Majestic Views: 2 King Suites, Fire Pit, Fast Fiber Optic Internet
Designed by artists and just minutes from Penland School of Craft, Conley House is comfortable, elegant, unique. This modern cabin on 6 private acres features inspired art, majestic views, a chef’s kitchen, handmade tableware, two spacious master suites, art supplies and lightning-fast fiber internet—perfect for work or play. Bonus: a detached studio office/3rd bedroom makes the ultimate creative workspace or guest room.
The space
Explore, Create, Relax
Hike the trails, visit waterfalls, bake bread in the chef’s kitchen, paint the stunning view, photograph a mountain sunset, take a class at Penland, enjoy a writers’ retreat, soak in the jetted tub while watching a movie, or simply catch up on your reading—this modern glass house is perfect for all of it. (Some trails remain closed from Helene, but many are now open.)
*💛 Please click the heart in the top right corner to add us to your wishlist! Doing this helps you find the home later and helps great guests like you find us too.
We’ve loved hosting since 2015 and pride ourselves on an excellent stay. Read on for more reasons to visit this year.
⸻
AMENITIES
Beds: 2 Kings (per primary), 1 Full Foldout (2nd Primary), 1 Queen (detached office)
Total Living Space (with office): ~2,450 sq. ft.
General
• Safe, rural location 15 minutes from town
• 6 private acres at 3,200–3,400 ft. elevation with panoramic mountain views
• Fast fiber-optic internet & mesh Wi-Fi
• Smart home with Alexa & keyless entry
• Motion-sensing exterior cameras
• Handmade details & commissioned artwork throughout
• Easy access from state-maintained roads
Family Friendly
• Toddler tableware, Pack ’n Play with sheets
• 1,150 sq. ft. terrace with fenced yard & hammock
• HE washer/dryer with detergent
⸻
LIVING & DINING (~1,000 sq. ft.)
• Indoor seating: bar/prep 7, dining 8
• Outdoor dining for 10 on 1,152 sq. ft. stone terrace
• Half bath
• 65” 4K HDTV, sound bar
• Mini Nintendo & Xbox One S (account required)
• Amazon Fire streaming with house accounts
• Cable & live sports via Amazon TV
⸻
KITCHEN
• Coffee & tea setup: French press, Mr. Coffee w/reusable filter, moka pot, pour-over, hot water dispenser, burr grinder, milk frother, and medium roast Fair-Trade beans and an assortment of teas
• Gas range, convection oven, Sub-Zero fridge, stainless dishwasher, microwave
• KitchenAid Pro mixer, Ninja blender & food processor
• Cuisinart cookware & utensils
• Handmade Fork Mountain pottery tableware
• Pantry staples & cleaning supplies
• 30+ sq. ft. of prep space—cook and socialize
• Weber charcoal grill (charcoal not provided)
• Seasonal apples, pears, blueberries, and fresh herbs on property
⸻
PRIMARY SUITE (~500 sq. ft.)
• King bed, HDTV, chaise lounge reading nook, walk-in closet
• Ensuite bath: jetted tub, separate shower, heated floors, custom fixtures
• Hairdryer, toiletries, makeup mirror, plush towels
• Independent heat & A/C
SECOND PRIMARY (~500 sq. ft.)
• King bed, queen foldout couch, HDTV, closet & dresser
• Ensuite bath: tub/shower combo, makeup mirror, hairdryer, toiletries
• Separate water heater & independent climate control
OFFICE / THIRD BEDROOM (~500 sq. ft.)
• Detached, above artist studio
• Desk, office chair, computer monitor, laser printer
• Queen bed, mountain-view seating area, mini-fridge
• Independent heat & A/C
(No bath is in this space. Guests use half bath just inside main house and share shower facilities with another guest.)
⸻
ABOUT THE HOME
Originally two cabins joined by artist and former Penland director Bill Brown Sr., the home now features two suites and an open, light-filled living area. Many original railings and details remain, including a Doug Sigler-designed kitchen. Its passive-solar design captures warmth and sunlight year-round, framing mountain views from every room. The home features commissioned artwork and handmade pieces that reflect the area’s craft heritage.
⸻
VISITING IN THE OFF-SEASON: Winter views are breathtaking! Trails and waterfalls are quiet and serene. Some businesses adjust hours mid-December through February, but others offer pop-ups, events, and winter menus. If you’d like help deciding whether the off-season fits your plans, just ask—we’re happy to help.
⸻
CHILDREN: Children are welcome! This is a home, not a museum, but we ask parents to be attentive—move delicate items or cords out of reach as needed for safety.
⸻
✅ Have a larger group? Our sister property, Dougs Way, sleeps 10 and is just 4 minutes away. Ask for details!
Guest access
The entire house and grounds are available to guests with the exception of the first floor of the detached artist studio. (Guests have access to the upstairs portion through the sliding glass doors found by going up the stairs and around the back of the studio.)
Other things to note
FALL FOLIAGE
Typically fall foliage begins October 1 and, barring an early frost, ends the first week of November. It typically peaks around October 15.
PHONE SERVICE
Verizon is the primary mobile carrier for the area. Other mobile users are encouraged to check their carrier's coverage in the region.
DRIVEWAY
The gravel drive can be steep for some vehicles that are especially low to the ground, such as sports cars and Mini-Coopers, etc. The owners have a truck and a typical sedan and have no trouble getting up the driveway.
Four-wheel drive and AWD is not required, but if you are renting a vehicle, this option might be a good choice for the mountains in winter. Chains for tires are another good option if you are visiting in the snowy season and you are concerned about getting around.
PENLAND & THE HOME'S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The home was built by artist/sculptor Bill Brown, the first director of Penland School of Crafts after the founder, Lucy Morgan, retired.
Penland School is important to the region of Appalachia because in the 1920s Miss Lucy, as she was often called, provided education and resources to local women teaching them how to weave and sell their handmade goods. This developed into a cottage industry that helped to improve the circumstances of these women and also gave birth to Penland.
The school now provides instruction in all areas of craft from weaving, pottery, glass and ceramics to metalwork, printmaking, letterpress, photography and much more. The campus occupies 420 acres on the mountain at the other end of the same road as Conley House. Visually inspiring all by itself, the campus is open for tours by appointment and has a catalog of courses that are open to the public and are designed for a range of skill levels.
Also open to the public is Penland Gallery, which offers fine craft in all media made by skilled craftspeople from all over the world. The school also has a coffee shop and gift shop! They love to have visitors, so stop on by! Because of the school and the natural beauty of the mountains, the area is filled with artists and craftspeople, making it a truly unique area of the country that you'll want to explore.
Prior to your stay, we require you to complete a pre-arrival form and sign & agree to our rental conditions.
