Tour 01:01

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Powder Room Tour 01:00

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Laundry Room Tour 01:00

1 - 3 of 12 videos

Quick Tour 01:41

Take a quick look inside the DIY Ultimate Retreat 2018 in Sapphire, NC.

Before and After Photos

See All Photos

Before: Front Yard

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the front elevation of exterior before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Front Yard

This modern, mountain retreat combines quality craftsman style timber framing and soothing natural colors to blend into the surrounding forest. The calm design invites relaxation in every detail.

Photo By: Robert Peterson / Rustic White P

Before: Front Porch

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the front angled view of front door and kitchen door before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Front Porch

Exposed wood beams highlight the entry to the house and add a rustic texture to the exterior.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Front Yard

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the detatched garage before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Front Yard

Exposed beam work on the front porch is also found on the garage across the gravel drive. Using similar architectural elements unite the spaces and create visual connection as you approach the property.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Garage

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Garage

Clean lines and exposed beams on this double car garage feel modern and timeless. The mixture of gray siding and exposed wood echoes the design found in the main home.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Entry

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the entryway before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Entry

A metal side table and brass envelope styled shelf create a streamlined drop space for keys and mail from the entry into the great room. The window panel in the classic wood door keeps the area filled with natural light.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Great Room

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the entryway and living room before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Great Room

A large, octagonal great room combines the perfect mix of classic design and Southern charm with high-tech upgrades to keep the family entertained, connected and completely relaxed.

Photo By: Debbie Wolfe

Before: Great Room

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the entry view of living room with the master bedroom to right and kitchen on the left before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Great Room

This multifaceted space is perfect for parties and entertaining a crowd or a quiet night at home. The open concept space is brought together by metallic accents, warm colors, and a cohesive, eclectic design.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Dining Room

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the dining room and kitchen space before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Dining Room

This open concept space connects the kitchen to the living area with an inviting and clean-lined dining room. A sleek and modern pendant lamp adds extra light while the modern, round table and blue shaker-style chairs can accommodate a hungry crowd.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Kitchen

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the kitchen before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Kitchen

Soft tones of gray, white and blue create a serene backdrop in this inviting kitchen. A large custom island with sleek white counter space creates the perfect place to gather with family and friends.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Kitchen

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Kitchen

Entertaining is simple with a long kitchen island that creates an easy place for friends and family to gather and cook. The simple gray, blue and white color palette sets off the striking wood floors and feels calm and serene.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Master Bedroom

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the master bedroom before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Master Bedroom

The bedroom feels bright and airy when the door is open to the outdoor patio space. The soft pattern on the curtains adds texture while the material still allows some light to keep the space private.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Master Bedroom Closet

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Master Bedroom Closet

Dark wood in the custom built-in cabinets of the walk-in closet connect the space to the dark woods found in the master bedroom nightstands and bed frame. A geometric rug in neutral tones pops against the cabinet and walls and echoes the design found in the larger space as well.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Master Bathroom

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Master Bathroom

The vanity offers both open storage for fresh rolled white towels, as well as closed cabinets for other bathroom essentials.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Master Bathroom

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the master bathroom before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Master Bathroom

The wet room offers all the advantages of having both a shower and tub, with a crank-open window that brings in fresh air and beautiful natural light without compromising privacy.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Guest Bedroom

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the second guest room before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Guest Bedroom

Layers of textures and a nice mix of feminine and masculine design details create an appealing guest bedroom made for rest and relaxation.

Photo By: Robert Peterson / Rustic White P

Before: Guest Bedroom

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Guest Bedroom

The mix of masculine and feminine design details creates a balanced look in this charming guest bedroom, with just enough patterns for added visual interest.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Guest Bathroom

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the guest bathroom before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Guest Bathroom

A shower and bath combo with a hinged glass door and soft lake blue ceramic wall subway tiles in a nontraditional pattern that add dimension highlight this stylish guest bathroom. Special touches, like a vintage wood bench, add character to the space.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Bunk Room

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the guest room before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Bunk Room

The bunk room’s three extra-large round ottomans upholstered in different colors and patterns include storage space inside. “They’re sort of like a fun landing spot for kids if they’re playing the Xbox or whatever,” says designer Elizabeth Demos. “They’re also great for storing toys or extra blankets.”

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Bunk Room

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Bunk Room

This view from one of the upper bunks with the door partially open shows how the striking mural spans an entire wall in this creative space that reflects the natural beauty of the property.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Backyard

The DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018 is located in Sapphire, North Carolina. This home will be completely gutted and remodeled during renovations. Pictured is the rear elevation and upper deck before construction. (Before)

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Backyard

This modern, mountain retreat combines quality craftsman style timber framing and soothing natural colors to blend into the surrounding forest. The calm design invites relaxation in every detail.

Photo By: Robert Peterson / Rustic White P

Before: Deck

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Deck

The design of the backyard deck that wraps the home offers good flow between designated areas for eating, entertaining and relaxing outdoors. A deck that was added to the front of the home ties into the backyard deck.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Before: Deck

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Deck

A seating area on the three-sided octagon deck around a propane firepit creates an inviting backyard destination. A semi-translucent charcoal black stain that shows the grain of the wood was used on the seating area’s three cedar log-style swings and three two-seat Adirondack style benches with a small table in-between made from naturally rot and insect resistant Northern White Cedar. “We were trying to keep it fresh and modern by using the stain on what would be considered traditional mountain furniture,” says designer Elizabeth Demos.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Before: Deck

Photo By: Gil Stose

After: Deck

Perfect for a crisp morning or fall night, this seating area with see-through fireplace from the great room inside offers another backyard spot for casual conservation while enjoying the outdoors.

From: Elizabeth Demos

Photo By: David A. Land

Outdoor Spaces

Backyard 30 Photos

Front Yard 24 Photos

Projects Around the Home

How to Make a Rustic-Chic Nail Art Address Plaque

Get Organized With These DIY Cotton Rope Containers

Pretty Up Your Porch With a DIY Wooden Doormat

Design Inspiration 11 Photos

From modern mountain furnishings to paint swatches courtesy of HGTV HOME™ by Sherwin-Williams, see how designer Elizabeth Demos thoughtfully curated every space.

About the Hosts

Matt Blashaw

This licensed contractor honed his handyman skills while working at his father's lumberyard through college.

All About Matt

J. Pickens

Host of DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2018, J. Pickens is a designer, fabricator, and maker who creates work filled with a spirit of adventure, discovery, history, and irreverence. His career has been enviably diverse and features everything from movie prop building to high end interior design. In spite of his Brooklyn, NY location, J. Pickens can’t deny his roots in the Deep South and loves all things fishing and outdoors.