Plateau Magazine June-July 2023

With the passing of time, the home also passed hands. Beloved
parties like the gymkhanas faded away and became fond
memories shared between longtime friends over iced tea on the
front porch during warm summer evenings. While things were
changing at the aging Keene House, Cashiers saw its fair share of
changes happening as well, with many new families coming into
the area. Beth Townsend credits the plateau’s superb climate and
small-town atmosphere, along with the abundance of outdoor recreational
pursuits as among the top reasons for such a boost to
the population.
Among those who found themselves drawn to the Highlands-
Cashiers Plateau were Bill and Misty Brennan, full-time residents
of Chattanooga, Tennessee. After visiting the area, they,
like many others, felt a deep connection with it and bought a vacation
home in Highlands. While that home served their family
well, they longed to be closer to High Hampton to enjoy the many
amenities they and their children had come to love. “We’d been
looking with Beth on and off for a couple of years. We weren’t
exactly sure what we wanted,” says Misty Brennan. Ultimately,
it was the home’s proximity both to town and High Hampton that
won over the Brennans.
At the time the Brennans purchased the home, it was already
undergoing a massive renovation project. However, there were
some additional renovations necessary to give the home the precise
feel the Brennans wanted. “We wanted light and airy, while
still remaining cozy. I wanted a lightened Ralph Lauren vibe, if
that’s a thing,” says Misty, who is drawn to older homes with a lot
of character–which this one has in spades. Preserving bits of the
home’s original charm, such as using knotty pine and stone, as
well as maximizing the natural light, played a major role in the
renovation decisions the new owners made.
One of the biggest changes the Brennans made was altering
the master suite rather dramatically. “I didn’t like how the original
master suite was in the middle of the three bedrooms, and it
had the least amount of natural light,” says Misty. To solve this,
the Brennans transformed the original, attached garage into the
master suite of their dreams and added a detached garage.
Continuing the home’s tradition of being an impeccable spot
for outdoor entertainment, the Brennans also added a dreamy
backyard patio and cozy outdoor fireplace. These additions, however,
were not easy. “The original plans evolved because we were
renovating during COVID, so we weren’t able to get the materials
or furnishings we wanted in a timely manner,” says Misty, a
frustration shared by many who took on home renovation projects
during that time. But the Brennans forged on, working as
best they could from their home in Chattanooga with those who
handled the renovation. “Overall, we’re happy with the project,”
says Misty, citing the family’s excitement whenever they’re able
to come to High Hampton for some well-earned relaxation and to
enjoy the many programs the club holds for members throughout
the year. “My son is doing a golf camp this summer, so we’ll be
enjoying it for that time. We really just appreciate the quiet time
of relaxing, hiking, playing golf and pickleball, and the occasional
evening out for a nice dinner,” says Misty.
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