Saddle Tree
Your modern yet cozy shoreside hideaway right on the Etowah River
At a Glance
* A just-finished modern take on the “shotgun cabin”
* Bedroom with king, loft with 2 twins. Sleeps 4 (on really nice linens)
* In Dahlonega, “Napa Valley of the South,” a magical artsy town just a skip and hop north of *
Atlanta
* Dogs welcome and loved, not just “allowed” (see The Small Print for details)
* Direct river access right in front of the house — pups and people welcome to swim and play in the calm waters
* Sleek, open-concept modern design: stylish yet warm and inviting
* Beautifully decorated: classy, bright, clean, and uncluttered
* Thoughtful lighting: ambiance, dimmers, lit stairs
* Central climate control system: crisp and cool in summer, toasty in winter
* Top of the line, fully equipped kitchen
* Complete coffee bar with fresh grinder, frother, and every brewing method imaginable, from pour-over to pods; insulated cups
* State of the art LG washer/dryer
* Charming bench swing right at the river's edge
* Covered side deck facing the water
* Picnic table and firepit overlooking the river
* Campsite-style pedestal grill
The Saddle Tree Story...
There are countless reasons to fall in love with Dahlonega. The picturesque town square lined with historic buildings, boutique shops, cozy cafés, and local art galleries. The brick sidewalks and preserved 1800s architecture. The warm and welcoming community. The rich history and golden legacy. Award-winning vineyards. And, of course, the breathtaking mountain landscape. But when I spoke with Denise Dillard, the owner of the just-built (and just adorable) Saddle Tree cabin, the first thing that came up was music.
“My daddy loved bluegrass,” she tells me, “that’s what I grew up with. So when I am hanging out in town and I see folks walking around with banjos and mandolins, having impromptu jams in the square, putting on little outdoor concerts… it makes me real happy.”
Denise had been through Dahlonega a couple of times as a kid and loved it, so when she started looking for property, the hidden gem of a town made perfect sense.
“I love what [Dahlonega] has to offer,” Denise says. “There is something for everyone: art, music, great restaurants, little mom n’ pop stores. We have Bear on the Square…” — an annual festival celebrating Appalachian culture, music, and art. “Plenty of outdoor adventures. You can go rent 4-wheelers at Iron Mountain” — a massive off-road adventure park — “or go to the vineyards, or take in a concert. There’s just so much.”
And for Denise, it’s the perfect blend of mountains and river, “...without being alone on a mountaintop,” she laughs.
Having picked the perfect little town, Denise built the perfect little cabin: a functional yet stylish, simple yet classy, not-a-detail-overlooked shotgun house. I complimented her on the minimalist architecture and decor, the sense of spaciousness, and the bright colors and textures she chose for Saddle Tree.
“I am into the aesthetics of clean lines and uncluttered space — I don’t like having a bunch of stuff or walls covered,” she says. Denise has a great eye for design. The light surfaces and walls combine beautifully with the blonde and dark wood furniture and structural accents, the sleek lines, and not a square inch of wasted space. She didn’t waste any wood, either: all the wood used in the house, the gorgeous poplar and dark walnut shelves, chunky cross beams, railings, were salvaged from the trees that had to be felled in order to build the cabin.
“I love trees,” she says, “and I don’t like cutting them down — but I had to. Using that wood in the cabin was super important to me.”
The lighting, too, is important. “There needs to be a certain ambiance in my home, so all the bulbs are warm and dimmable. The stairs are subtly lit… At night it’s pure magic in here.” In her previous life, Denise was a nurse. She remembers the glaring institutional fluorescents.
“A cabin shouldn’t feel like a hospital,” she says.
The longer we spoke, the clearer it became to me that Denise was a woman with well-defined ideas of the caliber of experience she wanted to provide her guests.
As someone who loves to cook, she outfitted the kitchen with quality everything, and probably too much of it. “Honestly,” she confides, “Based on what most people will do in this kitchen… it’s way overstocked. But the way I see it, when people stay here, they can’t have things that are worse than what they have at home — it should even be a treat or an upgrade.”
Speaking of “treats,” wait until you check out the coffee bar. Fit for a coffee snob from New York City or Seattle or Paris, it has a fresh grinder, a frother, pour-over, carafe, pod, you name it. Also: regular mugs, insulated mugs, large, small…
“Sometimes I feel like I built the whole house around that coffee bar,” Denise chuckles. “But it was worth it. Sitting on that deck with my morning cup, or, better yet, on the swing over the river, listening to the water lapping at the shore… pure bliss.”
Denise confesses that in addition to coffee, there are a few other things that she will pay top dollar for: “Good sunglasses, Italian shoes, and linens.” Also, a brand new climate control system.
“At Saddle Creek I want it cool in the winter, toasty in the summer… and when you’re here, I want you to never want to get out of bed!”
Between the coffee, coziness, and high thread count luxury linen, why would you want to?
I ask Denise if the cabin is dog friendly.
“Of course!” she says. “The warmth of an animal is what makes it a home.” She has two fur babies of her own, a German Shepherd and a cockapoo, and having her best buddies with her makes all the difference.
For a moment I picture myself at sunset, gently rocking in the swing by the river, a glass of local merlot in one hand, the other on top of my dog’s shaggy head resting on my leg.
Behind the hypnotizing sound of the Etowah River are the sounds of a bluegrass band, the notes carried up from town on the cool evening breeze.
Pro Tips & Local Wisdom
Warm up at Corner Kitchen in Dahlonega with a mug of their outstanding joe in your hands
Antiquing (now no longer just for old people!) Dahlonega — which is super hip, by the way — has no fewer than three antiques stores. I’ll bet you need a lamp or a frame for your painting of dogs playing poker
North Georgia is home to some noteworthy vineyards — and Saddle Tree is minutes away from several of them, such as Wolf Mountain, Cavender Creek, and Kaya Vineyard and Winery. Enjoy a glass or bottle and spectacular mountain panoramas
Lace up your boots and bring some snacks: Dahlonega serves as a gateway to the Appalachian Trail, providing numerous hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels
Enjoy home-cooked southern comfort food at The Smith House
Life is but a dream… when you’re enjoying a leisurely float down the Chestatee River (tube or kayak)
Take in Dahlonega’s thriving arts scene: galleries and cultural events, including the Dahlonega Arts and Wine Festival, and local artisans and musicians
The Small Print
The Sounds of Silence: please limit outdoor use of speakers and other amplified sound equipment to 8:00 am through 10:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday; 8:00 am through 11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday
You love your furry friends, and we’d love to host one or a couple of them. We charge a $75 cleaning fee per dog, per day. Cats make us sneeze: please leave them with grandma
We put together a starter kit for your arrival (5 trash bags under kitchen sink, 1 roll of paper towels per kitchen, 3 rolls of t.p. per bathroom, small bars of body soap) — please anticipate any needs beyond that, and stock up in town or bring from home
Suds and beans can be very personal choices: please bring your own laundry detergent and coffee
You’ll find an ample supply of dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap
Need us? We’re a phone call (and stone’s throw) away, 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Give us a buzz and we’ll be there in a jiff to help you with any unforeseen detail
From our entire team, a big thank-you for choosing SVR — and booking so much more than a rental property. With nearly 10,000 stays and half as many glowing reviews, our guests agree.
Born and bred here in Georgia, we ensure our clients feel the warmth of our southern hospitality and have unforgettable stays in beautiful homes — in one of the prettiest landscapes the country has to offer.
We love North Georgia — and we love sharing her with you. In each of our cabins you’ll find an “Experience the Mountains” manual full of suggestions about local attractions such as hikes and sightseeing, as well as our favorite restaurants in town.
Want to connect with us about anything from the layout of the property to our favorite local IPA? Give us a shout. Someone on our team of locals (possibly me) will be happy to chat with you, answer any questions, and help you book your next dream mountain vacation.
We can’t wait to see you soon in our neck of the woods… and mountains, and lakes, and so much more.
*2 cameras are located on the outside of the house; one facing the driveway, and one facing the backyard which includes both doors and the swing.
-Joni, Founder & Director, SVR
