River Top
2500 square-foot custom designed house built into the mountainside in Talking Rock, Georgia.
Contractor : 4M Construction
Partnered : Reynard Custom Homes
Perched into the mountainside of North Georgia, River Top is a 2,500 square foot custom home designed to engage its steep terrain rather than resist it. Located in Talking Rock, Georgia, the home steps down the slope through a series of interconnected decks and living spaces, ultimately extending toward the river below.
The architecture embraces a modern mountain aesthetic, combining dark exterior finishes with warm wood elements and expansive glazing. The home cantilevers out over the trees to capture long-range views, creating the sensation of floating within the forest canopy while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape.
Inside, the layout was carefully tailored to support both retreat and gathering. The program includes three bedrooms, an additional loft bunk room, and a separate adjoining studio space, offering flexibility for guests, creative work, and quiet separation when needed. Large sliding doors and double-height living spaces blur the boundary between interior and exterior, allowing natural light and views to shape the experience of the home.
A defining feature of the design is its layered outdoor living. Three levels of decks connect the main house to the surrounding terrain, creating multiple breakout spaces for relaxing and entertaining. The design continues down the mountainside, terminating in an entertainment deck that hovers above the river, reinforcing the home’s relationship to the site and completing the journey from ridge to water.
River Top reflects our approach to custom home design in North Georgia: architecture that is deeply responsive to site, thoughtfully detailed for construction, and designed to support how clients actually live, gather, and retreat.
