261 Cut Laurel Ln Banner Elk, NC 28604

Welcome to this artfully crafted mountain home in Valle Crucis - a custom build completed in 2018 with nearly 1,800 square feet, two main-level suites, a versatile loft, and woodwork milled from trees on the property. Imagine starting your morning on the south-facing screened porch, coffee in hand, as sunlight filters through the trees and cool mountain air drifts in. Set along a ridge in the established Barefoot Woods neighborhood, the home tells a story through its craftsmanship: hickory, cherry, red oak, and poplar thoughtfully incorporated into the floors, kitchen beam ceiling, sliding bedroom barn doors, and custom woodwork, with seasonal views toward Grandfather Mountain and Historic Valle Crucis below. At the heart of the open living space, a soapstone masonry wood-burning heater provides radiant warmth, while its separate bake oven invites you to try homemade bread or pizza on a chilly afternoon. The kitchen, featuring ADA-compliant GE Café appliances, is open to the dining and living areas, keeping conversation flowing while meals are prepared. Approximately 12 feet of sliding glass doors open to the screened porch, where a high vaulted wood ceiling, skylights and tile flooring extend the living space outdoors. With more than 700 square feet of decking, including covered and screened spaces, there is room to gather over dinner, settle into a good book or simply listen to the sounds of the woods. Two spacious main-level bedrooms sit on opposite sides of the living area, each with an attached full bath and private deck. Custom wood vanities, granite countertops and marble showers continue the home's attention to natural materials. In the primary bath, a clawfoot tub beneath a crystal chandelier and a skylight creates a relaxing place to unwind. Upstairs, a bright loft with its own full bath, clerestory windows and French casement windows offers an inspiring setting for an artist's studio, home office or guest retreat. Thoughtful planning extends to everyday living: age-in-place design principles, a main-level laundry room with pantry space, and an attached one-car garage. The basement offers room for a workshop, creative projects or tending plants through the winter. Western red cedar siding and shingles, Marvin windows and sliding doors, and custom-built exterior wood doors reflect the craftsmanship found throughout. Passive solar design, natural daylight and cross ventilation complement air conditioning, propane heat, a Rinnai tankless water heater and wiring for a Generac generator. Outside, low-maintenance native plantings support pollinators and wildlife, with specimen Japanese maples, dwarf Canadian hemlocks and fragrant David Austin heirloom roses at the foundation. From quiet mornings on the porch to evenings warmed by the soapstone heater, this home invites you to settle into the rhythm of mountain living. Short-term rentals are not permitted. Barefoot Woods is a small, low-density community with just 10 homes, offering a quiet and private mountain setting. The home is accessed by a long private driveway with gate; please, no drive-bys.