The Daniel Aranda home is situated on ten acres atop Elder Mountain. Designed by architect Robert Seals, the house, created for its unique, private wooded site on the back side of the mountain, was built in 1987 and purchased by Aranda in 2006. Only ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga, the house offers total privacy from distant neighbors.
The western orientation presents breathtaking views at sunset. Outdoor lighting provides a dramatic view of surrounding trees at night. The only visible public lights come from Raccoon Mountain’s TVA boat dock in the distance, so star-gazing from the decks can be spectacular. Front windows look onto woods and a long, winding driveway. The living room, family room, two-level deck and three of the bedrooms reveal stunning, ever-changing seasonal views of the Tennessee River and pristine gorge called “The Grand Canyon of the Tennessee.” The Tennessee River Gorge Trust holds 27,000 acres and is home to 1,100 varieties of plants and a diverse mix of wildlife. Frequent sightings of deer, birds, and occasionally, wild turkey are common occurrences. “This unspoiled wilderness is a well-kept secret, though Chattanooga is only a few miles away,” Aranda comments. “The land is protected to guarantee that it will be available for future generations to enjoy. Views are constantly changing with the passing of seasons. Not surprisingly, spring and fall are the most breathtaking. Because the main windows face west, our favorite time of day is sunset,” he says. “The best sunsets occur on a partly cloudy day, with rays of sun reflecting off the clouds and creating many colors long after the sun has set over the mountain.”
Aranda fell in love with the house when he moved here from the South Florida coast. “I walked into the main entrance and looked across the living room at the stunning view, and was bowled over,” he remembers.
Aranda has completed renovations that included gutting and modernizing the kitchen and dining areas, creating a contemporary look and making this a perfect open space for total relaxation or casual entertaining. “The house has a vaulted ceiling, giving it the feel of a mountain lodge,” Aranda explains. “I wanted a more contemporary, open feel, so I removed a wall that separated the kitchen and dining areas to facilitate informal entertaining and chatting with guests. I chose sleek wooden cabinets stained black with modern brushed stainless steel hardware to match the appliances. Modern light fixtures, unusual granite and tile work give the kitchen sophistication but instill warmth. The hardwood floors just needed to be refinished.” These features combine with the grass cloth which is painted a soft red that glows at night and which complements the vaulted wood ceiling to create a welcoming quality. “At night the fire in the fireplace is reflected in the huge glass windows, against the darkness outside. We hardly know where to look!” Aranda remarks.
A massive mountain stone fireplace in the main living room and another in the family room downstairs help create an atmosphere that is cozy and romantic. The unique spiral staircase was hand-constructed using dowels instead of hardware. “It was actually built in Pennsylvania, and then dropped in by helicopter while the house was under construction,” says Aranda. “Two bathrooms had old fiberglass showers that were replaced with larger, tiled showers with custom glass doors. Travertine and other exotic tiles were used for floors, and fixtures were replaced using organic materials in keeping with the mountain setting. “Whether cooking together in the gourmet kitchen, studying the stars, marveling at the changing views and the river, or curling up in front of the fireplace, this is a definitely a house for lovers,” Aranda says.