The Taylor Family’s Norris Lake Retreat
By Megan Venable
Photography by Ben Finch, Finch Photo
Realtor Andrea Dubois had been put on notice by Lynn and Mark Taylor that the family of six may be in the market for a lake house in addition to their full-time home in Knoxville. Two years ago, she came across a gem and let Mark know it was available. He made the trip to the home on Norris Lake, fell in love with the property and made a pretty risky gamble by putting in an offer on the house without Lynn having set foot in it. He came home and confessed what he had done and really hoped she would like it. He said he had the feeling that he just had to buy the house, Mark says, “I had a feeling it’ll be stupid if I don’t.”
It was a good gamble.
Lynn enlisted the help of Emily Harper to assist with the interiors. “What’s funny about that is I called her and said we purchased a lake house,” Lynn says, intending to use Harper’s expertise on a piece meal basis. “It became a full-on project. We were on the phone every single day,” she laughs. “It was fun to work with her – she has an eye for funky, fun and fresh.” It was important to the Taylors that the home be a comfortable place to rest and recharge. “Emily took everything seriously,” she says of Harper’s work, “We cared what the guest pillows would be. The beds are comfy and you can just breathe there.”
That said, there was no pressure to create a full-time residence, and the family continues to have fun with the decorating. The garage was transformed into a master bedroom, for instance, and covered up an existing porch with a roof and added an outdoor fireplace. “We play Mah Jong out on the screened porch and enjoy the view. With the wind chime going it makes for a very peaceful and pretty space.”
Having the lake house a short 30-minute drive from Knoxville means they are up there a lot with their family and friends. “It’s been sweet to have a place so close to Knoxville,” Lynn says. “Everyone who’s gone into the house experiences something unexpected and fun in every single room.” It was also important to the family that the house be usable for recreation on the lake as well. “You can come to the lake and not feel like you’re dirty the whole time,” Lynn laughs. “There’s a dock with a slide, two jet skis and a boat. One time we floated for seven hours straight!”
Lynn admits that the Wi-Fi is not great, but that means no kids are hanging on the phone or iPads all day. “We want the house to be a real retreat,” Lynn says. “We wanted it to be a place that’s not stressful for people.” Sometimes friends and family come to the lake house to visit just to read their bible and be peaceful for the day, and the Taylors intend to start celebrating upcoming holidays at the home. “It’s only been two years and there’s already sweet memories,” Lynn avows.